Tattooing is actually an artistic talent that can help many people to express their artistic spirit and feel more confident about their bodies. If you love to draw and feel like you have a free spirit, pursuing a career as a tattoo artist might be the best choice in life. To become a professional tattoo artist, you generally need to first complete high school education, then attend training and get a license as a professional tattooist. Armed with that license, your path to getting a job as a tattoo artist will certainly become much easier.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Taking Formal Education and Developing Artistic Ability
Step 1. Complete your education in high school
Most tattoo artist licenses are only granted to applicants who have completed high school education, and/or are at least 18 years of age. While studying in high school, don't hesitate to take the various art classes on offer, from two-dimensional drawing classes to graphic design classes, to enrich your skills as an artist and make you better prepared to start a career as a professional tattooist.
If you didn't finish high school and are too old to register as a high school student, there's no need to worry because generally, these requirements don't apply to tattoo artists working in Indonesia
Step 2. Take higher education after completing high school
While not mandatory, understand that some professional tattoo artists have an academic degree in art from an art school or university. In particular, studying art in higher education can improve your drawing skills, helping you to become a more capable artist. As a result, the process of finding clients and high-paying jobs will be easier to do later.
- If you are reluctant to pursue higher education for too long, you can also take art classes opened by the Open University.
- If possible, pair art education with business education so that you have enough capital to open your own tattoo studio and increase the number of clients.
Step 3. Take a drawing class to improve your artistic skills
It is common knowledge that professional tattoo artists must be good at drawing. In particular, they must master line art or line art. To enrich your drawing experience and skills, try enrolling in various drawing classes held by communities, universities, or even individuals, then learn as much as you can from experts whose drawing styles you admire.
- Contact a local tattoo artist to inquire whether or not there are drawing classes they offer to the general public.
- If your artistic skills are still poor at this stage, don't give up! Like any other skill in life, it takes years of hard work and diligent practice to master the art of drawing or painting.
Step 4. Practice self-taught drawing skills
Provide a special drawing book to practice your drawing skills, and try to fill it in during your free time. Feel free to draw any object you want, from simple patterns to popular fictional characters or celebrity faces, especially since you'll be asked to come up with a variety of tattoo designs later on.
- Have some drawing books ready to help you learn new drawing techniques and styles.
- In the picture book, try to make a tattoo design that you find interesting in order to find your personal characteristics.
- Search the internet for tattoo designs by popular tattoo artists, then find designs that you find interesting to inspire. Some of the names of tattoo artists who are popular among painting connoisseurs are Mirko Sata, Chris Nunez, Miya Bailey, Gerhard Wiesbeck, Frank Carrilho, Rit Kit, and Stanisław Wilczynski.
Part 2 of 4: Getting Licensed as a Professional Tattoo
Step 1. Prepare a portfolio of your best art
The portfolio is the perfect tool to complete training and land a job as a professional tattoo artist. In particular, attach any images or designs that you are most proud of, or that demonstrate the wealth of your abilities as a tattoo artist, and then scan those works into digital files that you can open on your computer or laptop. Save the digital portfolio on your computer or laptop so you can print or email it to potential clients or employers whenever needed.
Attach works in a different medium and/or design style to show your richness as an artist
Step 2. Complete training with a reputable tattoo artist
Contact the nearest tattoo studio and ask for information about whether or not they have a tattoo training program. If applicable, work with your supervisor to learn the business skills required in the tattoo industry, the various rules regarding hygiene in tattooing, and the various unique and attractive tattoo designs.
- Generally, a tattoo training program will last for 6-12 months.
- At first, you may be asked to draw as many objects as possible, which aims to see your ability to create designs that suit the customer's wishes, as well as your speed at work. This process is also useful for developing your personal style in tattooing, lo!
- In addition, you may also be asked to tattoo yourself or a client, if you think you have enough experience.
- Most training lasts for at least half a year and is free. This means that you may have to have another job while you complete your tattoo training.
Step 3. Meet the requirements set by the government to get a license as a professional tattooist
If you are currently living outside Indonesia and want to take a license as a professional tattooist, please understand that the requirements set by each country are actually different. In particular, you may have to complete the training process within a certain time, take a training program related to health and safety when tattooing, pass a hygiene test in tattooing well, and pay certain fees.
- In most countries, you must first be legally licensed before working as a tattoo artist. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact the local government to find out the importance of the license, as well as the requirements that must be met to obtain it.
- In countries that do not require tattoo artists to be licensed, you may need to take classes on the various types of blood-borne pathogens, and these classes are generally held by most Red Cross organizations in many countries.
Step 4. Submit your license application
After completing all the requirements, get a copy of your license application, then send the document along with a copy of the required ID, then be patient to wait for 4-6 weeks to see the results.
- Licensing applications, as well as information on fees and application submission processes, can generally be found on government websites. For example, if you live in New York, please visit the site https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/tattoo-license/apply for this information.
