How to Become a Tattoo Artist in India: A Complete Guide!

A ‘Tattoo Artist’ is one of the many unconventional jobs that is gaining popularity these days. Many young people are leaving corporate professions in favor of creative careers that are more rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. Many young people are pursuing careers as tattoo artists. With people’s disposable income increasing, the tattoo design industry is rapidly expanding in India. As a result, this industry has been on an upward trajectory. If you are someone who loves getting tattoos and wants to make a career in tattoo making, this blog will help you understand everything about the profession. 

Who is a Tattoo Artist?

A tattoo artist is a skilled individual who will design and apply the tattoo on your body. You can choose from a variety of designs and have them tattooed on any region of your body. You can get any design tattooed on your body. Tattoo artists use their artistic and creative abilities to create tattoos on your body. Coupled with talent, they should have a strong desire to tattoo someone else’s body. That will not be a simple process. A great deal of patience and concentration is required.

There will be varying needs of different customers, as well as a lot of sitting for hours on end if a large tattoo is to be finished. The discomfort is not excruciating, but it should not be ignored either. The tattoo artist must operate in accordance with this and ensure that the customer is comfortable and satisfied while having their tattoo done. There will be a lot of attention to detail for at least a few hours after the tattoo is completed.

Here’s a blog you can read if you want to choose an unconventional career – How to Become a Mixologist in India?

Roles and Responsibilities

As a tattoo artist, you will be responsible for specific jobs or responsibilities. Here are a few examples for you:

• You must ensure that your work area and equipment are sterilized before each use.
• Every day, you will have to practice new designs and sketches.
• There are various tattoo movements, and you must stay current with those trends.
• If necessary, you will need to communicate with your client and schedule appointments.
• After you have finished getting the tattoo, you will need to follow an aftercare program. You must ensure that your clients comprehend everything.
• You should also stay current on the latest health and skincare procedures.

Eligibility Criteria

• There are no set eligibility requirements that must be met to become a tattoo artist. Once you have completed your 10+2 with good grades, you will be able to join various apprentice programs to become a tattoo artist.
• It is always beneficial to have some knowledge of art from high school, such as sketches, shading, and coloring. 
• If you are unfamiliar with it, it is advisable to enroll in an art training institution to learn the fundamentals of drawing. 
• You must have a solid understanding of sketching and shading. This will allow you to be more creative, even if the client chooses a plain design.

Age Requirement

When it comes to tattoos, there is no maximum age limit, but there is a minimum age limit. To begin a profession as a tattoo artist, you must be at least 18 years old. If you have a genuine passion for producing wonderful tattoos, age is not an issue. At any age, you can be creative. It is entirely up to you when you choose to begin your profession as a tattoo artist. If you are passionate about making tattoos on your client’s skin, it does not always have to be a full-time job.

Relevant Read: How to Become a Content Strategist in India?

Skills Required

If you want to become a successful tattoo artist, there are some skills that you need to have. Check them below:

• You must be artistic and have a steady hand.
• Be highly thorough and detailed in your work.
• Have patience as it takes many hours to create a simple tattoo.
• Good communication skills are essential to deal with clients; many of them can be very successful people.
• Eagerness to learn and to keep up with changing trends.
• Know about skin illnesses, allergies, and needles.

How to Become a Tattoo Artist? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Here’s a step-by-step process to becoming a tattoo artist in India. Many people believe that being a tattoo artist will be a difficult task. So here’s what you have to do:

Take a Tattoo Artist Course

Take a tattoo artist course at any Indian college or institution. The simplest approach to becoming a tattoo artist is to apprentice under an experienced artist. You can do an internship with a senior artist for a few years, and they will train you. You will also learn how to sketch, shade, combine colors, make stencils, and the history of tattooing as part of the course. A certificate will help you find a job in a prestigious company. After completing the course, you will be given a certificate.

