What It Really Takes to Be a Tattoo Artist | Inside the Tattooer’s Job

Deep Dive into the Tattooer’s Job

Nowadays, you need to take care not only of your profession, but also of many other aspects around it. Let us share how things look from our perspective inside the tattoo industry. Maybe you’ll find something interesting — or even useful in your own life.

First Step: Becoming a Tattoo Artist (For Real)

Thanks to tattoo suppliers like those based in Amsterdam, today almost anyone can buy professional tattoo equipment. Anyone can also find people willing to be early “guinea pigs” for first tattoo attempts.

But is that enough to become a tattoo artist?
Certainly, it can be a step — but in reality, it should not be the first one.

Before someone even thinks about tattooing, they must fully understand hygiene and safety protocols, just like nurses or dentists do. This includes:

sterilization procedures
skin preparation
understanding risks and complications
knowing how to prevent infections

All safety rules must be known by heart. This is not optional — it is crucial. Without this knowledge, no one should ever touch a tattoo machine, let alone tattoo another person.

Second Step: Drawing and Visual Training

The next essential step is drawing.

We will dedicate a separate blog post to this topic, as drawing has played a massive role in our tattooing journey. For now, it is enough to say that a trained hand — through sketching, painting, or technical drawing — always translates into better tattoos.

Tattooing is not tracing. It is applied art on living skin.

You can explore more of our artistic approach on our blog:
https://vadelma.eu/blog

Third Step: Technical Knowledge and Equipment

This part often looks simple from the outside — but it isn’t.

There is not one type of needle, ink, or machine. There are many. The hardest part? There is no universal setup that works for everyone.

Tattooing is an artistic profession, and what works perfectly for one artist may be completely wrong for another.

This phase never truly ends:

you find tools that work for you
you master them
you get comfortable
and then you start wondering: What if I try something else?

A different ink.
A different machine.
A different needle configuration.

Progress only happens if you keep moving forward. This applies not only to tattooing, but to life in general. Learning, questioning, experimenting, and refining never stop.

Only then does tattooing itself truly begin.

Tattooing Is the Result, Not the Starting Point

In our opinion, actually making tattoos is the fourth step, not the first.

It is the result of:

safety knowledge
artistic skill
technical understanding
and continuous self-development

This is why we treat tattooing with so much respect at Vadelma Tattoo. Every tattoo is the outcome of years of learning, refining, and conscious decision-making.

If you want to understand our studio philosophy better, you can start here:
https://vadelma.eu/

If you are considering a project with us, available works can be found here:
https://vadelma.eu/available-projects

And if you have questions before booking, our FAQ page is the best place to start:
https://vadelma.eu/faq-vadelma-tattoo/

Final Thoughts

Tattooing is not just about machines and ink. It is about responsibility, dedication, and respect — for the craft and for the people who trust us with their skin.

Simon
Vadelma Team

“Tattoos that matter for people who care”

FAQ – Becoming a Tattoo Artist

Can anyone become a tattoo artist today?
Access to equipment is easy, but true professionalism requires years of education, practice, and responsibility. The rest is noise.

Is tattoo equipment knowledge something you learn once?
No. It is a continuous process that evolves with experience and innovation.

Why does Vadelma Tattoo emphasize process so much?
Because great tattoos are the result of preparation, not shortcuts.

Where can I learn more about your approach to tattooing?
Visit our blog:
https://vadelma.eu/blog