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New England New England Tattoo Advice - Body Art & Soul Tattoos

How to Get a Tattoo Apprenticeship in New England

As an aspiring tattoo artist living in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or anywhere else in New England, it can be difficult to figure out where to start learning how to tattoo. While there are hundreds of tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in the big eastern metropolitan areas like Boston, Providence, and New Haven, there aren't many who are looking for tattoo apprentices. And there are even fewer who want to spend time answering questions from aspiring tattoo artists about their business and career. As such, you may be left feeling like you're on your own when trying to figure out how to get tattoo training in New England. 

5 Tips for Aspiring New England Tattoo Artists

At this point, you may be on the verge of giving up on your dream of being a tattoo artist because the hurdles seem too big. Maybe you have a steady job and just can't make ends meet if you quit to start an appointment and internship at a tattoo studio. Or maybe you just got told no when you showed your portfolio to your favorite tattoo artist and asked him to teach you. Just because someone is a great artist does not mean they will become a great teacher. We've heard these stories and more! It may seem almost impossible to get tattoo training in New England, but we have good news for you: you can learn how to tattoo and we are here to guide you through every step of the process at Body Art & Soul. Tattoos! From learning how to create solid tattoos to gaining the 2,000+ hours of experience required to earn a license, we're here to help. And our tattoo studio in New Haven, Connecticut is easily accessible from virtually anywhere in New England, including the Hartford, Boston, and Providence metro areas.

We have trained over 150 tattoo artists so we know a lot about 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 how to get tattoo training in New England.

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 or your friends. Not only will you put them at risk (bloodborne pathogens are bad news), these kits are not even designed for human use! Even if you manage to get your hands on professional equipment, the skills, techniques, and CT, RI, or MA government license needed to be safe and produce quality tattoos cannot be learned from YouTube videos. Learning to tattoo safely and effectively requires face-to-face, hands-on training with experienced professionals. Don't put yourself or your friends in danger by getting tattoos without proper training or without a license. 

2. Commit to the future and take the first step

Now, when you want to learn how to tattoo as part of a professional apprenticeship or training program, you are probably overwhelmed. There are plenty of tattoo parlors in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, but how many of them actually offer training? How many people who need an apprentice 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 studio and a job offer at the end or help you get a license and start a career?

No matter what resource you're browsing, getting answers to these questions can be intimidating. We've been there and the best advice we can give aspiring tattoo artists at the moment is to just dive in. Even if you're just doing a one-day introductory workshop, to see if you like it, go ahead. go ahead and try it. The only way to make sure a career as a licensed professional tattoo artist 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 beginner tattoo artists is to avoid tutorials that are only meant to take advantage of you. Beware of apprenticeships that pretend that the art of tattooing can be taught to you in a matter of days or weeks. It's just not true. You might be able to pick up flash portfolio concepts quickly or get answers to bloodborne pathogens exam questions, but you still need over 2,000 hours of hands-on experience 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 training in New England, which is not too good to be true and gives you a reasonable amount of time to teach you everything you need to know. want to. you need to know to start a successful career!

4. Decide what you want from discipleship

For decades, the traditional path to becoming a professional tattoo artist has been to find a local tattoo parlor, show off your portfolio, and ask for training. This usually results in years of sitting at the front desk, mopping floors, and eventually learning the art of tattooing. This is a time-tested and absolutely right way to learn how to tattoo. However, 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 never waste your time on a chore and we have a curriculum that you can complete at your own pace to learn everything you need to be a successful tattoo artist, including getting a tattoo license. And the best part? We offer a job to everyone who studies with us, because we are interested in your successful career! Once you've completed your training at Body Art & Soul Tattoos, we'll have a job offer at our New Haven, Connecticut studio waiting for you!

5. Never give up!

Whether you're starting out at another tattoo parlor in New England or learning the art of tattooing with us at our studio in New Haven, 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. We take the time to ensure that our students are well prepared for the first time they apply a needle to their client's skin. Remember that it takes time to develop your skills 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 keep your head up and move forward knowing that you are bringing great art into the world and helping your clients express themselves!

Next steps for your tattoo career in New England

We hope this tips for beginner tattoo artists will help you on your way to becoming a professional tattoo artist! Starting your search for tattoo training in New England 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 right tattoo training in New England 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.