Tattoo Artist
Creates permanent or semi-permanent body art by embedding ink into the skin.
Overview
A tattoo artist is a skilled professional who creates permanent or semi-permanent body art by embedding ink into the skin using specialized equipment, such as tattoo machines. They combine artistic talent with technical expertise, working with clients to design and execute custom [the printed sentence ends here].
Where they work
- Tattoo Studios
- Beauty Parlours
- Shopping Malls and so on
Work environment
You have to work for at least 8 to 9 hours and for 5 to 6 days a week. Shift duties may be there. Overtime is common.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have a creative bent of mind
- You like to draw
- You pay attention to details while working
Eligibility and education roadmap
Durations are as printed on the source card for each level; please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
- 1Certificate (6 months – 2 years): Basics of tattooing, hygiene, and design.
- 2Undergraduate (3 – 4 years): BFA in Visual Arts or Illustration for advanced artistry.
- 3Postgraduate (1 – 2 years): MFA or specialized courses for niche skills and business.
- 4Short-Term Programs (3 – 6 months): Quick courses in tattoo techniques, hygiene, and basic design.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The card prints one unlabelled institute list rather than a government/private split. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Government College of Arts, Kolkata, West Bengal
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- ITI Institutes, located in multiple cities
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Lakmé Academy, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Junior Tattoo Artist
- 2Tattoo Artist
- 3Senior Tattoo Artist
- 4Tattoo Expert
Expected income
₹16,500 – ₹40,000 per month
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Artist
Creates art — painting, sculpting, poetry, music, film — as a mode of personal expression.
Illustrator
Uses drawings to convey a message — for advertisements, books, magazines and packaging.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Nikhil Chekhliya — A Palghar-based tattoo artist and is widely considered to be the best in India. Nikhil has already won two National Awards. "The tattoo industry is always evolving so I am constantly learning new techniques and ideologies. But, my work has a distinct visual identity that people associate with me. I am a specialist in colour realism and black," he says.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 173 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3xUailc
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Two things are as printed in the source: the "What do they do" paragraph is cut off mid-sentence ("...design and execute custom"), and the institute list is unnumbered-3 (it runs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6) and carries no government/private split — the five named institutes are sorted here by their actual status.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.