Just starting out

I just recently purchased tattooing equipment and was wondering what settings for my tattoo machines I should use? It would be greatly appriciated for some foreknowledge before applying for an apprenticeship. Thanks in advance for the help.

That type of information is what you /will/ be taught during your apprenticeship, not before. Having your portfolio in top gear is your first priority at this time if an apprenticeship is what you are seeking.... Not to mention that since this is a public forum the technical advice you are asking won't be answered.

Due to the zillion technical details, learning to tattoo off the Internet is impossible. You need to ask the talented artist who is training you, and your artwork is way more important in getting an apprenticeship than knowledge of the tools... So, no public tech talk, but we would love to see and talk about your artwork!

To Kryptik: You have not facts to suggest voltage.Before you keep slicing people with your machine let me tell you something to show you how much you need to know before opening your mouth. Each brand and machines are different. Voltage is suggested by the type of coil, springs, and kind of work you are performing. All you know is "how to read a label" Put down your machines seek for an apprenticeship or by a truck load of melons and start tattooing them freely. Do not attempt anything on humans. Your truly don't know shit and may get someone killed. I'm not kidding.

Kryptik, no tech talk in public. Post deleted.

You know Gabe you kicked off Taz who did seem to want to help the newbee’s some of the time and at least he was entertaining. and you delete post with so called “tech info”. Well there is not much left, there are the people that wonder if their tat is healing right and seem that they are told to ask their artist well HELLO they should see their doctors for as much as artists would like to think they know more than doctors well WRONG. Its said that you can’t learn from the internet Wrong again!! When it comes to learning the only way is to do it, sure its nice to have someone there to tell you if you are doing something wrong but it still comes down to doing it and finding what works for you! If you are not going to help people you might just as well shut this forum down because all it is, is a place for people to bitch about you can’t learn on the net, get a teacher, get off it you won’t post your art, its turned into a big circle jerk. It’s said that tattoo question are answered but the answer is always ask you mentor/artist, no matter the question. We can’t all be Joe C. but I have see many so call artists’ tattoos that are nothing but garbage and they should stick to copying flash. So a good way to learn is to have some show you how it is done, the BS about showing that you want it bad enough and not touching a machine for a year that’s BS too. To all that want a little help check out these places most are not so call experts, but will share what works for them, kind of like a mentor that shares what works for them only with out the attitude. http://www.supplytattoo.com/board/index.php http://www.studio445.com/tattoo/

in my opinion i would rather go see my tattoo artist and ask them whats wrong with my tattoo before going to a docotor. i have my ears streched and a blow out, it swelled up, the docotor told me i have to take it out and go on antibiotics. and as for learning to tattoo off the internet. you can learn some stuff off the net. i looked at machine diagrams and pictures constently, and learnt the parts and how it works. but as for applying it to skin, you cant learn that. i was asking what to do before if i should just get stuff or get an apprenticeship. and im so glad i saught out an apprenticeship. instead of just marking up my friends. i had one friend do that. sure you do learn after time what you are doing. but it takes so much longer to learn, for anyone starting out i would suggest to get an apprenticeship. its tough but the people are just trying to push you, it has its ups and downs. but if you really want to do it, you will love it and do anything for it.. i moved to a differant country for mine.

Hey Magnum..........here's some tissue................ wipe your eyes.As for learning to tattoo on the net,what about your art?Got anything to show us?Oh come on,you can show us.Leave Taz out of this,I like him too.That does'nt mean I have to agree with him or anyone else for that mater. And as far as copying flash goes,there's nothing wrong with that,Joe C that you mentioned said that in another thread himself.

First off use only high grade gasoline.Add a blower for power and speed. Some good rubber for traction and tweak the machine's on board computer to get maximum horse power out of it. When all of this is done you should be able to shred skin and pound in hepatitis better than any pro out there. seriously get someone to teach you before you do some damage

sorry if you cant find anything to talk about... If you want to learn to tattoo, we can give you our thoughts on your artwork and steps you can take to learn to tattoo the right way. Its pretty simple, practice and do amazing art, and get tattooed by people like Joe or the many many other industry leaders, there is someone doing amazing work who is a cool guy near you Im sure. Shit, I practically know how to tattoo and I cant draw to save my life... I got amazing tattoos from amazing artists for 10 years... If I paid attention I would know... Its great that other forums allow technical talk, I even host a few websites where artists can interact and learn with the nations most talented artists. This board isnt it the one though.