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In this day and age, there is an increased awareness of infection control in the tattoo studio environment. Both artist and consumer are adapting to today’s standard of health and safety through education. To become a Professional Tattooist, it helps to have an artistic background. It is imperative you be educated in health; specifically blood born pathogens.
Nowadays there are more health hazards. You need to take precautions against spreading diseases. We’re talking about deadly organisms that can be present without you ever suspecting them! For example, 20 years ago there were only 4 known sexually transmitted diseases, today there are 28! Skin is a host or carrier to many potentially harmful bacteria. Tattooing opens this barrier and makes you susceptible to greater risks.
The general consensus of professional tattooists is that an apprenticeship is the best way to learn this trade and the best way to prevent stupid, costly mistakes in a highly technical and many faceted industry. Especially the obvious danger of health risks to operator and client when inexperience is involved. When looking for an artist to teach tattooing, you should follow the same criteria for finding an artist to tattoo you. Good luck!! |
With the advent of many communicable diseases, some fatal, it has become necessary to institute
certain isolation and sterilization procedures in the tattoo process to assure the public
of a safe, risk-free tattoo. The following advice has been prepared by professional tattooists
working with local, state and national health authorities.
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"APT" or the Alliance of Professional Tattooist is a non profit educational organization that promotes health and safety in the tattoo business. Our interest (and yours!) is to keep ahead of changes occurring in our business field so we can continue to create works of ART, albeit in a safe manner! It’s that simple.
Officially incorporated June 29, 1992, the Alliance began accepting membership applications.
Many had already sent funds to activate APT and set the ship in motion...here we are years later,
with a successful education program. Over 1400 artists have participated with more to come in
the near future!
We offer an insurance program as a benefit, previously unheard of in the tattoo business.
"What? Insure a tattoo studio? CLICK!" We heard many "clicks" until Ray Pearson of the O.S.
Bruner Agency and APT found each other. We signed a risk purchasing agreement in 1993 and
have been able to insure many studios at a reduced rate.
People from all walks of life have inquired about the Alliance. We log an average of
fifteen to twenty calls per day! Most are from tattooists and fans, but we receive calls
from health departments who have heard about our program of continuing education and how
this benefits both the tattooist and the community.
We also receive calls from legislators (Senators and Congressmen / women, and Representatives)
who are interested in what APT is doing. We have provided many artists with the tools necessary
to deal effectively with health department officials, legislators, zoning department officials
and public hearings on issues that affect their business practices. Through our seminars we can
help artists with difficult times.
Our widely known and regarded "Preventing Disease Transmission in Tattooing" has
helped many artists understand why infection control and the implementation of set, professional
standards is preferable to being in the dark about disease transmission.
Professional (P): an artist with 3 or more years experience tattooing in a fixed
location, as full time career. References required. $150.00 | |||||
