If you love creativity, and especially drawing, you should definitely consider becoming a tattoo artist. But it is also worth considering that this career requires dedication and several years of study. In order to become a professional tattoo artist, you need to understand exactly what steps you need to take to master this profession.
In this article we will delve into how to become a tattoo artist in the UK, how to start a successful career and develop your own business, what licence is required to provide your services.
The Artistic Nature of Tattooing
If you want to become a tattoo artist, it is the study of the artistic nature that is the place to start. Clear evidence of the first tattoos was discovered 8000 B.C., at the end of the Ice Age. Tattoos fulfilled a variety of functions: they served as jewellery, were tribal identification, and indicated class status (from prostitution, to crime, to nobility among the Thracians and Japanese emperors).
Modern custom tattoos serve as a beautiful body adornment and carry a rather broad message. Since skilled tattoo artists apply their designs to a variety of people, this modern art is addressed to a rather wide public, including those to whom the client will show the finished work in the future (intentionally or accidentally). Tattooing resonates with everyone who comes into contact with it.
Tattoo Styles and Specialisations
In order to create high quality tattoos, you not only need to be good at drawing, but also have an excellent understanding of styles, various design elements and how they influence each other. You need to know this if you are going to create complex designs or apply them to human skin that already has other tattoos. Tattoo design includes elements of various levels of complexity, so knowing a large number of elements will allow you to create real masterpieces on the human body. In this situation fine arts consists of the following design elements:
- lines;
- forms;
- textures;
- a variety of colours;
- contrast;
- balance sheet and many others.
You can master all these elements, various styles and subtleties of drawing in art school or on special in-depth profile courses that deal with fine arts.
Educational Pathways to Tattoo Artistry
Tattoo apprenticeship is a compulsory process. Some may take formal training by obtaining a fine art degree from a college, while other artists prefer to take relevant courses and workshops at a tattoo school. Formal art training provides in-depth knowledge of design concepts. Art students practice creating their own artwork for a variety of offerings. With formal education, one can develop their drawing skills to become a complete versatile artist.
Apprenticeships: Learning from Experienced Tattoo Artists
To become a tattoo artist, you can enlist the support of a knowledgeable person. Finding a mentor is one of the best ways to get a lot of hands-on experience with techniques that you have only learnt in theory. It is best to seek out a mentor in the form of a practitioner who works in a popular salon, has years of experience and uses the style you like best. To find a mentor, you can show your own portfolio to a few local tattoo studios or show them to specific artists whose work you like. Some of them may well be willing to teach you.
Formal Tattoo Artistry Courses and Training
There are now a wide variety of programmes available on how to become a tattoo artist. If you are serious about your own career, it is best to look for opportunities to become a well-rounded artist. You should also take a realistic view of your financial situation and have a good understanding of your artistic skills to decide whether you need a degree in traditional art. Either a course from tattoo masters or even you may well be self-taught may be enough for you. Keep in mind that the more time you spend learning the necessary skills, the better expert you will be. That said, tattoo artists do not necessarily need to have a formal education or even a high school diploma.
Building a Portfolio: The Key to Success
A successful tattoo artist must have a professional portfolio. It plays a crucial role in the beginning of your career as a tattoo artist, because it is the portfolio that potential mentors and employers will be able to assess the quality of your work and decide if they want to work with you. Your portfolio should include your best drawings and designs. They should certainly be clear and attractive. You can even present even a social media page as your online portfolio (this is also a very good way to attract clients). Some artists use paper folders where they file their work. However, a portfolio should demonstrate your versatility, that you can work in a variety of styles.
Legal and Health Regulations for Tattoo Artists
It is essential to follow health and safety guidelines when working as a tattoo artist. If you want to become a tattoo artist, you must complete all relevant courses and obtain certain certificates so that you can apply for a licence.
Licensing and Registration Requirements
Only licensed tattoo artists are authorised to serve clients. It is worth noting that tattoo licensing requirements may vary depending on your location. This will determine the number of hours of training you need to complete and what health and safety courses you need to complete before applying for a licence. In some cases, in order to become a tattoo artist, a certificate of first aid or CPR training is required. A licence is only issued after passing the examinations and paying the state fee.
Health and Safety Standards in Tattoo Studios
A tattooist works directly with human skin and must therefore comply with safety guidelines. Particular attention should be paid to blood borne pathogens during training. It may also be necessary at some point to obtain a certificate of training in techniques to prevent the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other infections during tattooing. Training in skin and infectious diseases may also be required. A true professional should have a thorough knowledge of the types of diseases that can be transmitted through tattoos and how they can be prevented.
Setting Up Your Tattoo Artistry Business
For most tattoo artists, the ultimate career goal is to open their own tattoo studio. But in this situation, you should be prepared for the fact that you will have to deal with many additional tasks: promoting your services, hiring tattoo artists, and complying with safety guidelines. In this situation you need to have professional business skills to make your business a success. In parallel with the organisation of the business you will have to undergo additional tattoo apprenticeship to improve your skills. At the same time, all your efforts will be rewarded with a large income.
Finding the Right Location for Your Studio
To open a tattoo parlor, you need to find a suitable location for it. The location should be walkable, so that it is easy for customers to get to it and it is clear where the tattoo shop is located.
Investing in Tattoo Equipment and Supplies
In order for a tattoo shop to start working, it needs to be equipped with everything you need: each artist should have their own tattoo machine, permanent ink, games, skin pens, gloves, alcohol wipes, film and other materials. The shop owner should definitely include the cost of materials in his budget.
