Kunal Kapoor with Al Alva

Like the name suggests, the work of a tattoo artist is just that - to create tattoos on people's bodies. However, there is definitely more to the job than just creating tattoos.

What It Takes

Unlike a flat canvas, tattoo artists work on different parts of the body. As a tattooer, you have to be artistic - good stenciling and drawing skills, not to mention a sense of colour and design.

It is important to have good communication skills to understand what tattoo your clients want. For example, a newly-wed couple might want a tattoo (each) that is a symbol of their ever-lasting love. You need to suggest a suitable tattoo design idea - hearts, flowers, love birds, etc. A skull and cross-bones will definitely not do!

Since tattoo artists use a hand-held tattoo gun, it is important to have mechanical ability and excellent hand-eye co-ordination. One wrong move and your client is stuck with a skewed design for a lifetime!

Given the nature of the job and the equipment used, a tattoo artist must also have knowledge of safety practices that need to be followed. This prevents the spread of infection.

Compared to the rest of the world, tattooing is still in a nascent stage in India. There are no private academies or educational institutes that teach tattooing. To be a tattoo artist, you do not require a standard / basic educational background or training. However, an artistic background is a definite advantage.