Looking for tattoo artist advice from working professionals? Our tattoo artist tips and advice are great for newbies hoping to accelerate their growth as well as seasoned professionals looking to learn from their fellow artists.

Tips that Work
The tattoo tips and tricks you’ll find here are from working professionals with years of experience. These industry insiders tell you what actually WORKS so you can start improving your tattoos now.

Save Time and Learn Faster
Real talk: there aren’t that many “shortcuts” in tattooing. But there is lots of trial and error. Learning from more experienced artists lets you know which tattoo tips and techniques work best, and when to use them - so you can stop experimenting and start confidently creating.
Are You an Aspiring Tattoo Artist?
We’ve collected some of our best tattoo artist tips for beginners. Or, you can view our Complete Guide to Becoming a Tattoo Artist.
Looking for More Tattoo Artist Tips and Tricks?
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How Long Does It Take To Get A Tattoo?
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Palm Tattoos: Tips, Common Concerns, and Design Ideas
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Best Tattoo Design Apps for Artists
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Everything You Need to Know About Blue Tattoo Ink
Blue ink is extremely common in tattooing - but is it safe? ...
Everything You Need to Know About Ear Tattoos
The ear has become a popular place to get a tattoo, often ...
The Hardest Areas to Tattoo on the Body
Understanding human anatomy is important to your success as a tattoo artist. ...
Read This BEFORE Tattooing Your Face and Hands
Hand and face tattoos are becoming more common, and you might be ...
How To Get Over Artist Block Effectively
Artist block is a common problem that artists face both when starting ...
All the Brushes You Need to be Using in Procreate
The Procreate app is a great tool when it comes to drawing ...
Procreate Tutorial: Difference Between Stamps and Drawing
Procreate stamps are pre-made design elements that can be a useful tool ...
Tattoo Blowout or Healing? How to Tell if Your Tattoo is Messed Up
Tattoos can look pretty weird while they’re healing. If you have a ...
Easy Tattoos for Beginners
There’s a “tipping point” every new tattoo artist must deal with: moving ...
How to Tattoo for Beginners
If you’re new to tattooing, the amount of information about becoming a ...

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Our Most Popular Tattoo Artist Tips
![]() | This article will break down the basics you need to know before you start tattooing people, how to get safe tattoo equipment, and how to start tattooing for the first time. We’ll also give you some beginning advice you can apply right away in every aspect of tattooing - from creating designs to shading techniques to finding clients. |
![]() | There are a ton of tattoo machines on the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one will work best for you, especially if it’s your first time buying one. |
![]() | Traditional apprenticeships take 1-4 years. Knowing why they’re so different in length can help you choose the right one for you. So in this article, we’ll be answering all the tattoo apprenticeship FAQs, including: how long tattoo apprenticeships should last (and what hours apprentices work),what factors affect the length of an apprenticeship, and how to have more control over the length of an apprenticeship. |
![]() | Social media and TV shows tend to amp up certain parts of what it’s like to work in the tattoo business - and downplay others. That incorrect picture can make it difficult for aspiring tattoo artists to get a good sense of what it’s like before entering into the tattoo industry themselves. So, to help you out, I’m going to share my own experience working in several shops over the past decade and tell you what it’s actually like working at a tattoo shop for most tattoo artists - the good, the bad, and the downright disgusting. |
![]() | Tattoo schools are meant to use structured lessons in a classroom setting to teach people to tattoo in just a few months, making tattooing accessible to more aspiring artists who don’t want to go through a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. But what are tattoo schools really like? What skills can you expect to have when you leave? Can you really become a tattoo artist after going to tattoo school? |
![]() | Tattoos hurt. But how much they hurt depends on tattoo placement, as well as the individual client and how they prepare for their appointment. |
![]() | A lot of new tattoo artists feel like picking their voltage is a guessing game. However, if you’re running your machine too fast or too slow, you could overwork the skin or leave a faded-looking tattoo. |
![]() | The tattoo process is very detailed. However, if you’ve read any step-by-step tattooing techniques articles, you’ve probably found that there’s still a lot missing. That’s because, most of the time, new artists are looking for the broad strokes of tattooing. |
![]() | Tattoo aftercare is super important. But even if you’re doing it right, things can look wrong, and it can be hard to figure out if your tattoo is just healing, or if there’s a problem with your tattoo, like a blowout. |
![]() | Procreate is an iPad app tattoo artists use to create tattoo designs way faster than they could on paper. |
Our Most Popular Tattoo Artist Tips
![]() | This article will break down the basics you need to know before you start tattooing people, how to get safe tattoo equipment, and how to start tattooing for the first time. We’ll also give you some beginning advice you can apply right away in every aspect of tattooing - from creating designs to shading techniques to finding clients. |
![]() | There are a ton of tattoo machines on the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one will work best for you, especially if it’s your first time buying one. |
![]() | Traditional apprenticeships take 1-4 years. Knowing why they’re so different in length can help you choose the right one for you. So in this article, we’ll be answering all the tattoo apprenticeship FAQs, including: how long tattoo apprenticeships should last (and what hours apprentices work),what factors affect the length of an apprenticeship, and how to have more control over the length of an apprenticeship. |
![]() | Social media and TV shows tend to amp up certain parts of what it’s like to work in the tattoo business - and downplay others. That incorrect picture can make it difficult for aspiring tattoo artists to get a good sense of what it’s like before entering into the tattoo industry themselves. So, to help you out, I’m going to share my own experience working in several shops over the past decade and tell you what it’s actually like working at a tattoo shop for most tattoo artists - the good, the bad, and the downright disgusting. |
![]() | Tattoo schools are meant to use structured lessons in a classroom setting to teach people to tattoo in just a few months, making tattooing accessible to more aspiring artists who don’t want to go through a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. But what are tattoo schools really like? What skills can you expect to have when you leave? Can you really become a tattoo artist after going to tattoo school? |
![]() | Tattoos hurt. But how much they hurt depends on tattoo placement, as well as the individual client and how they prepare for their appointment. |
![]() | A lot of new tattoo artists feel like picking their voltage is a guessing game. However, if you’re running your machine too fast or too slow, you could overwork the skin or leave a faded-looking tattoo. |
![]() | The tattoo process is very detailed. However, if you’ve read any step-by-step tattooing techniques articles, you’ve probably found that there’s still a lot missing. That’s because, most of the time, new artists are looking for the broad strokes of tattooing. |
![]() | Tattoo aftercare is super important. But even if you’re doing it right, things can look wrong, and it can be hard to figure out if your tattoo is just healing, or if there’s a problem with your tattoo, like a blowout. |
![]() | Procreate is an iPad app tattoo artists use to create tattoo designs way faster than they could on paper. |