- If your application is rejected, try contacting the relevant government. Most likely, there are additional requirements that you need to complete first.
Part 3 of 4: Looking for a Job
Step 1. Purchase tattoo supplies to start your career as a professional tattoo artist
Most tattoo studios require their employees to purchase their own equipment. Therefore, feel free to buy various tattoo supplies at specialized stores to prepare yourself before entering the world of work. Some of the equipment that is generally needed:
- Tattoo machine
- Needle
- Tattoo ink and tube
- Tattoo pen
- Cleaning equipment (gloves, alcoholic wet wipes, antiseptic solution, bandages, cling wrap, plastic cable covers, etc.)
Step 2. Look for job advertisements on the internet
Try searching job search sites like Jobstreet to find available tattoo artist vacancies in your area. If you wish, you can also find this information in various forums specifically for tattoo lovers and the private websites of various tattoo studios.
Step 3. Contact a local tattoo studio for job vacancies
Browse the internet or in advertisements in newspapers to find job openings as a tattoo artist. Most tattoo artists will hire people who are considered to have an attractive personal tattooing ability or style. Therefore, please contact various local tattoo studios to find out whether or not there are opportunities to work as new tattoo artists there.
If you have friends who also work as tattoo artists, try asking them for information about tattoo studios that are opening job vacancies
Step 4. Bring a copy of your portfolio to the tattoo studio that is hiring
Make a list of all the tattoo studios that have job openings and ask about the requirements. In most cases, you just need to bring a copy of your portfolio and a copy of your resume to the studio for their consideration.
If you have tattooed yourself or someone else during the training process, bring along a photo of the tattoo that has been attached to the person's body as well as a copy of your tattoo design. By doing so, you will surely stand out from other applicants
Step 5. Prepare for the job interview process
If a tattoo studio invites you to an interview, show your professionalism by wearing a formal dress and arriving 10-15 minutes early. Then, give clear and concise answers to each question, and afterward, thank the interviewer for making a positive first impression as a potential employee.
- Generally, you will need to bring your ID card, tattoo license, a copy of your resume, and a copy of your portfolio to the interview.
- Find the questions that are commonly asked of aspiring tattoo artists, then simulate the interview process at your leisure.
Step 6. Keep applying until you find the right job
Don't worry if the studio you first proposed to isn't willing to accept you. Getting the first job is not a short process for most people. That's why, you should apply to multiple places instead of sticking to just one tattoo studio.
For those of you who live in a small town, finding a job as a tattoo artist is not as easy as turning the palm of your hand. Therefore, move to a big city or city known for its tourism to find greater job opportunities, even to set up your own tattoo studio, if possible
Part 4 of 4: Enriching Professional Experience
Step 1. Renew your license, if needed
In many countries, tattoo artists (and other artists) are required to renew their licenses every year or so. If you're currently working in a country that has such a policy, don't forget to renew your license regularly to avoid hefty fines.
Contact your local government for more detailed information on the frequency of license renewals
Step 2. Continue to take classes to develop your artistic abilities
To keep your artistic skills honed, to be more unique, and to be able to attract more clients, don't be lazy to take art classes held by various communities and/or the Open University. Don't have an academic degree in that field yet? Please take it if this step is considered capable of perfecting your drawing technique.
- To become a professional and successful tattoo artist in their field, you must be able to produce work that is unique and “looks different” from other artists.
- In some countries, tattoo artists are even required by the government to take a class every one or several years to perfect their technique. Unfortunately, this policy has not yet been implemented in Indonesia.
- Understand the latest information and techniques that are popular in the tattoo industry so you never miss a trend.
Step 3. Connect with other tattoo artists in your area
By doing so, you will undoubtedly continue to receive information about the latest business trends, as well as being able to get more clients through word of mouth promotions. Therefore, feel free to visit the nearest tattoo studio, attend community gatherings or events that accommodate tattoo artists, and make connections with other tattoo artists on social media.
If you have the opportunity to work in a tattoo studio, take the time to get to know all of your co-workers and their portfolios in more detail. That way, you and them can recommend each other if a client wants a particular tattoo design
Step 4. Start building your own tattoo business once you have 3-5 years of experience as a professional tattooist
If you are a lover of independence and want to earn more, why not try starting your own tattoo business instead of continuing to work under someone else? Later, the business can be promoted on social media and/or personal website to attract more customers and enrich your portfolio.
Before starting your own business, make sure you have several years of experience working in a professional tattoo studio. This way, it will be easier for you to get clients and market yourself as a professional tattooist
Warning
- Remember, tattoos are permanent. Therefore, be careful when tattooing someone's body, especially if the person is your first professional client, or if you are still a trainee.
- Generally, tattoo artists work much longer hours than workers in other industries. In particular, you may have to work at night and on weekends, and have to put a significant amount of energy into getting the job done. If you feel you are not ready for the consequences, you should try to find another job.
