42 Tattoo Artist
How to Become a Tattoo Artist and Shop Owner?
On this episode of the Unboxing Careers Podcast, Greg Zakowicz unboxes the career of a tattoo artist and shop owner with Kimberly Parton.
Guest: Kimberly Parton is a professional tattoo artist and owner of Golden Falcon Tattoo in Chapel Hill, NC. She started Golden Falcon Tattoo more than six years ago with a mission to create a safe space for all, with a NO JUDGEMENT policy. In addition to being a business owner, Kimberly is an active member of the community and a member of multiple charities.
Connect with Kimberly:
Connect with Kimberly on Instagram
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How to Become a Tattoo Artist: Skills, Training, and Career Insights
Thinking about becoming a tattoo artist? It’s an exciting and creative profession that blends artistry with entrepreneurship — but it’s also demanding, competitive, and more of a lifestyle than a job. To help guide you, we’ll break down what it takes to build a career in tattooing, drawing on insights from professional tattoo artist and shop owner Kimberly Parton.
Understanding the Tattoo Industry
Tattooing is more than just applying ink to the skin — it’s about creating permanent, meaningful art that clients will carry with them for life. Because of this, tattoo artists must balance creativity, technical skill, and customer service. Unlike many professions, tattooing doesn’t follow a college-to-career pipeline. Instead, the journey often begins with securing an apprenticeship and building experience in shops.
Tattooing is also a 24/7 career. While shop hours may be limited, much of the work happens outside the chair:
Designing custom artwork
Researching styles and client requests
Ordering and managing supplies
Marketing and self-promotion
Handling the business side of things if you’re an independent contractor or shop owner
The Path to Becoming a Tattoo Artist
Apprenticeships
The most common way to enter the industry is through an apprenticeship. While some shops may advertise openings, most apprenticeships are gained by showing initiative and persistence. As Kimberly explained, apprentices are expected to do grunt work — cleaning, preparing setups, and helping artists. This work isn’t “free labor”; it’s a trade for the knowledge and mentorship being passed down.
Tips for landing an apprenticeship:
Build a strong art portfolio (not necessarily tattoo designs, but anything that shows skill and creativity).
Visit shops in person and show respect for the work being done there.
Be willing to do the groundwork — cleaning, organizing, assisting — to demonstrate commitment.
Get tattooed at the shop you admire to build relationships and show genuine interest.
Education and Training
Formal education isn’t required, but certain classes can help. A few courses can make the transition from apprentice to professional smoother and improve long-term career prospects. For example, business knowledge helps artists navigate taxes, contracts, and financial planning, while art-focused training sharpens technical ability.
Classes worth considering:
Business courses: Tattoo artists are often independent contractors. Understanding taxes, savings, contracts, and investing is crucial.
Graphic design and art classes: These improve your ability to adapt designs to client needs and communicate visual ideas.
Fine art training: Useful for mastering shading, composition, and anatomy.
Essential Skills for Tattoo Artists
Tattooing requires a mix of artistic, technical, and interpersonal skills. Kimberly emphasized that while art can be learned through practice and discipline, other traits are harder to teach. Every tattoo session involves balancing creativity with customer service, so success comes from more than just artistic talent.
Key skills include:
Patience – Clients may be indecisive or request multiple adjustments.
Respect – Every tattoo has personal meaning. Even if you’ve done the same design hundreds of times, it may represent something deeply important to that client.
Understanding – Tattoos are often tied to emotional experiences such as grief, healing, or personal milestones.
Discipline – Mastering technique takes years of practice.
People skills – Artists work with clients of all temperaments and need to make them feel comfortable.
Career Paths: Street Shops vs. Studios
Not all tattoo shops operate the same way. The type of environment you start in will shape your early experiences and the speed at which you grow your clientele. Many tattoo artists begin their careers in street shops and later transition to appointment-based studios once they’ve developed a reputation.
Street Shops
High volume, walk-in clients.
Smaller, faster tattoos (often flash-based).
Great for beginners to gain experience and build a clientele.
Pros: steady flow of work and income.
Cons: less creative freedom, long hours, less focus on large custom work.
Appointment-Based Studios
Focused on custom, larger, and more meaningful pieces.
Artists often manage their own schedule.
Better suited for experienced artists with established clientele.
Pros: more creative freedom, closer client relationships.
Cons: requires strong self-promotion to keep a steady flow of clients.
Day-to-Day Life of a Tattoo Artist
A tattoo artist’s daily routine is far from predictable. The work involves much more than just the hours spent with a needle in hand. From preparing artwork to sterilizing equipment, tattooing requires attention to detail and careful time management. Many artists juggle multiple roles — artist, marketer, business owner, and customer service representative — all within the same week.
Common elements of the job include:
Long hours: Tattoo sessions may run from 8–12 hours.
Prep and cleanup: Each day begins and ends with sanitizing and setting up equipment.
Client consultations: Discussing designs, making adjustments, and building trust.
Artwork creation: Drawing or digitally designing between sessions and often late into the night.
Self-management: Handling supplies, finances, and marketing.
Salary Expectations and Business Realities
Income varies widely in tattooing and depends on experience, clientele, and business management. Artists typically pay booth rent or a percentage of earnings to shop owners. Supplies are costly, so early-career tattooers should not expect high profits right away.
Tattooing is a career where financial success comes from consistency, reputation, and smart money management. Many established artists can earn well, but the income often fluctuates, so financial discipline is key.
Tips for financial success:
Treat tattooing as a business, not just an art.
Learn to budget and save, especially since much of the income is cash-based.
Build a loyal clientele to ensure consistent work.
Challenges and Surprises in the Field
Some realities of tattooing may surprise newcomers. While the profession offers creative freedom and independence, it also comes with pressure and unique challenges. Many new tattoo artists are caught off guard by how demanding and competitive the industry can be.
Common challenges include:
Perception issues: Many clients underestimate the training, skill, and effort involved.
High pressure: Tattoos are permanent. Mistakes can’t easily be undone.
Cash flow discipline: It’s easy to overspend daily earnings without proper planning.
Still, the career offers immense rewards — from creative freedom to helping clients mark meaningful life moments.
Final Advice for Aspiring Tattoo Artists
Tattooing isn’t a hobby — it’s a lifelong commitment. To succeed, you need grit, discipline, and deep respect for the craft. Kimberly’s closing advice:
“Don’t be afraid of the grunt work. Apprenticeships are not free labor — they’re a trade for knowledge. Respect the industry, put in the work, and you’ll build a career worth having.”
Getting Started Checklist for Aspiring Tattoo Artists
If you’re serious about pursuing a career as a tattoo artist, here’s a quick roadmap to get you moving:
Build a portfolio showcasing your strongest artwork.
Visit tattoo shops in person and introduce yourself respectfully.
Seek an apprenticeship and be willing to do the grunt work.
Invest in art and business education where possible.
Develop patience and people skills — both are just as important as technical ability.
Start in a street shop to gain experience, then transition into studios as you build your reputation.
Treat it as a business, not just a passion, and learn to manage your finances wisely.
Takeaways For Those Interested in a Career as a Tattoo Artist
Tattooing requires a 24/7 commitment beyond shop hours.
Finding an apprenticeship often involves doing grunt work.
Higher education can be beneficial, especially in business and graphic design.
The day-to-day life of a tattoo artist varies by shop type.
Street shops offer more walk-in clients, while appointment-based studios focus on larger tattoos.
Tattooing can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Essential skills include patience, respect, and understanding clients' needs.
Building a clientele is crucial for success in the tattoo industry.
It's important to find a tattoo shop that aligns with your values and style.
Interested in similar careers? Check out these episodes:
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