Learn To Tattoo – Become A Tattoo Artist

It is the aim of this tattoo guide to provide you with almost everything you will need to learn if you want to become a tattoo artist. Anyone considering entering this artistic world should learn how to tattoo the safe and correct way. In this book you will find much of the information needed in regards to applying a tattoo.

It is advisable that you first read the book from start to finish as this will provide an overview of the content; this will give you a basic idea about what tattooing is all about. When you are ready to take tattooing to the next level you can then return to individual chapters as different issues arise as you begin your career.

It is not the aim of this book to provide you with all the knowledge you will need; for that you will need the guidance of a professionally trained tattoo artist. It will give you the basic information that is required such as the techniques involved in applying a tattoo and the type of equipment that is used. This information is presented in such a way so as not to overwhelm you and only enough knowledge is provided so as to give you a basic idea about things. If you want to become a talented tattoo artist it will take more than this book; it will also take perseverance and some natural talent. All the information is limited to nuts and bolts of tattooing and if information is not really needed then it has been left out.

The vast majority of tattoo artists will have at least one tattoo on their body and most have a lot more than this. Their early efforts at creating tattoos for themselves may leave a lot to be desired, but as they continue to learn and practice and as their passion for the art grows so their tattoos will increase in quality. It is by this continued advancement in skill and knowledge that a great tattoo artist is made. This book will provide much of the knowledge element of this process.

Most people who take up the art of tattoo creation will not last the course; they will just give up. This failure to stick at the art is often due to the fact that they haven’t enough support from a skilled artist who can provide them with all the knowledge that they will need. If you don’t really know what you are doing then it can lead to becoming disheartened and you will soon give up. This is why it really is important that you prepare yourself for the long process of learning and developing your skill.

In order for you to learn correctly and develop your skills it is vital that you get guidance from somebody who knows what they are doing. It is also important that you learn your skills on good equipment as this will set you on the path to becoming a fine tattoo artist.

If you visit your local tattoo parlor then this can be your first way of gaining some insight into the world of tattoo creation. You might decide to get a tattoo done on yourself or if you mention your interest in the art they might be prepared to let you watch while they work. When you do this you will see exactly how professional tattoo artists go about their work and you will be able to get advice and have questions answered. If you keep an eye on what is going on then you really can pick up a lot of useful knowledge. A great advantage of your observations is that it will make what is said in this book make a lot more sense.

It is important that you don’t rush your learning and try to skip corners; it is vital that you learn to tattoo safely and correctly. If you try and rush your development then there is a real chance that you could habitually begin to do things the wrong way. If you get the reputation for being a sloppy tattoo artist then it can make people reluctant to go to you for any work.

It makes sense that you become the best tattoo artist you possibly can because this will decide your future success in the business. You will also need to develop marketing skills along the way, but the most important thing to any successful parlor is the quality of the artist. It all boils down to how professional you behave, and how well you are able to convince others of your professionalism. If you manage to make a good name for yourself then this will cause your customers to tell their friends and they will tell their friends; soon you will have a thriving business from all this free promotion.

This book will set you well on your way to becoming a good tattoo artist; it will not take you all the way there, but it will at least move you along the path.

Almost everything you need to learn about tattooing, learn to become a tattoo artist: -

What you should know about tattooing tool

Basic tools of the art
Other equipment you will see in a tattoo shop
Needle supplies
Equipment for keeping things sterile
Medical equipment
Art and stencil equipment

More about the tattoo machine and power supply

Your tattoo machine
What does the tattoo machine actually do?
How the tattoo machine works
The types of tattoo machine that you will find available
The three types of tattoo machine that you will commonly see
The 8 coil machine
10 coil machine
12 coil machine
When it comes to tattoo guns, size is important
The five things you need to know about your tattoo gun
How to use your tattoo gun
How to hold your tattoo gun
The grip
What you need to do before you use a tattoo gun
What to do when actually tattooing
The five P’s that you will need to remember while using your tattoo gun
Maintaining your tattoo gun
A step by step guide on how to take down your machine
How to reassemble your tattoo machine
Tips for troubleshooting your tattoo gun

The power supply

Two main types of power supply
How to connect the power supply to your tattoo machine
All about trickle chargers
The power unit
How to set you your tattoo machine with its power source
How to prepare your tattoo machine for work
How to set up your power source
Using battery power
When using a trickle charger to batteries
Using a plug in power supply

Inks used for tattoos

Where do inks come from?
Where do inks get their color from?
Carriers
Concerns in regards to using inks
How to go about choosing your inks
How does ink get injected into the skin?
The 5 things that you need to keep in mind in regards to tattoo ink
All you should know about dyes, pigment, and making your own ink
The common ingredients you will find in carrier fluids
Tattooing and ink caps
How to make your own ink
Steps for making your own ink
Useful hints
The basics you need to know about mixing inks and color theory
Nearly time for creating your first tattoo

Learning about tattooing and proper sterilization

The reasons why proper sterilization is so vital
Organisms and what they cause
Let’s take a closer look at tattoo safety in regards to Hepatitis B and AIDS
Questions that are frequently asked in regards to health and safety for tattoo artists
The correct sterilization techniques that all tattoo artists need to know
A brief mention about the ultrasonic cleaner
Make sure to always keep your work area clean and tidy
Things you need to do prior to preparing your customer
Things you will need so as to prepare your customer for their tattoo
Six more useful things that you should know about the sterilization process
Information that needs to be mentioned on a ‘tattoo care’ customer information sheet
The things you need to do when your tattoo session is finished
How to clean tubes and bar needles

How to make tattoos- outlining and shading

Practice makes perfect
The most frequent mistakes made by novice tattoo artists
A novice who rushes into his first tattoo is at risk of many things
How to stretch the skin
Positioning for tattoos
How to make and apply a tattoo stencil
The correct position for the tattoo artist and the customer
Outlining
Some useful things you need to know about doing outlining
What causes bad tattoo outlines?
After you have finished outlining
How to do shading and shadowing
Shadowing
How to go about setting your shader for black
How to begin your shadow work
How to ensure that shading is the best that it can possibly be
Sweep shading
Black shading tips and tricks that will make you a great tattoo artist
Color shading
How to set up for color shading
Things you need to know about color shading
What you need to know about the color sequence
What you need to know about mixing colors
What you need to know about white
All about tattoo practice skins

Things you will need to know about setting up your own tattoo parlor

Some things you should consider in regards to your competitors
Business advice in regards to best practice
Things you must do if you want your shop to be legal
Things that you should and shouldn’t do in your business
How to take payment for a tattoo
Some more things that you will need to consider in regards to tattooing
How to deal with customers
All about tattooing and pain levels
Professional etiquette in regard to nudity

The most frequently asked questions about tattooing?