What is a professional tattoo artist?

The tattoo industry has made tremendous leaps and bounds evolving from the old traditional smoke-filled parlor where the tattooist drilled away on you without even wearing a pair of gloves, into the elegant art gallery environment.  There are a lot of meanings about the term "artist".

Tattooing is an apprentice-based art. A traditional apprenticeship lasts at least three years.

There are so many variables to learn (such as skin condition, medications that affect tattooing, machine building and adjustment, design color, techniques of tattooing, healing processes etc).

A professional tattoo artist should act ethically. He should provide you with great advice as well as have a good personality. He should make you believe in his abilities, skills, and ultimately respect your work. NO ONE wants to get a tattoo from someone who doesn't even care about their clients.

Professional Tattoo Artist Conditions:

1. Always insist that you see your tattoo artist remove a new needle & tube set-up from a sealed envelope immediately prior to your tattoo.

2. Be certain you see your tattoo artist pour a new ink supply into a new disposable container.

3. Make sure your artist puts on a new pair of disposable gloves before setting up tubes, needles and ink supplies.

4. Satisfy yourself that the shop furnishings & tattooist are clean & orderly in appearance; much like a medical facility.

5. Feel free to question the tattoo artist as to any of his sterile procedures & isolation techniques. Take time to observe them at work & do not hesitate to inquire about their experience & qualifications in the tattoo field.

6. If the professional tattoo artist is qualified, they will have no problem complying with standards above & beyond these simple guidelines.

7. If the tattoo artist or studio does not appear up to these standards or if they become evasive when questioned, seek out a professional tattooist.

SO HOW MUCH TRAINING SHOULD A "PROFESSIONAL TATTOO ARTIST" HAVE (APPRENTICESHIP)

The general consensus of professional tattooists is that an apprenticeship is the best way to learn this trade and the best way to prevent stupid, costly mistakes in a highly technical and many faceted industry. Especially the obvious danger of health risks to operator and client when inexperience is involved. When looking for an artist to teach tattooing, you should follow the same criteria for finding an artist to tattoo you.

Let's say a few words about the creative part...

I know there a lot of great works out there, maybe that "great" it's a bad word, Gosh I meant Masterpieces...
But have you thought about your style, your ideas, your development, your accomplishment? How much you are able to take a little advantage of your OWN creative spirit? Copying a good and quality work isn't that bad! As I said before, almost every artist has some influences, some style that he is willing to make it his "kind of work" and maybe a trade mark. But what about the original ideas, what about the custom designs, what about your very own design? Copying some tattoo style, won't make you an artist!!! It might help you to develop your skills, but it won't be your own work! Of course I artistically! I won't spend my time talking about copying a flash work. I can say that I respect the all the flash artists out there! They are creative and give us a little space to thing and get inspired.

All I'm trying to say it's BE ORIGINAL!!!

Let people know you about your "weird", "crazy", or "divine" creations. Let people know you about your style ( technique) of your tattooing. 
There are many ...
From Fineline to strong lines, from color high lights to shading patterns and structural designing... So many indeed.

Take your time and think about all this "conditions", all lines of the big drawing that make you an artist.

Be original and be yourself, be a professional tattoo artist!