Getting a Tattoo Apprenticeship and What to Expect

“You’re never really done with your apprenticeship, you’re just able to tattoo people without someone looking over your shoulder” – Jack Mihoover

So you think you want to be a tattoo artist, how do you get into the business?  There is not a widely accepted formal program of training for the business of tattooing which means there are many different opinions and processes for training. Many people will simply say there are too many tattooers already, that the market is saturated, and many other reasons why no one else should be allowed into the industry. Regardless of any of these, there will always be people who want to enter into the magical world of tattooing. There will always be new tattooers.

Some people view tattooing as a craft, some as a trade, some as an art.  They are all correct. It is all of these things and more.  It’s challenging, it’s frustrating, it’s rewarding, it is a way of life. Getting a tattoo is a lifelong commitment, Becoming a tattooer is as well.  It will take you the rest of your life to master it and as soon as you think you have it figured out there is another aspect that you have to learn.  The beginning is the biggest learning curve and an apprenticeship is the traditional and most widely accepted process for learning. But how does this work?

If you commit to learning to tattoo, you commit to a relationship with a mentor that could last years. This is not a process that happens overnight.  Expect a two to three year time commitment to get to the point where you can make a decent living doing tattoos (of course its possible for this to happen faster) and a possible additional commitment to remain at the studio you learned at for another couple of years as well.  

Apprenticeship training has value, it may cost you some money up front or over time, or it may be done free of financial charges with an expectation of work in the studio in exchange for the training. Every situation is different and every relationship between a mentor and an apprentice is as well. Some say it’s terrible to charge for an apprenticeship, others say not charging is insane. Everyone has their own view on this and over the past 20 years I’ve personally seen paid and unpaid apprenticeships both work and fail. 

However an apprenticeship is structured and agreed upon, one thing is for sure, it is a serious undertaking and should be treated with respect by all involved.  To take on an apprentice is a huge responsibility and commitment and as being in a position of power over another individual, trust is paramount for the success of the process. Tattooers will never all agree to what all the aspects and processes of a tattooing apprenticeship should be, but with a little research and perseverance the right apprentice can find the right mentor and learn the business, art, and trade of tattooing.

What are your personal thoughts and experiences regarding this topic? What do you think needs to be addressed and changed or added to this discussion?