Arrogant "artists" gatekeeping is why it's dying. The internet opened things up for the "good guys" to share their knowledge and circumvent the toxic community.

I tried to find an apprenticeship, and of the few artists I thought were worth learning from turned me down, I got discouraged for a while. Then I thought I've been drawing all my life and I'm a pretty good artist objectively, so I taught myself. I do think my progress would have been helped a lot, but it's so important to me to get better and view myself as an equal to those I look up to. I'm 4 years in now, and I still have the drive to learn every day and invest in myself and my equipment. When I do get to the point where I feel like a equal to my betters and decide to take on a apprentice, I will make a curriculum and treat them like my child since I will probably only have one or two ever. I want them to be my art legacy.

I started my tattoo journey at 30 with 2 kids. I learned so much from you guys. I was able to make friends with an artist that was tattooing me and he just let me hang around and learn from him small tips and tricks. Booked him for my first client next week!! You guys are really opening up the world.

Thank you guys from breaking the cycle of abuse in apprenticeships, In my opinion there is so much information out there, and I have friends that have learned to tattoo without having to go through that shit and now they are tattooing really well. Nowadays I don't think you have to clean toilets to start tattooing, and thank you for being one of those people that actually teach people well. keep it up!

You 1000% have to make a great impression. I’m 21 and I’ve done maybe 12 tattoos so far and about a year and a half in. If you call the shop asking for an apprenticeship you’re gonna get laughed at. I spent about 2 years nonstop building my portfolio, stressing and deteriorating and even had a kidney stone at 19 because I wanted it so bad and wasn’t taking care of myself at all. 1st day of shop hopping i didn’t even bother going in because the shops I went to were absolutely disgusting and smelled like a crack den. It took about 16 shops for me to hit the jackpot and only 4 took me semi serious. The second I walked into the final shop I knew that it was gonna be the one. Great reviews the shop was clean and the owners had good energy. The part I was most stressed about was not having enough money because m&t only let me take out $2500 which I was extremely aggravated about. Walked in there with confidence flying out of my pores and straightened my posture up. I have bad anxiety and getting an apprenticeship made me open up more. I never looked anybody in the eyes up until that day and I knew I had to cut the body language out. After an hour of the owners talking with me they shook my hand and said they loved my attitude. Obviously there’s a lot of people trying to get apprentices that are huge bullshitters and I knew I had to step it up. Loved my portfolio and could tell that I was serious about it. I pulled the $2500 out of my pocket and started stressing about how I knew that it wasn’t enough but it was better than $0 and they told me the apprenticeship was free and it knocked the wind out of me😂 I was definitely looking for a kinda old school apprenticeship not to tough and not too soft on me and I definitely found the perfect happy-medium. When we went over everything and drug tested me (which I’m glad they did after seeing the condition of other shops) I almost puked and shed a few tears😂 I was basically annoyed that the apprentice was free and was trying to get them to take my money. But instead I got my fingers tatted for free and tipped him $800. A week later I went to the shop all calm after I almost puked and was on the verge of a heart attack and now a year and a half later it’s going great! I’m pretty sure what made them take me serious was when they asked what I was gonna do if it didn’t work out and I said to them with the biggest grin on my face “I’m gonna go get a pedicure and a ring light and sign my morals away”😂

Did an apprenticeship at age 30. I was determined to prove it’s not too late. Gave up 12 year career to do it. Do have a family and a house. I definitely recommend saving up a lot of money before doing so. I drove 2hrs each way to the shop. Daily, till my car couldn’t any more. Eventually found a shop near where I live. Takes forever to get clients built up. Also seen paid apprentice not learn anything from the mentor. And seen free one turn out great. I think it depends on a person

It’s such a backlash towards self-taught tattooers and at the same time so many online courses… love seeing stories of ppl who left their boring jobs and persuading the dream at any age. I’m one of them. Learning and soaking all the info, practicing and yet read on some pages (Reddit) that tattoo shops won’t take you to work after being self-taught or won’t even take you seriously even when you have great portfolio, as apparently us self-taught artists, we developed bad habits that wouldn’t happened working as apprentice.. The more I read about it the more I feel like going in circles.. it’s so discouraging

I'm 34 and always wanted to be a tattoo artist since I can remember, but was always too scared of the hazing in apprentice culture. I'm only now starting to learn and actually explore this dream career thanks to people like you guys. And I used this time wisely; I multitasked practicing drawing a page of traditional roses while I listened!

