well, walk in's go in rotation, first in first tattooing etc... if the client wants something that you feel that your guy is not up to speed on that style, you should take him in the back and have a heart to heart, ask him, "you think your ready to tackle that tattoo?", and as a owner you got to be tuff love, it sucks to do whats right and fuckers bounce out on you because they think they deserve better treatment.

I have been around for 20 years, and a lot of owners are letting fuckers tattoo before they are ready, it is just bad business, period.

have him draw and shade out some jap and vintage tattoo art, at lest see if he understands what he is getting in to.

later skater

totally right dude thanks

Seems to me if he wants to try Japanese tattooing or Traditional tattooing you need to have him design some flash.

He must do a study in Japanese style that is up to your standards and so with the traditional.

Once he gets three maybe four of his best paintings on those styles together put them in his book and let him go at one if a customer chooses him and the design he has created. No orifginal paintngs then his lettering days are stretched out in front of him. It seems unfare to limit him because this is you area of skill. Thats why he wanted to apprentice with you in the first place- no?

Make him work for it. Have him do his first japanese deasin on a friend for free. then teach him along the way. If he's too impatient to learn from his mentor-- then shine him on and get someone else in that chair!

Tattooing is alot like cliff diving practice makes perfect or it kills you!

Shotsie