Traditional apprenticeships take 1-4 years. Knowing why they’re so different in length can help you choose the right one for you.
In this article, we’re breaking down:
How long is the average tattoo apprenticeship?
The average apprenticeship is about 2-3 years. However, they can extend for as long as 5.
Option 1: The “Normal” Apprenticeship
Tattoo apprentices spend the first year “earning” their education by cleaning, working the front desk, answering phone calls, etc.
Year 1
Chores and working in the shop
Year 2
Learning to tattoo/tattooing yourself
Year 2.5
Tattooing friends and clients on apprentice pay
Usually, tattoo apprentices spend the first year “earning” their education by cleaning, working the front desk, answering phone calls, etc. to make up for the cost of their mentor’s time and teaching. In this case, you won’t pick up a tattoo machine for the first year of your apprenticeship.
Option 2: The “Short” Apprenticeship
If you’re paying for your education, you should start learning pretty much right away.
Year 1
Learning to tattoo/tattooing yourself
Year 1.5
Tattooing friends and clients on apprentice pay
Option 3: The “Long” Apprenticeship
Year 1
Chores and working in the shop
Year 2
Learning to tattoo/tattooing yourself
Year 3
Tattooing friends and clients on apprentice pay
Year 4
Tattooing full-time as an artist in the shop
Beware: The “Neverending” Apprenticeship
Unfortunately, some “mentors” only offer an apprenticeship to aspiring artists because they want someone to work the front desk for free. They don’t plan on actually teaching anything.
Year 1-4+
Chores and working in the shop
How many days a week is a tattoo apprenticeship?
Usually, apprentices are expected to work 5-6 days a week.
How many hours a week is a tattoo apprenticeship?
Some mentors allow flexible hours so the apprentice can keep a part-time job to support themselves. Others will expect apprentices to be there 50 or even 60+ hours a week.
Do tattoo apprentices get paid?
Apprentices do not get paid until they start tattooing people (1-2 years into the apprenticeship). When they do start tattooing clients, they are on an “apprentice split.” This means the shop gets 50-60% of the money the apprentice makes from their tattoos.
How long does it take to start tattooing in a tattoo apprenticeship?
Usually, after a year of working in the shop at the desk, mentors will start showing apprentices how to tattoo and might let them practice on fake skin or practice tattooing themselves.
How long does it take to get a tattoo apprenticeship?
How long it takes to get a tattoo apprenticeship depends on a few different things:
Most mentors expect hopeful apprentices to have a portfolio that shows stellar art skills. For people who don’t have much drawing experience, getting that experience can take several years.
Note:
To learn how to draw tattoos faster, check out our 3-step process in How to Tattoo for Beginners.
Apprenticeships are different from most entry-level jobs.If you walk into a shop and ask for an job right away, you will get turned down. People ask professional tattoo artists for apprenticeships everyday, and “no” is their go-to answer.
The best way to ask for an apprenticeship is to build a relationship and help around the shop before asking a potential mentor to look at your portfolio.
Note:
Need help creating a tattoo apprenticeship portfolio? Learn what a tattoo mentor is looking for with our Portfolio Guide.
A lot of artists are able to get into the tattoo industry faster because they already have a few friends in the tattoo community.
How long do you have to be a tattoo apprentice?
In some places, there are legal requirements regarding your tattoo education. However, apprentices become professionals whenever their mentor feels they’re ready.
Here’s a few things that can factor into the length of your apprenticeship:
How to gain more control over the length of your apprenticeship:
To avoid getting strung along in an apprenticeship, we recommend creating a tattoo apprentice contract with your potential mentor.
In the contract, you’ll agree on milestones in your apprenticeship. For example, after a certain amount of drawings, you’ll be allowed to start practicing with a tattoo machine.
If you’re paying for your apprenticeship, these milestones will be paired with payment installments. (This will give your mentor incentives to teach you more often.)
Note:
If possible, talk to a future mentor’s graduated apprentices to hear about their experience and how long it took.
Do you have to have a tattoo apprenticeship?