Our Most Popular Tattoo Artist Tips
![]() This article will break down the basics you need to know before you start tattooing people, how to get safe tattoo equipment, and how to start tattooing for the first time. We’ll also give you some beginning advice you can apply right away in every aspect of tattooing - from creating designs to shading techniques to finding clients. |
![]() There are a ton of tattoo machines on the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one will work best for you, especially if it’s your first time buying one. |
![]() Traditional apprenticeships take 1-4 years. Knowing why they’re so different in length can help you choose the right one for you. So in this article, we’ll be answering all the tattoo apprenticeship FAQs, including: how long tattoo apprenticeships should last (and what hours apprentices work),what factors affect the length of an apprenticeship, and how to have more control over the length of an apprenticeship. |
![]() Social media and TV shows tend to amp up certain parts of what it’s like to work in the tattoo business - and downplay others. That incorrect picture can make it difficult for aspiring tattoo artists to get a good sense of what it’s like before entering into the tattoo industry themselves. So, to help you out, I’m going to share my own experience working in several shops over the past decade and tell you what it’s actually like working at a tattoo shop for most tattoo artists - the good, the bad, and the downright disgusting. |
![]() Tattoo schools are meant to use structured lessons in a classroom setting to teach people to tattoo in just a few months, making tattooing accessible to more aspiring artists who don’t want to go through a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. But what are tattoo schools really like? What skills can you expect to have when you leave? Can you really become a tattoo artist after going to tattoo school? |
![]() Tattoos hurt. But how much they hurt depends on tattoo placement, as well as the individual client and how they prepare for their appointment. |
![]() A lot of new tattoo artists feel like picking their voltage is a guessing game. However, if you’re running your machine too fast or too slow, you could overwork the skin or leave a faded-looking tattoo. |
![]() The tattoo process is very detailed. However, if you’ve read any step-by-step tattooing techniques articles, you’ve probably found that there’s still a lot missing. That’s because, most of the time, new artists are looking for the broad strokes of tattooing. |
![]() Tattoo aftercare is super important. But even if you’re doing it right, things can look wrong, and it can be hard to figure out if your tattoo is just healing, or if there’s a problem with your tattoo, like a blowout. |
![]() Procreate is an iPad app tattoo artists use to create tattoo designs way faster than they could on paper. |
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