Tattoo Art Forums » Scratchers

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**Re: Rehab** Posted: 5/16/2008 8:35:08 AM

wow this thread is a month old but i just cant pass up the chance to lay this one on you, i think your wrong for wanting to educate kitchen jerks, but i also think your intentions are correct , these people should be educated , like the rest of us did , find and pay for a proper aprenticeship not just get it handed to them online.Now this part is a true story, theres a guy in the town i live in, he has 4 little girls rangeing from 3 to 9 years old living in his home , he tattoos (if thats what you wanna call it) out of his house, a few weeks ago his 5 year old decided it would be a good idea to open the old house paint can he uses as a sharps dispenser and jam her hand into it, my contacts at the health dept tell me they cant give me any direct info on the lil girls situation but i was told it wasnt good at all, 5 years old and im guessing at the least shes got Hep,backyard wanna bes should be fined have thier equiptment confiscated and jailed for thier lack of respect for our trade and the safety of not only the public ,but thier own family members.Just my 2 cents

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/15/2008 6:17:23 AM

At the end of the day, people will be as clean as they know how to be. Again I find peoples interests not in the safety of others/children/clients etc. as if it were you would be giving out all the info possible to prevent this from happening. As I said on another thread it isn't rocket science and hardly a trade secret so those who don't understand the importance of this will undoubtably not last long as they probably don't have the intelligence to set a machine up. Most of the questions are about techniques I would have though. If you don't want to give trade secrets away then thats cool, your choice, I keep my trade secrets to myself, but be honest about it, this isn't about hygene, although the importance is primary I agree.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 9/4/2008 6:52:33 AM

Ever tat at a con? Did you do your work in a plastic bubble?

Get the picture.

Be sterile, be clean.And you sure arent the first to ever do a tat. Be happy and enjoy your life. The fact you can make a living doing something you love is the most important thing.

If you dont want to give advice to noobs then dont. But the bitching about non-shop independants just makes you look like an ass. Like a great artist once said. "my works speak for myself, so shut up and listen"

Lobo you have some very nice works. Let your works speak for yourself.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 9/17/2008 9:37:34 PM

i am an apprentice and my shop owner encourages me to work on as many people out of the shop as i can...i make them sign a release. our shop advertises "in your home appointments also...does that make me a "scratcher"? one thing ive learned is to ask alot of ?'s. b i do agree that people who have never worked in a shop should not be working on people just for the simple fact that it adds layers to a already blinded society that has only in the last 20 years begun to see the beauty instead of focusing on the uglyness

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/22/2008 12:22:48 AM

i'm somewhat new to the world of tattooing, I do it out of my home, and I do some pretty decent work, I make sure everything is sanitary. in my area there arn't alot of shops let alone aprenticeships so exactly what am i supposed to do. Most of the shops I've talked to about aprenticeing say that they want a portfolio of at least 30 good piece's of work before they'll even consider one.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/27/2008 6:45:13 PM

i wish i had the opportunity to get an apprenticeship, but i didn't, i really wanted to be a tattoo artist so the only way to learn was to buy dvds that show you the basics of tattooing, like cross contamination, the materials you need, how to set up a machine,etc etc. i also learned a lot about equipment by gathering info in tattoo forums.

now this is my second month tattooing as a pro and i'm working in a shop where there's a guy getting an apprenticeship, i noticed that all they teach you is the basic stuff, the same stuff i learned with those dvds, they won't tell you their secrets. they may show you their techniques but that doesn't mean that technique will work for you specially if you're just starting.

the point of this is that if you have the opportunity and the money to pay for an apprenticeship, go for it. i think that's the best thing to do
but is not the only way.

i think it doesn't really matter where you tattoo as long as you have everything you need to get the job done right, like sterilized needles, disposable tubes, sharp containers, plastic covers for everything that needs to be covered, and keep everything clean and from cross contamination,

at the beginning "kitchen tattooing" was a way to make fun of non pros tattooing at their house, but looks like a lot of people don't take it that way anymore.

they seem so serious about kitchen tattooing lol.

I don't speak perfect English so excuse me if i typed something wrong

**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 11/28/2008 7:15:50 PM

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**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/30/2008 12:22:14 AM

that's your opinion, and i respect that, but i don't need to get any heritage from anybody as i want to build my own reputation with no help of a master, you mentioned i'm the worst candidate for an apprenticeship, well i don't need an apprenticeship anymore,
why don't you have someone compare my work with yours and then askim what he thinks. your probably the one who needs an apprenticeship so you don't keep hurting the skin of your customers

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/30/2008 1:52:03 PM

Coming back to kitchen tattooing. I totally agree, a kitchen is not the place for tattoos and as an ex-cheff and restaurant owner I freak at the idea that anybody could dare sit in my kitchen and tattoo!No way, a kitchen is a place for preparing, basic storing and cooking of food, and in some households it's also for serving food. By no means does a kitchen stand for body art studio or tattoo studio, it's a kitchen. Point end of story. I started tattooing two years ago, even though I did go through and paid for hands on training. I wouldn't call it an apprenticeship like what it's done everywhere else in the world and therefor I do not refer to myself as the pro either. But my training is still hands on and I got to spend a great deal of time in a shop watching, learning, working, cleaning, making needless, assisting and helping under a professional hand. I loved every moment of my training and a dvd cannot provide the experience I got or the excitement I hand when I completed my first tattoo and when my mentor complimented me on a job well done. I reckon if I could do it so can anybody else, I was broke and I had to travel far in this time plus I had to pay for accommodation at hotel rates for my time in training, so there is no excuse!. To get back to the kitchen, I also work from home as a part time artist, but I set up a proper studio, like the one I learnt from, I lock it when I am done, I do not allow anybody in there other than my clients in order to avoid any form of danger to my clients, those in my household and to myself.From time to time our local health inspector comes by to see that I do everything according to legal requirement and he even informs me of the latest and best ways of sterilizing and keeping my place clean and safe. I love working with him as we both have one thing in mind, the safety of others. I understand that it's not always possible to simply walk in to the industy and own a shop, but if you are going to work from home, be "professional" and make some effort, it pays in the long run and clients love walking in to a professional studio. Living in a small town I could have never imagined that people would travel to me for a tattoo, but suddenly this year I have gotten clients from all over South Africa as word of mouth have spread that I am professional and the environment I work in is clean, sterile and safe. What more could you want for your client other than great art. If you have any pride in your work it should also show in your working environment, one very important rule I learnt from my master and mentor. Dvd training: I enjoy watching dvds on how other artists work, I feel any interest in what I am doing is a way of learning, but I love my mentor and master to bits and I cannot imagine tattooing without his guidence, something a dvd cannot provide. However that's my way to be and if anybody works differently it's fine,like you said, the proof is in the result (and I agree with that too), but I do detest those who don't make any effort to be professional about the art and who do not go out of their way to provide a safe place to work from for their clients and who would go as far as putting their friends and family in danger just to be considered as a tattoo artist or simply for some cash under the table! That in my opinion is sick and they should have their tattoo hand chopped off.(please excuse my spelling, I do not have a talent for spelling and am to lazy to get out the dictionary!)

