Customers often ask a tattoo artist to create an original tattoo design for them, or alter an existing tattoo design. Tattoo artists have to produce good, consistent work under pressure and/or recreate whats called 'flash art' or other peoples tattoo designs.

To be a successful tattooist, you need to have excellent artistic skills such as drawing, cartooning and you also need to know how to run a good business. A tattoo shop should be professional, clean, and sterile. The safety of the customer should be the biggest concern for the tattoo artist.