Tattooist Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Tattooist

Hours

30-40 per week
Starting salary

£15,000 + per year

If you've got an eye for design, a steady hand and an interest in body art, this could be the job for you.

Tattooists, also known as body artists, apply permanent images onto their clients' bodies. They use needles and ink to draw images, symbols or words onto the skin.

In this job you will need good hand-eye co-ordination. You will need to have good concentration and attention to detail. You will also need to be very aware of hygiene, and health and safety.

To get into this job you would usually approach a tattooist and ask if they will take you on as an apprentice. By law tattooists must be registered by their local Environmental Health Department.

The work

As a tattooist your tasks would include:

advising clients on suitable tattoos
making sure that the chosen design is exactly what the client wants
making sure that clients understand that tattooing is permanent
placing the chosen design onto the customer’s skin, either by drawing freehand or using a transfer
following the lines with an electrically-operated needle, which injects ink under the skin
using different shapes and numbers of needles depending on the type of tattoo
following strict hygiene and health and safety procedures
keeping up to date with the latest fashions in tattoos.

Hours

You would usually work a five-day or six-day week, including Saturdays.

Studio hours are usually 9am to 5pm, but you may schedule your work into short sessions during the day because of the level of concentration and attention to detail you need.

Income

Earnings will depend on your personal talent and ability, and the reputation of the studio.

An experienced tattooist can earn from around £15,000
Earnings for those owning their own studio vary widely.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

It is usual to become a tattooist through an apprenticeship. You should approach local registered tattooists who may agree to take you on as a trainee. You will be expected to buy your own equipment and sterilising units.

You can get details of registered tattooists in your area from the Environmental Health Department of your local council.

You must be registered by your local Environmental Health Department - it is illegal to work as a tattooist without being registered.

You should be prepared to be vaccinated against hepatitis. Some Environmental Health Departments now insist that tattooists should be vaccinated, for their own protection and for the protection of their clients.

Training and development

An apprenticeship can last between one and three years.

It can take about five years to become fully competent and able to carry out the various styles of tattooing.

Some Environmental Health Departments provide short training courses for experienced, practising tattooists.

Skills and knowledge

To be a tattooist you should have:

a flair for design
excellent attention to detail
good hand-eye co-ordination and a steady hand
high standards of cleanliness and constant awareness of the need for hygiene
a knowledge of health and safety
good communication and customer service skills.

More information

Tattoo Club of Great Britain (Opens new window)
389 Cowley Road
Oxford
OX4 2BS
Tel: 01865 716877
www.tattoo.co.uk

Opportunities

You could work as a tattooist in tattoo studios around the UK. Some of these are part of beauty salons offering other similar services such as body piercing.

Once you have experience as a tattooist you could become self-employed.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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