That’s why we have tattooing 101 to teach us…I’m barely getting into tattooing and this guys here literally teach us everything we need to know about tattooing.and tbh you can learn a lot faster by yourself bcus you’re not so paranoid and nervous about ppl watching you and making mistakes…thank you guys for everything you teach us in this channel!🙏🏽

Apprenticeships are a waste of time. If you have the heart and drive and are talented. You can teach yourself anything!!

Wow… what you guys are saying is echoing exactly how i feel about tattoo apprenticeships. And honestly this is not something that people express openly so for one i feel very understood. The financial hardships and the toxic culture… really no one talks about it

I really enjoyed watching this. I am not an apprentice anywhere because I have a career that pays the bills well and I can't afford giving up the stability my spouse/kids need for my personal enrichment. I love art in general (play guitar, did photography, drawing, painting, writing, etc etc etc) and got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday (literally the first thing I did after I got my new ID). I've always loved tattoos and tattoo art but never really fit in to the culture surrounding tattooing. I doubt anyone will give me an apprenticeship due to my not wanting to "commit" to making the art my primary source of income, but I regularly watch your videos with the intent of learning and creating regardless. Thanks for the great content, fellas!

Thank you so much for posting this!! I’m so happy these conversations are finally being had on a mainstream level now. After looking for an apprenticeship for about 3 years, I finally gave up and started my self teaching journey. I know how to draw I literally have an art degree lol i just needed someone to teach me about the technical aspect and how to properly handle the different machines, the proper process techniques in general, cleanliness, ect. Every time I asked an artist or a shop I was always rejected, and whenever i asked them if they could offer any advice on how to get an apprenticeship, I was always told the same bs vague answer of “oh just keep drawing and trying” wow. So helpful. one artist told me “honestly, you just have to be really annoying and persistent” That answer was my final straw before I started self teaching lol. I am two years from 30, tf I look like begging someone for a chance like I’m 16?? Also free labor?? We are literally in a RECESSION and unfortunately will be for god knows how long! To ask someone to work for free is honestly evil in my opinion. From my own experience and perspective, I feel like I am already working from the very bottom since I’m a black woman, and there are already so little of us in the industry that I have seen (which luckily IS changing slowly but surely but yea). I have also only heard horror stories from women who went through “proper” apprenticeships and how the experience really traumatized them in different ways. Honestly it reminds me a lot of college hazing for fraternities/sororities which I cannot STAND. and whats worse is when some artists have gone through awful apprenticeships and then turn around and bully and condemn other artists who didn’t go through an apprenticeship. It gives off weird brainwashed vibes, very culty. Very weird. I tried to do things the “right” way and it just didn’t work out like that but it’s fine because things have definitely been working out since I’ve started to do things my way. However, I do get sad sometime when I realize that I most likely may never be able to work in a shop because I’ve heard most shops won’t hire you if you didn’t have an apprenticeship. So that makes me a bit sad but that’s okay, my end goal dream is to have a private studio anyway but I do wish I could experience the community aspect of working in a shop but oh well. So yea thanks for making this video! It has made me feel more confident in my decision to take a less traveled path in this industry! I have so much respect for this channel and you guys! Cheers from Baltimore! :)

