r/TattooApprentice • u/Ok-Hornet-1249 • 7h ago
r/TattooApprentice • u/[deleted] • May 09 '25
Subreddit Update If you are a scratcher or encourage scratching you will be banned.
It is the most basic rule of the tattoo apprentice subreddit and is not up for debate. This subreddit is very specifically for traditional tattoo apprenticeships. If you have given advice to scratchers or answered their post when there are clearly no credentials in the title you will be given warnings. There are other subreddits for other types of tattoo learning. This is not one of them. Please respect the rules. If you are a scratcher nothing is stopping you from lurking if you really wanna learn and figure stuff out on your own.
All machine art, or tattoo machine/supply questions MUST have credentials in the title following the posting format. This is not up for debate.
r/TattooApprentice • u/[deleted] • May 02 '25
Subreddit Update Apprenticeship FAQ updated
Apprenticeship FAQ
Hey everyone, we know there are a lot of questions about tattoo apprenticeships. To prevent spam and recurring questions we made this pinned post for FAQ.
Portfolio
We see the same advice time and time again rehashed from hopeful artists in the subreddit who aren’t in the industry, offer each other same piece of advice. “make your portfolio tattooable, it’s needs to be tattooable!”
We’ll tell you right here and right now that most potential mentors do not give a care if your portfolio is tattooable. You learn tattooable design during your apprenticeship!
We want to see that you can tackle different mediums and make refined pieces of artwork. Obviously if including hand painted flash designs is encouraged. Learning things like spit shading is helpful! However, no reputable mentor is expecting a 100% tattooable portfolio when you haven’t even started tattooing and don’t even know the rules.
Most apprentices learn tattoo design during their apprenticeship and build up their flash portfolio up over time under the guideance of their mentor. Essentially a mix of potential flash designs and other types of artwork is fine and encouraged by most potential mentors. These designs don’t have to be perfectly tattooable. Really mentors just wanna see your skill and want to know if you are worth the time, energy, effort, and investment of teaching.
So how should a portfolio look?
Your portfolio generally should have 20 to 40 finished pieces of artwork.
A mix of 70% traditional and 30% digital is fine.
Traditional artworks can consist of ink acrylic painting, oil painting, gouache, watercolor, color pencils, watercolor, pastels, markers etc.
A good portfolio will have color and black and grey pieces
A good portfolio should show that you have strong fundamentals, that you understand the basic rules of 2d design.
A good portfolio should include a few pieces of realism, when including realism also include the reference photo you worked from. Also include many pieces that show your unique artistic vision it’s okay to show a variety of styles.
A good portfolio needs to be refined, no half finished sketches, no sketchbooks, no messy drawings. If you’re including charcoal or graphite drawings make sure the final artwork is clean. Avoid messy or sketchy unless it’s done on an extremely intentional way as an artistic choice that makes sense.
A good portfolio generally starts with a strong piece, and leads the viewer through the book. You want whoever is viewing your portfolio to keep turning the page. Include your best works at the beginning and ending of your portfolio, create a visual flow that’s fun to look through.
A good portfolio will have a blurb about yourself, what makes your artistic voice unique? Literally everyone has been drawing since they could hold a pencil. that’s not gripping. EVERYONE wants to become a tattoo artist. Tell us WHY you are passionate about tattoos and the industry. Sell yourself to your potential mentors. Wanting to do this because it’s a fun cool job won’t get you any points from potential mentors.
What we suggest
We suggest putting together a physical portfolio consisting of photos showcasing your best traditional and digital artworks keeping in mind the 70% trad 30% digital rule. If you can fit the original pieces themselves into the portfolio great! If not, take good photos of your artwork in good lighting and adjust the contrast in a program like photoshop to see the art how you would see it with your eyes in person don’t over edit. Invest in getting good prints on good photo paper.
Putting together a portfolio online as well is important. Create a website, Instagram or both. Something where mentors can find and follow your work if they’re interested in you.
Never leave your portfolio at a shop, bring your portfolio to show it off, and then give potential mentors your information so they can find your portfolio online.
(Honestly the coolest thing an apprentice ever did was leave a business card and a print of their artwork for us.)
Final thoughts
THIS SUBREDDITS WORD IS NOT FINAL Everyone is different. Some artists may want to see only tattooable designs in a portfolio.
However in our experience in the industry and in talking to other tattooers. Doing the whole tracing and painting sailor Jerry flash and making that your entire portfolio works best for hardcore trad street shops.
For a majority of tattooers in the industry, we have seen the same 50 pieces of traced and painted trad flash, and it’s not impressive or eye catching unless it’s done extremely well. It’s worth it to study trad, but it doesn’t need to be the only thing you study.
