The Only Online Tattoo Course You’ll Need

Our digital world is making major changes to the tattooing industry. Emerging artists are opting out of traditional apprenticeships. Instead, they’re looking for online tattoo courses.

However, most tattoo school online courses are vague or out of date, leaving new tattoo artists with an incomplete education. It stunts their growth in the industry and leads to dangerous tattooing health and safety practices.

Tattooing 101 is different. It takes you from complete beginner to professional tattoo artist in as little as 90 days by giving you all the quality information you need to succeed, as well as a supportive online community and mentorship from experienced artists. 

What to Look For in an Online Tattoo Course

When hopeful artists buy into incomplete courses, it’s because they aren’t aware of which tattoo training classes should be included. This makes it difficult to decide which online course will make them a successful tattoo artist. 

Here’s how you can tell the difference:

What Makes a “Good” Tattoo Course?

A great course should teach you everything you need to know to become a tattoo artist. The material should be easy to understand and rooted in tattooing and drawing fundamentals, sanitation, and business knowledge.
tattoo instructor washing a tattoo machine
tattoo flash drawings
instructor using tattoo equipment
realistic tattoo of a butterfly

Images from Tattooing 101’s Artist Accelerator Program

Video modules inside the Artist Accelerator Program help you learn theoretical material and offer real-life practice.

This list will give you an idea of what material complete courses should include:

  • The history of tattooing
  • Tattoo artist mindset
  • Proper sanitation, health certifications, and getting a license
  • Tattoo shop operations
  • How to travel abroad as a tattoo artist
  • Safe station setup and breakdown
  • Stencil application tips and techniques
  • Client positioning and tattooing with the “flow” of the body
  • Tattoo machines, needles, tubes, inks, etc.
  • Color theory and digital design
  • Drawing classes and tattooing techniques
  • Shading, color packing, lettering, and how to draw tattoo designs in different styles
  • Aftercare for skin
  • Social media management and strategies to get clients

What Makes a Tattooing Course “Bad”?

This is more difficult to spot since a course’s ads will avoid showing its shortcomings. However, there are a few telltale red flags:

  • Obviously False Promises
    If a beginners course is promising aspiring artists that they’ll be a professional tattooer in just seven days with little practice...you can be sure that promise really is “too good to be true.”
  • Incomplete Education
    If an online tattoo course only teaches tattooing techniques and tips, it’s missing major chunks of material. 

    On top of having basic techniques explained, a beginners course should also include training on safety and hygienic practices, needle configurations, machine operation, drawing, getting clients, thriving in the tattoo world, and more form the base for your improvement.

How to Select an Online Tattoo School

instructor tattooing a person in a tattoo shop
tattooing materials and fake skin
highest quality ink
The best online tattoo course for you is the one that meets you where you are and offers a manageable schedule. If you’re a complete beginner, you need classes that go beyond tattooing. Look for online courses with videos that:
  • Provide foundational techniques (drawing skills, painting, materials and equipment, safety, etc.).
  • Provide guidance from mentors and feature an online community so you can learn from both experienced professionals and your peers while you create practice tattoos (essential for beginners).

Not quite sure what’s right for you? We’ve answered some of the online tattoo course FAQs:

When can I specialize in my own style of tattoos?

You cannot start tattooing in a specific style is impossible without a clear understanding of basic tattoo techniques. Courses that explain the foundations step-by-step will give you the tools to create any tattoos you want, no matter the style. 

Does my location or budget matter?

The great thing about the internet is that it allows us to have access to knowledge from all over the world. Tattooing courses are no different. 

There are online tattoo courses that will overcharge and underdeliver (AKA rip-offs). While a tattooing education should absolutely be viewed as an investment, it shouldn’t break the bank to learn. Look for programs and classes that offer reasonable monthly installments.

I work full-time. Can I still learn?

Yes! In the past, tattoo apprenticeships required 40-50 hour work weeks for two to four years with no pay. Now, you can learn through an online course and practice at your own pace.

Why Tattooing 101 is the Best Online Tattoo Course

Tattooing 101 is the first fully inclusive online tattoo course of its kind. Its 9-Step Plan designed by accomplished tattoo artists takes you through clear, succinct videos to build a solid foundation for long-term success as a tattoo artist.

Get started tattooing with the Artist Accelerator’s easy-to-follow 9-step plan.

With in-depth training on tattoo design, tattoo techniques (lining, packing, shading), art, sterilization, getting and keeping clients, shop operation, and more, Tattooing 101 students learn everything they need to work in a shop after completing the Artist Accelerator Program.

Learn with the Tattooing 101 Community

As a Tattooing 101 student, you’ll receive personalized feedback on the art and tattoos you create. You’ll also become part of an active Facebook community that continues to grow and provide inspiration to one another on a daily basis.

Learn with video feedback from professionals, get a peer review, or ask a question.

Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program

student work from the Artist Accelerator tattoo artist training programs

Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult. 

The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.

That’s why we created the Artist Accelerator Program. Our online course provides a simple, structured way of learning to tattoo that has been proven to work by over 2500 successful students, with many of them having gone on to open their own shops all around the world. 

Inside the program, we’ll take you through every step of the tattooing process in 9 clear, easy-to-follow modules and support you along the way within the Tattooing 101 Mastermind online community.

In the Mastermind group, you’ll collaborate with other students, get answers to your questions, and receive personalized video feedback on your artwork and tattoos from professional tattoo artists. With this friendly community of both new and experienced tattoo artists, you’ll never be stuck again. 

When you join the Artist Accelerator Program, you’ll have instant, lifetime access to the full course and the Mastermind community, as well as our 30-Day Flash Challenge and recorded interviews with tattoo artists from all over the world. 

Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.

Looking for a tattoo apprenticeship?

Tattooing 101's Artist Accelerator 90 day program is the closest thing to a real apprenticeship

  • 500 video modules
  • Professional tattoo artist coaches
  • Private mastermind community
AUTHOR
Nathan Molenaar

Nathan is a licensed professional tattoo artist with over 8 years’ experience working at studios across the globe, including Celebrity Ink, the world's largest tattoo studio chain.

When he's not tattooing, he spends his free time sharing his experience and knowledge with aspiring artists who dream of pursuing a career in the tattooing industry.

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