My first thought on becoming a tattoo artist myself was while i got my 3rd tattoo..ich just asked the tattooer what woud be a good way to learn how to tattoo? and he said well you coud try to find a shop to teach you but be prepared to search forever and have a high risk of learning nothing and waste your time...like high risk high reward...or do it like him and gather 150% motivation and dedication,start to learn EVERYTHING you can find aboud the theorie like about needles,hygiene,maschines etc and after like 3 month of learning everything you can find just buy a maschine,a bottle black and some fake skin and start to practice and i was like okay so learning everything from scratch without someone who can correct me if im wrong? and he was like sure you will learn slower by yourself then you woud in a GOOD apprenticeship BUT you WILL learn slow but steady and thats the route i chose

Really enjoyed this discussion! I had 8 months of an in person apprenticeship and I went in with really none of these expectations or concerns and now that I’m looking for an apprenticeship again discussions like these help me figure out where to start again 💕

Great video insight I've had an apprenticeship, and they are so on point with all this. My biggest issues was the pressure put on me they wanted me to do things I weren't comfortable with but at the same time they believed in my ability and wanted me to improve. But I'd rather take longer to improve than deal with the pressure. My mentor didn't have time to really teach me coz he was grinding everyday and his business was and still is booming.

I just want to say that this was a awesome podcast .awesome tips and very helpful so thank yall m

Great video! I have no tattoos and don't want to be a tattoo artist, but this video was great to listen to and learn about the culture. This is a great channel. Have a good one

My apprenticeship experience was quite the norm in those days (started in late 1999), the only time I touched a machine was cleaning the machine and putting it where it should be, really started to tattoo on an orange after 4 months I think, sweeping floors, and cleaning the stations, toilet sometimes was all I did before and my Mentor being the same age as I am now was a good man, as an excuse he used to let me hold the light so I can watch him tattoo, helping him make tattoo needles etc, since he was not the owner he convinced the owner to let me work in the shop after my apprenticeship, I don't know how many monolíthic and kanji type tattoos I have on my right thigh which I practiced on myself before I really tattooed on a client, now we have online tattoo classes from genuine tattoo artist for less than 5$ a month which I think is great with a pre tuned rotary machines and pens, but that don't take away the importance of having a mentor/being an apprentice, another great content, keep up the great work Brandon🤘🏻

So many artists take advantage of apprenticeships here in the United States. Using people as errand boys/girls, & not being serious at all. Apprenticeships can be great with the right shop or person, which are far and few between. States, such as mine (New Mexico) you are forced to do 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week, for 8 months to even be CONSIDERED to apply for a license which is ABSOLUTE BS! Most shops and artists don't give 2 💩's about it.

Nice to read everyone's experiences. Im a self thaught tattooist/ i did some kind of a apprenticeship for 1 year. But i learned the biggest part by looking on youtube. I Started from home one pig skin , after that my own legs , than i found someone that dind give a shit about "crappy tattoos". When i had enough skills and some costumers i send a message to the tattooer that tattooed me allways. I took my costumers to him and tattooed there for 1 year, in exchange for his teachings. I dind felt at home in his shop so we seperated. Now i got my own small private studio and building my dream further. I started when i was 30 , im now 32 (allmost 33) its never to late to learn this beautifull craft 🙏🙏🙏

I'm starting to learn to tattoo by myself at 40, with two kids and while relocating to the interior of the country. It's a very daunting experience and what I feel is one of the biggest hurdles is not the motivation but what I should be focusing on to better myself, you get doubts on everything you try to do. I'm a mediocre artist and try to divide my time between improving my drawing skills and improving on the practice of tattooing. Sometimes I wander if I should be focusing solely on the tattooing part, but I've learned quite a bit on the drawing side by investing my time on it, be it color theory, line weights, or shading. I know this will improve my tattoos in terms of design and knowledge is never a waste but I'd really could use someone to guide me. Am I tattooing at the right depth and speed? Should I invest in a better tattoo machine? (I have those cheap coil machines that come in a begginners kit) Why do the lines always seem to be a bit scratchy even when I turn up the voltage or slow down my hand? One thing I'm sure, I will be a tattoo artist, no matter what it takes. I'm gambling on myself at this age but I can't imagine myself not following my dream and being forced to go back to the type of job I used to do. Cheers on the podcast and for all the information you put out there, you have been one of my main sources of information to improve, that's priceless. Sorry for the big testament. Much love! ❤

Worth every penny. The technical info was exactly what i needed to get on with my own journey of learning. Best money i ever spent in my life. I have seen massive growth in every aspect of my artistry.