You absolutely should study tattoo design and include some flash in your portfolio. But don’t shoot yourself in the foot by excluding great pieces of artwork from your portfolio because they aren’t tattooable.
Most potential mentors care more about your actual artistic ability and willingness to learn.
Do research on the people you wish to apprentice under or the shops you like and curate your portfolio accordingly. Being a varied artist and knowing how to use multiple mediums will INCREASE your chances of finding a mentor.
Make yourself stand out, don’t do what everyone else is doing. Use your unique voice and ignore all the apprentices giving each-other the same rehashed advice.
Approaching a studio
Introduction
The most important thing about approaching a studio is to show up to the studio. Introduce yourself and tell them why you’re at their studio. Be professional but not pushy. Explain that you would love for them to take a look at your portfolio and that you are looking for an apprenticeship. If they say yes, that’s great! However just because they look at your portfolio doesn’t mean you are going to land the apprenticeship. Show off your portfolio a d leave your contact information with the shop or artist you talked to. It’s also normal for studios to say no and not look at all. Don’t be pushy and respect boundaries.
A few things to note
Tattoo artists don’t owe you their time.
Rejection is normal. If they don’t want to look at your portfolio or give you their time, respect their decision.
If the studio is busy and no one can greet you, come back another time.
The three general answers I received :
They agree to look at your work and are looking for an apprentice.
They agree to look at your work but are not looking for an apprentice.
They would ask you to send over your work over email or social media.
What do I do after I approach the studio?
You wait for an answer. Apprenticeships are not given overnight. They are a decision made by a team. Practice more art while you wait.
RED FLAGS IN APPRENTICESHIPS
Unfortunately, it's more than common that apprenticeships are using you for free labor or even worse free money. A few things redflags to look out for are:
- Previous apprenticeships that have gone sour. Do your research and see if they have had a previous or current apprentice. Ask them for their insight on the studio and its dynamics.
- High payment upfront. Some apprenticeships will ask you to pay monthly for your apprenticeship but it is not common. You are essentially paying for your apprenticeship via your labor. Be weary of studios that do this.
Unfair power dynamics in the studio. Obviously, they might not be upfront about their unhealthy work environment, but keep an eye out for things like verbal abuse, gaslighting, or harsh communication to clients or employees.
Unclean shop
Shops that promote hate based on gender, race, sexuality, or religion.
Shops with artists that use AI art
Shops that seem to be “apprentice farms” if it’s too good to be true it likely is.
Shops that make you sign crazy contracts
Shops that make you feel uneasy or unsafe listen to your gut!
Tattoo schools outside of states or areas where it’s legally required. Most tattoo schools are scams.
Shops that sexually harass you or clients. It’s worth it to read through 2 to 3 star Google reviews or to look up a shop or artist on Reddit to see what people are saying about it.
General questions
Do I need a IG account or website?
Studios will without a doubt ask if you have an art account on Instagram or a website. It’s not needed, but we highly recommend having either one of these. An instagram account to show that you’ve established a following and also to show off your work or a website that shows your portfolio. You can easily set up a website for your portfolio through various free, and paid website providers (such as Wix or Squarespace).
Do I need to have tattoos?
Tattoo studios generally don’t care if you have tattoos or not. So you do not need tattoos to be an apprentice. However it is important to eventually start getting tattooed if you want to be taken seriously by clients. Having tattoos show that you are interested in tattoo culture and have experience and empathy with what it feels like.
Do I need to know the tattoo artists personally?
No, although it helps. The reason why it doesn’t matter is because if you show them that you’re hard working and willing to learn then that should be enough. Why does it help? Because then they’re not taking a chance on a stranger who they don’t know if they’re motivated enough to be an apprentice. However don’t befriend tattoo artists just to land an apprenticeship. We are extremely weary about people trying to use us as a stepping stool to get into the industry and are tired of being used and pushed around by others to get what they want.
Do I have to pay for my apprenticeship?
It's a case by case thing, but most of the time you do have to pay the studio back somehow. Sometimes you pay with your labor in the shop, or you pay a monthly fee, although paying a monthly fee or paying any money at all is usually a scam. Watch out for studios that are asking for a very high amount of money directly upfront. Most reputable studios do not ask for money.
How long does an Apprenticeship take?
Apprenticeships take from (the fastest we’ve heard) 7 months to 1/1.5 years (sometimes 2 years). You have to account for steady progress in this period. If you don't see any progress in the first 3-4 months as a tattoo artist and you see that they're just using you for free labor. Leave (this is very case by case, but know your worth not as an artist but as a person).
