Tattoo Apprenticeship Reviews
Apprentice Spotlight Interviews
Apprentices and Tattoo Artists from Ink Different studios talk about changing careers, learning from a Working Tattoo Artist Mentor, and earning a Guaranteed Job Offer.
New · Full-length interviews
Sit down with an Apprentice, start to finish
Sit-down conversations with Apprentices at every phase of the program: why they applied, what the live virtual sessions are like, their first time in the studio, and what they would tell you before you start.
Stephen SalasekPhoenix, AZ · Apprentice
“With tattooing… it’s that calling for me. I just feel so connected to it. It’s down to a soul level.”
A veteran firefighter for whom art is how he handles the stress of public safety work. He covers Japanese Traditional and American Traditional in Procreate, mentor feedback, and fitting live virtual sessions around being a father.
Emma Huff HoffmanPhiladelphia, PA · Apprentice, Phase 1
“I clock out, do the class, and then clock back in. And it’s usually just a 30 minute, which I would take a lunch break anyways. So, it’s been working very well.”
A mom who fits 30-minute live virtual classes into her work day and draws once her kids are in bed. She talks about learning from a group of mentors instead of one, holding back her own style until the fundamentals are there, and why she thinks the future is women.
Solana BlantzSan Diego, CA · Apprentice, Phase 2
“I’m very excited to actually get in the shop… I’m excited to actually be able to start tattooing people.”
A former research scientist on leaving corporate biology for tattooing, what lab safety taught her about hygiene and client care, and why small-group mentorship beats a big university.
Edward CuffNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 2
“I kind of hit a breaking point where I just decided to go for it… and just haven’t looked back.”
He put off applying for two years. Now it’s machine mastery, color blending, and Japanese and neo-traditional work, with small classes that built his confidence.
David JohnstonDenver, CO · Apprentice, Phase 2
“Tattooing is probably one of the very few fields that AI is going to have nothing to do with and won’t touch at all.”
From art school and a tough game-design job market to a career AI can’t replace. He covers depth control and machine mastery, and why artistry takes patience and repetition.
Ashley PietkiewiczNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 2
“I’ve really enjoyed all the tattoo artists that have been in the classes with us, all of our instructors. They’re all really, really fantastic.”
A medical assistant of ten years, and a mom, reclaiming her creative side. Her medical background gives her a head start on sanitation and safety.
Alex McLeanSt. Louis, MO · Apprentice, Phase 1
“Phase one has really brought my art back. It knocked the rust off and rebuilt my confidence.”
From a corporate business career back to art. He covers American traditional, neo-traditional and new school, learning Procreate, and daily practice with feedback from Working Tattoo Artists.
Ana CabreraNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 3
“Holy crap, I can actually apply what I learned onto skin and be successful.”
A self-taught artist and court worker, now moving from supervised training to Junior Tattoo Artist. She compares the mentorship with earning her master’s degree.
Megan HostetlerDallas, TX · Apprentice, Phase 2
“I have three kids, so flexibility was really important… It worked really well. I can still show up for my kids while also showing up fully for this career.”
From a basic rotary pen on friends to a structured program. She covers American Traditional and New School, how art translates to skin, and moving into studio training.
Joe KendallProvidence, RI · Apprentice, Phase 2
“When I walked into the studio, I honestly felt at home. Everybody was super friendly; it was a clean establishment with great artists.”
A military veteran who saw tattooing styles around the world while serving. He balances two jobs and a family, and contrasts personal mentorship with closed-door traditional apprenticeships.
Spotlight videos
Apprentice and Tattoo Artist spotlights
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Jasmine ColonTampa, FL · Apprentice
“Having somebody next to you, the anxiousness goes away, ’cause you could have somebody live to ask questions. If you’re unsure of something, they’re always right there.”
How she ended up becoming a Tattoo Artist, and her experience with Ink Different Tattoos.
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Chantel TompkinsBroward County, FL · Apprentice
“Draw. Draw all day, every day.”
Chantel shares her story at the Convention Connection event.
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Our ApprenticesInk Different studios · Apprentices and Tattoo Artists
A quick cut of Apprentices and Tattoo Artists on why they chose a Tattoo Apprenticeship and where it took them.
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Kayla DamonTattoo Artist
Her family worried about her decision. Kayla became a Tattoo Artist before her 21st birthday.
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Kevin RymanPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist
“I waited long enough and wanted something I knew would work.”
Doing his research, and choosing a structured program over waiting for a shop to say yes.
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Rina PeselevaPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist
“This is the most safe environment I’ve ever been in.”
Why she left a 15-year career to become a Tattoo Artist: changing careers, looking for an apprenticeship, and art education.
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Brandon MendezNew Haven, CT · Tattoo Artist
“I’ve been getting clients every single week. There was not a week where I haven’t gotten somebody. I was amazed. I’m like, wow, I can actually make this happen.”
From night shifts at a local market to a full-time Tattoo Artist.
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Shamain HardyNew Haven, CT · Tattoo Artist
“They helped me realize that it’s not just a man’s world in tattooing. Females, we got our time now, and it’s very inspiring.”
Managing client expectations, getting paid, and her 10-year journey to tattooing.
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Azalea SandovalLos Angeles, CA · Tattoo Artist
“This is way more fun than college… I love art and I love drawing, and now I get to make money for it.”
Why college wasn’t for her, and why she chose Ink Different Tattoos.
