Tattooist
Career outlook for tattooist
Average UK salary
£18,720
Currently employed in Scotland
7,000
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would use needles and ink to draw permanent images, symbols or words on people’s skin.
This job requires a lot of technical skill as well as creative talent. Your customers would be placing a lot of trust in you, so it would be important to very careful while you work.
You would:
- Advise each client on suitable tattoos
- Make sure that the chosen design is exactly what the client wants
- Make sure that the client understands that tattooing is permanent
- Place the chosen design onto the client’s skin, either by drawing freehand or using a transfer
- Follow the lines with an electrically-operated needle, which injects ink under the skin
- Use different shapes and numbers of needles depending on the type of tattoo
- Keep up to date with the latest fashions in tattoos
It would be important to follow strict hygiene and safety procedures at all times.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
27%
Part-time
27%
Self employed
46%
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- Reliable
- Time management
- Concentrating
- Attention to detail
- Verbal communication
- Respecting
- Observation
- Designing
- Creative
- Problem solving
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Qualifications
It is usual to become a tattooist by completing training on the job which tattooists refer to as an apprenticeship.
You’ll need to approach local registered tattooists and ask if they will agree to take you on as a trainee. A tattooist may expect you to demonstrate that you have a real interest in tattooing and that you have artistic ability. Your apprenticeship may not be paid and you may be expected to provide your own equipment and sterilising units.
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this training though some tattooists have qualifications in fine art or graphics.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Art and Design
- Graphic communication
You will also need
- A portfolio of your work.
- A keen interest in tattoos.
- Good eyesight and normal colour vision
As a tattooist you will need to register both yourself and your premises with the local environmental health department. It will carry out regular inspections of your premises and equipment.
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience that show:
- Artistic skills
- An understanding of health and hygiene
- Business skills, as many tattooists are self employed.