You can see it in you're faces you were having mini flashbacks of the traumatic crap you had to deal with while talking about this stuff. Thank you guys for what you are doing, its really something special.

Absolute truth. This video is a critical piece anyone wanting to get into tattooing should watch. I share similar experiences with 100% and more of the topics covered in this video. My whole apprenticeship turned into one big horror story. It's hard work, it's tough. I went through a lot NO ONE should have to go through. You really do need to know these sort of critical points that these two cover going into an apprenticeship, otherwise it's going to make you rethink your career path, and that's not right. Tattooing is amazing and extremely rewarding with the right guidance and right perseverance, but you don't want your time and energy getting there wasted or living through complete hell doing it.

I love the videos, super informative!! Brandon, we share the same bday!! Different year I'm sure, but same day!! Yall keep up the good work!!

what an awesome interview! both these artists are great i love them!! :D

Thanks for all the help and info, you guys are the best 🔥

I enjoyed this watch. I like how open you are with your experiences. This video can really help an aspiring tattooer on how they can go about getting an apprenticeship. My shop where I’m at we only offer free apprenticeships. Let me tell you these guys/girls have to put in some serious work. So seeing this perspective really was nice.

God this is so accurate. Exactly what I went through, my apprenticeship left such a bad taste in my mouth about the industry

I appreciate the legitimacy of your videos definitely transparent

I started an apprenticeship 16 years ago and while I got to tattoo straight away, I was largely flying blind, getting any information about technique was like pulling teeth. They were big on the autoclave education and that’s about it. I ended up leaving because they wanted me to quit my stable job to go full time and I couldn’t, the shop was too quiet and I needed to pay rent. I was in my late 20’s and already out of home for a decade. I’ve regretted it ever since and trying to get back into it now… it’s not easy with a mortgage and huge interest rates.

Hey guys. I’m 60 yrs old. I’m starting out without really much knowledge. Only difference is, it’s my new hobby. I’m not out for how much money I can make, how about old skin only. lol but seriously I want to learn all I can. My time is important.

So much info yall!! TY!

Thanks for your time. I could follow the sequential order of the start.

I want an apprenticeship so bad just started tattoos too

Wow! This is the total opposite of my tattoo apprenticeship. I’m in Australia. I’m almost through my first year as an apprentice working in a tattoo studio. I jumped in the deep end. I did my first tattoo after being in the shop after a few months. I now have my own tattoo station in our studio. I have my own regular clients that I tattoo. I only get paid for the the tattoos for I do, and I pay a commission to the boss, and I have a decent weekly income. But in saying that, I have my boss who is awesome, he’s supportive and a fantastic teacher. I also have a senior tattooist and she helps me and gives me loads of advice and tips and checks my work. I’m 50 years old (started at 49), and have found the best workplace if ever been in. I work hard. I’m always grateful to my senior tattooists because they share their knowledge, so I try and buy them lunch when I’m working on the same day as them. I can work my own hours, and also have my own set of keys to the studio. Geez, I could keep going with a huge list of stuff that is great about my work place. I have to say though, trying to fit in to a new workplace, expressing your gratitude to your senior artists/teachers (even though I’m the oldest in the studio), showing respect to your co-workers goes a long, long, long way. I’m only a first year tattoo apprentice, but I’m 50 years old, so here’s a tip. Work smart, take the initiative, push to start tattooing, seize opportunities, follow up with potential clients. Do what you can to bring customers into the shop. Even taking a $50 tattoo matters, because your boss is watching. I have even chosen my own hourly rate.

As someone who had a horrible apprenticeship. I’m glad that thing are changing for the better.