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/30/2008 7:09:04 PM

so you are and ex chef and restaurant owner??? but you said you were broke, that sounds like a contradiction but whatever.

once again the "kitchen tattooing" thing was made to make fun of people tattooing at their houses, i don't understand how you take that as if it was really happening. most people do it in the garage, but kitchen tattooing sounds worst than garage tattooing. so why not call it like that.

about the dvds, all i learn is the basic stuff.
everything about cross contamination,sterilization, how to set up a machine.to run as a liner,shader, or color packer. simple stuff like that, obviously you won't learn everything about tattooing with a dvd. all i needed was the basic stuff.

I don;t work at my house anymore,
I'm in currently working in a legal professional shop. i have pics of my work and of my station, check them out

i'm going to check your work too

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 12/1/2008 1:07:06 AM

Ok, kitchen tattooing as a joke where you come from, I totally understand. I also understand that most will be ripping us at home apart due to the lack of professionalism, that doesn't bug me. However, where I come from some really do it from a dirty kitchen and it's sick. They don't even do the dishes before their clients arrive! They have kids running around all over the show, they have home made machines that are never cleaned, etc.. Sorry but that's not on and when kitchen tattooing is mentioned I think about the nasty things I have seen.

When it comes to dvds, like I said, I have no problem with it and if it's all you needed, then it's perfect for you. But I needed hands on training and in some way most tattoo artists to be need it too. At the time when I did it, my restaurant went down the drain and I had lots of debt, I worked hard to maintain two jobs and to do my tattoo training. It was tough, but possible, it's what I wanted! Maybe it is a contradiction,but it's the way it was and once again, if I could do it, and if so many others have managed then so can everybody else. It doesn't mean that you have to do the apprentice or training thing, it's just a way of saying that everything is a choice. That's it. There really is no need for excuses, everybody is entitled to do things in the way they feel fit for themselves.

You obviously knew what you wanted too and provided what you needed for yourself in the way you knew best. It's also clear that you already knew your stuff before you got in the industry and just needed some background or basic knowledge, with other words you did your homework, ( I knew nothing and most know nothing to begin with), if I were in your shoes, I might have done the same. If you read my post properly you will notice that I wasn't attacking you in any way. I was simply saying that I do have a problem with those who do not do things professionally or who are not willing to make any effort for their clients. Clearly you already mentioned that you are professional and therefore you are doing things properly and have been doing so from the start. I have no problem with the fact that you are self trained and I also feel that the "heritage" story is rubbish, I stand with you on that, I do not feel that my training has given me any heritage. For crying in a bucket, it's training, that's it, the rest is up to me. It's about the work you deliver, not the methods in which you learnt. The fact that you were willing to purchase that dvd in the first place and that you chose to do so is already more than what most do. I believe that everybody is entitled to learn in their own way and I would rather people go out and purchase a dvd that explains everything to them then leaving them to do as they feel fit when they know nothing!. The fact that I went for training is simply my way to be and due to my little knowledge on tattoos at the time I felt it was the best thing for me to do, it's what I needed and what I chose to do. By no means does it mean I know everything, I am still learning.

Please understand, I am not attacking you or your methods, I am more in admiration than anything else, the fact that I need a mentor and you don't is enough to make me very envious of you. I have had a look at your work and honestly, I like it very much. I am sorry that my wording wasn't chosen properly and that it gave you the impression that I am attacking you, but I really wasn't. It was more meant as my opinion on the general discussion.

I will be uploading my work as soon as I have a decent internet connection and then you can feel free to rip my work to shreds. I promise you, your work is much nicer than mine!

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 12/16/2008 3:42:30 PM

Why do people who've taken an apprenticeship feel the need to prevent others from tattooing without also taking an apprenticeship?

Anyone here ever been to a prison/jail? Its not hard to sterilize needles and tips, no to mention a tattoo is a pretty minor wound. You'd think people were doing open heart surgery by the sounds of the fear mongering.

I tattoo myself and my friends and family, so I don't take any chances. Needles are cheap, and tubes are easy to sterilize. A roll of saran wrap and presto, a hygienic tattoo environment.

Kids getting in to a paint can of needles, hmmm, what about kids blowing their heads off with their parents guns? Do you also warn people at the NRA about the dangers of fire arms?

I cant believe all the whiners, and babies who cry and moan about every bit free instruction available. And as InkByAdrian said, its not at all about public concern why people 'speak out'. Its cause they want to feel special, as though they've learned some ancient skill that few know of.

I've done over a dozen tat2s and they all look fine. I don't do any technical shading stuff on people yet, and I don't consider my tattoos 'art', or myself an 'artist'. I'm just a 'Tattoo machine operator'. I cant draw worth a damn, so I stick to what I can do. Trace.

