Over the last several years, tattoos have become more popular than ever before.
In fact, it has been estimated that one in five — 20% — of Americans over age 18 have one or more tattoos. With tattoos becoming increasingly accepted in the workplace, this number is bound to increase in the future, as well.
As a result, you’ve likely considered starting a career as a tattoo artist to help meet this increased demand. There’s no doubting that attending a tattoo trade school to become a tattoo artist can be one of the most rewarding and downright cool careers to have — however, as with any career path, it’s certainly not for everyone.
Not sure if becoming an apprentice tattoo artist is the right career choice for you? Learn whether or not you should get a tattoo education by asking yourself these three questions:
Am I committed to this career?
It’s important to know that being a tattoo artist is not a career where you get rich quick — or rich at all. People are in this field because it’s their passion. While there are a few tattoo artists who are rich and famous, with their own TV shows, this is exceedingly rare — most U.S. neighborhoods have dozens of tattoo artists trying to snag the same clients, making competition stiff. If you’re dedicated to your craft and genuinely enjoy your job, the bottom line shouldn’t matter.
Do I have natural artistic talent?
This goes without saying, but tattoo artists need to be highly skilled at drawing and art. Your clients will rely on you to design and tattoo high-quality work — these tattoos are permanent, after all. As a result, you may want to consider attending a tattoo trade school to hone your skills and get the experience you need before tattooing real clients.
Am I comfortable with customer service?
It might not seem like it at first, but customer service plays a huge role in tattooing as a career. Tattoos can take several hours, and your clients won’t enjoy themselves if you don’t engage them and make conversation. If your clients genuinely like you, they’ll keep coming back for more.
Have any other questions or comments about how to learn to tattoo at a school for tattooing and piercing? Let us know by leaving a comment below.