Not sure what you need to start tattooing? Find the tattoo equipment you need, learn to use it, and get brand recs from our professionals right here.| Tattooing 101
Stippling is a style of shading that uses “dots” of ink in the skin to create the illusion of shading.| Tattooing 101
How deep does tattoo ink go? How do I know if I’m tattooing too deep? Here’s how to tell if you’re putting ink in the skin correctly and the best way to make sure you never go too deep.| Tattooing 101
Creating your own gray wash is cheaper than buying premade. Here’s how to set up your gray wash for traditional, color, and black and gray tattoos.| Tattooing 101
Your hand speed and machine voltage need to match to do solid tattoos (without overworking the skin). Here’s how to find your perfect voltage.| Tattooing 101
Discover what all of the different tattoo needle types are, what they do and when to use them. Learn about taper, gauge, configruation and needle count.| Tattooing 101
Tattoo machine stroke explained. Learn what it is, how to adjust it and what stroke length you should use for lining, packing and shading in a tattoo.| Tattooing 101
Learn to tattoo from professionals with our FREE resources. The advice you need to be a successful tattoo artist is right here. Step-by-step guides.| Tattooing 101
Discover 5 personality traits you need to have in order to be come a professional tattoo artist. Plus tips and advice for how to get into the tattoo industry.| Tattooing 101
Considering tattoo school? Here’s the skills you learn, what you can expect from the instructors, and how the environment is different from a traditional apprenticeship.| Tattooing 101
There are so many paths that lead to a career as a professional tattoo artist, and one of the only things they have in common is the belief that the path one| Tattooing 101
Your tattoo machine is the most important part of your setup. Here's how they work, how to customize them, and what you should consider when buying a machine.| Tattooing 101
Not sure what to expect as a tattoo apprentice? Here’s the breakdown of an average day in the shop, and what you should be learning from a tattoo mentor.| Tattooing 101
Want to be a tattoo artist? Here’s where to start...and how to go pro. We explain every path to professional tattooing so you can pick the best one for you.| Tattooing 101
Our easy-to-follow tattoo artist guides put you on the path to becoming a professional...fast. Learn how to get a tattooing license online, discover the best| Tattooing 101
The tattoo industry has been growing rapidly the past few years - and is expected to continue, making it a great time to jump in.| Tattooing 101
Embroidery tattoos, also known as patch tattoos virtually exploded in popularity almost overnight. And many people are still wondering, “How did they do that?”| Tattooing 101
Ready to dive into tattooing? We've got all the beginner and advanced tattoo techniques you need to nail every style.| Tattooing 101
Using professional equipment is important to keeping your clients safe. Here’s the tattoo inks* our professional artists like to use:| Tattooing 101
Tattoos are a big decision. Especially for people who are struggling to decide on a design, making the commitment to a lifelong design can be difficult. This is why Ephemeral tattoo ink was created. A “fading” ink, Ephemeral was meant to take the pressure off so you can temporarily try out a design (or just get […]| Tattooing 101
What is Blackdot Tattoo? Austin-based Blackdot Studio has created an “automated tattooing system” that uses a machine to precisely apply a tattoo design. Blackdot claims that this means tattoos can be applied with exact accuracy, making tattoos less painful and offering more artists the opportunity to have their art applied to skin. This new method is […]| Tattooing 101
Anchors, arrows, world maps, and microrealism (specifically on the fingers) are all trends that blew up a few years ago…and died out pretty fast.Tattoo trends come and go, but each year brings fresh styles and renewed interest in classic designs. As we head into 2025, the influence of social media and pop culture continues to […]| Tattooing 101
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Helsinki looked at the data from over 5,900 twins to understand whether having tattoos correlates with an increased risk of certain cancers, specifically skin cancer and lymphoma.Since twins are nearly genetically identical and share the same early life environment, […]| Tattooing 101
Clients all over the world get tattoos for tons of different reasons from self-expression to keeping a loved one’s memory with them forever. As a tattoo artist, it’s important to understand the different reasons why people are coming to you for tattoos. That way, you can work with them to develop a design that accomplishes all […]| Tattooing 101
The human body has been a canvas for art for centuries, and some people have leaned into extreme body modification, becoming the most heavily tattooed people in the world. As an artist, you’ll have clients who have all kinds of goals for their tattoos. Understanding their goals can allow you to create designs that help them […]| Tattooing 101
Artwork generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming better every day. It’s on pace to outperform even the most talented artists currently dominating the creative landscape, leaving many tattoo artists wondering about their job security in the near future.However, working in tandem with artificial intelligence might become the “fast track” to a career in tattooing. […]| Tattooing 101
From equipment to finding customers, just about every part of tattooing has changed in the past 10 years because of technology. Artists who have adapted to technology have been able to speed up their work process to improve faster and do more tattoos. Artists who have not, however, have ended up falling behind in the […]| Tattooing 101
The internet has plenty to say about tattooing, but not all of it is true. However, as a tattoo artist it’s important to know what’s a myth so you can| Tattooing 101
Beginner tattoo shading techniques guide. Learn how to whip shade, pendulm shade and pack solid black without it healing patchy or overworking the skin.| Tattooing 101
From old school to watercolor, we'll go through all the most popular tattoo styles...and offer tips for artists who want to get started tattooing them.| Tattooing 101
Over the years our instructors at Tattooing 101 have worked in shops all over the world. Now, we've pooled our knowledge to help aspiring tattoo artists find| Tattooing 101
Find the resources you need to know about tattoo business management and building a successful business plan in the booming tattoo industry.| Tattooing 101
Traditional style tattoos laid the foundation for the tattoo industry. Here’s how to draw and paint American traditional flash, and create traditional sleeves.| Tattooing 101
Follow this step by step guide to create a rock-solid tattoo portfolio that's guaranteed to get you an apprenticeship.| Tattooing 101
A new study released in August 2022 found that some ingredients in tattoo ink can be considered harmful. Their results show that tattoo ink - under the right| Tattooing 101