Feel free to sh1t on me for being a scratcher, but don't expect a response cause I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of it. Its my skin, or the skin of a willing participant, and none of your business as far as I'm concerned.

I see people ask about shading, or even some basics like setting up a machine, get just flamed alive online. Its called INFORMATION, and sharing information is what the internet is all about. I might want to know how brain surgery is preformed, and have no interest at all in preforming it myself.

Maybe we should start censoring the internet for information, which might motivate someone to do something incorrectly and injure themselves or others. Don't change your tire, you might place the jack wrong, and the car might fall on you.

Don't drink and drive, or smoke in bed. Watch your LDL cholesterol levels, don't pass in a school zone. Keep those pot handles turned in, and remember to shoulder check.

**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 12/17/2008 8:31:25 AM

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**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 12/17/2008 8:32:46 AM

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**Re: Rehab** Posted: 4/28/2009 10:02:46 PM

O.k I am going to throw in my two cents here and since I am a veteran I really don't give a crap what anyone thinks because I risked my life for the freedom that I am about to enjoy.
(This is where I got ,my first 7 pieces,around military posts)
I started out very young as a scratcher and some would still consider me one.I am going to make a few points that most of us know but need to be said anyways.
most people do not have the time or money to work a job,support their family,and pay some snob nosed jackass a ungodly amount of money to be an apprentice. I have had MANY artists lie to me about things in order to stifle my will to continue pursuing the artform.
Who wants competition when they are making $500-$1000 a day slinging ink sitting on their ass.That would potentially be cutting their own throat financially and therefore is the main primary reason most artists will not take on apprentices. Sure I know it's not easy,but get off your pedestal and realize that there are a lot of poor souls out here that do a lot worse things to make a lot less cash.Ninety nine percent of artists will tell you they do it because they love the art form but I believe that about as much as I believe doctors become doctors for any reason other than it is one of the highest paid professions around.You wanna make me a believer? Do it for FREE or at exactly what it costs you to cover your operating costs and I will be sold.

I recently met a liscensed "professional" artist that worked a side job with some of my acquaintances and got accepted as an apprentice for free.All I had to do is slave in his shop and fetch him everything from supplies to food.
This guy had the worst habits I have ever seen. He tattooed without gloves sometimes,or started with them on and removed one or both during the process. He didn't sterilize his tubes properly or even make a attempt to heat sterilize them.He just washed them with bacterial soap. He rushed art,just to get paid, then he would go sit on his ass and do nothing when he could be putting forth some extra effort to make sure the tattoo was the best it could be before releasing his client.He did however see some of my art and told me he was going to open a bigger shop and I had more skills that a few other "legal" artists working around him at the time.He offered me a full time job and a chair in his "new" shop.(which didn't mean much coming from him)
Just because someone is "legal" or looks "legal" and has a shop etc. doesn't mean crap.

Needless to say our relationship didn't last very long because he lied to me and tried to rip me off. The guy next door wouldn't accept me for apprenticeship and was a awesome artist but he did give me some awesome advice.This guy was a REAL tattoo artist.He realized that I was into the art form for the love of the art form and not just to make cash.Be clean,prevent cross contamination,always further your artistic skills and upgrade your equipment,and to keep on scratchin' because no one would accept him as an apprentice and he clawed his way to the top no matter what anyone said,or turned him down.
I have done many free pieces just because I liked the person and I saw a piece that I thought was challenging,yet within my boundaries to accomplish as an artist.
I always reserve the right to refuse to do a piece if I think it is beyond those boundaries and I will not slap something on someone if I know can't do it properly.I will suggest they go to a "professional" and get it done.There are PLENTY of people for me to work on that want less difficult pieces that I can pull off!
I have made probably $100 in "donations" from doing my art and I'm sure you know that doesn't even begin to cover my expenses.
I am going to finish this off by saying I am not going to lump all "professional" artists into the money hungry,greedy category.It just wouldn't be right. But I don't think it is right for "professional" artists to assume that all scratchers are doing this just for the money, or that they have bad habits when it comes to sterilization and cross contamination.
If you are doing this just because you are in it for any reason other than the love of the art form then you should quit.
To all you "professionals":
Know that there are some who are doing it for the right reasons as well,and how it feels to be lied to or taken advantage of,or to have your hopes and dreams smashed by some moron making in one day what it takes you a week to make slaving your butt off elsewhere,just because you might take away enough of his business to keep him from upgrading to the new Harley Davidson this year.I will keep praying to meet one cool artist that will understand this within my area and will take me under his wing and teach me the art,I will owe him (or her) my gratitude,my friendship and a butt load of payback in cash once I get to "professional" status myself.
Oh yeah Inkbyardian, I would like to know where I could get my hands on those dvd's. They might have stuff I already know, but then I would gladly pay for them if they have even a shred of information that I can use to make sure the next person I do gets a cleaner,better more "professional" tattoo.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 5/16/2009 7:00:30 PM

Hello.Very interesting.I thought the initial post was a well thought out,reasonable point of view.Someone mentioned in an earlier post that people should pay for their apprenticeships.Maybe they should do it at college. I dunno,most Tattooists I know do have,A "scratcher"beginning.I am in my early years of learning the Art. I also stick up for the right of Anyone who wish,s to pursue something in life.There are always naysayers ready to tell you u cant,wen in fact you can. Laters.J

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 6/30/2009 4:56:34 PM

While I have absolutely nothing but respect for people who have learned the art of tattooing through a valid apprenticeship, I do have one simple question; how were you all able to obtain said apprenticeships without any experience at all? I did the rounds to my local shops and they all said the same thing. No experience? No way. So, after two years of tattooing out of my house (my home STUDIO, not my kitchen) I have produced a portfolio of over 35 very nice pieces, which I am very proud of. Now, I do the rounds again and no one will hire me because I have never had a standard apprenticeship. The hypocrasy astounds me. What is to stop me from opening my own shop? Hiring my own staff and continuing to create art and do what I love and feel I was born to do? This is not some secret club. This is art. Painters are not treated with such disrespect, neither should tattoo artists. Of course, safety is first and foremost, but, eventually, if the trade is not passed on it will die out. We (sorry, YOU) as professionals need to acknowledge the fact that if it is not worth teaching, it is not worth doing.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/9/2009 4:18:13 PM

Hi there.
I just want to let you guyes know about Angels of ink, a site dedicatet to help out people starting out or allready in the business gettin better at what we all love to do, tattoo in a safe and prober way.
We are primarely focused on home tattooist but many of our members are pro tattooist, and they are all willing to share the knowhow.