Im fortunate to find my mentor, everyone else is intimidated of him cause of the face tattoos and his rough attitude. But he's actually a great man and very lenient when it comes to dealing with my hyper activity 😅 im getting there and very driven towards my dream.

So basically…most “veteran” artists enslave their apprentices for years instead of teaching them the science of tattooing. Copy In 2023, most of things needed to be an artist takes your self discipline and dedication to the craft. Research your states or countries criteria for certification and become a student of the art.

Lotta hard truths here. Thanks for sharing

I've wanted to start tattooing since 2022 after being encouraged to do so. I come from a decently artistic family and gotnluckywhen it came to being able to draw and just all around creativity. All that said I'm 33 and in the Army and having to move kind of messes up the process of trying to obtain an apprenticeship, which i want so bad. At the same time, I came cross you guys and tattooing 101 is at least a decent way for me to start moving forward. Hopefully things pan out with or without an apprenticeship and I'm able to make this happen because i I legit want it

Honestly I just want to learn to make unique art that'll feel as life-changing for others as my first tattoo did for me. I'm not interested in pursuing it "professionally," more so just being able to work as if I were so that I don't injure my loved ones or botch the tattoos themselves. It'll be a long journey of practice before I take that needle to real skin, but your content is invaluable in learning the practice in terms of safety, sanitation, and technique. I am looking into the online course, though right now I can't really afford it even on the payment plan, but even the free resources are excellent right now, so thank you.

Make the tattoo world better! 🤗 Thank you so much!

Thanks guys. I have my own apprenticeship horror stories. My advice is interview the mentor just like your hiring him and thoroughly check if it is a reputable shop first. Don't try to learn at a shop in the bad part of town that turns out to be a front for some ....dealer. cheers from Texas

What I hate the most is no one wants to teach anyone… but then bitch and complain that tattooing is a dying culture. Yeah no shit I wonder why 😂

This upload came at a good time. I'm from Oregon, which means we have to pay in to attending an actual tattoo school to get licensed. One it's not cheap, about 15k on average. And two, you only have select people who are licensed to serve as a tattoo teacher so for me its been hard to mull over in my head if it seemed worth it to try in this state, but after hearing the podcast I felt more assured that perhaps paying in to apprenticeship might be a better way to go. I did have one question though. In your opinion, what is the best way to set up booth rent? Or perhaps is it better to own a small shop as a new tattoo artist?

I dont wanna be someone's free labor or pet project, I just wanna learn to tattoo safely, jesus christ people can be insane.

Honeslty reading those horrible stories from bad apprenticeships I cannot get off the feeling that USA is really at 3rd world country. Like I'm from Europe and tattoo community and work ethic is completely different here. WTF guys, beight mentally and phisically abused and saying OK to that, its a part of the journey and staying in such place? This shouldn't be the industry standard in 2023

It also depends on the state you live in if you are in the u.s some states they require 2000 hrs apprenticing under a licensed tattoo artist and i live in one of those states who just have you go through the most. It has been very discouraging at times and I feel like sometimes a little bit luck may need to come your way.. I haven't inquired about the online courses and weather they accept it as official hrs towards getting licensed. The industry has been changing alot especially over the last 5 or so yrs. And it will be interesting to see how it effects state guidelines

Thank you for sharing this information. ☮️

i paused when you said there are shops that will supply your inks and needles- the first and only shop I worked at would supply all the small stuff like caps razors gloves and vaseline but I had to buy my needles and inks, sure there was a "shop set" but that was kept in the owners station lol

Some have like 3 apprentices.. I prefer one at a time so the mentor can dedicate their full time and knowledge to the apprentice present.

