Tattoo Apprenticeships

Quote: “ You can’t teach someone how to tattoo. You just teach em what mistakes not to make” -Diamond Glenn

Tattoo apprenticeships are a sharply debated topic.  Unlike many other industries that use the apprenticeship method to train new workers, the tattoo world does not have a universally approved or recognized process for apprenticeships.  Before my personal journey into tattooing I was a welder and worked in a union shop that had a standardized structured apprenticeship procedure.  All parties knew their role and what their expectations were. This has historically not been the case for tattooing. This void in the industry seems to have allowed an entire new business of tattoo schools to grow unopposed. 

There are many arguments for and against apprenticeships and the internet has made it even easier to get access to the knowledge of the more experienced tattooers.  Before the internet there were several books published that supposedly shared the secrets of tattooing. In the recent past tattooing was a significantly smaller field than it is today.  Along with the internet, television reality shows changed the landscape by exposing it to folks, both artists and clients, who would otherwise never experience it. 

Although there is no universal standardized process for an apprenticeship in the tattoo vocation, there is a consensus on this avenue being the ‘proper’ way to enter the field, especially among more seasoned professionals. Some of the benefits from learning under an experienced mentor are clear, from avoiding learning bad habits, to having an honest and qualified critique of what you are doing- both of which are invaluable. 

Tattooing is a process that can take a lifetime to learn and there are no real substitutions for putting in the time and effort, keeping an open mind, practicing humility, and being open to criticism and critiques. In addition to the technical skills required to apply a tattoo there is another side of the business that can only be learned in a studio interacting with other people.  The sales and customer service aspect is extremely important, yet often overlooked or ignored by individuals who are self taught. 

The evolution of technology and the exposure of tattooing to new sectors of the population have lowered the barrier to entry in the field.  Many aspects of the industry that were highly specialized and required specific instruction on how to do so have been automated.  Traditionally taught skills like needle making and machine building and tuning can easily be outsourced and no longer require the practitioner to be proficient in them. 

Stories of hazing and abuse have scared many people away from seeking a traditional apprenticeship from an experienced mentor.  While some of these stories are indeed true, it is the apprentices obligation to vet their potential teacher and make sure it is a suitable fit for all involved.  Gatekeeping is another accusation many apprenticeship advocates are charged with.  This is a double edged sword as many veteran artists understand the level of commitment required to be successful in the tattoo business, and tend to make the apprentice earn their position by enduring the process of the apprenticeship.   The ease at which anyone can have access to all of the information on the internet makes tolerating any kind of discomfort during an apprenticeship seem that much more unnecessary to someone who is inexperienced.

In this episode we will examine these ideas and discuss our own experiences with them.