How to Become a Tattoo Artist

How to Become a Tattoo Artist

What Does Becoming a Tattoo Artist Actually Mean?

Becoming a tattoo artist means permanently marking someone’s skin with artwork they’ll carry for life — no pressure. But beyond the ink and imagery, it’s a job built on trust, precision, hygiene, and a serious commitment to doing things properly. Tattoo artists aren’t just creatives — they’re skilled professionals who must understand skin, healing, sterilisation, and technique. Whether you’re doing bold traditional work or fine-line realism, you’re dealing with people’s bodies, stories, and expectations. It’s not just about art — it’s about responsibility.

How Does It All Work?

In the UK, there’s no formal degree to become a tattoo artist, but you must complete a professional apprenticeship — there’s no shortcut. You’ll need to learn under an experienced, licensed tattoo artist, ideally in a respected studio. A proper apprenticeship teaches everything from machine handling to aftercare, sterilisation, client consultation, and how to set up a safe, clean workspace.

Apprenticeships can last one to three years and are often unpaid. Getting one is competitive and usually starts with a strong art portfolio — not tattoos, but drawings, sketches, and designs that show your range, creativity, and consistency. Tattoo studios want to see your artistic ability before they invest time training you.

You must also register with your local council once you’re ready to start tattooing clients. This includes applying for a tattoo, piercing, or semipermanent makeup licence, which covers both the artist and the premises. Health and safety compliance is non-negotiable — that includes safe disposal of needles, sterilisation procedures, and infection control.

Understanding the Life of a Tattoo Artist

The day-to-day life of a tattoo artist mixes intense focus with client interaction. You’ll spend time designing tattoos, prepping your station, cleaning equipment, doing the actual tattooing, and helping clients through the process. Some days are fully booked with back-to-back sessions, others are slower, focused on drawings, walk-ins, or consultations.

Working with skin is very different from working with paper. It moves, it bleeds, and everyone’s is slightly different. That means you’re constantly adjusting pressure, speed, and approach — and there's no room for ego. Every mistake is permanent.

You’ll also be dealing with people. Tattooing is emotional — for clients, it might mark grief, love, identity, or simply self-expression. That means you need patience, people skills, and the ability to work with nervous, excited, or sometimes difficult individuals.

Possible Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming a Tattoo Artist

One of the biggest advantages is creative freedom. You get paid to draw, design, and leave behind work that’s part of someone’s life. It’s also a career with strong community and identity — many artists love the culture around tattooing and the chance to be part of it.

The downside? It takes time to get started, and apprenticeships are hard to land. Early income is low or non-existent, and it can take years to build up a steady client base. You’ll also spend long hours standing, often hunched over detailed work, and if your hygiene standards ever slip, the consequences are serious — for both health and reputation.

First 30 Days Plan for a Tattoo Apprentice (UK Focus)

Week 1: Get in the Studio Mindset

Start by showing up early, observing everything, and asking smart questions. You’re there to learn, not impress. Clean equipment, mop floors, sterilise tools, watch how clients are greeted and how artists prep their stations. Bring a notebook. Every single task matters. Learn the difference between single-use and reusable equipment, and memorise the studio’s hygiene protocols. Do not even think about touching a machine yet.

Week 2: Build the Right Portfolio

Ask for honest feedback on your drawing skills. Focus on clean line work, shading, and composition. Practise drawing tattooable flash, not just complex pieces that look good on paper. Trace designs to build muscle memory, then redraw them freehand. Stick to blackwork and traditional designs early on, as they teach essential skills. Spend your evenings drawing and redrawing. Quantity and consistency beat perfection.

Week 3: Learn Tattoo Theory and Watch Closely

Learn everything you can about machine parts, needle groupings, skin anatomy, and healing. Watch how your mentor sets up their machine, mixes ink, stretches skin, and handles interruptions mid-session. Start prepping transfer stencils for real clients. Stay focused and humble. Your job is to earn trust by being reliable and eager to learn — not by rushing the process.

Week 4: Start Contributing

By now, you should be confidently setting up and breaking down workstations, sterilising properly, and helping with design prep. Ask if you can do stencils solo. Offer to photograph finished tattoos for the artist’s portfolio. If your mentor is happy with your hygiene and work ethic, you might start practising on fake skin or fruit. But if not, keep watching, cleaning, and drawing — trust builds slowly.

It's More About People Than You Think

Tattooing is personal. You're not just making art — you're marking someone’s skin forever. That means communication is everything. You need to listen carefully, explain clearly, and manage nerves, expectations, and the occasional awkward situation. If you're not good with people, or you don't like working up close, this job will get rough fast.

Your Reputation Is Everything

Tattooing is a trust-based industry. No one cares about your diploma if your linework is shaky or your station's dirty. Clients won’t give you a second chance if you mess up — word travels fast. The best artists get booked because people trust them, not just because they’re “good at drawing.” Be polite, punctual, clean, and consistent — every time.

You’ll Never Stop Learning

Even once you're fully trained, you’ll never be done. Tattoo trends evolve. Equipment changes. Skin types vary. The best artists are the ones who keep improving. That means going to conventions, getting tattooed by better artists, asking for feedback, and being open to critique even years into the job.

The First Few Years Are Tough

This isn’t a quick win. Apprenticeships are often unpaid, long, and humbling. Getting your own clients takes time, and early income will be inconsistent. You’ll spend more time cleaning than tattooing at first. If you’re not in it for the long haul, it’s not for you. But if you push through the early grind, it pays off.

Art Alone Isn’t Enough

Yes, you need to be able to draw — but not just anything. Tattooable art means bold lines, smart placement, and designs that hold up on skin, not just paper. Focus on traditional flash, black and grey fundamentals, and building a recognisable style. Learn what makes a tattoo last and what doesn’t. Skin is not a sketchpad.

Licences and Law Matter

In the UK, both you and the studio must be licensed with the local council before you can tattoo legally. You’ll need to follow strict hygiene and waste disposal rules. This isn’t just red tape — if you cut corners here, you risk infections, fines, or even getting shut down.

It’s Physically Demanding

Long hours, bad posture, bright lights, and fine motor work can wreck your hands, eyes, and back if you don’t look after yourself. Learn about ergonomic setups, stretch regularly, and take care of your body — because if it breaks, you can’t work.

Summary

Tattooing isn’t just about ink — it’s about trust, patience, resilience, and commitment to the craft. If you’re ready to treat it like a real profession, respect the culture, and put in the time to learn properly, it can give you a creative, flexible, and deeply fulfilling career. But if you’re looking for shortcuts or instant fame, this is the wrong game.