Electrum's tattoo culture blog
Electrum's Tattoo Culture Blog
SELF TAUGHT SERIES - Teaching Yourself to Tattoo vs an Apprenticeship: What’s Actually Right for You?
Tattooing is more accessible than it’s ever been.Machines, cartridges, inks, and tutorials are easier to find than at any other point in history. That accessibility has opened doors for some people.It has also created real risks when tattooing is treated casually. There isn’t one single path into tattooing anymore. But there are non-negotiables, and pretending otherwise puts people in danger. This isn’t about gatekeeping.It’s about reality. First: Tattooing Is Not a Casual Skill Tattooing involves: Breaking skin Exposure to blood and bodily fluids Permanent alteration of someone’s body Legal, ethical, and health responsibilities This alone means tattooing cannot be approached lightly. No matter how you learn, safety comes first. Always. That means: Understanding bloodborne pathogens (BBP) Knowing cross-contamination risks Proper sterilization and disposal Consent, aftercare, and client safety If you don’t understand these deeply, you are not ready to tattoo a person. Apprenticeships: What They Offer (and What They Don’t) A traditional apprenticeship can provide: Supervised learning Exposure to real-world hygiene standards Accountability Correction in real time Shop culture and client interaction A good apprenticeship teaches more than technique.It teaches responsibility. However, not all apprenticeships are healthy or ethical. Some are exploitative, poorly structured, or outdated. A bad apprenticeship can teach fear instead of skill. An apprenticeship is not automatically good.But when done well, it prioritizes safety, fundamentals, and gradual progression. Teaching Yourself: The Reality (Not the Fantasy) Some people do teach themselves elements of tattooing. Usually this begins with: Drawing and design fundamentals Learning machine mechanics Practicing on synthetic skin Studying sanitation independently This path requires extreme discipline and restraint. Here is the line that cannot be crossed: Never tattoo real skin without proper training, supervision, and licensing. Not friends.Not yourself.Not “just a small one.” Tattooing real skin without proper knowledge of BBP, sterilization, and aftercare is dangerous and unethical. Watching videos does not equal training.Owning a machine does not equal readiness. Safety Is Not Optional (Ever) No matter how you learn, these are mandatory: 1. Study bloodborne pathogens seriously This isn’t a formality. It’s life safety. You need to understand: How infections spread How cross-contamination happens How to protect yourself and others What happens when protocols fail 2. Practice on fake skin only Synthetic skins exist for a reason. Use them. Real skin carries real risk.Permanent consequences aren’t a practice tool. 3. Know your local laws and licensing requirements Tattooing illegally puts clients and artists at risk and can permanently block future opportunities. Ignorance isn’t a defense. 4. Understand that tattooing is permanent Mistakes don’t wash off.They live on someone’s body. That weight matters. So… What’s Right for You? Ask yourself honestly: Do I want a career, or am I curious? Am I willing to wait before touching real skin? Am I prepared to prioritize safety over speed? Am I seeking skill, or validation? There is no shame in choosing to learn slowly.There is no honor in rushing. Tattooing rewards patience.It punishes recklessness. A Final Reality Check There is no shortcut that skips responsibility. If you want to tattoo: Respect the body Respect the risks Respect the craft However you enter tattooing, take it seriously or don’t do it at all. People trust tattooers with their bodies.That trust is earned, not improvised.
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Tattoo laws aren’t made by tattooers — but they should be understood by them.
Tattoo laws are tightening and evolving around the world. Governments are starting to treat tattooing like a regulated cosmetic or medical industry rather than a purely artistic one. Why now: Ink chemistry and pigment safety are under scrutiny. Rising global tattoo popularity = more visibility = more regulation. International ink shipping and cross-border tattooing (guest spots, conventions) have outpaced current laws. Artists are now caught between outdated local licensing rules and new international health standards - and nobody’s giving clear answers. Global Developments EU & UK: The EU’s REACH regulations now restrict hundreds of pigments and preservatives, forcing reformulation or bans. Expect ongoing ingredient restrictions, new labeling standards, and required safety testing. UK post-Brexit is developing its own list - slightly looser, but still moving toward stricter oversight. If you import or use EU-compliant inks, make sure you know whether your bottles meet the latest formula version. South Korea: As of late 2025, South Korea officially legalized tattooing for non-medical professionals - after decades of gray-area operation. This will likely set off a wave of legalization and licensing updates across Asia (Japan, Thailand, Philippines). Expect increased tattoo tourism in Seoul and a rise in licensed training programs. Australia: Australia’s states are re-evaluating licensing laws to include infection-control certification and ingredient transparency. New studies have prompted the government to investigate pigment imports after revealing aluminum, copper, and unlisted chemicals in popular inks. Canada : Health Canada is quietly monitoring the EU REACH changes and could follow suit with mandatory pigment registration or reporting. Most tattoo safety standards are still provincial, not federal - so Ontario and Quebec may act first. United States Developments Right now, there’s no federal regulation of tattoo inks by the FDA - but that’s about to change. Here’s what’s happening: The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) now includes “body art pigments” under FDA authority. Expect ink manufacturers to soon be required to register formulas and facilities. The FDA and CDC are conducting more safety testing on pigments, preservatives, and carrier fluids (like glycerin and alcohol). Pigment bans or recalls are possible if harmful heavy metals or allergens are confirmed. Certain states (California, New York, Florida) are already discussing stricter sanitation and ink labeling laws that could require artists to track ink lot numbers for each client. State-Level Actions: Michigan’s Numbing BanMichigan has become the first U.S. state to ban the use of all topical numbing agents during tattoo procedures, effective 2025.This includes both over-the-counter and compounded lidocaine creams when applied by artists. Only medical professionals may now legally apply numbing agents in Michigan studios. What to worry about (and prepare for): Keep all ink lot numbers and MSDS/SDS sheets recorded for each client session. Avoid unlabelled, off-brand, or non-compliant pigments - those may become illegal to use or sell. Stay aware of new cross-state certification reciprocity (coming soon to help artists travel more easily between states). Watch for updates on tattoo licensing boards expanding to include ongoing health and safety training. What Should YOU Do Now Audit your ink shelf:Check labels, batch numbers, and expiration dates. Make sure every bottle you’re using has a listed manufacturer and full ingredient transparency. Download your SDS sheets:Keep digital and printed copies for all inks and chemicals. These may become legally required during inspections or travel. Register for updates:Follow FDA Tattoo Ink Regulation Page, EU REACH updates, and your state or provincial health department newsletters. Educate your clients:Turn regulation into reassurance — tell clients you use only fully documented, transparent, high-quality inks. Be convention-smart:If you travel internationally, know import restrictions on inks and single-use items. (Many artists have had gear confiscated at customs in Europe post-REACH.)
The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing (And Why It Matters)
In tattooing, using the wrong product (or using the right one the wrong way) isn’t just bad practice—it can literally put your clients at risk. Understanding the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and sanitizing is foundational for keeping your setup safe, professional, and compliant.
About the Electrum Blog:
From tattooing's past to the future, the team of artists and shop owners at Electrum share their perspectives and knowledge on everything tattoo industry.
A few of the things you'll find in our blog posts:
- Business and Industry Insights: advice and ideas for tattoo business growth, current industry trends and strategies for attracting clients, whilst managing a full schedule.
- Compliance and Safety: Information regarding regulatory compliance and our mission to produce safe, compliant inks.
- Product Information: Details about our specific products.
- Interviews and Events: Discussions and recaps from industry events.
