Our Tattoo Training Services
We provide a comprehensive range of professional tattoo training programmes, designed to develop both technical ability and a clear understanding of industry standards.
Our approach combines structured learning with real-world application, giving students a clear and realistic pathway into the tattoo industry. From your first day of training through to post-course progression, our focus is on building confidence, competence, and long-term potential within a self-employed profession.
〰️ Guaranteed Employment Opportunities on completion of our courses 〰️
〰️ Guaranteed Employment Opportunities on completion of our courses 〰️
What
we offer
Foundation Course in
Tattoo Artistry
Our Foundation Course is the ideal starting point for anyone new to tattooing.
Delivered within our purpose-built training academy, this course is designed to coach, support, and develop your understanding of tattooing in a safe, controlled, and professional environment.
Students begin by working on practice skin, allowing them to build precision, control, and confidence. This stage focuses on creating strong fundamental skills that form the foundation of a successful career in tattooing.
Intermediate Course in
Tattoo Artistry
The Intermediate Course is designed for students who are ready to progress beyond the fundamentals.
Building on the Foundation Course, students develop more advanced techniques and begin working towards client-ready standards. This stage introduces supervised work on live models, further strengthening both technical ability and professional awareness.
The course is structured to support your transition toward independent, self-employed practice within the industry.
Course Structure
Week One
Training begins with an introduction to the history of tattooing, providing context and understanding of the craft.
Students are then guided through both theoretical and practical learning, including lining, shading, and colour techniques.
Core industry knowledge is covered in detail, including hygiene, infection control, consent procedures, aftercare, and health and safety requirements—ensuring students develop safe and compliant working practices from the outset.
Week Two
In the second week, students build on their initial learning through practical application.
This includes working on practice skin, refining techniques, and developing confidence in stencil placement and execution. Students are supported throughout to ensure steady and consistent progression.
Following assessment, those who meet the required standard demonstrate the ability to work safely and competently, marking a significant step toward professional-level practice.
From Training to Studio – Professional Opportunities for Graduates
The tattoo industry operates on a self-employed basis, and our academy is structured to reflect this from the outset.
For students who demonstrate the required standard, there is a clear progression beyond training. Selected graduates may be offered the opportunity to work independently within our fully licensed studio environment, providing access to a professional workspace and real client experience.
This allows artists to confidently transition from training into active studio practice, while continuing to develop under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Our focus is not just on teaching the craft, but on supporting each student in taking meaningful steps into the industry and building a sustainable, self-employed career.
PMU/Fine Line Crossover
This course is designed for existing PMU artists or tattooists looking to expand their skill set into fine line, dotwork, and detailed tattooing.
Delivered over five days of in-person training, the course focuses on precision techniques, equipment selection, stencil application, and depth control.
Students develop the ability to create detailed, refined work while expanding their portfolio with highly in-demand styles, supporting further growth within their professional practice
The Graduate Tattoo Course
The Graduate Tattoo Course combines both our Foundation and Intermediate training into an intensive two-week programme, designed to take students from complete beginners through to client-ready tattooing ability.
This course covers all aspects of tattooing, providing a structured progression from basic fundamentals through to more advanced techniques, with a strong focus on safe practice, confidence, and technical development.
From the outset, students build a full understanding of tattooing through a combination of theory and hands-on practical training, developing both skill and professional awareness.
We cover key areas including legal requirements, hygiene, infection control, consent procedures, aftercare, and maintaining professional standards within a studio environment. Alongside this, students are trained in essential practical skills such as lining, shading, colour packing, stencil application, and machine control.
Throughout the two weeks, students progress from working on practice skin in the early stages to more advanced supervised work as their ability develops, ensuring a structured and supportive learning pathway.
Tattooing is a skills-based industry focused on practical ability, professional standards, and portfolio development rather than formal qualifications; however, successful completion of this course demonstrates that students have met the required standard of training and are prepared to progress within the industry.
Upon completion, all students are issued with a Certificate of Achievement, recognising successful participation and completion of the training programme.
A dedicated one-day business workshop is offered after course completion, delivered at a later stage when students are ready to focus on the commercial side of their career. This session covers essential business foundations including working as a self-employed artist, client management, pricing, and building a sustainable practice within the industry.
Graduates may also be offered the opportunity to work within the Manchester Tattoo Academy studio, gaining real-world experience in a professional environment under the guidance of experienced staff. Any such opportunities are based on demonstrated ability and studio requirements.
This programme ensures students complete their initial training with the skills, knowledge, and support required to begin progressing confidently within the tattoo industry.
