Getting hired · 6 min read
Tattoo artist resume and application email
Tattooing isn't a CV industry, but a single clean page still helps — especially for street shops, piercing studios and larger multi-artist operations that keep records.
What belongs on one page
Keep it to a page. Nobody reads two.
- Name, city, email, Instagram, portfolio link.
- Styles you tattoo and the styles you want to be booked for.
- Years tattooing and shops worked, with dates.
- Licence, bloodborne pathogen certification and expiry, insurance if you hold it.
- Availability — days per week and earliest start.
- Anything operational: you keep your own books, take deposits, run consent forms digitally.
An email template that gets replies
Short, specific, no attachments. Something like this:
"Hi — I'm [name], a [style] artist in [city] with [n] years in shops. I've been following [shop] since [specific thing], and I'd love to be considered if a chair opens up. Portfolio: [link]. I'm licensed, BBP certified through [month/year], and available [days] from [date]. Happy to come by with my book any afternoon that suits."
Follow up once
One follow-up a week later is professional. Two is fine if a month has passed. Beyond that, keep tattooing and check back when you have new healed work — that's a fresh reason to message.
Frequently asked questions
- Do tattoo studios ask for a resume?
- Many don't, but having one ready makes you easy to hire — especially for larger studios that keep licensing records on file.
- Should I attach my portfolio to the email?
- No. Link it. Attachments get blocked, and owners want to scan on a phone.
Looking for a seat?
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Chairs, apprenticeships, guest spots and front-of-house roles — reviewed by a person, not scraped.
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One email a week on pricing, deposits, consent forms and filling a calendar — the business side nobody teaches in an apprenticeship.