Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no school that makes you a tattoo artist. You draw until an artist takes you on.

1. 1

   Draw, constantly

   Years

   A portfolio of 50 to 100 finished drawings in tattoo-friendly styles. Art classes in high school or college help, but the sketchbook is what studios look at.

2. 2

   Find an apprenticeship

   Months to years

   Walk into studios with your portfolio. Expect many no's. Good apprenticeships are free and strict; be wary of ones that charge thousands.

3. 3

   Apprentice

   1 to 3 years

   Cleaning, sterilization, setting up stations, drawing designs, then practising on fake skin and finally on volunteers under supervision. Unpaid.

4. 4

   Health and safety training

   Days

   Bloodborne pathogen certificate and first aid. Public health inspects studios for sterilization, single-use needles and records.

5. 5

   Working artist

   Ongoing

   Your own chair, your own clients, a share of each tattoo. Building a following takes years more.