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The first steps to becoming a Tattoo Artist

Before you can become a tattoo artist you should fully understand the process. Spend as much time as you can in your local tattoo parlors and try to pick up on their knowledge of the industry. Nothing beats hands on training with professionals that really know what they are doing. Remember, being a tattoo artist is far more than knowing art, you must also learn about how to create a sterile environment, what equipment is essential in order to start, how to conduct business, how to handle customers and that's just the beginning. You need to be prepared to tell people no, some people want a tattoo of an image or in a location on their body that just doesn't work. As the tattoo artist it is your responsibility to be certain the overall tattoo results in a quality piece of art. If that means you have to tell people no ,then so be it. You should also read up on how the tattoo machine works. You should understand why you use different machines, what materials are best for making the frame. the purpose of multiple needle groupings and different levels of current, and why you use different coil sizes - being aware of these will forward you greatly in the learning process. After all you must first know how the machine runs before you will know how to fix it for your use. Second I would recommend not starting out on a person, first get some practice skin and just try to ink a perfect circle. This alone should keep a beginner quite busy. Even great painters and sketchers must get used to the way the tattoo machine runs and reacts to techniques.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo_needle

Apprenticeship

The most important step to becoming a tattoo artist is to listen to professionals. Just like any other art form (painting, drawing, music, dance) it takes time, patience and proper guidance. A mentor can give you praise when you succeed and also let you know when a mistake has been made. I cannot stress enough the importance of this. Depending on the tattoo shop you may have to pay for an apprenticeship. Some businesses will accept labor in exchange for knowledge, but not all. If you get an apprenticeship for less than $10,000USD consider yourself lucky. Even people who pay more spend the majority of their time being the shop bitch: scrubbing tubes, making needles, mopping floors and so on. But these are necessary skills to practice if you someday want to become an artist. Like I stated previously, you need to understand how it all works before you can attempt it yourself. If you are interested in an apprenticeship you should speak to the owners of your local tattoo shop. You absolutely must show them dedication, respect and a true thirst for knowledge. Consider this the dean of the school you are applying to, except, he can appreciate body modification. : )

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What you will Need

Autoclave - You will need an autoclave or at least access to an autoclave before you can use any of your new equipment. All items must be sterile. It is essential and necessary in order to maintain clean equipment. DO NOT dry steam disinfect, this NOT PROVEN EFFECTIVE to really sterilize in the pores of the metal. The Law says Autoclave. Spend the few extra hundred or at least care enough and go to your local hospital and ask if they will provide the service.

Tattoo Machine (2+) - For new artists I recommend getting machines that come with the service of setting up and pre-tuning such as the machines we sell here. When you get them do not touch the screws and springs! It will take quite some time for a new artist to completely understand his or her new machine(s).              http://www.falkfino.com/f/machines.htm

Tattoo Ink - The ink you use will make a huge difference in the outcome of your artwork. Not a single "ink" or "pigment" has ever been approved by the FDA for the application on or in the human skin. Some of this may be due to the fact that every human is different and some ARE allergic to inks. For this reason you should never just buy inks, you should always research the pigments that you are going to apply permanently under your clients skin. Some recommended name brands are -Millennium , StarBrite, Prizm, Skin Candy, One, Kuro Sumi

Tattoo Needles - I would recommend using pre-made / pre-sterilized needles at first. However, some shops require a new artist to make their own needles so that the new artist understands placement and reasons for use.                 http://www.falkfino.com/f/needle.htm

Rubber Bands - You should change your rubber bands for every tattoo. They are almost always in contact with bio-contaminants (ink + blood).  They are used around the machine to help hold the needle at the back of the tube's tip so that it stabilizes the position of needles tip leaving and re-entering the tip .

Power Supply - Regulated Digital Power Supply We recommend regulated because it gives you a more precise reading so you can produce art with a more consistent flow. This will make a huge difference in the overall outcome of the tattoo.

Clip Cord - Used to run power from the power supply to the machine.

