Tattooing is a “cool” job, and for a starving artist, it’s a job that actually has decent pay. Plus, unlike most jobs, you get you keep your own personality as opposed to conforming to an ideal that a huge corporation shoves down your throat. And you get to wear what you want and speak your mind.

But everything leading up to becoming a tattoo artist can be a pain in the ass. Securing an apprenticeship is the first step.

But how do you go about getting an apprenticeship?

1. The Portfolio

Some examples of things I included in my portfolio

First, put together a portfolio of your work. Although you should definitely include pieces that show your linework ability, it’s good to include a variety of types of pieces to showcase your talents. The reason I got hired is because the people at the shop were impressed by my high school art class portraits. But I have a background in Computer Graphic Design, so I also included some digital pieces.

Basically, the portfolio should include pieces that convey that not only are you decent at drawing, you also understand artistic basics such as linework, light and shadow, working with color, etc.

Note: it’s best to get something durable with plastic sleeve pages to put your work in - tattoo places are busy and if you leave your portfolio at a shop, then be assured that many people will look through it. When I got mine back, it had been sitting in the break room, and I found dried taco sauce on several pages.

Oh, and don’t forget to put your name and phone number on the portfolio, just in case.

2. The Shop

Now that you’ve got your portfolio together, start calling around at shops in your area. Ask them if they’re interested in hiring a tattoo apprentice. Chances are, most shops will say that they’re not actively looking, but feel free to drop by with a portfolio. Make a list of these shops and plan a day to stop by and visit.

While you’re visiting, take a look around to see it if seems like the kind of place you’d like to work. Before I ended up at Body Art Emporium, I looked at a couple other shops, and I wasn’t really impressed.

While at a shop, find out who’s in charge and talk to them. Tell them what you’re about and ask if they’re willing to take you on. Whip out your portfolio and wow them.

However, be prepared for criticism. If they tell you that you need to work on your drawing, try not to get discouraged or defensive. During the time that I’ve apprenticed, many of the people I’ve seen come in were turned away because they simply couldn’t draw well. You don’t need to be Michaelangelo, but be honest with yourself about your abilities: if you can’t draw smooth lines with a pencil, then how do you expect to draw smooth lines with a vibrating machine? Take time to practice your linework or whatever it is that they tell you to work on, and come back once you’ve improved.

However, if you get lucky, they’ll tell you that they will consider your apprenticeship and to call back in _ amount of time.

If you’re REEAALLY lucky, they’ll hire you on the spot and tell you when to start.

3. Get Your Affairs in Order

While you’re waiting on starting the apprenticeship, prepare yourself for being penniless. Now is the time to work overtime and save up as much as possible, because chances are, your apprenticeship doesn’t pay anything. And apprenticeships can last anywhere from a few months to a couple years.

Whatever job you have now, try to get your hours as flexible as possible. I worked at a drugstore during the beginning of my apprenticeship, and the manager there was horribly inflexible. She hated tattoos, and she told me point blank that my job at the drugstore should always come before my tattoo job. And then she gave me only hours that would coincide with the tattoo shop hours. Bitch. lol.

If you plan on working a part time or even full time job to supplement your apprenticeship, well… good luck with that. Be prepared for sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Hopefully you’re the high energy type that can handle a lot of stress. I myself, had to quit my drugstore job and work full time at the shop because I couldn’t do it. And now I’ve got lots of debt and a maxed out credit card to boot! But at least I’m learning an awesome trade.

Coming Soon: Tattoo Apprenticing, and what it entails.