Pricegal is thinking about becoming a tattooer (tattoist? tattooitioner? dermatological artist?). How does one do this? Is there some kind of formal training or do you just apply for a job at a tattoo parlor and dazzle them with your artistic ability?
I’ve spent a lot of time on the receiving end of the tattoo needle, but I’m not a tattoo artist. I did ask a couple of them how they got into it, and they both said it was sort of an informal apprenticeship sort of thing. Hang around the tattoo shop, help out here and there, learn a little, practice on a potato (not the same as flesh, though) or on yourself, start out on small jobs, and just work your way up. They said it’s a big help if you’re already pretty good at drawing, since many jobs require custom work.
I never heard anyone mention any formal training, but I don’t know. There may be such a thing. Does Pricegal sport any tattoos? If so, I guess she knows a little about how it’s done. Maybe just ask at some local shops. Not the sleazy ones, though. There are plenty of nice, clean, reputable places. I’m sure they could tell her more, and I’m sure some other dopers can tell her more, too.
It sure helps loads if one can draw. One artist I’ve read about in a Tattoo Mag said he practiced on pigs feet he got cheap from the butchers and after a while on himself. Beats me if that really works, but it’s food for thought. An initial investment in some guns and colors will most prolly be necessary, since I think it will be hard to find a tatoo shop who will take an apprentice without any experience.
Having read tattooers biographies in various tattoo mags, the artists generally practise as mentioned above, on themselves. Also on boyfriends, girlfriends, anyone and anything that doesn’t run fast enough 
Seems you gotta lay a lot of ink before you get to touch a “real” client.
Howdy there. Former tattoo shop employee here. Basically, it’s like the folks above said; you have to find someone willing to take you as an apprentice. Make friends with a tattoo artist; one good way to do this is by getting tattoos from him or her. The hours spent together are a good way to broach the subject as well.
You won’t really need any prior experience as a tattoo artist. Unapprenticed, untrained tattooists are generally thought of as “scratchers” and pooh-poohed. Most tattoo artists will tell you to avoid scratchers, as they haven’t been trained in technique or sterile procedure, and you don’t know what you’re getting. Many good tattoo artists did start out as scratchers, however, generally when they were very young and didn’t know any better.
Likewise with a tattoo machine (“machine” is usually preferred over “gun”). In fact, your tattoo artist may forbid you to have one, since you don’t have any need for one until you learn technique and sterile procedure. Once she’s ready to tattoo, she’ll probably do her first ones with the tattoo artist’s machine under the artist’s very close supervision. I’ve heard of some artists who started out on fruit or pig’s feet or what have you, but the tattooists I’ve known have discouraged this because it doesn’t really train you to tattoo on live flesh. Dead skin lacks the resiliancy you have to learn to work with, and fruit is just plain wrong.
What she will need is a good portfolio of her work showing she has the artisric capability. Tattoo flash type images would be helpful, although any work she’s particulary proud of will probably do. An art background, like a degree in graphic design maybe, sure as heck doesn’t hurt. She may also need some cash. Many tattoo artists will require some sort of capital outlay, since the process takes a lot of the artist’s time and materials. Once she has apprenticed and is ready to start tattooing, she’ll need one other thing; good friends willing to let her practice her technique and do her very first tattoos on. Just so you know, significant others are prime candidates for this honor. 
Hope this helps. Let us know how it turns out.
The guy who did mine said he started in his garage. Bought a needle and some ink and started doing free tattoos to practice. I can’t imagine letting anyone give me a tattoo in order to practice…
I’ve known two people who became tattoo artists, and both followed a similar path. They both drew a lot, made friends with tattoo artists, and started by practicing on themselves and willing friends. After they gained some skill, they offered their services to people real cheap to gain more experience. This also helped them build up a clientele.
It seems like a tough field to break into anymore, seeing how there’re as many tattoo shops as there are McDonalds.