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How to Become a Tattoo Artist: Apprenticeships vs Tattoo Schools

Getting into the tattoo industry — apprenticeships, tattoo schools, and breaking in.

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200 threads in this topic

• Machine set up
  405 messages · 2/23/2012
• tattoo schools worth it or not
  394 messages · 3/16/2016
• TATTOO APRENTISHIP101
  145 messages · 2/12/2012
• First tattoo gun
  116 messages · 7/5/2010
• Liners and Shaders
  91 messages · 8/24/2014
• tattoo machine adjustment
  88 messages · 4/7/2011
• Apprentice Wanted
  85 messages · 9/27/2014
• Tattoo Needle
  76 messages · 3/2/2011
• What equipment do I really need to start tattooing?
  76 messages · 9/14/2014
• Apprentice VS Self Taught
  58 messages · 10/25/2010
• my 5th tattoo using a swash
  58 messages · 4/16/2009
• I BOUGHT MY KIT OFF OF E-BAY
  55 messages · 6/1/2012
• Apprentices should be paid.
  49 messages · 8/25/2014
• Teach Me To Tattoo
  49 messages · 11/2/2014
• unique brand tattoo ink
  48 messages · 8/25/2015
• my portfolio please help
  47 messages · 8/31/2006
• What do you think of part-time artists?
  45 messages · 12/9/2006
• Apprentice contracts!
  45 messages · 7/8/2012
• WTF is wrong with you people?
  43 messages · 9/30/2009
• New Tattoo - Would Like Feedback
  42 messages · 2/2/2007
• tattoo school
  42 messages · 7/29/2010
• Iron Workhorse vs Workhorse Iron?
  41 messages · 2/6/2016
• reasonable apprenticeship cost??
  38 messages · 1/14/2012
• Tattoo Machine ?
  36 messages · 5/12/2011
• is this working
  36 messages · 10/2/2009
• Black and Gray equiptment?
  34 messages · 3/2/2009
• Tattoo School
  32 messages · 6/20/2010
• WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT
  31 messages · 2/14/2010
• WHAT SHOULD I BUY FOR MY FIRST TATTOO MACHINES
  31 messages · 9/17/2007
• Synthetic skin
  29 messages · 4/30/2010
• Thank you almighty tattoo gods.
  29 messages · 9/8/2009
• Poor apprentices
  28 messages · 4/18/2006
• Anyone self taught gone pro...?
  28 messages · 3/8/2011
• This is 40 YEARS experience for you - AFTER an apprenticeship
  28 messages · 9/24/2008
• Self Taught -VS- Apprenticeship (No Shit Slingin')
  27 messages · 9/26/2008
• Looking for a place to start
  27 messages · 9/21/2008
• Something I just noticed...
  26 messages · 8/6/2006
• The bettter Machine....help
  26 messages · 5/2/2010
• WTF people???
  26 messages · 4/19/2006
• TattooNOW tattoo convention?
  25 messages · 11/19/2007
• Ink Masterz Tattoo and Art Studio
  25 messages · 4/14/2006
• born to drill<looking for the right shop>
  24 messages · 8/3/2007
• LOL @ all u guys
  24 messages · 2/4/2008
• Tattoo apprenticeship information
  23 messages · 12/11/2014
• Artist looking for Feedback
  22 messages · 5/30/2012
• Questions to ask...
  22 messages · 8/9/2006
• Everything I need,,,help plz
  21 messages · 8/2/2007
• Power supply
  20 messages · 7/6/2011
• DO YOU GUYS EVEN KNOW?
  20 messages · 7/31/2006
• Seeking Tattoo Apprenticeship
  20 messages · 4/5/2014
• Covering machine during tattoo
  19 messages · 1/25/2007
• pro thoughts wanted for passionate apprenticeship seeker.
  19 messages · 8/31/2006
• Question for Gabe ^o^
  19 messages · 10/12/2006
• tune
  18 messages · 8/21/2006
• Mail from the tattoo school
  18 messages · 5/8/2006
• Freelance Tattooist
  18 messages · 10/21/2006
• apprenticeship available
  18 messages · 5/30/2006
• thinking about looking for an apprenticeship
  17 messages · 2/10/2007
• DISEASES READY TO BE SPREAD
  17 messages · 2/13/2007
• A note on "scratchers"
  17 messages · 8/3/2009
• paper cups for ink?
  16 messages · 10/12/2009
• Check out this new studio!!
  16 messages · 12/9/2005
• scratcher
  16 messages · 7/24/2009
• Toronto Tattoos
  16 messages · 12/15/2012
• I don't want to be a scratcher!
  16 messages · 10/7/2010
• Taz, fact or fiction?