Please drop by and see what its all about

Http://www.angelsofink.com
Regards
Ulrik

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/10/2009 2:55:58 PM

do an aprenticeship, get legit or quit.... or keep fucking people up ...to put it plainly if you can't put the years in it to be a pro , you are lazy and want everything gave to you , hard work pays off ...if you tattoo the public out of your house,, FUCK YA .. scratchers suck ...

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/11/2009 9:24:25 PM

Yes sir, I will stop immediately! I will give up my life long dreams because you said I sucked.Then maybe I will move to near where you work and start doing them for FREE and watch you starve! KISS MY ASS, I looked at your 4 pieces of art and frankly you aren't good enough to make up for your jackass holier than thou attitude.Some day, someone like me is going to open a shop near you and since they didn't get the chance to be an apprentice, they will apprentice a shitload of people spawning more artists and more shops in your area, and they will laugh as you lose business because it's not about the money, it's about doing something you love to do.More artists equals better art and cheaper prices. I would love to apprentice the next uber artist that ends up way better than myself, his or her customers will be happy I did.I can be scared of him because he might steal my business, or I can embrace him as a brother with a shared love of the art.I can make up derrogatory names to call him like scratcher and say he sucks, making myself look like a know it all jackass. In fact he might have a nice clean shop at his house, fully equipped and have great practices and awesome art.I can assume that all people not tattooing in shops do shitty art and are fucking people up.I can assume that they aren't putting years of hard work into being a pro.Sure I could do all of that, if I wanted to look like a PRICK,which by the way, you did a great job of doing yourself.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/15/2009 10:57:06 AM

i just watched a dvd on open heart surgery and would vary much like to try it.

I've been tattooing for 15 yrs think i would try this out i know how to clean a kitchen really good

jesus some people just don't get it yeah i learned on my own but when i got into a shop i had some bad hapits that had to be broke and still learning more everyday and i still say if your going to tattoo learn the right way

laws are changin its only a matter of time before what used to be ezy to do outa house will be just as hard to get away with

anyway back to me learning open heart surgery anyone anyone

looks like im on my own fuck it i'll do my own

.......and i don't care about spellin lol.......

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/15/2009 11:14:04 AM

I have a question on how much a professinoal should charge for a aprenteship? and should the teacher provide tools? for the student or should the student get thier own? and if you must have your portfolio already in the works why do you need a aprentecship i have read the whole post and to become a tattoo artist you must start as a scratcher? or do start in the shop under your teacher and build a portfoilo from thier i just whant to know as a fan of tattoo the early days of tattoo it was a techer and student relationship now it is a slave mand master relationship what are we doing trying to make better artists or snobs i understand the knnowledg is power part but if you offer it to a new talet and you think this person can furter your carrear or pocket book are you doing them a favor by being a jerk. i have been schrching for a while if thats what you call it i started in oklahoma where it was ilegal till latly and now hav a aprentiship but really all the hate how about some positive direction and advise thanks

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/16/2009 6:14:49 AM

Comparing our skills to that of open heart surgery now are we....
Why not go a little further and say you are going to build a nuclear reactor in your back yard!
When I was in the military, everyone I talked to said airborne school was hard as hell,they wanted to make themselves seem more than they were,like they were gods or something,because if anyone could do it, then they weren't special anymore.Not everyone can be Airborne but you didn't see me walking around after I got my wings bulging my chest out and talking about how hard it is.I am not a god,and neither are you.They might create laws to slow the progress of that ever encroaching menace that is the self taught artist,but guess what,the law cares more for the home chemist than the home artist.I find it rather hypocritical that you learned on your own and now that you are lucky enough to be in a shop you are saying everyone else should quit and wait for a app while growing older and older,watching your dreams die with every passing year.Watching those dreams get smashed every time you walk into a shop with a stack of art begging to be an app. and getting turned down because of the economy and market saturation.Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/24/2009 11:32:15 AM

since I'm on here posting, this too. To all of y'all out there "professionals" - Not everyone even has access to an apprenticeship. Personally I think it's wrong to charge someone for an apprenticeship, maybe if they were completely new, but not if they had their own equipment and some kind of experience. I have been tattooing for 6 years. I started out scratching, not knowing what the hell to do. But I figured it all out pretty good. I got my skills up where they needed to be in prison. Try 3 years of tattooing at least 10 hours everyday, no breaks, no time off.

That's neither here nor there. I got lucky and got in a shop with a guy who has been tattooing for 30 years. Regardless of all that time he spent, all the technical knowledge he had, and all of his knowledge of blood-borne pathogens - he still isn't a very good tattoo artist, and he is very unprofessional. (Not trying to badmouth the guy, just the way it is). He helped me get my professional equipment and let me set up my own booth in his shop. I would safely say that I do better work than him. I lacked alot of technical knowledge, and I'm sure there's plenty more to learn. I ended up leaving his shop after only two months. So, where do I learn? Do I just quit? Even though I have people calling everyday? Just because I don't have a professional environment to work in?

No. Because then I stop growing as an artist too. I use universal precautions as much as possible going to this house or that one. There's five shops in the city closest to me. No one even wants to give me a shot. It's all good.

