Manchester Tattoo

Manchester Tattoo

How to become a Tattoo Artist in Manchester in 2026

Hello everyone and welcome to the Manchester Tattoo blog. 

Manchester is a city where tattooing has taken over by storm in the past 20 years. 

Tattoo Artists in Manchester have made history by raising £500,000 to the families of the tragic accident at the Manchester Evening news arena back in 2017, what a beautiful way to contribute and unite the City of Manchester. As the Manchester bee comes from unity and the collective hard work of Manchester industrial wool factories back in the 1800’s. 

It’s is fascinating how a symbol that came across in the 1800’s came back after a tragic attack and Tattoo Artists have turned around in to a positive symbol of unity. 

A lot of youngsters want to become Tattoo Artists nowadays, and they are approaching it like it’s the same to be a hairdresser or a normal trade. 

First I would like to mention that Tattooing has no qualifications, Tattooing is similar to the music industry, if people resonate with your music they will listen to it. In tattooing of people resonate with your art they will come to you.

One big mistake that a lot of youngsters make when trying to approach the tattoo industry, is to want to learn to tattoo straight way. Tattooing is important to learn that’s for sure. However, there are basic important foundations that are missed nowadays, and people end up running before they can walk.

BEFORE YOU BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST YOU MUST BECOME AN ARTIST 

That is the biggest missing point of people who want to become a Tattoo Artist nowadays. Becoming a tattoo artist before having a foundation in art, that will show in your tattooing. 

The better artist you are the better tattoo artist you will become. Giving the opportunity to be an artist before start tattooing, it allows you to practise on paper before you go on skin. Drawing it allows you to understand shadow and proportion, understanding shadow before you attempt to do a black and grey tattoo, it really allows you to study before you approach the tattoo.

Painting and drawing is studying art, and like everything else in the world you have to study before you attempt to do it, or if you want to do it properly. Every successful person in the world, studied what they were considering doing in order to be a better professional, and in tattooing is no different. 

I have have been tattooing for 20 years and I have not once, had someone asking me for an apprenticeship and I thought they were amazing artists. If someone approached me with an amazing portfolio, it would be my pleasure to offer them an apprenticeship. 

Nowadays I see Tattoo academies just taking advantage of youngsters who want to enter the tattoo industry, they offer a one week training for a few thousands, and have a room full of students, and someone with no tattoos teaching them. How can someone who has no tattoos teach someone to tattoo. 

That’s why I’m thinking about offering a one to one Tattoo course. I want to really spend time with one person and train them up properly. I’m gonna think about all the details and be updating it on this website. 

Tattooing has changed a lot, it used o be more about respect back in the day, and it was seemed as a sacred art form. 

So in order to become a Tattoo Artist in 2026, I would recommend you to 

1- Do a drawing course, draw everyday for one year, and build your drawing skills.

2- Do a painting course, learn how to paint, and paint for the next year.

3- Get Tattooed by your favourite Tattoo Artist, build a relationship with your tattoo artist while getting tattooed by them, they will get to know you, and you will no longer be a stranger. 

4- When you have been tattooed by your favourite Tattoo Artist a few times, show them your portfolio, and if you impress them they will take you on to be a Tattoo Artist, if you haven’t impressed them, it means you need to keep working on your artistic skills.