  15 messages · 9/26/2007
• tattoo needles
  15 messages · 6/5/2007
• Tattoo Artist Needed
  15 messages · 3/23/2006
• tips on art,
  15 messages · 7/7/2007
• Hi, I'm Dough and I'm a scratcher.
  14 messages · 7/31/2014
• online video tattoos
  14 messages · 10/28/2007
• Apprenticeship in San Diego Ca.
  13 messages · 10/3/2006
• Curious
  13 messages · 4/17/2009
• Too old to start?
  13 messages · 7/27/2008
• tattoo schools
  13 messages · 4/9/2006
• the apprentice on Miami ink?
  13 messages · 4/7/2009
• Artistry vs. Technical Skill vs. Work Ethic
  13 messages · 8/3/2006
• fair tattoo apprenticeship
  13 messages · 12/10/2010
• Tattoo apprenticeship available in great shop
  13 messages · 6/22/2006
• going about getting a piercing aprentiship
  13 messages · 8/8/2006
• Professional tattooists
  12 messages · 3/14/2012
• I need Some constructive Criticism
  12 messages · 9/14/2006
• I have an online portfolio, please look
  12 messages · 4/14/2006
• where are some good schools in Ontario??
  11 messages · 5/2/2012
• Who wants $5,000.00?????
  11 messages · 2/12/2009
• paying to apprentice
  11 messages · 4/30/2007
• Becoming a tattoo artist
  11 messages · 3/30/2010
• How would I approach a shop about this? (NOT an apprenticeship!)
  11 messages · 1/28/2008
• Apprenticeship in Missouri
  11 messages · 12/11/2006
• Relocating to Orlando
  10 messages · 9/2/2009
• What I get as an APPRENTICE?
  10 messages · 12/19/2007
• am i a scratcher...seriously now!
  10 messages · 10/28/2007
• Rotary Machine
  10 messages · 9/28/2014
• GOOD MACHINE TO START WITH
  10 messages · 3/10/2007
• I want to learn i might move to Brandon Manitoba
  10 messages · 4/7/2010
• Is pig skin good to practise on?
  10 messages · 4/11/2010
• New Shader Recomendations
  10 messages · 7/18/2008
• Hey Gabe
  10 messages · 2/26/2007
• Is Tattooing something that a pro can see potential in someone learning right away?
  10 messages · 5/25/2007
• My Apprenticeship Quest
  10 messages · 8/12/2007
• need advice on drawing flash
  10 messages · 3/30/2006
• Help With Becoming An Artist
  10 messages · 1/30/2007
• KING OF THE TATTOO INDUSTRY
  10 messages · 1/3/2007
• Fake Neumas already?
  10 messages · 1/22/2008
• sidejobs
  10 messages · 2/20/2009
• my portfolio...
  9 messages · 6/25/2009
• Looking for Apprenticeship in Central Fl
  9 messages · 10/15/2011
• Looking for start-up machine set
  9 messages · 11/15/2005
• My Cuz Said I'd Like Being A Tattoo Artist
  9 messages · 1/12/2006
• The demographics of an ideal apprentice...
  9 messages · 4/18/2006
• Tattoo apprecntice needs work htfd county CT
  9 messages · 5/22/2006
• I know I am gonna get reimed, but I have to ask..
  9 messages · 7/9/2006
• machines
  9 messages · 8/16/2006
• just started
  9 messages · 10/17/2006
• Joshua Carlton teaching advanced tattooing seminar @ Off the Map Tattoo
  9 messages · 11/19/2006
• is Amy (of miami ink) gay ?
  9 messages · 1/17/2007
• Fixing a tattoo
  9 messages · 2/6/2007
• Some Advice?
  9 messages · 3/14/2008
• What if you can't get an apprenticeship?
  9 messages · 10/25/2010
• A Bit Of Tattoo History
  8 messages · 6/13/2009
• should a person pay for an apprenticeship
  8 messages · 7/24/2006
• Tat-B-gone and other Removal Ads
  8 messages · 2/24/2009
• Suggested Reading
  8 messages · 7/22/2006
• Apprenticesip Stories
  8 messages · 1/1/2007
• Tattoo Apprentiship Info
  8 messages · 11/18/2005
• CHARGING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP?
  8 messages · 1/20/2010
• best tattoo machine
  8 messages · 2/5/2007
• Apprentice Needs Master
  8 messages · 7/12/2006
• HELP turn my pictures into outlines.
  8 messages · 12/10/2006
• My 3rd tattoo, 3rd week
  8 messages · 3/20/2009
• young apprentice
  8 messages · 5/9/2006
• trouble with my apprenticeship
  8 messages · 4/25/2014
• Heres a good one. Am I a Scratcher?