I see where y'all would say a scratcher has no right to learn how to be a pro. My answer is : everyone has to start somewhere.

Granted, some people will be better than others at tattooing, regardless of experience.

To all of you pros out there hating on noobs, chill. If you don't want to help someone, then don't. But I know from experience, it's better to be taught the right way, than trying to figure it out myself.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/29/2009 3:07:20 PM

PUT IN THE MONEY AND TIME YOU CAN WORK IN A SHOP ,,, THE SHITS NOT EASY .... I'E NEVER TATTOOED ANYWHERE BUT A SHOP .... THATS WHERE I LEARNED ... NOTHING IS GIVEN TO YOU, WORK FOR IT OR KEEP BITCHEN ABOUT IT ..

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 8/3/2009 11:42:12 AM

i just joined this site and now i see there is a whole section for scratchers? is this what this is? if so im not going to be on this forum, if im mistaken then let me know, scratchers should not be encouraged, and if this is a respectable artists site it wouldnt be, so am i wrong in my assumption here

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 8/4/2009 6:11:09 PM

when i first started tattooing i was doing it at home..NEVER ON ANOTHER PERSON...but on practice skins..(alot of them too).. i got a aprenticeship w a tatoo shop and spent a year in a half just drawing and cleaning.. i hear some of u paide for ur apprenticeship.. that really sucks.. but the things i learned i would never trade.. i wish some of u wernt so hard on some of these guys even tho what they r doing is wrong..i help anyone i see to learn the art..and i am learning every day thats y i love tattooing.. but to love the art should mean everything aout it and thats w everyones art..i have questions i would love ancwered and it sucks that if i dont know i feel i cant ask any of u cause some of u stick ur nose up at me and laugh.. but at some point u were were i am and someone helped u..do i think i am a pro, hell no, if any of u think u r i hope u still learn from the art cause that is what mstters... i see everyone point and safty is first..but there will ALLWAYS be kitchen artist and thats just the way it is ... every time i do a tattoo i am honored that perso wants my art on them and trust me w there body..i just hope that if i have a question i dont get put down like some of these people cause every one needs help at some point and if i know i will never hold back info.. but i see that alot of u will.. its sucks u see it that way but its how u feel so its cool..

love the art and keep it safe.. thats a real pro

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 8/26/2009 4:03:20 PM

Interesting.
I see both sides of the argument, and there are some really outspoken folks voicing opinions. First, I am a "scratcher". Just started inking actually, (so jump on that wagon). I have been studying this for some time however. I have been seriously searching the Internet for any information and videos to study, self-apprentice if you will. I have watched and learned from many well respected professional artist this way.
Most of the information is out there. (and FYI heart surgery is not secret information) I have torn through Huck Spaulding, Mike Devries, and others. I have many tattoo reference and DVDs to draw on. I also have all my equipment and supplies, and it is better than most "pros" use. (Cheap needles and cheap ink says volumes about any shop.) I am well aware of sanitary work practices, cross contamination, and bbps. I intend to always follow the most current methods of sanitation at all times. Making people sick is not good for anyone, duh. My studio space is single purpose and every surface can be sanitized. I even removed carpeting and laid epoxy sealer on the concrete.
I have a formal art education, yes a BFA, not just a few art classes years ago. I have been a productive artist for more years than I care to count. I also have ink older than most "pros". I have always wanted to do this, and now, I am. I want to create original tattoo art because I love it. I am really not in this to make a buck, just covering materials would be nice. I have enough pride in my work to NEVER willingly produce art that is not my best. If my name will be attached to a piece FOREVER, you can be damned sure it wont be rushed, sloppy, or a hack job. Can every "pro" shop make that claim?
I have massacred my fair share of practice skins and grapefruit. I just started a big piece on my leg that will take two to three more sessions. It gives me a chance to put into practice what I have been studying without making mistakes on another person.
I have used pastels, oils, charcoal, ink, litho, you name it. No one tried to keep me from learning how to use technical pens, or refused to tell me how to gesso a canvas. Using a tattoo machine is like learning to use any other tool. It is a skill, not a God given secret. "Have you paid yer DUES Jack? Yessir, the check is in the mail."

All that being said,
I wont stop learning tattooing, just because another "artist" wont share his techniques for pushing color, or choosing needles, or whatever. I have been creating art long enough to figure out any technique with just a little experimentation. (It is NOT like heart surgery) The fact that many professionals dont answer beginner's questions indicates that they dont really care if scratchers hurt someone, cause illness, or make crappy tattoos. Scratchers in general do not give a rat's ass that you dont like them slinging ink. Bad tattoos influence public perception of the culture, art, and occupation, right? How are elitist attitudes beneficial in any way besides reducing competition?
Asking shows that a beginner wants to learn. They want to get better, but they wont stop if they dont get those answers. Apprenticeship is a mixed bag, at best. There are many folks that just cant teach. The process is informal and only as good as the teacher, and the student's ability to learn from the experience. So, you pay someone a chunk of cash, give them countless hours of free labor, and discover in the end you would have learned more inking your friends for free. Sure you can do set-up, solder needles, and run an autoclave -so what? You went the accepted route of apprenticeship and still wind up scratching. THAT sucks.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 10/1/2009 1:29:42 PM

So I have a really good question. Would I be considered a "scratcher?" I never had a formal apprenticeship with a tattoo artist, but I have learned quite a bit from my mother. While not a tattoo artist, she has laid tons of ink on hundreds of people. She taught me a lot about laying down ink. I've also done my own work on family members and dozens of others. I don't have a shop and I didn't learn from a professional artist so where does that leave me? When my mother taught me I didn't learn with a tattoo machine. I learned the old style of tsuki-bori. How many professionals can say this? Do I work in a shop? No. Do I have a traditional apprenticeship? No. Have I learned the techniques to lay ink? Yes. Do I work out of my home? Yes. Do I do it for the art? Yes. Do I charge people? NO. I have a long extensive background dealing with sterilization and have been educated very well. Can I get a spot in a legitimate shop? No. Will they give me an apprenticeship? No.