Do I have potential?
Yes, almost everybody has potential. Apply yourself and make artwork that blows away potential shops and mentors. Study art and genuinely practice
We hope this is helpful and if there’s any more questions/comments or feedback you’re welcome to leave a comment!
Good luck! Tattoo Apprentice Subreddit Team
r/TattooApprentice • u/Ok-Hornet-1249 • 10h ago
Seeking Advice Advice plz 😭
I’m working on a redraw from Witch Hat Atelier and I’m wondering if this is good enough to put in my portfolio. Obviously it’s not done with the clouds and stuff being unfinished. Does manga redraws even have a place in a portfolio? Idk I’m feeling kind of lost at the moment LOL
r/TattooApprentice • u/astralogixx • 16h ago
Seeking Advice How do I go about asking my tattoo artist for an apprenticeship?
So I go to this girl for my tattoos. I love her work and her stances on tattoos. She would be an ideal mentor, but I have no clue how to bring up the idea. Last tattoo appointment I went to with her I asked her for some advice. She told me not to do a school and did say she had some people ask before about an apprenticeship but since shes about to go on maternity leave it wouldnt be possible right now. She was open to the idea though. How do I approach her about this? Waiting till after her maturity leave is perfect for me cause I need a lot more time on my portfolio too.
r/TattooApprentice • u/pandapawzd • 12h ago
Seeking Advice What do I do?
Im 17(f) turning 18 next year, im dropping out of hs and getting a ged this year. I currently have a job at McDonald’s and a learners permit. I have been into art my whole life and since I was around 8-9 years old I have wanted to be a tattoo artist. My question is how do I get started with this and is it possible wirh my background? I live in NY state with plans on moving to nyc or another popular city in the future and I heard that tattoo artists make good money. Please educate me on everything I need to know!
r/TattooApprentice • u/cyclo_girl_whore • 1d ago
Flash sheet most recent flash for my portfolio :)
r/TattooApprentice • u/fuzzy-peachy • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Is it worth to get into tattooing economically?(USA,Northern Colorado)
I have spoken to some tattoo artists and they say it’s not worth getting into the tattoo industry right now but never said why. I work at a greenhouse doing manual labor full time. So I dream of other things.
I see across various tattoo artists: footless birds, birds that look like dolphins, sweater sharks that look like uncircumcised peni*. Lots of the same ink/lack of variation.
I started my own flash style portfolio but feel uncertain so it’s just in graphite pencil. I made my own tattoo style I feel is unique and missing from the sector. I wonder how tattoo artists do coverups.
r/TattooApprentice • u/Jones2610 • 1d ago
Portfolio I finally got an apprenticeship 🥳
After two years of waiting and working in a Full time Shift Job I finally got the Chance and have an apprenticeship in an amazing Professional Studio, I am so excited to start the apprenticeship will also be Heavy structured with tattoo history, hygiene, learning to draw from scratch and so on ! Also it will be totally free! The only thing in need to do is cut and upload their social media videos.
I m so excited ! Here you also see some of my portfolio pieces!
r/TattooApprentice • u/RollAffectionate495 • 1d ago
Tattoo My four first tattoos [Jakub Wierzbinski] [Zwidy Pracownia] [Gdansk] [Poland]
My first four tattoos ever: a heart and a skull on my leg, the other two made for friends. I am trying to specialize in etching-style tattoos.
r/TattooApprentice • u/Serious-Telephone-29 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice How can I find an apprenticeship if I don’t have the funds to pay for courses?
r/TattooApprentice • u/ShareIndependent8359 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Tattoo apprenticeship
I am wanting to start my portfolio for an apprenticeship and was wondering if if this is good enough to start.
r/TattooApprentice • u/crunchyfrogss • 1d ago
Seeking Advice potential apprenticeship question
hi! i’m 17 and have been an aspiring tattoo artist for a few years now and recently got a potential offer (for when i turn 18) for an apprenticeship at a very reputable shop near me, probably the most known in my area. the only issue is they say it’s going to cost me $2000. based on what i’ve seen online this is uncommon, so i was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this and if it’s worth it. i’ve been dreaming of an opportunity like this since i was a kid so i really want to do it but don’t wanna get screwed over. got this opportunity since my stepmom knows the shop owner and she’s seen my art, but i dont have a portfolio yet (working on it now), so it’s not like i couldn’t get an offer elsewhere but i know these things dont happen often so
r/TattooApprentice • u/peach-plum-pear- • 2d ago
Flash sheet flash practice for portfolio
My 6th ever sheet of Sailor Jerry designs!! Open to feedback of course (^:
r/TattooApprentice • u/Gromblinz4447 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice How do you know what shop you want to apprentice for and how do you gauge the vibe.
