Dear Aspirant,

Tattoo artist though sounds cool and funky, personally and as per experience I feel that it is not at all a viable career.

You may do it as a hobby on Saturday Sundays.

I would not want you to live in fantasy world and get yourself assessed for the practical world. I strongly recommend you to do a psychometric career test on CareerGuide.com and get yourself aware of your real talents, strengths, passion areas based on which you can carve a wonderful career.

Best wishes

Dear Karan,

Thanks for writing to us!

I appreciate your desire to choose unconventional career and become self-employed. Tatto Artist can be a career. IT IS A VIABLE CAREER. Today we need to explore unconventional career options and create job opportunities rather than pursuing traditional or convention careers. I appreciate your career query.

Tattoing is an ancient form of body alteration which involves implanting ink in skin for creating design and images. Nowadays electric machines are used for tattoing.

Please learn that Tattoing unorganized profession. Minimum eligibility to become Tatto Artist is 18 years of age, drawing skills, passion for art and determination. There is no formal education to become a Tatto Artist in India. There are courses in Foreign Universities that you may pursue. Further, there are online crash courses and training programs, which you can find from Google.

Best way to learn Tatto Art is to learn from reputed Tatto Artist in your city and start working under him or her. You can take apprenticeship under reputed Tattoo Artist, which is usually paid ( means you need to pay fees to learn Tattoing from the artist). You can contact the existing tattoo studios for apprenticeship as follow.
. Michael Cowasji, Delhi
(www.tattoosbymike.com)
. Eric D'souza
(www.ironbuzztattos.com)
. Richard Tat, Singapore
([email protected])
. Inkaholik, Delhi
([email protected])

Proper training is must before you start own practice as it has health hazards for clients as well as for self. Proper care is required before, during and after tattoing.

Let me provide you details of Tatto Artist as a career for your reference.

Role of a Tattoo Artist:
Tatto Artist imprint design on the body.The involves understanding clients need, creating dummy designs, sterilizing equipment, setup, and cleanup.

Scope of Tatto Artist:
Career opportunities for tattoo artists depend on their skills and level of experience. In India tatto artist usually have their studio/parlour or work under reputed Tatto Artist. This field is not organized hence there is very few job opportunities. This field is best when you have client base and want to establish own studio. It has a lot of artistic value. Those who love art, enjoy the work a great deal You earn well if you are good at your work. For every square inch of tattoo, clients pay in thousands.

Income of Tatto Artists:
Income of tattoo artists depend on the drawing and designing skills, tattooing art ( use of machine), safety measures you take, network and location of the studio. Tatto Artists in India makes around INR 500 per hour or INR 5000 per tattoo.In general, Tatto Artist earn monthly INR 8000 to 40000 depending upon the popularity. There are famous Tatto artist who earn even more.

Challenges:
Tatto Artist as a career is challenging. It is indeed difficult field to break into. There are no jobs as such in this field and the only way you can earn good money is by opening your own studio or by partnering with a studio or parlour owner. Largely, tattoo artists work as independent artist, and income is not steady.
Experienced tattoo artists earn a decent living while beginners often work for years to establish a client base.

Tattoo Artists need to be careful. There is health hazards for clients as well as for Tattoo Artists. If equipment is not sterilized then it can transfer Hep B/C or other communicable diaseases. Some may get skin infection or skin allergy and in all such cases immediate medical intervention is required. After years of practice, artists' eyesight may become weak or hands get rough. Many artists develop back pain or spine related problems. Therefore proper training and standard ethical practice norms must be adhered to.

It is tough to handle a vibrating machine for long hours at a stretch.

Before you decide to pursue Tatto Art as profession, I would recommend you to understand its challenges and your ability to overcome them. There three options:
1. If you are single minded then go ahead with this option
2. If not sure about to face challenges, then pursue as part time income generation activities alonv with job.
3. Explore other suitable career options to pursue in design field (visual design, web design, etc.) Or other potential career alternatives. I recommend you to take up Ide Career Test from www.Careerguide.com. this will help you take informed career decision.

Hope I have answered your query and this information is helpful for you to take informed career decision. If you still have queries, feel free to write back.

Best Wishes for bright career,
Apurva Kumar Pandya, PhD

Dear Aspirant,

Though Dr. Pandya has said that it is a viable career, I would ask you to re-think on this choice. Pursuing unconventional careers is fine, but that should not be too much out of the world. If you are ready to struggle and have lot of patience and no urgency to earn for livelihood, then you can do such careers.

Saying every career viable is no point practically though may be sounding good psychologically.

Best wishes