So all you professional artists out there you tell me. Am I doing it wrong by not paying some jackass to teach me what I already know? My mom doesn't do traditional tattoos. She does work on women now. She does the make-up aspect of it now. But she's learned everything about it and taught me. I have everything that a traditional shop has. Probably better then what's at a traditional shop. Does this make me a scratcher or a piece of garbage that should just hang up my machine? Piss on all you greedy professionals out there. And if you pros can't tell me what tsuki-bori is then YOU have NO business tattooing anyone. I know a lot about the art including the history. So you tell me I'm a worthless scratcher because jackasses like you won't give me a spot in your shop because I didn't learn under an apprenticeship.

If it wasn't for scratchers, you pro's wouldn't be where you are now. I've done work on myself and my wife. So you fucks who consider yourselves pros need to think about where you came from. You came from us scratchers. And if you REALLY want to be considered a pro maybe you should study some of the history of the art like I have. I'm more of a pro then any of you professionals out there and I didn't pay some asshole to treat me like shit to learn

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 10/5/2009 4:49:26 PM

Man,
This ought to be fun for me. I know i may be considered a "scrather" to you. But to me and the ones ive worked with know i can do what i do. and if the tat is to difficult ill simply say no. i will not scratch someone.

NOTE: I'm 16 with a Sterlized needles. i dispose of them at hospitals. (i live like right next to one and they dont say nothing about it :)
I can't be apprenticed by law yet :(
I use gloves.
1.-i let them sit/lay in a comfterle position.
2.- i wash shave then rinse the person (area were its gonna e done)
3.- i set up (after cleaning the area/place {table or desk were the equpment will rest})
4.-I get to work. carefully and slowly. (i use themp paper. though i did start by using a BIC pen)

any tips will help, please and thanks.

i belive every tat done says something about the person. and i hate giving wrong impresions.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 10/5/2009 5:05:46 PM

p.s. what makes a pro a pro? time? experience? knowledge? bill gates dropped out einstien sucked at math. just for two of what i think are the greatest achivments of time. do think about it. of course imma go for an aprentice. but fo now no shop lets me in due to my age though they know about me. shit, for crying out loud i have artist "pros" willing to teach me when im 18. haha. what now? and they have sent people to me when the price is to high or the age is wrong. haha. i earn my respect. i aint gonna charge to do what i love. max ill charge is 60 per arm/leg 100back 400 for a full body im talking socks and long sleeve. 20 dollars minimum.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/25/2009 7:50:41 AM

I never knew people had such strongs feelin' about this. I started tattin' a lil over a year ago. This is really my first time hearing the term "scratcher", but I never been concerned about titles anyways. No I'm not braggin, but Im from the hood and most of the homies from the hoods around here cant really afford shop tats. Becuzza that, they holla at me. True enough Im a hustler by nature (no job in 5 years), but I've always had a love for art. I've tried acquiring apprenticeships, but I honestly feel like once a pro artist see's my portfolio they become worried that I'll be competing with them. The way I see it, the more times i get denied an apprenticeship, the harder I grind in the streets.

Really I consider myself doing society a favor in a somewhat weird and strange way. Some people become addicted to gettin' inked. That addiction is no different than any other. FOlks will get their fix, sometimes by any means neccessary (GET MONEY + GET INKED = FIXED!)
*** MY PRICES KEEP THE CRIME RATE DOWN ****

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 5/22/2010 8:11:58 PM

What i think it really comes to is scratchers hate pros because they have what we want, and pros hate scratchers because we keep doing it anyways.

We all have to start somewhere, and the legality of it is pretty loose, the FBI isnt going to surround your house with cop cars, kick your door in and raid you.

Check it scratchers: dont be stupid with dirty gear and crappy tattoos, it makes the rest of us look bad. Your not getting jobs because your tattoos look like sh*t. Anyone can tattoo a tribal butterfly.
Pros: Dont be dicks. We cant be looked down upon because we didnt have the same opportunity as you.

**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 5/22/2010 9:01:44 PM

(This Post was deleted by Gone From Here on 11/1/2010 6:13 AM.)

**(Deleted Post)** Posted: 5/22/2010 9:04:48 PM

(This Post was deleted by Gone From Here on 11/1/2010 6:13 AM.)

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 5/27/2010 10:48:02 AM

All im saying is that any bucktoothed chimpanzee wearing a pull-up can make a daiquri, but it doesnt make him a bartender. I fully agree Lobo that you may feel that we as scratchers think youre just lucky, but the good scratchers dont. We work hard on this (well, some of us do) in order to simply eat and pay the bills.

When I said opportunities, you must have misinterpreted it as me saying you just walked in and got a jobby. But it this conversation would work better if i didnt have to explain every little thing i say.

People are just getting their machines and destroying this artform, i agree. They are butchering people, i agree. They make the entire community look like crap, i agree. Ive been doing this a while, but there is so much more to learn, i agree. Do I have to prove it to you or anyone on this site? No. Because it wont help me the least bit in the long run.

See, i dont do kanjis, solid fill tribal, old english letters, or any of that trite garbage. I only do what i want to put in my portfolio and show, maybe even you one day, that I have the skills in order to get the hell out of my spare room in into your spare seat. Hence, around here (austin TX) i decline about 90% of my inquiries. Im not gonna bust out my gear, waste a perfectly good tube/needle, shave some girls hairy butt cheek, barrier film everything im gonna touch, set the depth and ink in a stupid ladybug the size of a dime.

