Tattoo Training Information

Before one can become a licensed and certified tattoo artist, it is necessary for them to practice for hundreds or even thousands of hours in order to begin mastering the craft. Due to the artistic skill needed as well as medical knowledge, it is difficult for someone to become a successful tattoo artist if they are not completely dedicated. There are multiple methods of practicing tattooing before become an actual tattoo artist. A few of these methods include purchasing “tattoo skin” which is synthetic material that mimics the properties of skin that can be used to get a feel for what it is like to tattoo on a live person. An individual may also practice on fruit, particularly the honeydew melon as it bears the closest resemblance to actual skin. A third method is to actually practice on Pig skin such as a pig’s ear or pig’s foot. Pigs are anatomically similar to humans in many ways and although their skin is thicker than that of humans, it offers a nice similar canvass to human skin for apprentices to practice on.

After practicing using one or more of the above methods, it is necessary for an individual interested in becoming a tattoo artist to apprentice under an established artist for months if not years dependent upon the tattoo shop. During this apprenticeship, the individual will learn the tricks of the trade as well as observe licensed tattoo artists as they create tattoos for their customers. The apprenticeship also teaches an individual the ins and outs of running a tattoo shop both from the business and customer sides. After all of this has taken place, an individual can now apply to be a licensed tattoo professional and is legally permitted to tattoo on human customers.

The actual process of tattooing, barring the artistic aspect, is rather simple yet amazing. Prior to actually tattooing an individual, one must inspect the tools of the trade to make sure they are of high quality and sterilized effectively. Due to the fact that tattooing involves puncturing the skin repeatedly, much emphasis is put on cleanliness and safety. After all of the equipment has been inspected and passed examination, the tattoo artist may begin their work.

A tattoo artist uses a tattoo machine to penetrate the skin, sometimes between 500-3000 times per minute. The machine utilizes a sterilized needle which deposits a droplet of insoluble ink about a millimeter deep into the skin with each penetration. The tattooing process involves multiple steps such as outlining, shading, coloring, and finally bandaging. The outlining process involves making an outline of the intended design of the tattoo with a single needle using thin ink. The shading process involves using thicker ink and multiple needles to connect the outlines and create a solid line. The coloring process entails filling in the outline with the specified color or hue of the ink. The bandaging process involves cleaning the tattooed area and removing any blood prior to applying a bandage. As a whole, the tattoo process as well as the history behind it is certainly interesting and makes for an exciting time.