With over 13 years of hands-on experience in the tattoo industry, I’ve witnessed every side of it, from legends to scratchers, from masterpieces to mistakes. If you're a beginner tattoo artist, understand this: tattooing is not a trend, it's a commitment. It’s not just a skill, it’s a lifestyle.
If you're serious about your path, I’ve created a clear and realistic guide to help you grow the right way. No shortcuts. No hype. Just real steps that can shape your future as a professional artist.
BEGINNER TATTOO ARTIST PLAN
By Wassim | Lebanon Tattoo Supply
PHASE 1: START STRONG (Month 0–3)
1. Educate Yourself First
Before touching a machine, understand the skin, healing process, hygiene, cross-contamination, and why quality inks matter.
Tattooing isn’t just drawing, it’s performing minor surgery on human skin. Respect that.
Start by watching real professionals. Not TikTok scratchers.
2. Apprenticeship vs. Practice
Yes, apprenticeship is gold. If you can get into a studio and learn from someone with 10+ years of clean, solid work, do it.
But if not? Start on fake skin. Not oranges. Not your cousin. Practice with proper gear in a clean setup.
3. Don’t Waste Money on Toys
I see beginners buying cheap Amazon kits and wondering why their lines blow out.
Start with:
A reliable rotary machine (we recommend a few for beginners in-store and on our website)
Good cartridges
Good ink
Stencil setup
PHASE 2: FIND YOUR STYLE (Month 3–6)
4. Try All Styles
Practice:
- Blackwork
- Traditional
- Realism
- Fine line
- Geometric
- Anime / Pop Culture Until something clicks. Until you enjoy doing it AND you’re naturally good at it.
You’ll know when you feel it. Don’t rush it.
5. Draw Every Day
I’m not talking about Instagram reels. I’m talking about 2–3 hours a day of:
- Line practice
- Tattoo flash sheets
- Tracing clean designs That’s how real artists are made.
6. Start Posting
I don’t care if it’s just fake skin. Document your journey. Show progress. Be real. Don’t buy followers, build trust.
PHASE 3: BUILD YOUR IDENTITY (Month 6–12)
7. Choose Your Lane
When you start feeling confident in one style, go all in. Make it your signature.
Don’t try to be everything. You’ll end up being nothing.
8. Your Portfolio is Your Resume
Create a clean, digital portfolio:
- 10–20 of your best tattoos (even if on fake skin)
- Flash sheets
- Sketch-to-stencil examples This is what will land you clients… not just Instagram reels with trending songs.
9. Build Your Name
Brand yourself. Choose a tattoo name, make a simple logo, pick your colors and stick to it.
Your IG page should say who you are and what you specialize in. Example:
“Black & Grey Realism | Beirut | Bookings Open”
PHASE 4: GET SERIOUS (1–2 Years)
10. Start Tattooing Real Skin – Safely
When you’re ready, take models (friends or volunteers) and tattoo in a fully clean setup.
Post everything:
- Before/after
- Healing results
- Time-lapse videos
- Every post is marketing.
11. Price Smart
Start with fair prices, not free. Your time matters.
Every scratcher ruins the value of this art by charging cheap and leaving scars.
If you’re good, people will pay.
12. Work Only with Quality
You want your tattoos to heal clean, hold over time, and reflect your brand?
Then don’t use garbage ink and cheap needles.
Use brands the real artists use. And we make sure we stock only those at Lebanon Tattoo Supply.
Final Advice From Wassim
This is your name, your legacy, your blood in every line.
Do it right, or don’t do it at all.
Stay consistent, stay clean, stay real, and don’t ever copy.
I’m here to support the serious ones.
If you need gear, advice, or just straight talk, come to Lebanon Tattoo Supply.
We don’t just sell machines… we back the next generation.
