Forum Discussion: Are Tattoo Schools Any Good?
Sunday November 13, 2005
Are tattoo "schools" worth the time and/or money? What about online courses? How do they compare to a traditional apprenticeship? Here are some of the comments currently in this discussion:
- "Still, if it was me doing the hiring... I'd be looking at a person's individual skill level. Whether they went to a school or had an apprenticeship, I'd like to be able to see what that individual could do before I hired them."
- "If I was the one doing the hiring, probably a 90% chance I wouldnt hire someone who learned at a 'tattoo school'. My first and biggest concern would be 'why didnt they apprentice under someone?'"
Comments
I’m personally considering tattoo school right now. The reason being that I have a mortgage, a wife, and am not a 19 year old kid. I need to figure out a way to achieve the dream without creating a finncial hardship for my family. I am also confident that, once I acquire the skills, one way or another, my natural-born talent will carry me to success from there.
Tattoo Artists are going to the schools format because of the number of lawsuits over apprenticeships, and violations of federal labor laws. Also artists figured out they could charge for school and have multiple students. States are also legislating the apprenticeship program out of existance, making restrictions on who is qualified to teach. After all what would you rather have, an artist who apprenticed under a mediocre or lacksidaisical artist or graduated from an accredited licensed school?
almost no one wants to give anyone a shot im an artist with formal training and im not cleaning toilets just to learn how to apply tattoos theres a wealth of info in the world if your an artist its just a new medium to work with almost anything can be learned through books hygiene technique sterilization but proof is in the pudding if your good your good if your not get an apprenticeship or just hang out at tattoo parlors or network with people pick up tricks here and there or you can join a biker gang or watch miami ink 1000 times because everything on miami ink is just like every tattoo studio but until you prove you can do it safely and creatively your just a wannabe following what you think is a new trend
Honestly, A lot of artists aren’t even apprenticing any more. It takes up too much time and most people aren’t dedicated enough. I don’t think a tattoo is a generic way of learning. Especially since a lot of people are trying to get in the industry. If someone told me they went to a school to learn I would think there would be some degree of proffesionalism. A lot of training and technique provided by people who are pretty good. I really don’t see anything wrong with it as a way to get your foot in the door.
been thinking about tatt school,my idea is that by demonstrating your eagerness to gain some form of entry point a studio may then start to to take you serious in the quest of apprenticeship,might cost a few bucks up front,but hey as long as school is reputable,you should walk out the other end with new skills and inspiration?!
Skip an apprenticeship? Tat school may give you some good training but tattooing is like a “fraternity” and your apprenticeship is as much about paying your dues as it is learning the business. Unless you have a proven history and a portfolio, expect an apprenticeship. A new tattoo artist should expect 1 year of apprenticeship before even working on the skin. Unfortunately the majority of the shops don’t care to invest that much into one person in an industry with very little loyalty. School? No, not yet. This business isn’t to that point yet.
So many tattoo artist out there get angry at what they call scratchers when in reality they too were once beginners. They are unwilling to share any advice or tips to help anyone who isn’t giving them a load of cash. Personally I share all that I can. I am confident in my ability and my pricing. Sharing information with someone just makes them better and less likly to screw someone up for life.
i think the artist apprenticeships are way outdated. just another way for someone to shell out some abuse and punishment. i’ve been to a few shops and asked for apprenticeships. i carried with me an extensive portfolio, and the love of the art. everytime i’ve been turned down. why? i’ve been considered a great artist by a lot of people. i have hard work ethic, and i’ve been fascinated by the craft since age twelve. i already have an extinsive knowledge of the art. i guess i just didn’t fit into there stereotypical tattoo artist image. i think apprenticeship should be left for those who want some kinda’ degrading hazing ritual…
I think ideally doing an apprenticeship would be better, but in most cases it is unrealistic, tattoo artist’s in my immediate area are extremely competitive and jealous, there not going to fork out an apprenticeship for nothing, im also 24 years old if and when i find someone willing to take me on i dont know when its going to be before i can branch off on my own. Im confident in my own skills as an artiste(after all ive had my own exhibitions before) im going to try teaching myself first, after that im going to try the school thing. Its all about dedication and setting goals. just like with anything else
most artist do not want to apprentice anyone, it seems like to me. I am a what you would call a “old man” and I feel that I have alot to offer to the tattoo world…but putting up with some bigheaded tattoo artist is not what I would call a apprenticeship, so I guess I would be called a scratcher, but not a bad one at that. Most artist do not remember where they started…. possibly as scratcher also. Dont get me wrong,the old school artist are generally always ready to give advice and support, and that says alot about the artist in general. Thank you very much to the artist that have been willing to help me, knowing that I have never been an app.rentice
the major problem for appentice-ship is that the “teacher” doesn’t HAVE to teach anything. with apprentice-ships, you have to shell out mass amounts of money, take hundreds of orders, and the only way you could learn would be to watch and more or less pay attention, then get yelled at for not doing the job they assigned you.
