Tattoo Apprenticeship Program
with Wicked Heart Art Collective
Tattooing is not a shortcut career. It is a craft, a responsibility, and a long-term commitment. Our apprenticeship program exists to protect that standard—for our artists, our clients, and you.
If you are looking for a “quick way in,” this is not the shop for you.
If you are looking for real mentorship, accountability, and a place to grow the right way, keep reading.
Our Philosophy
Taking on an apprentice requires time, energy, emotional labor, and financial sacrifice from our artists. It impacts their workflow, their income, and their reputation. We do not take that lightly.
You are not doing us a favor by wanting to apprentice here. We are investing in you. And we expect you to respect that investment.
Tattooing is built on trust, discipline, and earned skill. Our goal is not to produce fast tattooers. Our goal is to produce responsible professionals who will represent this industry (and our shop) with integrity for decades to come.
Who We Consider
Before you ask about an apprenticeship, we prefer that you already have some relationship with Wicked Heart Art Collective.
That means you have been tattooed in our shop, and you are known and respected in our space. Ideally, you have built relationships with multiple artists and staff members over time. We want to know that you are here to learn from our artists specifically.
In‑Person Matters
All apprenticeship conversations begin in person.
Cold calling, emailing, direct messaging, or having someone “ask for you” will result in immediate disqualification. No exceptions.
If you are serious about this career, you will show up respectfully, at an appropriate time, and introduce yourself properly. Tattooing is a people-driven industry. If you cannot communicate professionally face-to-face, you are not prepared for this path.
We want to see a real, in-person portfolio of your art.
About Tattoo Machines and “Self‑Teaching”
We do not accept apprentices who arrive with Amazon tattoo kits and self-taught habits.
Teaching someone correctly from the beginning is challenging. Re-training someone who has learned unsafe or ineffective techniques is far harder. We are not here to undo bad muscle memory, fix shortcuts, or correct habits built from YouTube tutorials.
If you are serious, come in with an art background that doesn’t involve kitchen tattoos.
Why You Want This Shop Matters
We are not a backup option. We are not one of many shops you are “trying out.”
You should be able to clearly explain why you want to learn at Wicked Heart and which artists inspire you.
We are serious about picking you, so we expect that you are serious about your interest in us specifically. If you are willing to just go to whoever will take you, we won’t feel confident in your ability to grow your relationship inside our shop.
What We Look For
We prioritize character over raw talent.
Work ethic, integrity and respect cannot be taught. These traits must already be part of who you are.
We look for people who demonstrate consistency, accountability, emotional maturity, respect for boundaries, willingness to be corrected, and the ability to receive feedback without defensiveness. We value long-term thinking over short-term excitement.
Artistic ability matters, but your mindset matters more.
Your Portfolio
You should already be drawing daily.
Your portfolio should show intentional practice, clean linework, shading studies, color theory, original designs, and completed pieces. We are not interested in traced flash, copied Pinterest images, or recycled social media designs.
We want to see how you think, how you problem-solve, and how you develop ideas.
Fine art will capture the attention of our crew much easier than designs that appear traced from the internet.
What an Apprenticeship Actually Involves
An apprenticeship is not glamorous. It is structured, demanding, and often exhausting.
Expect to spend significant time on:
- Cleaning and maintaining the studio
- Setting up and breaking down stations
- Sterilization and safety training
- Observation and shadowing
- Drawing assignments and revisions
- Repetitive technical practice
- Long hours and delayed gratification
Responsibility is earned gradually. Nothing is handed to you.
Financial Reality
Apprenticeships require sacrifice.
You may need another job. You may earn little or nothing in the beginning. You may be physically and mentally exhausted. This is normal in traditional tattoo training.
If you are not prepared for that reality, this is not the right path for you.
How to Position Yourself for Consideration
If you are serious about apprenticing here, start by becoming a genuine client. Get tattooed at our shop and communicate professionally.
Be present in our community and attend our events!
Commit to improving your art. Draw constantly. Seek critique. Apply feedback. Track your progress.
Educate yourself on the industry. Learn about health regulations, shop etiquette, client communication, and professional boundaries.
Automatic Disqualifiers
Certain attitudes and behaviors will immediately remove you from consideration. These include focusing on how fast you can start tattooing, claiming you already know enough, relying on self-taught equipment, asking for shortcuts, speaking poorly about other artists, showing entitlement, or ignoring shop boundaries.
If any of these apply to you, realize that we are very picky about who we invite to join our shop family and you will not be a good fit. Once you are a part of the crew, we take it very seriously to protect you and make sure the only people allowed inside are people who will treat you with respect.
If you cannot work with others and be a positive part of a team, you will not fit in here.
Final Word
We are deeply protective of this shop, our artists, and our clients.
An apprenticeship at Wicked Heart is earned through consistency, humility, effort, and long-term commitment.
If you are willing to show up, stay teachable, work relentlessly, and invest in your growth, we will notice.
All apprenticeship inquiries must begin in person.
No emails. No DMs. No phone calls. (Unless you are only doing so to schedule a time to visit us in-person).