Advice for Beginning Tattoo Artists in Los Angeles - Body Art & Soul Tattoos

How to get tattoo training in Los Angeles

As an aspiring tattoo artist living in the City of Angels, it can be difficult to know where to start learning how to tattoo. It is a city full of famous people and famous tattoo artists. Although there are hundreds of tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in Los Angeles, there are not many who are looking for an apprentice tattoo artist. And there are even fewer who want to spend time answering questions from aspiring tattoo artists about their business and career. And if you've been an LA Ink fan, you know how dramatic life with tattoo artists can be! So, you may be left feeling like you are on your own when trying to figure out how to get tattoo training in Los Angeles. 

At this point, you may be ready to give up on your Californian dream of being a tattoo artist surrounded by palm trees and sunlight because the obstacles seem too big. Maybe you think you can't afford to quit your full-time job to start training as an administrator at a tattoo parlor. Or maybe you heard "no" when you visited a tattoo parlor with a portfolio in hand and asked the artist to teach you. We were there! While it may seem almost impossible to become a tattoo apprentice in Los Angeles, we have good news for you: you can learn how to tattoo in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. At Body Art & Soul Tattoos, we are ready to guide you through every step of the process. From learning how to create solid tattoos, to getting a license and applying the first line on the skin, we are ready to help you. Our LA tattoo studio is located on Sunset Boulevard in Silverlake so it is centrally located and easy to get to wherever you are in LA, be it the Valley, Hollywood, East LA, Santa Monica, DTLA, Culver City, City of K or nearby. areas. We have trained over 150 tattoo artists so we know what it's like when you're trying to figure out how to start your tattoo career. That's why we've put together the top 5 tips for aspiring tattoo artists on what to do to get tattoo training in Los Angeles.

1. Don't tattoo yourself

The most important advice for beginner tattoo artists is not to make a tattoo yourself! Whatever you do, don't buy a (dangerous) tattoo kit online, just start painting yourself, your friends, or the strangers you find on Craigslist. Not only will you put them in danger (bloodborne pathogens are bad news), these kits are not even designed for human use! Even if you have professional equipment, the Los Angeles County skills, techniques, and license required to be safe and create decent tattoos cannot be learned from YouTube videos. Learning how to tattoo safely and well requires hands-on, hands-on training with experienced professionals. Do not put yourself or anyone else in danger by getting tattoos without proper training or without a license. 

2. Commit to the future and take the first step

Now that you know that you need to learn how to tattoo as part of a professional apprenticeship or training program, you are probably overwhelmed. There are many tattoo parlors in Los Angeles (and quite a few famous ones!), but how many of them actually offer training? How many people who say they will teach you really just want someone to answer the phone and clean for free? As for the other options you can find online, which ones are genuine and which ones promise too much and don't deliver? Which ones have a real LA studio and a job offer at the end or help you get your license and start your career? Regardless of which resource you browse, getting answers to these questions can be scary. We've been there and the best advice we can give aspiring tattoo artists at the moment is to do it. The only way to make sure that a career as a professional tattoo artist with an LA County license is right for you is to go to the tattoo studio closest to you, ask questions, and find out for yourself. 

3. Great art cannot be rushed

The next most important tip for aspiring Los Angeles tattoo artists is to avoid programs that offer two-week or two-month training programs. Beware of apprenticeships that pretend that the art of tattooing can be quickly taught. It's just not true. You might be able to quickly create a flash tattoo portfolio or find answers to the bloodborne pathogens exam questions, but you still need hands-on experience and a tattoo studio to get licensed. The nuances and techniques required to create professional quality tattoos take a lot of time to learn, which is why we always recommend looking for tattoo courses in Los Angeles that aren't too good to be true. This should allow a reasonable amount of time to teach you everything you need to know to start a thriving new career! And remember, as a new tattoo artist, you never stop learning, so make sure you find yourself a studio with a positive vibe where your fellow tattoo artists encourage you and aren't going to try and steal your clients.

4. Decide what you want from discipleship

For decades, there was only one way to become a professional tattoo artist: visit your local tattoo parlor, show off your portfolio, and ask to be their apprentice. This usually results in years of sitting at the front desk, mopping floors, and eventually learning the art of tattooing. This might work for some people, but if you get rejected or can't afford to work at the front desk waiting to learn something, we encourage you to check out our tattoo training program. We don't waste your time on a chore and we have a curriculum that you can follow at your own pace to learn everything you need to be a successful tattoo artist, including earning a Los Angeles County Tattoo License. And the best part? We offer a job to every artist trained by us, because we are interested in your successful career! You can even start your tattoo training in a live virtual online class early in your tattoo training in Los Angeles. You will learn about creating flawless flash designs and practice tattooing techniques on faux leather, working one-on-one with a dedicated trainer. Once you've completed the online virtual training requirements, you'll be ready to complete your training in our cozy studio (it used to be a yoga studio, so it's an incredibly positive vibe here!). Once you've completed your training at Body Art & Soul Tattoos, we'll have a job offer at our Los Angeles studio waiting for you!

5. Never give up!

Whether you become an apprentice at another tattoo parlor in Los Angeles or learn the art of tattooing with us at our studio in Los Angeles, our final piece of advice to aspiring tattoo artists is to never give up! Tattooing is a complex yet rewarding art form, and persistence and patience is the key to success. It takes time for our students to be well prepared for the first insertion of a needle into a client's skin. Remember that developing new skills is a process and just because you have a license does not guarantee that you know how to use it properly. From day one, it takes focus and dedication to your craft to make sure you do your best work and avoid mistakes. So believe in yourself and stay strong knowing that you are bringing great art into the world and helping your clients express themselves!

Next Steps to Start Your Tattoo Career in Los Angeles, California

We hope this tips for beginner tattoo artists will help you on your way to becoming a professional tattoo artist! Starting your tattoo career in Los Angeles doesn't have to be overwhelming if you follow our advice:

1. Trying to tattoo yourself is dangerous and discouraging, so don't do it.
2. Believe in yourself and choose a professional path
3. Remember that learning a new skill takes time.
4. Find the tattoo training in Los Angeles that's right for you
5. Stay focused and dedicated

While this career isn't easy, it's extremely rewarding and we love helping aspiring tattoo artists make their dreams come true! If you have any questions about your future as a tattoo artist, feel free to contact us! Start a chat to find out more.