  8 messages · 2/4/2010
• sleeve in japan
  8 messages · 5/9/2007
• filling in outline & silversin
  8 messages · 5/17/2007
• SE NM or W TX Portrait
  8 messages · 4/13/2006
• A word for all the beginers/"skratchers"
  8 messages · 3/23/2006
• So Screwed
  8 messages · 8/16/2006
• WILL A 40 YR OLD BE ABLE TO START OFF IN THE BUSINESS AND BECOME AN APPRENTICE
  8 messages · 5/14/2008
• Tattoo artists needed for new studio
  7 messages · 2/8/2012
• Apprenticeship Questions.
  7 messages · 7/16/2010
• smoother shading....
  7 messages · 3/22/2008
• Wanting New York Apprenticeship
  7 messages · 5/26/2010
• How do I become a tattoo artist
  7 messages · 4/23/2006
• Too old?
  7 messages · 8/17/2006
• ink
  7 messages · 3/16/2007
• stencil advice
  7 messages · 3/31/2007
• tattoo machine physics
  7 messages · 7/16/2006
• Apprentice tid-bits....
  7 messages · 12/7/2004
• Apprentice Apprentice Apprentice!
  7 messages · 2/3/2010
• Tattoo Artist Wanted
  7 messages · 6/21/2007
• want to be an apprentice
  6 messages · 1/18/2005
• does getting a tatto on side of your neck hurts
  6 messages · 4/20/2007
• TATTOO ARTIST NEEDED IN MONTREAL
  6 messages · 3/19/2011
• test posting image
  6 messages · 7/29/2007
• How do I become a tattoo apprentist?
  6 messages · 9/3/2006
• 12 wrap cils
  6 messages · 8/25/2006
• Sterilization and Infection
  6 messages · 8/2/2006
• Good gear to get myself started...
  6 messages · 1/17/2008
• look for apprenticeship
  6 messages · 7/19/2006
• apprenticeship found.... now semi worried..
  6 messages · 1/7/2008
• Apprentice Bitch- and how long?
  6 messages · 6/4/2006
• A stab in the dark
  6 messages · 3/14/2012
• I'm an apprentice
  6 messages · 3/5/2008
• Portfolio question (sort of long, sorry!)
  6 messages · 5/12/2006
• Another beginner.
  6 messages · 7/27/2008
• Tattoo Apprenticeship
  6 messages · 3/11/2010
• Opening Shop Questions
  6 messages · 10/22/2008
• Just started my Apprenticeship
  6 messages · 5/10/2009
• college
  6 messages · 5/16/2006
• Looking to become an apprentice in Dallas Area (Texas)
  6 messages · 12/3/2005
• looking into trying to become a tatoo artist
  6 messages · 9/7/2009
• Painkillers before a tat
  6 messages · 2/11/2007
• investor/or partner
  6 messages · 10/6/2005
• apprentice
  6 messages · 12/13/2010
• Advice on apprenticeships
  6 messages · 7/26/2012
• looking for schools
  6 messages · 10/11/2007
• How to DESIGN for tattoos
  5 messages · 2/20/2008
• Looking for feed back
  5 messages · 10/13/2005
• Blood under new tattoo
  5 messages · 12/28/2006
• Female Artist Seeking Apprenticeship in NY/NJ
  5 messages · 10/7/2014
• Learning to tattoo......
  5 messages · 6/6/2006
• what do you think?
  5 messages · 6/19/2007
• good tattoo shops in chattanooga tn
  5 messages · 7/18/2006
• INK by Dave Storm
  5 messages · 12/16/2005
• artists need a foot in the door
  5 messages · 7/21/2006
• Does this sound weird? U tell Me.
  5 messages · 12/20/2007
• Question about apprenticeship
  5 messages · 10/18/2007
• a time machine
  5 messages · 1/17/2007
• help with tribal settings with 7 mag.. *apprentice
  5 messages · 10/3/2004
• Any Good Schools In Rhode Island or Southeastern Mass.??
  5 messages · 2/26/2007
• Hah...huh? Funny/sad Pic
  5 messages · 7/7/2007
• Apprenticship wanted abroad
  5 messages · 3/27/2006
• Autoclave recipes
  5 messages · 4/8/2006
• sockin it too the honest hard working man (tat artist)
  5 messages · 5/8/2006
• Apprenticeship
  5 messages · 2/1/2006
• Confused..In need of an answer
  5 messages · 1/15/2006
• George (Doc) Webb
  5 messages · 6/23/2011
• tattoo history
  5 messages · 5/31/2006
• Fake ID tattoo...what to do?
  5 messages · 6/21/2007