Once you’ve put the time, effort, and money into building your tattoo empire, you’re that much closer to reaching success. Sure, you can operate as a one-(wo)man band, but when business starts to pick up and you find yourself turning away customers, the next logical step is to hire more tattoo artists. While there are some customers willing to sit on a waitlist if your artistry is exceptional, there are just as many who aren’t. If it’s within your budget, it may behoove you to expand your team, which means writing a tattoo artist job description that captures exactly what you’re looking for in an employee. 

This article will provide a list of tattoo artist duties and responsibilities, qualifications to look for, and a job description template you can customize for your business. Plus, we’ll address some frequently asked questions about the tattoo artist hiring process. 

Tattoo Artist Job Description Overview

If you’re planning to write a tattoo artist job description that attracts skilled candidates, you’ll need to be clear and thorough. First, establish details such as where the business is located, whether it’s a full-time, part-time, or contract position, expected schedule, start date, salary/commission, and any benefits. Then, provide an overview of the role. 

So, what does a tattoo artist do other than permanently etch skin with ink designs? Some other duties include: 

• Consultations: Talking with clients to determine exactly what they’re looking for. 
• Graphic design: Hand-drawn art or computer graphics to help visualize the image. 
• Creating stencils: To guide the tattoo application process and improve its accuracy.
• Sanitizing and hygiene: Ensuring the tattoo studio workspace is clean and germ-free to prevent infections or other adverse skin reactions.
• Administrative duties: Booking appointments, managing inventory, answering phones, responding to queries (whether through email, social media, or your website contact page), finances, and marketing. 

Tattoo Artist Responsibilities

Becoming an artist of the ink requires more than just an adept hand. Some of the main tattoo artist responsibilities include: 

Booking appointments

Getting appointments in the books is one of your most important tasks as a tattoo business owner. While you can certainly take walk-ins for smaller, simpler tattoos, larger or more complex illustrations take preparation, requiring clients to schedule your time further in advance. 

Actively listening to clients

Part of the tattoo artist job description is the ability to actively listen to your client’s ideas and help turn them into a reality. This may include discussing design options, colors, placement on the body, size of the illustration, and specific artistic style. And it should definitely include taking note of what they don’t want. 

Competent design skills

Tattoo artists must possess the ability to translate ideas, concepts, and desires into original designs, incorporating every element the client wants while also ensuring the design is suitable (or even possible) for tattooing. It also helps to have the skills to cover up or transform any previous designs the client may no longer be particularly proud of – like that taco holding a gun they got in college, or their ex’s name. 

Creating stencils 

Tattoo artist duties also include creating stencils, which temporarily transfer the image onto the client’s skin to serve as a guide for the tattoo machine. If freehand drawing isn’t your strength, stencils can enhance the accuracy of tattoo designs, ensuring the final image turns out just the way the client wants. 

Extensive tattoo knowledge

To become a competent tattoo artist, you need to know your tools inside and out. That means learning about all the features and capabilities of your tattoo machine, how certain pigments will show on the skin, which needles to use – even how far to inject the ink into the skin's dermis layer. 

Sterilizing and sanitizing

Another necessary tattoo artist responsibility is adhering to strict hygiene protocols. This includes sterilizing your equipment and workstation, using disposable needles and gloves, and ensuring proper disposal of any hazardous or toxic materials to maintain a clean and safe environment. 

Aftercare advisement

To prevent infection, reactions, or further skin damage, tattoo artists must both perform and inform the clients of any aftercare to maintain the quality and appearance of their recent ink. It’s a good idea to create a printout or email a digital copy of their specific care instructions so they always have an easy reference. 

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Tattoo Artist Requirements and Qualifications

Building a thriving business is challenging, but surrounding yourself with the right staff can make all the difference. Here, we list some common tattoo artist job requirements to consider when you craft your own job posting. 

Be 18 or over

There’s a lot of young, promising talent out there, but unfortunately, it is not legal to hire anyone in the United States under the age of 18 – not even as an apprentice. Always check identification to certify your hires don’t violate any state laws.

Have proper licensing and certifications 

Before you can hire anyone, candidates will have to present their licensing and certifications to ensure they are legally allowed to tattoo. This may entail completing a CPR or bloodborne pathogens course, but these mandates vary by state. For instance, in New York, all artists looking to earn their license must complete the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s infectious diseases course, whereas in Delaware, individual tattoo artists don’t need a specific license, but must register their shop with the state. 