Make a Portfolio

You should now start working on your portfolio. This is critical if you want to work or intern in any tattoo studio in India. You will need to create a professional portfolio. Because one of the most crucial traits for tattoo artists is creativity, you should make your portfolio as innovative as possible. Your portfolio should include between 20 and 200 images. You can also submit a cover letter or a profile that describes your job and educational history.

Complete an Internship

The next stage is to finish the internship program. Typically, internship programs last one to three years. Only after three years of internship at a tattoo shop or studio will you be able to obtain the certificate or license. You will learn the real work and some business suggestions if you want to establish your own. You will be able to earn some money while conducting your internship. Painting drawings on paper is not the same as drawing them on the skin. As part of this training program, you must learn and perfect a variety of feats.

Get a Licence

The next step is to earn your tattoo artist licence and begin your profession. You will not be able to begin your job as a tattoo artist unless you have a valid licence. Tattoo artists will face varied rules in each country. If you want to work as a tattoo artist, you must first ensure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements. After completing the internship program, you will be eligible for the licence. Continue honing your skills if you want to advance your career as a tattoo artist. You can renew your licence based on your tattoo design knowledge.

Want to make a career in the beauty industry? Here’s a blog you can read- Career as a Makeup Artist – Beautify Your Career Today!

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Tattoo Artist

Like every other profession, becoming a tattoo artist also has its own set of challenges and perks. Read the points below to know the pros and cons of this job:

PROS

• It has a great deal of artistic value. People who like art will appreciate the piece. 
• If you are good at your job, you will earn a lot of money. Clients pay hundreds of thousands for each square inch of tattoo. 
• It takes time to build a business. There is no employment in this field, and the only option to make a solid living is to create your studio or collaborate with a studio owner. 

CONS 

• Some people find it difficult to work with a vibrating machine for long periods. There are a few health risks involved. 
• In a few years, your eyesight may deteriorate or your hands may grow rough.

Points to Remember

Although becoming a tattoo artist is an exciting career, there are some things that you need to be careful about. Have a look at them:

Safety

• Being tattooed takes a strong mind because it will be visible on your skin for the rest of your life.
• Both the tattoo artist and the person getting inked are responsible for taking necessary safety precautions.
• The final appearance of the tattoo is heavily influenced by aftercare and the healing process.

Sterilization

• Due to the significant potential of hazardous viruses and other diseases spreading through fresh tattoos on the skin, you as a tattoo artist must warn your customers to be cautious and take appropriate precautions.
• Because infected needles pose a risk of spreading infection and diseases such as Hepatitis, it is recommended that you use clean instruments and needles every time you operate on a tattoo.
• Tattooing is a serious profession. It’s not simply a fun job, but it’s also really serious.

Relevant Read: How to Become a Food Inspector in India?

Salary Scale

In terms of pay, you will earn roughly Rs 10,000 per month throughout your internship at a tattoo studio or with an expert. But, once you have your licence and open your own studio or are hired by a good company that needs tattoo artists, you’ll start making more. Depending on the design and your abilities, you can earn a fair living even for a single tattoo on a client’s skin. Some tattoo artists are so gifted that the design appears lifelike on the body. Some people get tattoo designs done all over their bodies. Hence, even if you select tattoo artists as a career, you may make well.

Relevant Read: A Guide to Beauty Courses

Job Opportunities

Tattoo artists have plenty of career prospects because many people enjoy getting tattoos. Some various saloons and studios require permanent tattoo artists. Certain malls require tattoo artists. You can look for employment openings on the internet. Probably, the paper will not provide notices, as it does in other professions. But, if you search for them on the internet, you will discover a plethora of work possibilities from various organizations and studios. You may even consider opening your own tattoo studio. It can help you earn far more than you would at another tattoo studio.

FAQs

This was all about How to become a Tattoo Artist in India. Stay tuned with Leverage Edu to discover various job opportunities in India. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to get regular updates regarding careers in India.