ELECTRUM'S TATTOO CULTURE BLOG
How to Get a Tattoo Apprenticeship in 2025 (Without Selling Your Soul or Getting Scammed)
So you want to be a tattoo artist in 2025? That’s amazing.But let’s get one thing straight from the start: There is no official “Apply Here” button.Tattoo apprenticeships aren’t handed out like college acceptances. You can’t just DM your favorite artist and expect to be welcomed with open arms. You have to earn it.With your art. Your attitude. And your ability to show up and shut up (with respect). Here’s exactly how to do it.
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The 7-Step Sanitary Station Setup (So You Don’t Get Roasted on TikTok)
For new tattoo artists who want to work clean, stay legal, and keep clients safe. Your station is the foundation of your practice—not just how it looks, but how it protects. Whether you're setting up at a street shop, a private studio, or your first apprenticeship, these 7 steps will help you meet (or beat) health board standards and avoid the kind of viral videos no one wants.
You’re Not Supposed to Be Good Yet: Apprentice Imposter Syndrome 101
If you’re in an apprenticeship and feeling like a total fraud—you’re not alone. You might be staring at your shaky linework thinking, “Why am I even doing this?”“I’m never going to be as good as my mentor.”“They probably regret taking me on.” First of all: Breathe.Every artist you admire started here. And no—you’re not supposed to be good yet.
Can You Work While You Apprentice? (And What to Expect Financially)
Let’s be real:Tattoo apprenticeships don’t come with a 401(k), a steady paycheck, or health benefits. In fact, most of them come with zero income and plenty of expenses. So, can you work a job while you apprentice?Short answer: Usually, yes. But it’s complicated.
10 Questions You Should Ask Before Starting a Tattoo Apprenticeship
So you want to be a tattoo artist? Sick. But before you say yes to an apprenticeship—or drop a few thousand bucks—you need to ask the right questions. Why?Because not all apprenticeships are created equal. Some are solid mentorships that launch great careers. Others are overpriced, abusive, or… let’s just say questionable. These ten questions will help you spot the difference before you're scrubbing tubes for two years and learning nothing.
What Tattoo Suppies to Upgrade First When You Can’t Afford to Upgrade Everything
Every artist hits that point: your setup works… but barely. Your back hurts, your stencils slide off, your ink looks like it came from a gas station. You want to level up—but your bank account said, “be serious.” Here’s the realistic, not-sponsored, artist-approved guide to what you should actually upgrade first when money’s tight.Prioritized by: Client safety → Tattoo quality → Artist health.
Tattoo Shop Etiquette: What Every Apprentice Should Know (But Is Too Scared to Ask)
Because “just clean stuff” isn’t exactly a job description. Getting into a tattoo shop as an apprentice is exciting—and terrifying. You’re surrounded by experienced artists, intimidating tools, and a million unwritten rules no one explained. If you’re constantly wondering “Am I doing this right?” or “Are they mad at me?”, you’re not alone. So here it is: the etiquette guide you wish someone handed you on day one. Straightforward, respectful, and based on real shop experience—not TikTok myths. 1. Don’t Wait to Be Told to Clean—Just Clean If there’s dust on a baseboard, wipe it. If the garbage is 60% full, take it out. Tattoo shops need to be sterile, and nobody wants to ask you to do what’s obviously gross. Pro Tip: Re-cleaning something that already looks clean is part of the job. Get used to it. 2. Learn Everyone’s Routine Without Asking Watch how the artists set up their stations. See what grip tape they use. How many rinse cups they pour. When they like their coffee. Learn to anticipate. Don’t ask “Need help?”—just quietly do what you know they need. 3. Say “Good Morning” and “Good Night” It’s basic, but you'd be shocked how many apprentices treat the shop like a side quest. Greet everyone when you arrive. Say goodbye when you leave. You’re part of the team now. 4. Stay Off Your Phone (Unless You’re Filming Content They Asked For) Scrolling Instagram while your mentor is scrubbing tubes? Bad look. If you're not actively working or learning, ask what you should be doing. Use your downtime to restock gloves, refill paper towel, clean flash frames—anything. If you’re filming content for the shop, great! But ask before posting. 5. Don’t Touch Someone’s Station Without Permission Even if you think it’s just a towel. Even if it looks abandoned. Tattoo stations are treated like sterile zones. If you touch something while it’s being set up, you might’ve just cost that artist 20 minutes of rewrapping and re-cleaning. 6. Your Job Is to Learn—but Also to Watch, Listen, and Shut Up Sometimes You’ll have questions. That’s good. But there’s a time and place. Don’t interrupt a stencil application to ask what kind of liner someone’s using. Take notes and ask when there’s a break. ✍️ Keep a notebook. Write things down. Refer to it before asking the same question twice. 7. Know That Every Artist Teaches Differently Some mentors will micromanage you. Others will throw you into the deep end. Neither is wrong. Your job is to adapt, stay respectful, and show up with a good attitude—even if you’re washing tubes for the fifth time today. 8. If You Don’t Know—Ask. If You Mess Up—Own It. Mistakes happen. What matters is how you respond. Don’t lie. Don’t hide it. Be honest, fix what you can, and show that you’re paying attention. That builds trust faster than trying to act perfect. 9. Be Useful—Even If No One’s Watching Clean the bathroom. Mop behind the door. Restock the stencil paper before it runs out. When your mentor sees that you’re thinking ahead, that’s when real responsibility follows. 10. Don’t Tattoo at Home. Don’t Tattoo Without Permission. Period. This one is sacred. No kitchen tattoos. No scratching on friends. No “just practicing” on yourself. Your mentor is investing in your growth. Respect that. 🔥 Tattooing before you’re ready is not only dangerous—it’s a fast way to lose your apprenticeship. 🙏 TL;DR: Tattoo shop etiquette isn’t just about being polite. It’s about being aware, proactive, and humble. The best apprentices become the best artists—not because they knew everything, but because they knew how to listen, show up, and earn trust. Looking for supplies that won’t embarrass you in front of your mentor?👉 Check out Electrum's beginner gear picks here
Beginner Tattoo Gear Picks: What You Actually Need to Start Tattooing
A no-BS guide to getting your station together—without wasting money or pissing off your mentor. If you’re just starting out as a tattoo apprentice (or prepping to go pro), the internet will try to convince you that you need a $2,000 machine, 48 ink bottles, and a ring light the size of the moon. But real ones know: the best artists start with clean fundamentals, not flashy extras.
10 Things Every Tattoo Artist NEEDS in Their Station (That Aren’t a Machine)
So you’ve got your dream machine. Congrats, hotshot. But your setup doesn’t stop there—and your clients (and their immune systems) are counting on you. A good tattoo station isn’t just about what puts ink in skin. It’s about what keeps your process clean, professional, and stress-free from start to finish. Here are 10 essentials every tattoo artist should have in their station—none of which plug in.