Strong communication skills 

Strong communication skills are a necessity for every tattoo artist. Listening to (and really hearing) what a client wants is key to delivering on their expectations. Tattoo artists should also be able to clearly explain their process, and give the client the option to object to any design ideas before getting started. 

Attention to detail 

A mandatory requirement of becoming a successful tattoo artist is attention to detail. When it comes to working with permanent colors, stencil transfers, maintaining consistency in lines and shading, or even just different styles, remarkable attention to detail will make sure the final result matches the client's expectations.

Provable experience 

Candidates must demonstrate their experience with an impressive portfolio showcasing their artistic style, technical skills, and versatility. Beginner candidates may not have as extensive a resume as others, but it’s still important to analyze their work and consider the quality of their tattooing and originality of their designs. 

Good bedside manner

Making clients feel comfortable and safe while you’re repeatedly poking them with needles isn’t an easy feat, but it’s an important one to master. Tattooing can be a long, painful ordeal, so any candidate you hire should be adept at putting clients at ease and enhancing their overall experience. 

Completed apprenticeship

While not a requirement in every jurisdiction, a completed apprenticeship can prove your candidates have learned enough basic information about the tattoo business to thrive in your shop. 

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Tattoo Artist Job Description Example

Putting together your extensive list of tattoo artist job requirements can get overwhelming. Below, we’ve provided a simple template for you to adapt for your own employee search. 

Tattoo Artist Responsibilities

The tattoo artist role at [Tattoo Shop] involves the following responsibilities: 

• Booking appointments (over the phone or through social media, email, or our website)
• Actively listening to clients
• Competent design abilities
• Stencil creation
• Extensive knowledge regarding tattoo machines, inks, and their effects
• Commitment to sterilization, sanitation, and other hygienic practices to meet state standards
• Providing (and teaching) aftercare to clients

Tattoo Artist Requirements and Qualifications

In order to apply for a role at [Tattoo Shop], candidates must meet the following requirements: 

• 18 or over with reliable means of transportation
• Completed all mandatory licensing and certification programs as required by [state], plus an apprenticeship with a reputable mentor
• Strong communication skills
• Careful attention to detail
• Demonstrable experience with a diverse portfolio
• Pleasant bedside manner and customer service skills

Build Your Dream Team with GlossGenius

Crafting the right tattoo artist job description is essential for finding the perfect candidate. With a thorough, detailed posting, potential employees will have the ability to weigh their experience against your requirements to see if they’re a fit for your tattoo shop. A great employee will enhance your daily operations, allowing you to grow and scale your business and taking your success to astounding heights. 

GlossGenius is an all-in-one tool for tattoo shops to help manage their everyday business needs. With features like Team & Staff, you can track employee performance, automate payroll, and edit staff schedules all from one convenient place. Goal Setting is another handy feature that provides personalized insights and analytics so you can set your benchmarks and monitor your progress while you crush them. With Payroll, you can sync appointments, commissions, and tips, all without any manual entry.

Try GlossGenius today to get a 14-day free trial!

FAQs

What skills should I prioritize when interviewing a tattoo artist?

Artistic talent is arguably the most important skill to prioritize when interviewing a potential employee. Permanently tattooing a person’s skin is not something a casual artist should attempt, so finding someone with the right creative abilities and dedication to their craft is essential to selecting the perfect candidate. 

How can I assess a candidate’s portfolio during an interview?

When reviewing a candidate’s portfolio, look for any criteria that would make them a good fit for your business. Consider their range of skills, diversity of styles, attention to detail, and whether they’re able to draw clean lines and maintain consistency throughout their designs. You’ll also want to evaluate the overall composition of their artwork, proficiency of certain techniques (like shading or portraits), and originality. 

What are the compensation and benefits I should offer?

The compensation and benefits you can offer employees is entirely dependent on your tattoo business budget and the scope of the role. For instance, part-time tattoo artists won’t work as many hours or earn as much as full-time employees, and contract employees may not be entitled to any benefits at all. Compensation will also depend on commission rates and mandates set forth by state laws (such as minimum wage or other labor requirements). 

‍Check out this article for a more in-depth look at tattoo artist salaries.