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Kevin RymanPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist
“This is the coolest way I can do art.”
A follow-up with Kevin, now done with his apprenticeship and tattooing at Ink Different in Philadelphia.
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Ruby GhauriPhiladelphia, PA · Shop Manager and Lead Trainer
“Tattooing ended up falling right within that area of being independent but at the same time having some security, some home base.”
Finding stability by changing careers to become a Tattoo Artist, and now a Tattoo Artist Trainer.
In their own words
Two Tattoo Artists on how they got here
Kevin and Azalea both finished the Ink Different Tattoo Apprenticeship and now tattoo for a living. Here is what they told us about the road in.
Kevin RymanPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist
Why Kevin chose Ink Different Tattoos
“Once I found out about the apprenticeship program, I was like, okay, this is set up like a college class. I know I can trust it. It has a system. It’s got courses and there are a bunch of other people doing it. So it’s not just me… and there’s a contract drawn up. So I was like, all right, I trust this.”
What challenges did Kevin have learning how to tattoo?
“Not many, ’cause I had such a wonderful network of people to work with. In phase one, I could always talk to my phase 1 instructor. At phase 2, I had a whole team of people that were here to help me… whenever I did hit a snag, or I couldn’t quite figure something out, I had people here at Ink Different to help me. So it was really pretty straightforward for me.”
Azalea SandovalLos Angeles, CA · Tattoo Artist
Azalea’s journey to becoming a Tattoo Artist
“I’ve always liked drawing since I was little. In high school, when they started offering art classes, I did Art 1 and 2, and then I remember my teacher was like, ‘You’re too advanced for this. I’m gonna just put you an A’… I went to COC and majored in art for a little bit, took all the classes. I just realized college just wasn’t for me… I really am happy that I found it here, because this is what I wanted to do.”
What Our Apprentices Say About Their Tattoo Apprenticeship
“Seeing the testimony online and how this place was actually guaranteeing a place to get a job, I was like, ‘This is perfect. I don’t care how long it takes.’”
Brandon MendezNew Haven, CT · Tattoo Artist“You get trained by real Tattoo Artists… It is the most dreamy setup I think I could’ve found. It’s been amazing.”
Megan HostetlerDallas, TX · Apprentice, Phase 1“Comparing a college to Ink Different, I would say Ink Different’s definitely the better choice. College, I feel like you’re just sitting in a room with a whole bunch of people and reading a book… But this is very hands-on.”
Shamain HardyNew Haven, CT · Tattoo Artist“I definitely will say that the payoff in terms of skills is a lot quicker than traditional college.”
Ana CabreraNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 3“Way more one-on-one than college.”
Joseph KendallRhode Island · Apprentice, Phase 2“I’m around artists for a change who actually have feedback for me.”
RubyPhiladelphia, PA · Shop Manager and Lead Trainer“I would have never thought I would be tattooing, ’cause I thought my art wasn’t good enough, but I’m happy I found Ink Different.”
Jasmine ColonTampa, FL · Apprentice“Everyone told me I’d have to hang around shops for years just hoping for an apprenticeship. Then I found Ink Different, and the way everything was broken down just seemed like the right way things should be done.”
Alex McLeanSt. Louis, MO · Apprentice, Phase 1“This was a structured system and I could see, okay, these are the steps, this is what’s expected with me… I can put faith in this.”
Kevin RymanPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist“If I can draw something really, really cool for a client that’s going to be on their body for their entire lives, and they’re going to go to the beach and show it off… to me, that means the world.”
David JohnstonDenver, CO · Apprentice, Phase 2“Looking back, I’m so happy I did it, because it was worth it.”
AzaleaLos Angeles, CA · Tattoo Artist“When you finally start doing it and you actually take the leap, it becomes just so worth it. It’s the thing that I look forward to.”
Ashley PietkiewiczNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 2“Out of everybody, they chose me and gave me that opportunity to make a mark of that moment in their life. And I’m very honored that they chose me.”
RinaPhiladelphia, PA · Tattoo Artist“If tattooing is what you like and you constantly think about it, then just give it a shot. I don’t regret it.”
Edward CuffNew Haven, CT · Apprentice, Phase 2“With tattooing… it’s that calling for me. I just feel so connected to it. It’s down to a soul level.”
Stephen SalasekPhoenix, AZ · Apprentice“One thing that I particularly like about this program is that it’s pretty personal… I can ask more questions… and really feel like I’ve gotten the answers that I was looking for.”
Solana BlantzSan Diego, CA · Apprentice, Phase 2“Casper, he’s my mentor. It’s been really awesome.”
Chantel TompkinsBroward County, FL · Apprentice“I think the future is women.”
Emma Huff HoffmanPhiladelphia, PA · Apprentice, Phase 1
Only Serious Candidates should apply
How to Apply for a Tattoo Apprenticeship
Our 18 to 24 Month Tattoo Apprenticeship is for Guaranteed Job Offer Candidates only. You apply with your artwork, not your money, and there’s no deposit to talk to an Advisor.
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Send your artwork
A few pieces you drew yourself. They don’t need to be good; they need to be yours. It takes two minutes.
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Talk to an Advisor
Your questions, the full cost, the plan and the studio nearest you.
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Start in live virtual sessions
Art & Design and Machine Mastery with a Working Tattoo Artist Mentor.
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Finish on skin
Supervised work in your local studio, then a Guaranteed Job Offer.
