How to Become a Tattoo Artist in the UK
Tattoo artists design artwork with clients and apply it to skin using tattoo machines, working to strict hygiene standards to prevent infection. A normal week mixes drawing custom designs, consultations, setting up and cleaning down a station, tattooing for several hours at a time, and managing bookings and social media.
There is no college course that makes you a tattooist. Almost everyone learns through an apprenticeship in an established studio, which usually lasts two to five years and is often unpaid or low paid at the start. To get one, you need a strong drawing portfolio.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £12,000 - £20,000 (apprentice)
- Mid-career salary
- £25,000 - £50,000
- Senior salary
- £60,000 - £150,000+
- Work environment
- Studio
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years apprenticeship
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Beauty and Aesthetics
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Tattoo Artist does
Design and apply custom tattoos for clients - usually after a long apprenticeship.
How to become a tattoo artist in the UK
Start by building a portfolio of original drawings in the styles you want to tattoo, then approach studios in person to ask about apprenticeships. Many tattooists come from art, illustration or piercing backgrounds. During an apprenticeship you clean, run the front desk and learn hygiene, machine set-up and stencilling before tattooing practice skin and then clients. Tattooists and their premises must be registered with or licensed by the local council, and the rules differ across the UK. Wales runs a national special procedures licence, which requires infection control training, while London boroughs and Scottish councils have their own licensing schemes.
- Draw every day and build a portfolio of finished, original designs in the styles you want to tattoo, rather than copies of other artists' work.
- Visit studios in person with your portfolio, get tattooed by artists you admire, and ask how and when they take on apprentices.
- Be wary of studios that charge large fees for an apprenticeship, or online courses that promise to make you a tattooist quickly.
- Take infection control, first aid and bloodborne pathogens training, and ask your GP or a clinic about hepatitis B vaccination, which is widely recommended.
- Check your local council's registration or licensing rules for tattooists and premises before you tattoo anyone, including friends.
- Never tattoo anyone under 18, which is a criminal offence in Great Britain even with a parent's consent.
- Once qualified, build an Instagram portfolio of healed work and decide whether to stay employed, rent a station or open your own studio.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apprenticeship | 2-5 years | Often unpaid or low paid at first | Most aspiring tattooists |
| Art or illustration degree first | 3 years, then apprenticeship | Tuition fee loan | Building strong drawing foundations |
| Move across from piercing or studio work | Varies | Paid studio work | Getting known in a studio before apprenticing |
How long it takes
Expect two to five years from starting an apprenticeship to working as a fully independent tattoo artist with your own clients. Building a portfolio good enough to win an apprenticeship can take a year or more before that.
Tattoo Artist salary in the UK
Apprentice tattooists often earn little or nothing at first, with pay of around £12,000 to £20,000 once they start earning. Established artists typically earn £25,000 to £50,000, and well-known artists with long waiting lists or their own studios can make £60,000 to £150,000 or more. Most tattooists are self-employed and either rent a station or split each booking with the studio, so income depends on your reputation, style, prices, location and how fully booked you are.
Key skills
- Drawing
- Tattoo technique
- Hygiene & safety
- Client consultation
Tattoo Artist FAQs
How do I become a tattoo artist in the UK?
Build a strong portfolio of original drawings, then approach studios for an apprenticeship. Expect to spend two to five years learning hygiene, technique and client care before working independently, and make sure you meet your local council's registration or licensing rules.
Do you need a qualification to be a tattoo artist?
There is no national tattooing qualification. You need council registration or a licence, depending on where you work, and infection control training is expected. Studios mainly judge you on your drawing portfolio, attitude and willingness to learn.
How much does a tattoo artist earn?
Apprentices typically earn £12,000 to £20,000 once paid, and some are unpaid at first. Established artists earn around £25,000 to £50,000, while in-demand artists and studio owners can earn £60,000 to £150,000 or more.
Do tattoo apprentices get paid?
Often not much. Many apprenticeships are unpaid or low paid in the early stages, so apprentices commonly keep a part-time job. Be cautious of studios charging high fees, and ask exactly what you will be taught and when you will tattoo paying clients.
Is Tattoo Artist right for you?
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Still deciding whether tattoo artist is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.