How to become a successful tattoo artist

You should be creative and have an eye for detail. A job as a Tattoo Artist could make a great career option.

Tattoo artists and the art of tattooing have been around since before we could even begin to imagine. It is possible to trace the origins of tattoo art back to ancient times. Tattooing has only emerged as a respectable profession and a profitable flouring trade in the past century. Now, we know tattoo artists who are well-known not just in their own countries but all over the world. “But like any other creative field it takes years of hard work and dedication and immense passion for the art, to reach that point,” says Inkman Aakash Chandani. This article will tell you what tattoo artists do. It also explains how to be a tattoo artist.

What does a tattoo artist do? 

An artist who designs tattoos for clients is a tattooist. They use needles or pigments to tattoo them. These designs generally stay for life long on the client’s body. A few tattoo artists offer additional services such as body piercing and tattoo removal.

How to become a tattoo artist 

First and foremost, a person must have the creativity to create tattoos and be willing and able to continue learning. “It is a dynamic field where new styles and tools keep coming, so the artist should be ready to evolve with time,” says Aakash who owns a popular Skin Machine tattoo studio in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Always consider taking a course in tattoo art certification. A good institution will give you a lot more credentials and higher-earning opportunities for artists.

Find out where to look

Apprenticeships under a tattoo artist are the best way to get started in this art. “ Not every good artist is a good teacher, so do a bit of research before joining any artist” suggests Aakash. You will need to be proficient for at least 2 years before you can start your tattoo shop. To excel in this field, one must commit to working at least 6 hours per day. For both the learning process and the practical experience needed to own a practice, apprenticeship is required. It takes at least five years to become an independent practitioner, according to most professionals.

Competencies and Responsibilities 

An artist who is skilled in tattoo design must be creative. “He/she must be someone who is creative and understands the sincerity and seriousness of art, love for various cultures, patience and dedication, good interpersonal skills, extremely good attention to details,” says Aakash who has more than a decade of experience in the industry and has trained many successful tattoo artists of today, Responsibilities of tattoo artists include Meeting with clients to discuss their requirements, applying pre-made or bespoke designs on clients’ skin, follow-up for health and safety procedures, developing and learning new designs in spare time, and taking care of the hygiene of equipment.

You can be a tattoo artist!

“ Success is a very relative term says Aakash, “however practice is the most important instrument to establish yourself. No matter if you are new or an experienced artist, it is important to practice to get better. Apart from that, the artist has to keep track with latest trends and other established artists, what new they are doing in the field.” He adds.

Aakash mentions few more important points “ If you want to succeed try to develop some uniqueness in designs, give your own touch. The art should be enjoyed and appreciated for its passion. After a certain point, if you make money your only motivation then it is easy to become uninspired. You should keep learning new styles and forms, and creating your own look. Listen to your client and don’t force them into accepting what you have in mind. You should only discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each design. Then let your client decide how and what to do. And last but not least the artist must know how to market and promote himself in the challenging environment.” he sums up.

The earnings of established tattoo artists can be very impressive. The average salary for a tattoo artist is between 6.0 and7.0 lac. Experienced tattoo artists can make between 9.00 and 10.00 lac. An independent artist might earn handsomely depending on his skill level and his popularity.