How much do tattoo artists charge to take on an apprentice?
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at
1:16 pm
I’m looking for a tattoo artist who is willing to take on an apprentice. What will they be looking for in an apprentice? I am a skilled artist, with one tattoo of my own. How much would they charge me to learn the trade? What’s the average?
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Tagged with: apprentice • skilled artist • tattoo artist
Filed under: Tattoo Q & A
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This is going to be very vague because it really all depends. If the studio can use another artist, and they like your stuff, and you have potential, they may agree to sign you on as an apprentice at no charge but you might have to contract to tattoo there a certain length of time after your apprenticeship is complete. Some do it for free labor around the studio but in my eye that seems to be dwindling.
Many now charge for apprenticeships and those fees vary widely. 1. It shows a stronger committment – money talks 2. They have no room for you in the studio after you are trained. You could expect to pay $4-6K or so. I have not really heard of more. Stay away from week or two tattoo "schools" as a primary source of training.
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