Everything you wanted to know about apprenticeships but were afraid to ask. First let me say that even though this tech tip is off the beaten path, due to an outstanding amount of email, I feel that something had to be written about apprenticeships. So here goes THE GOOD… Find someone who you feel comfortable with. Someone who has enough time in the business that knows the technical aspect of tattooing. Someone who knows the difference between a fence post and a binding post. Someone who is respected in the industry. Someone who is going to start you off from the ground up, learn about machines, to make needles, make inks, customer relationship. Someone who has a clean shop and clean work habits. > CROSS-CONTAMINATION ( http://www.bodyartweb.com/tip3.html ) Because the habits you learn from the beginning will reflect in YOUR tattooing habits. Most of all someone who will treat you and his customers with respect. Now if you could just find someone like that…don’t fear…there out they’re somewhere. Now you have to ask yourself… why should this person share everything they know about tattooing with me? What do I have to offer that person? Ask yourself… What am I willing to offer? Well first… how about a lot of time in his or her chair? Letting them do some serious work on you. By doing this you are letting them now that you are totally dedicated to the art of tattooing. While you are in the chair…talk to him or her and let them know you are interested…let them know what you have to offer him…her…or the tattoo industry. Go to shows and conventions and meet some of the other artist. Visit there shops and see how things are run in other shops… this way you get the feel of what goes on in other shops. THE BAD… Don’t let the blind lead the blind… make sure that the tattooist is a good tattooist and knows the technical aspects of the business. He or she could be the best artist that you have ever seen, but if they don’t know to technically place the ink under the skin properly and if it fades in a year or two… then you will not make it in the business very long. Check out his shop. Is it dirty? Is it run like a business or is it just a hang out for the local kids? Check out these things because if you are going to apprentice there then you are going to have to spend a lot of your time there and this is probable where your first job as a tattooist will be. Make it worth your time and effort. THE UGLY… If the first thing that comes out of their mouth is dollars and cents and sign on the dotted line…then RUN, and don’t look back! REMEMBER, the art of tattooing is taught not bought it has to come from someone who takes you under their wing because they believe that you will one day add something to this business that may be lacking and that you will add something positive that you will bring tattooing to a new positive acceptance and most of all you will represent the tattoo industry and give it the image and respect that it deserves. Don’t be used…don’t let someone lead you on by telling you that they will teach you how to tattoo but every time you go to the shop they either have no time, aren’t in the mood or just want to keep you around just to do odd jobs they don’t feel like doing-cleaning, making stencils, picking up there lunch etc… Now like I said… it is very hard to find someone who fits this criteria of what to look for in someone to apprentice under, but if you want it bad enough, then you will go get it. Also, you don’t have to apprentice under just one tattooist, you can (work) apprentice under a few different shops. This way you get a good foundation. Check out my article in Tattoo Revue, that can give you a little more insite about the world of apprenticeships. > http://www.bodyartweb.com/jbart.html I myself have never taken on an apprentice. Though I have helped out many young tattooist. Fortunately I have a 13-year-old son who has gone all out in learning the business… he comes to work with me on the weekends during school time and all week during the summer. He answers the phone, keeps the shop clean, answers the customers questions, sets up for me, mixes inks and makes needles, and draws a bit for the customers, etc. This is the way to go, from the bottom up. Last year he built his first tattoo machine from spare parts and practices on grapefruits in his spare time. Every old time tattooist that I know whose sons have grown up in this business have all done it this way, from the bottom up and everyone of them have made it in this business and have made a big impact in this industry. Remember, learn the business from the bottom up and don’t give up your full time job.