I like you Lobo, and respect you for your skill. Of all the tattoos you have probably had to fix because the client went to some jerk's house and had it done with a machine made from a RC car motor and guitar string, rest assured, none of them were or ever will be mine.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 6/22/2010 2:41:28 AM

my story and opinion:

2000-graduated high school, began looking for apprenticeships, wasnt really sure how it was done so im sure i looked like all the other mouth breathers looking for an apprentiship, no portfolio(that means art not tattoos btw), a couple #2 pencil drawings

2005- got out of the military, had grown up a bit, started looking again, no avail, so began getting tattooed and networking with tattooers, professionals

2008- took my brother to get a tattoo, while talking with artist and owner, BAM!!! finally got a shot

2010- 2yrs into it, Ive sacraficed alot, family wise, money wise, credit wise, financially, socially,and alot of time and tears and you scratchers just piss on all of that by thinking you are equal, you are lesser-thans, so you havent gotten a break yet? keep on pushin, that doesnt mean you go half-ass it with your contaminated skin widdling in your garage, you figure out your way around the barrier and get yourself in the industry, and honestly alot of you dont even have raw talent, you need training on how to draw much less something permanent, you are responsible for self esteem issues when you tattoo someone, either you help it or you damage it, i want all my clients to be proud and show it off, not have to wear long sleeves on their vacation to the beach because they are embarrassed, get a damn clue, nobody says its easy, or that it doesnt take time, it will happen if its meant to, im glad it took me that long because now im old enough to really give a shit and ive improved tremendously in a short amount of time because i give a damn and put my all into it, i suggest you all do the same, until then you get no love from this "professional"

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 6/30/2010 10:13:37 PM

I am a so called "home scratcher" and I resent the fact that some so called "professional artists" drama queen prima donnas resent me for it. First off, they are of the mind that no matter how clean you are and never mind the fact that you use sterile equipment, etc.. theyll still badmouth you, mainly because a home artist is viewed by them as a form of competition. Sure, I would love to have had a proper apprenticeship but my only option was to pay a shop $4,500.00 plus for two years of no pay (I have kids) and the honor of scrubbing toilets. I have a history of talent so I purchased a case-kit online, practiced on my leg a bit, did some free tattoos on friends, then came the paying customers, whom by the way not one of which were ever dissatisfied. And I take great care to keep things as clean and sterile as a shop, trust me if it can be done by someone at a shop it can be done by someone at home. Im still new in the game but better than alot of you jealous so called "pros". And if it takes someone 10-11 years just to get an apprenticeship they werent talented to begin with. I put my ALL into this and ive sacrificed plenty!

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/19/2010 8:14:11 PM

What people need to understand is when tattooing first started and a guy found out that ink on a needle leaves marks on skin. this person was a "SCRATCHER" he dident pop out his mothers kooch a pro. so every pro tattooist has roots as a scratcher. chances are if your in a older shop established befor the 90s your shop owner was probly a scratcher at one time. the fact is everyone starts some where weather thats a formal start or not is not important. what is, is the drive to get better cleaner safer and ferther you skill threw what ever means posible. if you truly do love the art then shut the hell up and do what you love. who cares what others think....

now with that sead im shure all the pros think this jack ass is another scratcher.... well you would be wrong. i did a formal apprentiship. mine was free but is lasted 4 years. 4 long years with absolutly no pay no sooner did i deadicate my next 3 years to the "pro" that helped me get started then he passed from old age. and my Home the shop i learned everything from. was sold. turned into a hair salon. but im not to unlucky my father a tattoo artist with more experiance in his pinky then any one on this site calling them self a pro could ever have, owns a shop. and took my poor ass in. (by the way he started out as a scratcher in the navy. he is now a pro of 48 years. i was able to put in another 2 years there befor chooseing to go to art school. (for shits and giggles) where i happen to meet my wife. had a child a bit later and moved to a shit hole town. with very few shops 4 i think. any way. i have all of my stuff that i had worked my ass off for. thousands of dollers in equipment. hand made coustom equipment made be artists that started back in the 50s. i have autoclaives i have ultra sonic cleaners dry claives everything a shop has. and i tattoo out of my house. but im more "pro" then any one of the tattooists working out of the 4 shops in my area. shops dont mean shit. if you think your "pro" cuz you work in a shop and joe shmo dosent your a fool. plain and simple. what makes a pro tattooist is drive to always do the best art he can (in the cleanist safist way posible)im sorry to tell all you pros but half the scratchers ive seen here have more love and drive for the trade then you. this is my opinion now that ive layed that down YES i started as a scratcher. when i was 14 i couldent wait to tattoo so i made my own machine. and started throwing ink on myself and any one else willing to lend the skin. did i pick up bad habbits hell yes i did lucky for me no one got infected. but i put in the time sweat blood and tears to get where i am today. and i killed those habbits. BUT everyone starts somewhere. so whether your a scratcher or a pro. if you love what you do never let someone tell you you cant do it and one day youll make it if thats what you really want.
just so my claims are lagit laws in my area state that in order to sling ink leagaly as a "pro" you need your BBP so
certificate #127596255635 thats my BBP
"im no Pro" but maybe after i have been tattooing for 48 years like my father ill be a little closer to being a Pro!

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 7/28/2010 10:19:31 AM

lets call the health department and figure out if they will liscense a kitchen scratcher

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 9/10/2010 12:06:26 PM

i havent been able to find some1 in my area that will do an apprenticeship but i would rather wait and find 1 before i attempt to scar sum1 for life. sum reject had the nerve to call me a scratcher and i dont have a tattoo machine. lol and i was telling him at the time i want to wait and find an apprenticeship 1st from an artist whose work i enjoy. funny enough the jerk travels around tattooing.
i dont want an apprenticeship from just any1 that works in a shop (my 1st tattoo got infected im very sure its cuz he didnt shave my arm hair and he worked in a shop that was around for years) but im willing to wait and if i do decide to purchase a machine id rather practice on practice skin or fruit and wait for an apprenticeship.