Hey you’re super dope, I’ve been watching you for about 1.5 years now, one thing I’d love to be a topic of discussion is how is your booking process as a tattoo artist? For in home artists, what are some of your tips for booking clients, how a hand written or online booking process would look, managing time in between appts, and what other tidbits should we note whilst making the appt? I’d love to hear from your perspective 👐🏽✨

I'm 37, working a corporate job, I have 2 kids and a fairly expensive lifestyle too :( But I've been drawing for a while and I am planning on learning myself through awesome informative and educational channels like yours. I've set myself up and I'm learning bit by bit every day. I'm looking forward to getting better and developing the skills I need. Thanks guys, you are awesome. Peace

I have a question, does this course you do replace an apprenticeship? Or will I still need to do that?m

Where do you go after being self taught? do you open your own studio? do you go into a shop asking for a position? im confused

Oh damn. Teaching myself and tattooing from home it is 👍

I’m going to tell you why there’s no tattoo apprenticeship because everyone is a hater, I’ve personally been trying for yrs to get an apprenticeship and honestly it’s only ppl that know you & like you that’ll get down with & break bread bunch of wack haters in my home state of New Mexico

Thank you. I've tried apprenticeships, but as a single Dad I can't do 40+hrs of free labor. My question is, with apprenticeships falling by the wayside because of all this information being online now and any can learn, will the tattoo artist market be flooded?

great talk guys

You rock thank you!!

An apprenticeship shouldn’t be slave labor with being talk shit on. For people to let that happen is wild

I feel like most artists just set a high untenable expectation like "Your portfolio needs to be flawless realistic work and you need to be here 6 days a week". Idk a single person who can do that without some caveats. I got a job I need to keep and bills. And unless you're a genetic freak or a prodigy artist, to be capable of producing hyper realistic portraits and art like that is so small of a % of people to even draw from.

My first apprenticeship, they gave me a list of duties, and then would get mad at me when I didn't do duties NOT on the list, or did the duties on the list TOO WELL. Once I built my own machine and started on fake skin, they asked me to leave. My second apprenticeship is going MUCH better. It's my one year anniversary at this shop, and I've been tattooing for 10 months! Every day tattooing gets easier, and I learn new things to improve on or new tricks

The boys trying to hide the 💨 impact is the best part of the video 😂. 🌲 ✍️ repeat !!!

If a tattooer already has an apprentice (or two) is it not worth even trying to get in with them? Since they’re already busy with those apprentices. Or is it still worth talking to them and showing them your portfolio?

Thanks!

This is really good. I just think you guys have a different perspective compared to Europe

I need to have completed 2000 hours of apprenticeship to be licensed in Connecticut .. can that be achieved with an online course?

Hi guys. I asked about learning from tattooer.. Got answer that if she would start to teach anyone it would pay 500e for the trainer. Maybe because working alone in own shop and not every single day.. Dont know but it felt quite i dont even know word for it.

I did apprenticeship for 2 1/2 years & my mentor got p*ssed with me because I was sneaking to tattoo. It was free labor, with no progress. I got discouraged so I put my focus on other things. 10+ I’m ready to tattoo again

I’m just starting and have a question. I bough eternal ink and the white ink dries out and shells up on the tip of the needle making it difficult to get into the skin. Is this normal or should I do something about it? If so what are your tips?

I just served 14 years in prison and I tattood for a little over 10 years constantly while inside. I have been released this past December 2022 and have purchased all my equipment, taken my blood pathogens course and I have produced some tattoos that look better than some other artists that have been working in shops for a long time. Can I go and rent a chair in a shop now? I watch everything tattoo related and take some online stuff just to try and learn everything I can. I have had so much experience but now I am getting used to real ink , needles, and machine's. I can replicate pretty much what I can see, but my drawing takes a while, I mostly used to graph. Just wondered what your thoughts were. Thank you for your time.

This just sounds like they want commitment from you but don't want to give you anything. Its ridiculous.

You have to get what you can and get out. Get your license and finish your contract and go in business for yourself.

Does people just have 90 days to finish your online course? Or can they do it at their own pace?

I'm considering face neck tattoos but don't want to disappoint and make my mother cry. Can I ask, how long did it take for yours to forgive you and how long did she cry for?