going to a school teaches you the steps to starilize needles and clean your workspace. they can help make your portfolio, and you can get help in “voulinteer” services that some managers look for.
Well I’m 18 and I’m getting ready to graduate from high school and I’m gunna go to a tattoo school in colorado its 3 months long I’ve been drawin all my life and I really think that I can mae it in this industrie I know I’m not gunna blow up real quick right out the gate but in due time and if I even have to do an apprenticship after skool so be it..ill do whatever it takes to make it big YA DIGG!!
I once hired shop help fresh out of “tattoo school”, I felt badly for her afterwards for paying all that money ($8,000) she didn’t know a thing! I think that most of them are a $$ scam after all just how much can you teach someone in a few weeks? They come out with an overblown idea of their abilities and the public sees their grad certificate and thinks it makes them an artist. Unfortunately the demand for artists currently coupled with the lack of apprenticeships available makes this just another sign of the times.
hi everyone, i am new to this forum
какие кто приметы знает?
например, про пустые ведра,или про кошку черную, или такая народная примета: помойки воняют перед дождем
Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005
NOTHING takes the place of learning to tattoo (hands on) under the supervision (1 on 1)of someone that’s been tattooing for a long long time(for me It was 5 years/with World renowned Tattooist Coney Island Freddy)Tattooing schools charge a lot of money ($5000.-$8000.)per.week and set you up a tattoo set (junk made in china selling for $50.)and minimal training and then send you out into the real world with a piece of paper that says your a tattooist!!!
One thing I forgot to mention is being a top of the line tattooist entails ;; KNOWING HOW TO SPELL!!!People get real mad if you were to misspell on them!!
All you folk’s that think your just going to jump up and become a tattooist and become rich & famous overnight have a big reality check coming.Tattooing will not pay your;rent,Elec,phone,morgage,kids school,or any other bills you have! IT’S NOT EASY BECOMING A GOOD TATTOOIST!!! (YOU MUST BE WATCHING TOO MUCH MIAMI INK!)You will have a better chance rubbing on a magic lamp,(DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOBS!)
BOB.(32 YEARS TATTOOING & NOT RICH.)
(YET!)
HI all,
where i find drivers for Dialta CF2002?
this is wery important for me, please hlp
If I wrote is not in the correct section, please move to the appropriate section.
sorry my bad english, i use translator
HOW DO I FIND AN APPRENTICESHIP FOR MY HUSBAND, HE’S BEEN DOING TATOOS ON HIS OWN FOR A YEAR, BUT HE REALLY WANTS TO DO EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. HE NEEDS TRAINING FROM SOMEONE EXPERIENCED.
flv
Yes…in 2009, it is better to go to a real tattoo school than deal with the slave-like world of watching someone else for a year. The key word here is: a “real” tattoo school. One of the best in the United States is in Shreveport, LA. Plus, there are plenty of small business grants out there that would assist you in opening your own shop. It’s better to own than try to convince other’s (your competition….keep that in mind) to hire you.
Go the a school that offers both tattooing and piercing (helps with getting approved through States’ health standards). Then start getting your name around town by tattooing at home, make business cards, and pass them out in the right areas.
Good luck. Don’t let the old school and jealous money deprived tattoo artists scare you away from success.
Remember, it is a business. Sink or swim!!
I’m 16, I’m just another one of those kids who watched too much miami ink, maybe. But I’m not the greatest artist, but only to the point where its nothing a drawing class won’t fix. And I want to be a tattoo artist. I know I can’t make alot of money, but it seems like something I’d love to do. I’ve been researching tattoo schools in NY, and some are obviously dumb, but alot of them seem legitimate. What I don’t understand is, wouldn’t it seem reasonable to go to a school, and then apprentice to put in hours before you get your own job. I need help with this industry. You can email me at teenageheartsbeating@hotmail.com, it’d be alot of help.