Ink Caps - You must use new ink caps for each tattoo and one for each color. This is just one of the small but necessary steps all artists take to prevent cross contamination of any blood borne pathogens from one client to the next.

Vaseline or A&D - The skin must be lubricated before the needle can successfully penetrate the skin and inject color into the 2nd layer. Without enough lube you could seriously scar a client ,it also helps in removing excess pigments from the skin after the application.

Tubes / Grips - These come in different sizes depending on what needle you are using, and what you are accustom to holding. It is used as the connection between the machine and the tip. This will be the part that you hold onto during the tattooing process. These MUST ALWAYS be autoclaved in between Every client. Never reinsert a new needle for a new client in an un-autoclaved tube.

Shanks - These are placed inside of the tube / grip. It is a guide for the needle.

Tattoo Tips - This is the piece at the end of the grip. These vary in size depending on the number, size and shape of the needle you are using. The ends of your needles will rest in them to help guide them as the machine generates punch to the needles. These need to be replaced when they develop grooves due to the friction of the needles over time. You want to replace them for these reasons:  (A) this friction affects the sharpness of the needle and (B) small pieces of the metal from the tip is being injected over time in to the tattoo's you apply with that tip. This also will taint some inks you are applying like Oranges , Yellows  And Whites.         http://www.falkfino.com/f/tips.htm

Needle Grommets - These small rubber nipple/donut grommets should be changed every tattoo. They are placed at the end of the armature bar just beneath the machine spring. Hook the loop of your needle onto the grommet. The purpose is so to ensure the end of the needle bar (the loop) fits snug. If you grommets too loose it will not allow the machine to push the needle down with enough force to penetrate the skin because the loop is too loose and is "flopping around "in the armature bars post.                     http://www.falkfino.com/f/EQUIPMENT/grommet.htm

Carbon Paper - Spirit Paper - This is used to apply a stencil. All new artists should start with a stencil, even most experienced artists put on a stencil before they start.

Fake Skin - This can be purchased at a relatively low cost and is very useful for new artists. While it is not exactly like real skin (no stretching involved) it gives great practice so that a new artist can learn how to maneuver his/her new machine. We Highly suggest using this (and not fruit peals) for the first few years of tattooing to practice new techniques. Try pulling parallel strait lines and make them look perfect. No bumps or start-and-stops. Also try small perfect circles. Until some of the basic techniques are perfected on this medium DO NOT TATTOO ANYONES SKIN!

Razors - Disposable are necessary. Skin area must be free of hair before tattooing. Do not reuse!

Gloves - This is for your safety! Never even think about tattooing without gloves! this is a barrier between you getting a disease or not. Change your gloves before and after you touch ANYTHING .There are too many blood borne pathogens out there to take the chance. Also think about the client, some humans are allergic to latex. Try and have non latex available for your more sensitive clients

Green Soap - Surgical Soap - you will need to dilute with water as directed on the bottle. Put solution in a non-spray bottle (green soap mist exposure from a spray bottles over long periods of time is not healthy for the lungs and respiratory system) use only "stream " bottles and keep handy for the entire tattoo. You will use this to wipe off extra ink and blood during and after the application.

Paper Towels - The softer the better. Less abrasion and trauma to the skin will promote faster healing.

Alcohol and Bleach - All surfaces including the clients skin (with alcohol prep), tables, chairs and even the floor should be sterilized before starting a tattoo.

Aftercare - You and your guinea pig must be ready to properly care for the tattoo before you start applying.                       http://www.falkfino.com/f/aftercare.htm

Did I forget anything? Probably!....this page is not intended as a substitution for getting an apprenticeship. This is only a starting place. You need all of these things just to start an apprenticeship. So unless you are truly dedicated please don't fool around with your friends' skin, appearance, ability to get a job in the future or the pleasure of having a great piece on there body but cant because you decided you could tattoo and now they have to get laser removal and...well..You get the point .

We do not currently offer all of the items listed above, but our business is growing every day. Please check back soon for new products!

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