Drawing well is not all it takes to become an accomplished and renowned tattoo artist who will make a lot of money. This craft requires passion, responsibility, patience and attention to detail. You will also need a business acumen if you ever decide to open your own tattoo parlor and hire other artists. Also, one should not overlook the cost and time required to build a career in this field.
In this article, you will find answers to the most common questions that are of interest to novice tattoo artists and people who are thinking about this profession.
What equipment should you buy to start your tattooing career?
A tattoo machine and a tattoo chair are two of the most important purchases a tattoo artist should make. Many tattoo artists advise buying two guns at once – in order to apply different elements to the skin, and in order not to be left without equipment in the event of a breakdown of one of them.
Additionally You will Need
- materials for sterilizing instruments and human skin, e.g. Peak Quartz Liner Cartridges;
- materials for self-protection and protection of the client (respirators);
- paints for direct tattooing.
What skills do you need to become a good tattoo artist?

1. Artistic skills
If you have artistic talent, you have what it takes to become a tattoo artist. But even with a natural aptitude, consider improving your skills with fine arts courses. Clients often ask tattoo artists to create original designs or make changes to an existing tattoo, and body artists need to understand how to render this art and make it work in practice.
Do not be afraid to spend many years and money on training, as well as start your professional career, working completely free of charge or only for payment of consumables. Still, drawing on paper and working on drawing on the body are two different tasks that require a different approach and different skill levels.
2. Basic understanding of human physiology
Customer safety is paramount to any tattoo parlor, and tattoo artists must have knowledge of the basics of health and hygiene.
You need to know how to keep the instrument, your own hands and the client’s skin sterile. Tattoo artists must be able to identify the structure and function of the skin, identify common skin conditions, know the effects of scarring on the body, and recognize the physiology of wound healing.
Allergy skin tests are also part of your future job. Tattoo artists should learn to examine clients for signs of intravenous drug use, open wounds, and lesions.
It is important to understand that not only the client’s health depends on your knowledge, but also your own. After all, you can also get infected from the client’s blood, as well as get chemical injuries from improper use of paints.
3. Human communication skills
Tattoo artists need to be good at working with people, including listening carefully and communicating effectively. They must be able to hear and understand the client’s instructions for sketches.
It is important for the tattoo artist to consult with clients about the equipment used and the choice of needles. They should be able to understand and study clients’ medical histories, determine if the tattoo would harm the client, and obtain informed consent for the procedure.
Tattoo artists should also explain verbally and in writing how to care for a tattoo, including informing clients about the signs of infection and when they might need to consult a doctor. It is important to be able to present this information in a form that does not frighten the client – the person must understand that possible complications are not the fault of the master, but arise as a natural process of tattoo healing under the influence of external factors.
4. Good hand-eye coordination
Tattoo machines consist of powered steel instruments and needles that pierce the skin up to 3,000 times per minute, so any loss of focus or hand instability can lead to painful and costly mistakes for clients.
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