Who Is Jordi Pla?

Jordi Pla is a Neochromatic Tattoo Artist, tattoo shop owner, and one of Ink Different’s Master Mentors. He was born in Venezuela and came to the U.S. as a baby.

He left an aerospace engineering scholarship to study art, then got his start at Chico Cortez’s tattoo shop in Miami. Chico pushed him hard, and Jordi soaked up everything he could: books, videos, DVDs, and seminars. He went on to win 150 awards and compete on Ink Master season 13.

Today, he runs Black Flamingo Collective with his business partner, Miguel Denari.

What Is the “Tattoo Shop Tango”?

Tattoo Shop Tango is Ink Different’s show for tattoo shop owners, co-hosted by Chico Cortez. Each episode features a shop owner sharing real lessons from running a tattoo shop.

For Jordi, one of the biggest lessons is about people. Early on, he was eager to fill chairs. A couple of Tattoo Artists brought negativity into the tattoo shop, and he had to let them go. Chico agrees: hiring someone who caused problems at their last tattoo shop isn’t better than investing in an apprentice.

How Does Jordi Pla Train Apprentices?

Jordi has built a hands-on approach at Black Flamingo Collective.

He starts with the fundamentals

He has apprentices draw on paper and make stencils by hand before relying on an iPad. If the iPad breaks, they can still do the tattoo.

He remembers cleaning 25 to 50 metal tubes a day when he started. Jordi points out that many apprentices today have never cleaned a tube.

He has them build a following early

Jordi tells apprentices to start an Instagram during their tattoo apprenticeship to document their progress. That way, they already have a following when they start tattooing.

He teaches through seminars

Jordi leads seminars at Black Flamingo Collective once a month or every other month, on topics like professionalism and color theory. He started them after his Tattoo Artists told him he wasn’t around enough.

He says teaching makes him better, too. Explaining why he makes certain choices forces him to think more deeply about his own work. That process led him to develop his Neochromatic style.

He believes in effort over talent

Jordi says talent can be learned if you put in the work. He’s known Tattoo Artists with more natural talent who didn’t go as far, because he kept working and improving.

Mentor Insight: Jordi’s apprentices can earn well quickly. Some now pay booth rent and earn the most in his tattoo shop, after less than a year of tattooing.

Why Does Live, In-Person Mentorship Matter?

For Jordi, learning in person changed everything.

At conventions, he watched Tattoo Artists like Mike Deise up close. Online, their work looked impossible. In person, Jordi studied their hand movements, their machines, their needles, and how they prepped. He noticed how top Tattoo Artists arrived early, with designs ready, and did their prep work before the client showed up.

He also learned from Chico, who pushed him and gave him opportunities. Now Jordi plans to do the same for his own Tattoo Artists by bringing them to local conventions, just as Chico brought him.

Safety is part of that hands-on training, including the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.

How Can You Learn the Studio Rhythm Step by Step?

Jordi’s advice, paired with Ink Different’s four-phase structure, offers a clear path:

Step 1: Learn to draw for tattooing. Phase One of the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship covers art and design. Like Jordi teaches, practice on paper and learn to make stencils.

Step 2: Learn the machine. Phase Two is machine practice on synthetic skin.

Step 3: Work under supervision. Phase Three is supervised tattooing on real clients in a tattoo studio.

Step 4: Build independence. Phase Four prepares you for licensing and working on your own.

Step 5: Document your progress. Start an Instagram early, as Jordi advises. Explore these platforms to help Tattoo Artists build their brand.

Step 6: Put in the hours. Jordi says it takes about 10,000 hours to master tattooing. Many people put in 100 and think they’ve got it.

Step 7: Look for solutions. Jordi says many newer Tattoo Artists expect Instagram-level success within one to three years, then talk about quitting when it doesn’t happen. When things get tough, he looks for a solution instead.

What Does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship Offer?

Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists. Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. No prior art experience is required.

• Phases One and Two: Art and design, then machine practice on synthetic skin, online.
• Phases Three and Four: Supervised work on real clients in a tattoo studio, then building independence and preparing for licensing.
• Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements.
• “Good Humans” culture: A supportive community from day one.

This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.

Ready to Dance Into a New Career?

Jordi Pla went from aerospace engineering to 150 awards, and now he’s training Tattoo Artists of his own. His message is simple: put in the work, learn the fundamentals, and invest in the next generation.

Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.

For aspiring Tattoo Artists: Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.

For Tattoo Artists and shop owners who want to mentor: Learn how to become an Ink Different Mentor at inkdifferenttattoos.com/affiliate.

And for aspiring shop owners: Explore Ink Different’s shop owner training to build the systems, team, and culture your tattoo shop needs.

Follow Jordi on Instagram at @jordi_bfc and Chico at @m4l_chico.