Overview

This apprenticeship is under June Jung @tattoojune, a successful and experienced tattoo artist who has been mentoring apprentices since 2018. For artistic and tattoo instruction, June supervises directly giving feedback and hands-on instruction. Being in the shop, the apprentice will also have the chance to see other artists working. Those artists will occasionally offer guidance, advice and feedback on the apprentice’s work. As in all apprenticeship programs, our apprentices learn the practical skills and practices needed to be a professional tattoo artist. This includes knowledge of safety, supplies, setup/breakdown process, and of course details of tattoo technique: when to use which needles, which machines, how to make clean lines, how to achieve different shading effects, and so on. Along the way, we will also gently guide the apprentice in finding their own tattooing style and will prepare the apprentice for handling clients and different kinds of tattoo projects.

By the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will be licensed as a body art practitioner in LA, be proficient in tattooing, and, ideally, will already have found a direction for their unique tattoo aesthetic and will have gained exposure via our shop’s social media and website.

Candidate Characteristics

Our shop has attracted artists who are humble, focused, responsible, and respectful. We want an apprentice to fit in and so place importance on these traits when screening applicants. The ideal candidate is ready to learn, to spend hours practicing drawing and tattooing technique, and to be eager to help the shop in any way they can. If you feel the world is out to get you, this apprenticeship is not for you.

In addition to these personal characteristics, drawing / art skills are the second most important consideration when evaluating an apprentice for our shop. Our shop focuses on tattoos with an artful quality and most of our tattoo artists are also practicing art outside of tattooing. Ideally, an apprentice has excellent art skills and has developed (or shows promise of developing) their own aesthetic in original artwork.

Overall commitment / Progression

The apprenticeship lasts about 12 months depending on the apprentice’s progression and other factors. After that, the apprentice may graduate as a tattooer. Ideally, the apprentice may then work at the shop as a junior tattoo artist but there is no guarantee.

For the first portion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is only drawing and not using a tattoo machine. When the mentor feels the apprentice is ready, the apprentice will begin practicing on practice skin. After doing that for some months, the apprentice will tattoo themselves and finally begin tattooing willing humans.

After doing dozens of real tattoos and gaining self-confidence and the confidence of the mentor, the apprentice is graduated as a professional tattooer.

Because this apprenticeship is unpaid and requires a large time commitment, we ask all applicants to seriously consider whether they are able to make the commitment before applying.

Weekly Commitment / Duties

Apprentices are at the shop an average of 3.5 days / week about 8 hours per day. The apprentice is responsible for cleaning the shop, assisting the artists with setup/breakdown, looking after shop supplies, and being generally helpful with daily operations.

With all remaining time in the day, the apprentice is completing drawing and tattoo technique assignments as instructed by June.

Application Timeline

We are accepting applications through Friday March 7th and will get back candidates in the following week. This apprenticeship will start immediately and we may have another one opening later in the year. We typically receive many applicants and sadly can only accept one or two. Please understand that we have to pass on many qualified candidates. We hope you will not be discouraged if we pass on your application.