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 10/29/2010 3:18:27 AM

its 50/50 the so called "scratchers" are all gung ho and defensive because of the way they are treated regardless if they can tattoo or not they are judged straight off the bat so yea its shady and then on the other hand you got guys like the U.S. military dude up here that said it took him ten years to get an apprenticeship, they get there foot in the door and start putting down everyone else with their tremendously large ego... i mean come on! just read that dudes post again, he got his foot in the door after being "NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE OF THE PEOPLE HES CALLING A SCRATCHER AND TALKING SHIT TO", now all of a sudden hes just your everyday guy aitchison??? give it a rest dude! yay, your real cool because you work at a shop now! will somebody give this guy a frickin scooby snack?? its losers like him that are everything NOT "professional".... whats professional about him? how he told everyone that isnt a so called pro to eat shit and to fuck off and kiss his ass because he busted his ass and sweat blood and tears??? and who the hell does he think he is? like none of us that havent had an actual "apprenticeship" havent busted our assess etheir right?! just because you dont work at a "SHOP" makes you a amateur and a scratcher? thats funny to me because every tattoo artist i know started tattooing at his/her house so to be so against it now is kinda contradictory isnt it?? and why act all badass because your considered a pro? if your a professional than act like it! it cracks me up how everyone claims to be a "professional" yet guys from tattoo shops will walk around talking shit to the general public! i had some lame ass tattoo artists come up to me to hand me a flyer for their shop sayin i should check them out then they turn around and put down and talk shit to an old lady because she wasnt interested in their weak ass flyer??? thats professional? like the dude said at the first couple posts down from the top, if your a professional then why talk shit???? let your work speak, nobody is perfect so why knock down someone else? i think the funniest part of this whole topic is the guy that started the thread (and no disrespect) said clearly this topic is to educate beginners the right way and share tips and suggestions so that beginners arent out harming people by not practicing safe and clean procedures and not recieving the right knowledge because the "professionals" are so secretive with everything and since the topic started i have yet to see anything of the sort!!!! all i see is the same shit i could see everyday anywhere a bunch of "professionals" acting so "professional" and putting down true lovers of art and the world of tattooing and acting childish and talking shit like they are untouchable masters just because WHY? BECAUSE SOMEONE GAVE THEM A SHOT AND DIDNT TALK SHIT TO THEM! not saying none of you didnt bust your ass to get where your at but show a little respect for the up and comers!!! you have no idea what theyve done or how hard theyve worked! so dont jump the gun treating a total stranger that shares your interests like shit, maybe you should help them and give advice! if your not going to help then zip your lips and remain silent because for you are a huge part of the problem why people are not properly trained! you are the reason people arent educated and why your world of tattooing has a bad name when it comes to disease and shotty work, so dont blame it on the scratchers! accept some responsibility because the tattoo world is what YOU make it and scratchers are clearly a part of the tattoo industry! the old school artists that ive grown up influenced by have always taught me that its all about your art and thats exactly what it is! so thats cool everyone has to pay rent but dont act like your shit dont stink just because you hold the title of "professional" or because you happen to work at a shop because i know tons of "professionals" that tattoo at home as well as most the artists i know that work at shops! you think they love art and they only tattoo at work??? lmfao! every artist i know has business on the side after hours thats where they make the most cash! and on top of it all, not every "professional" works in a shop! lol so wait a minute you mean to tell me that if you work at a shop your a professional, but if you get layed off all of a sudden your back to being a scratcher??? hahahaha you kids crack me up! to the scratchers give up the ego that your all that and take some advice, get your shit together and be on your game and take any advice good or bad with a grain of salt, and keep on strivin and dont let nobody get you down or discourage you away from your dreams, and to the professionals, keep your game tight but show some respect for your future! you didnt get where your at by everyone treating you like shit and putting you down so give the big "i work in a shop attitude a rest" if you dont want to help anyone or give info than thats your business but stay out of everyone elses business if thats your get down, and just remember just because you work out of a shop doesnt have anything to do with your reputation or ability to perform or keep and maintain a clean and safe work environment... i bet you 25% of the tattoo shops in the world would be shut down immediately if the health inspectors werent so backed up!

**Re: Rehab** Posted: 11/8/2011 8:50:45 AM

Self taught 2 years. My mentor died. 9 months into my traditional apprenticeship. It has been 5 years and have still never been able to find the finish to what i started. That didnt stop me. Im accepting a traditional apprenticeship next month and relocating to it. No us scratchers are not equal because i guess we didnt go thru all the hazing and hard times. But a scratcher with clean habits can and will get his professionality with effort and time. I think everyone SHOULD take on a traditional apprenticeship.. But i dont feel it is always required. I feel very fortunate that i may be given a chance to legitemize myself. And thats the path for me. I dont see all the defensiveness and anger put forth.. Sorta like a kid who got his ass beat to hard and gets upset his lil brother didnt get spanked. Dont be mad if you went thru that. And dont get mad when sometimes we dont have to. Get over yourself. All you PROS alot of you are total pricks and could care less to pass on your legacy. It will die with you. To all the scratchers out there with a dream.. Continue to learn everyday and dont stop looking for your niche regardless of what some fucktard says. And if your path is the traditional one.. Look for an artist who accepts you and isnt going to charge you your left nut in cash. Thats a sellout. A true mentor urges to teach the way a hungry child urges to eat. A true student urges to learn the way a crackhead wants dope. When the two right people come together thats an apprenticeship. Its a bond. Not a fucking financial statement. Joker ass artists. Learn from someone who wants to teach you.. Not from someone who wants the extra money and by the way. An unpaid apprenticeship over the course of one year even at minimum wage is 27.500$ worth of actual time.. AT MINIMUM WAGE,! Plus 5000$? No teach me and i will listen. Guide me and i will go. Ask me and i will do. But i wont pay you thirty thousand dollars to eat shit. I have made 30000 in the last two years. Im dying to finally give up the home studio. By the way fully equipped here like a hospital.

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Rehab

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