show up to work early

leave late

eat bad food often

im gonna second julio on his post.

i try to learn as much as i can from the ones i respect most in this business. i try to really listen to what they say and not what my customers say.

what these two guys above said. plus, making tattooing your priority, not skateboarding, music, drinking, etc. that should go without saying, but i see it all around in this business. tattooing is not for subsidizing your partying or hobbies.

not that we can't blow off steam or have other interests, but it shows in your work, and attitude at work when tattooing is not your priority, or vocation, as it should be.

Mario: I like what you said. It seems to me that the tattooers who, in the past few years, have most greatly influence my work ethic and what kind of professional I'd like to be are those who truly make tattooing #1. It's an easy thing to say, but not so hard to actually apply.

Julio: I 'm not too sure about that man, I know a lot of pretty amazing vegan tattooers. Although some people woudl still call that food, "bad."

there's LOTS of fat, unhealthy vegans/vegetarians out there. haha...not eating meat is not an automatic perfect health!

plenty of vegan food is pastas, soy, fried, and packed with calories.

yeah iw as gonna say that mario.

and its not a necessary quality. just seems like one we all share.

another thing, get tattooed by tattooer that are BETTER than you!!!!!!!!!!!! you learn so much from getting tattooed. i stole everything i know from scott haha

hell yeah, get tattooed by good tattooers, people who have ten yrs or more in this craft! not the local hotshot internet sensation who knows some color blending tricks. i mean KNOWLEDGE.

i know color blending tricks

chad, youre fired

but, bro, i got tricks up my sleeve, seriously

CHAD! LOL Hahahahah... I think good tattooers are their core are just as obsessed with meeting people they are inspired by and want to be tattooed by/learn from as they are obsessed with their tattooing back at home. I also think that the one quality that can make for a terrible tattooer is someone who gets too comfortable bitching about clientele and "stupid" tattoos before their time. Yes, some stupid shit comes in and it's annoying but you shut your mouth and you do it, and you thank your lucky stars that in an industry beginning to overflow, you have a job and are about to make $80 from that Japanese character...

You're not the boss of me and I'll complain about whatever I want

No, now YOU'RE fired!!

Haha!!

Apparently you need at least 10 characters for a post

chad...you have tricks AND knowledge! lizzie, you're right, too many guys with barely five years in bitch about doing walk-ins and are fed up with customers. i don't get it, it's the best profession out there. or at 5 years in they think they are above paying a percentage and think they have their dues paid. yeah, it can be frustrating, and we all lose our cool sometimes, but at 5 years or less that's ridiculous.

my first trip to san francisco, in 99, made a big impression on me. i was barely tattooing for two years and went out there with julio and our friend brian to get tattooed by scott at 222. i'll never forget walking into that shop and seeing all the HAND PAINTED flash they had up. and not just "cool" stuff, but kanji and tribal sheets they painted! while i was there juan did a tribal tattoo, and that really stuck with me. also, stopped by tattoo city and jef whitehead was doing a kanji. that was a big lesson in humility in this craft. that no matter how big a "name" you may have, you are still a tattooer!

There are lots of tattooers out there that I think do amazing work.Unfortunately, after meeting some of them-- I as a customer wouldn't consider wearing their work.

The ability to do really good work and not make a person feel like an idiot paying for it-- that's a start.

My mentor was the epitome of humility, generosity of time and knowledge were his strengths.

Always remember where you came from.

yeah deb!!!!!

There are lots of tattooers out there that I think do amazing work.Unfortunately' date=' after meeting some of them-- I as a customer wouldn't consider wearing their work.

The ability to do really good work and not make a person feel like an idiot paying for it-- that's a start.

My mentor was the epitome of humility, generosity of time and knowledge were his strengths.

Always remember where you came from.[/quote']

Totally: I agree.

And Mario- it is the best job... I'm not too good for anything because I'm just honored to be where I am. Not many people cant wait to get into work, even after 7 years doing it.

wow i feel like an asshole after reading this.

Figured I would add some relevant blogs to checkout as well:

Tattoo Appointment Etiquette

Who do you want to tattoo you?

Who has tattooed you?

What tattoo shops?

Tattoo Artist Video Interviews

#1 DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!! RESPECT AND LOVE THE TRADE, BUT DO ENJOY OTHER THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY.

#2 PAY YOUR BILLS, WHEN A PERSON IN THE TRADE FUCKS UP, WE ALL FUCK UP.

#3 DONT BE A BITCH

#4 RESPECT YOUR FELLOW TATTOOIST

#5 DONT TALK SHIT ON CERTAIN TATTOO STYLES( EVEN THO SOME THINGS I HAVE SCENE TATTOOED WONT LAST,IF IT IS BOLD IT WILL HOLD

#6 CLEAN UP YOUR OWN BACK YARD. KEEP WANNA BE'S GUESSING(HIDE WHAT YOU USE)

#7 SEE # 3