Also note that a reputable tattoo shop must have a licence. Even if you want to open only the shop to sell tattooing materials, you will also have to obtain a licence.
In addition, on your own, you will not always be able to cope with a large flow of clients and will have to advertise that you tattoo artist requires. He will also have to be provided with all the necessary equipment. In addition, all employees of the salon must comply with health and safety guidelines.
Building a Clientele and Marketing Your Services
Successful tattoo shops do not skimp on marketing. In order to get your name out there and get a flow of customers, you should definitely start promoting yourself. In this situation, you can use social media, outdoor advertising and other techniques.
Mastering Tattoo Techniques and Styles
Ongoing practice tattooing is crucial in developing your skills as well as learning new styles, techniques and trends. Tattoo apprenticeship continues throughout your career as a master. Even if you have already become an expert, there is still something to learn.
Inking Techniques and Equipment Mastery
Aspiring tattoo artists most often learn the basics by drawing on fruit (oranges are the best) or synthetic skin to work out how to blend well, draw clean lines and make the hand more stable. In addition, you need to adapt to the tattoo machine itself.
At the same time, to become a tattoo artist, it is definitely worth practising on people. If you have brave friends or family members, ask them to help you gain experience. Also, many tattoo shops that provide training offer free or heavily discounted tattoos so that new students can practice on real people.
Exploring Diverse Tattoo Styles and Trends
If you want to become a tattoo artist who will be popular with clients, it is definitely worth creating body art masterpieces. Master a variety of styles and techniques – black and grey drawings and coloured, graphic and as realistic as possible. You should also practice drawing different variations of sketches: floral prints, animals, drawings of people, abstractions and much more.
The Tattoo Artistry Community in the UK
A reputable tattoo artist should certainly be recognised by his peers. If you want to learn a lot of new things and demonstrate your particular art style, you need to network with other tattoo artists. The UK has a fairly well-developed tattoo community. There are separate clubs, regularly organised a variety of master classes, conferences and other events for the exchange of experience.
Connecting with Fellow Tattoo Artists
To achieve success, be sure to focus on popular tattoo artists. They can give you a lot of useful tips that will help you in your career. You can network on social media, at masterclasses or during tattoo apprenticeships. It is worth making useful connections at the very beginning of your career – when you have learnt drawing skills. In the future, colleagues with more experience can help you develop your business by offering you tattoo artist jobs, working in your own studio or simply giving you a valuable recommendation.
Participating in Tattoo Conventions and Events
Tattoo artists enter into whole communities where they share their experience among themselves. Also professionals participate in special conferences and events, which can be devoted to various topics: presentation of new tattoo machines or colours, review of new techniques, seminars on popular styles of modern tattoos and so on. Successful tattoo artist takes active part in many seminars in order to improve their art skills and achieve high mastery in the chosen direction.
Becoming a Successful Tattoo Artist in the UK
If you are interested in becoming a tattoo artist and at the same time you want to be not just a mediocre master, but a successful and in-demand specialist, you will have to work hard.
Building a Strong Portfolio and Client Base
A tattoo portfolio is definitely one of the most important and effective tools of a tattoo artist. This way, clients or even potential mentors can determine whether your tattoo skills meet their expectations. In addition, many tattoo shops require applicants to showcase their work. More often than not, it is the portfolio that gives an impression of you as a professional. It must be professional and attractive. Often established artists arrange their work in several forms – digital version and paper version. The first method is becoming more and more popular lately.
In your own portfolio you should certainly put 25 to 100 finished works and tattoo designs. These can be copies or they can be your original designs. Make sure that all the artwork you add to your portfolio shows you as a well rounded artist. It is definitely worth adding some examples of how you do graphic design in black and grey (even if your strength is in colourful drawings). Even if your black and grey design doesn’t transfer too well to the skin, this sketch will still show that you have a strong technique and a real talent for designing tattoos.
Engaging with Social Media and Online Presence
Once you get your tattooing licence, get a job in a tattoo studio or open your own office, you can start marketing and selling your services. One of the most effective tools is social media. It is definitely worth creating a professional account in Instagram or TikTok, where you can publish how to create high quality tattoos, your completed work on the human body, or tattoo designs that you would like to perform. A constant online presence will attract a large number of customers. As well as publishing content regularly, it is also worth taking advantage of social media advertising to maximise promotion.
Challenges and Rewards of Tattoo Artistry
If you are seriously interested in tattoo art and want to start a career in this field, it also does not hurt to weigh the pros and cons. The main advantages of becoming a tattoo artist include the following:
- you don’t need a degree to work in the tattoo industry;
- famous tattoo artists can earn up to £50,000 a year;
- the opportunity to open your own tattoo shop.
At the same time, this profession has certain disadvantages:
- you have to get a tattoo artist licence to work;
- you need to invest a lot of money in tattooing equipment;
- required to take regular art classes to improve their skills.
Everyone decides for himself whether he wants to create art on the human body or whether it will forever remain a dream. Before choosing this path, it is definitely worth studying all the subtleties of the profession and what pitfalls may be hiding here.
Overcoming Challenges in the Industry
The Tattoo industry continues to thrive. Every day, more and more people put various designs on their bodies. But at the same time, professionals in this field face certain problems. To the most important of them can be attributed high competition. Now there are many tattoo artists offering their services. And with the advent of social networks, customers are becoming even more discerning than they were before. So it becomes a real challenge to please everyone.
To stay afloat, you need to have your own unique art style, constantly develop your drawing skills and be market orientated (what your clients want at the moment).