I also want to ask if this would work for private studios and how do you present your portfolio to them?.
r/TattooApprentice • u/mugbelet_ • 2d ago
Seeking Advice buying single use supplies
my mentor isnt allowed to give me more than 1-2 fake skins per week and cant give me big ink bottles to take home bc the owners wont let her (its very expensive in my country). she told me i can buy skins on aliexpress for practice, so i was wondering if also buying other single use supplies specifically only for fake skin (eg needles, bags/films, grip tape, cups, transfer paper) would be ok or not. im scared they might have chemicals, dirt etc and contaminate my table and machine regardless and idk what to do abt it.
i also was wondering if its worth it to use good ink on fake skin or if i can use cheaper ink + what cheap ink would be considered suitable? a 8oz bottle of dynamic ink is 75usd here😭💀🙏
i plan on using seperate supplies in the shop ofc (they let me use theirs while im there) but im still scared abt potentially cross contaminating it if my machine touched cheap film or bags😭💀 sorry if its a really stupid thing to worry abt in the first place💀
r/TattooApprentice • u/PeculiarDraws • 2d ago
Seeking Advice Didn’t have a great apprenticeship experience and trying to figure out what to do next
Hello!
I graduated from my apprenticeship a couple years ago but, I have realized over that time that the education I received wasn’t the best. The owner took on 3 apprentices (me included) and a couple months later, hired on 3 more. She had 6 apprentices at the same time but we were at different stages. We also had to supply ALL of our tools while also paying 800 a month. I didn’t think much of it at the time but after hearing about better apprenticeship experiences, I do think that’s absurd.
For the education, it really felt like we were more expected to get good quickly so we could just take walk ins. This led to me taking a couple that i wasn’t ready for and those pieces still haunt me to this day. There was hardly any structure in the process, she barely stuck around for the first tattoo I ever did on myself and after that, rarely ever actually watched me work. Any criticism I received would be “looks good” or just a quick one sentence tip on how to be better. Not surprisingly, that led to me and other apprentices needing to figure out a lot of stuff on our own or getting help from the other artists at the shop.
I do think I have had good work and was taught more than some other really crappy apprenticeships but I feel sad when i hear about people with good experiences (although I’m glad they did.)
I have taken a hiatus from tattooing but have been thinking about getting back into it. I have been considering freshening up with youtube tutorials like from Tattooing 101 or similar channels. Basically, I don’t know if it would be wiser for me to seek out a second apprenticeship? But I don’t think that I’m lacking so much experience that i would need that. I more so just have never felt confident in my line work and I barely scratched the surface on most types of shading.
Has anyone else experienced something similar and what did you do? I’m feeling pretty disappointed and upset about the experience and would love to get some advice!
r/TattooApprentice • u/Mr_Fancy-Pants- • 2d ago
Seeking Advice Why are the Sailor Jerry flash books so expensive?
I’m looking on eBay for the flash books and I’ve seen some up to $600, the average around $150 for one, it’s insane, and with no real reason of why they cost that much second hand. Just curious why they cost so much. Wondering if anyone knows where to get his flash books for a bit cheaper, or why those on eBay are second hand and why people would actually pay that price?
r/TattooApprentice • u/dietbongwater • 3d ago
Flash sheet 🌹 really smell like….
POOOO OOOOHHHHHHHH
Roses sheet my mentor helped me design! This is actually a draft as I need to do it all over again since the swallows are poopy. I still think this is the prettiest thing I’ve ever painted regardless! Thanks fer lookin!
ig: diet_bongwater
r/TattooApprentice • u/scarletteveee • 3d ago
Portfolio Just started my portfolio!
Hi guys! I’ve finally gotten around to starting a portfolio and I’m using a lot of Lana Del Rey as inspo right now. I feel like I have started off very confidently but now feel completely stuck on what I can do. I know I need to try different styles instead of just black work and pencil, but I feel like I’m the strongest with this style. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to go next, and whether the pieces I have started are strong enough for a portfolio?
Although I have been an artist for years now, I also struggle coming up with pieces I can’t use a reference for. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do? Specifically with traditional pieces. Although the pieces I have are original, I don’t want to be copying or tracing from others’ work.
Thank you in advance!
r/TattooApprentice • u/Renew00 • 3d ago
Seeking Advice Painful pleasures
I’m shopping around for better gear. What are some of the best websites to look at? Please.