What are the differences between a tattooist and a tattoo artist?

Question

And what is an easy way to tell before you actually get work done? I want my first tattoo to be done right and look amazing, and I am willing to pay for it. The problem is, I already picked out my place and I don't know the difference, or even if there is one.

Answer 1

Anybody with a tattoo needle can be a tattooist. My five year-old neighbor's kid can be a tattooist.

A tattoo artist is skilled person who takes pride in his/her work. It takes years of experience and talent to be called a tattoo artist.

Answer 2

They are not the same thing and I agree with K.O.'s description. However, I think it's more than just an opinion. If you ask anyone in the industry or anyone that's into the culture you will get similar answers. Tattooists are basically tracers - they will trace flash onto someone's skin. They may or may not do a great job. A tattoo artist CAN trace flash but prefers to do custom work (they'll even re-work flash); they draw up whatever you want and translate it onto your flesh perfectly. They actually are artists in the true sense of the word. Edit: I just want to point out that I do know better and when I see some of the shady shops that are popping up all over town with some scratcher and his friends doing work on people I know better than to call them tattoo artists. Of course, again, this is my opinion, but if it means that I "don't know any better" by calling someone a tattooist then so be it. But I also know that some tattoo artists I know would take offense to me calling some scratchers and tracers tattoo artists. And I would never call the tattoo artists I know tattooists. To me "tattooist" implies the person does not know how to do custom work or does a crappy job at it. That is all.

Answer 3

Theres no difference. Tattooist isnt even a word I don't think, haha, a tattoo artist is the same thing as a tatooist. As long as their professional and good at tattooing, who cares what their title is right? Anyways, Awesome that Your getting a tat, have fun! :)

Answer 4

tattooist is a beginner tattoo artist

Answer 5

I had asked this same question 2 times, and haven't got a proper answer

Answer 6

the absence of -art-