If you've made it this far, you've probably had the idea spinning in your head for a while. You draw on any piece of paper you can find, you notice people's tattoos on the street and at some point you've thought: "what if I did this for a living?"
Good news: it can be learned, and you can start from scratch. We know because at Noble Art we've already trained more than 3,000 students, and many arrived without ever having held a machine. We'll tell you how it really is, no magic promises.
Do I need to know how to draw to learn to tattoo?
No. It helps, of course, but it's not a requirement. Tattooing is drawing on a surface that moves, breathes and complains, and you have to train for that whether you can draw or not.
At our academy we start with the basics: lines, shading and simple shapes. And to create your own designs we teach you Procreate, the app almost everyone in the industry uses today. If you draw well, you'll go faster. If not, you'll learn along the way.
How long does it take to learn to tattoo?
It depends on how much you practice, but to give you an idea:
- First weeks: you learn the machine, the needles, hygiene and practice a lot on synthetic skin.
- First months: you make the jump to real skin under supervision, with simple designs.
- From there: you find your style and build your portfolio.
One of our students, @noemi.bb.tattoo, learned to tattoo in less than a year and now tattoos in New York. It's not magic: it's practice, consistency and someone correcting you up close.
What certificate do I need to tattoo?
There's a lot of confusion here, so let's get to the point. In Spain there's no university degree for "tattoo artist". What you will be asked for is the hygiene and health course for tattooing and piercing, regulated by each region (requirements vary by country).
That course teaches you to work cleanly and safely, but it doesn't teach you to tattoo. For that you need practical training: an academy or a mentor who watches your hand while you tattoo.
The 5 most common mistakes beginners make
- Buying the cheapest kit online. A bad machine makes you believe you're the one tattooing badly.
- Tattooing friends too soon. Real skin doesn't forgive. First, lots of synthetic skin.
- Skipping hygiene. It's what separates a professional from a hazard.
- Learning only from random videos. Nobody corrects your hand through a screen if there's no teacher behind it.
- Thinking only about technique. Today, to make a living from tattooing, you also need social media, photos of your work and knowing how to get clients.
In person or online: how to learn to tattoo at Noble Art
At Noble Art you have two paths, and you can combine them:
| In-person training | Online training |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 64 hours, with flexible schedules | 12 months, at your own pace |
Format | Small groups of 5 to 10 students in our studios | Step-by-step video tutorials from home |
Practice | Synthetic skin + 1-day masterclass on real skin with a teacher | Guided exercises and review of your progress |
Support | Expert teacher by your side | Weekly live calls with Matías Noble and marketing experts + 24/7 chat |
Includes | Professional kit with tattoo machine and certificate of completion | Private community of tattoo artists |
You also learn Procreate and marketing for tattoo artists: Instagram, Meta Ads, photography and video of your tattoos. And every 3 months we select the most committed students to work in our studios in Spain, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.
Right now, the full kit with a professional machine is free (promotion). And there are financing options depending on your country.
Your first step is free
Still not sure if this is for you? That's normal. That's why there are two ways to start without spending a cent:
- Free online masterclass: we tell you what a tattoo artist's day-to-day is like and answer your questions live.
- Free advice on WhatsApp: tell us your level (from scratch or already tattooing) and we'll recommend the training that suits you.
👉 Book your spot in the free masterclass
Our students also started from scratch. The difference is that one day they decided to take the first step.