12:45 staring into your buddy’s eyes going you wasted your 20s

Seems all states in the US require so many hours of apprenticeship. Otherwise ya cant do it unless you have the money to open your own shop. How can we change these laws

No way I’m working for free ever. Especially while the person that’s supposed to be teaching me is making over 100 an hour and watching me starve

I do a apprenticeship in germany. I have to pay a shop fee and have to get my own customers but I can keep the money I make

In today's economy trying to become a tattoo artist without pay is impossible unless I'm bloody homeless.

What’s your opinion on tattoo schools? I’m thinking of enrolling in an 11 week academy that I’ve heard good things about, it’s $5k.

I’m 39, I’ve been a “professional artist” for the past 10 years but with regular acrylic paint and airbrushing. I’ve invested thousands of dollars into tattooing and I am 100% relying on my experience as an artist in a whole nother medium. I can make great money just painting but there’s something about tattooing that just lights a fire in me to get good at it. The process of doing a tattoo is relaxing. I am not seeking an apprenticeship with anyone, KZfaq and online classes are fine, there’s soooo many resources.

I just decided to go into tattooing and this aprentership thing is driving me crazy. Im a professional photographer (full time over 10 years, pretty successful in my field), can i have an aprenter who will wash my car and work for free as an assistant, clean my house while I'm editing ,mybe also pay me for that? Thats nonsense. Im from Russia originally and there you go to curses or paying to the artist per lesson which sounds more logical, what can you learn by cleaning toilets?

So where can i look at online apprenticeships

My apprenticeship is with a gd friend of mine. We went straight to business for the basics and the rest ive studied on my own or ive visited him at his shop. Doesnt want to pay him but when i work at his shop i guve him a percentage from what the clients pays me. Or be kind enough of bringing him lunch or help him upgrade his tools. Im one of the lucky ones 😆

I was working on my piercing apprenticeship in Texas in 03. Was months from finishing and the shop owner and senior tattooist came to me and said if you want to finish then you have to agree to be "the shop toy" I laughed in their faces, left and never finished my piercing training.

My concern is that no one would hire me at their shop if I don't have a "real" apprenticeship. What's your honest opinion on that?

Wait... So are we able to get an online Apprenticeship nowadays?? Where?

Don't you need a apprenticeship in order to get licensed to tattoo?

But how is someone supposed to get their tattoo license without working in a shop? My state requires you to work "X" amount of hours under an already licensed tattooist. I Don't like the people in the shops around here and I just want to get my license so I can open my own shop.

bro are you the guy from the movie "road trip" ??????

To me, these podcasts make the tattoo industry seem like a scary and dangerous world, especially for women. I am very afraid my mental is not strong enough to go through this. Please tell me there are also shops that are safe spaces.

I’m 29 and turn 30 this year 😭 I started with permanent make up and got into piercings and that alone took me forever to get a mentor for and now it’s been super hard to find a job 😢 but since I’m body art licensed in my state now I’m getting into fine line tattoo 😊 I bought you guy’s book along with many other online courses. The book is so so helpful I e learned so much already and I’ve seen about 70% of your videos. Thanks you guys for opening the gates to those of use that might feel like we’re too old too

Tattoo apprenticeship is total bull shit, its a waste of time. Why apprentices have to run errands for 3 to 6 months, in that 3 to 6 months I would have worked somewhere else eran and save enough money to open my own studio or buy real quality equipment. Apprentices are not auditioning for shaolin temple entrance exams. The time wasted for the apprentices, they would have learn something. Stop wasting these apprentices time and teach them something which they can learn. Time is the essence and stop wasting it. Actually self taught is much faster than having a mentor who just wants to waste your time running errands. To all those newbies including myself, if you want to learn tattooing, go and teach yourself and I stead of depending on a professional mentor who just wants you waste your valuable time. The professional tattoo artist are not gonna respect you or give their time to teach you. Save your self respect and go learn on your own. Like these guys from tattooing 101, they are doing a great job in educating newbies about the tattoo industry.

I tried but no artist wanted

When i dont charge for the apprenticeship people dont stick with it and they turn into scratchers.

So it’s not an apprenticeship then? It’s an internship…