7 Traits for a Successful Tattoo Artist

So you want to be a tattoo artist? Great! Tattooing is an amazing and rewarding career. But it's not all rainbows and sunshine. To be a successful tattoo artist and make all money in tattoo, there are certain traits you need to possess. Here are seven of them:

Patience: This is number one for a reason. Getting a tattoo takes time. If you're the type of person who gets antsy easily, then this might not be the career for you. You need to be able to remain calm under pressure and have the patience to sit for long periods of time.

Focus: When you're tattooing someone, you need to be completely focused on the task at hand. This isn't a job where you can daydream or zone out. You need to be attentive and present in order to create the best possible tattoo for your client.

Artistic Ability: This one goes without saying. To be a successful tattoo artist, you need to have talent and skill. A steady hand helps, too! If you don't have natural artistic ability, that's okay. There are plenty of courses and workshops you can take to improve your skills.

People Skills: Remember that your clients are entrusting you with their bodies. They're putting their trust in you to create a beautiful, permanent work of art. So it's important that you have excellent people skills. You should be friendly, helpful, and professional at all times.

Work Ethic: A successful tattoo artist is someone who is willing to put in the time and effort to hone their craft. This means practicing regularly, keeping up with industry trends, and always striving to improve your skills.

Business Savvy: Tattooing isn't just about making art—it's also about running a business. To be successful in this industry, you need to know how to market yourself, set competitive prices, and manage your finances effectively.

Thick Skin: Last but not least, you need to have thick skin—literally and figuratively! Remember that needles are going into people's skin for hours at a time. So if the sight of blood makes you queasy, this might not be the job for you.

And even if it doesn't bother you physically, you'll still need to develop a thick skin emotionally. Not everyone will love your work, and that's okay! You can't please everyone all the time. Just stay true to your vision and don't take criticism personally.