Apprenticeship
Learn under a master.
One apprentice at a time, taught properly. We open a place only when a resident artist has the capacity to teach — and when we do, we look for the person who draws every day, not the person with the best CV.
The Approach
Slow, deliberate, earned.
In Korea, an apprentice draws for a long time before touching skin. We keep that order. You will study line, form and anatomy, learn how a studio actually runs, and build the discipline the craft demands — long before your first client. There is no fixed timeline, because readiness is not a date on a calendar.
What You'll Learn
The whole craft.
Not just how to tattoo — how to work like a professional in a working studio.
Drawing & design
Line weight, composition, stencil work, and designing for the body rather than the page.
Hygiene & safety
Cross-contamination, sterilisation, sharps handling and full health-code standards from day one.
Machine & needle
Tuning, needle selection, depth, saturation and how different skin responds.
Skin practice
Extended practice on synthetic skin, reviewed honestly, until your line holds up.
Client care
Consultation, placement conversations, managing a session, and aftercare instruction.
Studio craft
How bookings, deposits, waivers and a calm room actually come together each day.
How It Works
Four stages.
01
Apply
Send your portfolio and the form below. We read every application ourselves — the drawing matters most.
02
Meet
If your work resonates, we invite you in. You will meet the artist who would mentor you and see the room.
03
Trial
A trial period at the studio — drawing, observing, assisting. It tells us both whether this is right.
04
Mentorship
The apprenticeship proper. You progress when your work is ready, and you begin tattooing when your mentor says so.
What We Look For
Before talent.
Skill can be taught. These cannot.
You draw daily
A real, current body of work. Sketchbooks count more than finished illustrations.
Patience
You are content to spend months on fundamentals without asking when you get to tattoo.
Humility
You take direct criticism well and act on it. Ego is the fastest way out of this studio.
Commitment
You can be here consistently. An apprenticeship cannot be fitted around everything else.
Apply
Show us your drawing.
We read every application ourselves. Your portfolio matters more than your CV — send the work you are proudest of, not the work you think we want to see.
Currently by waitlist
We take on one apprentice at a time, and only when a resident artist has real capacity to teach. Applications are always welcome — strong portfolios are kept on file and we reach out when a place opens.
Frequently Asked
Before you apply.
Is the apprenticeship paid?
No. Apprenticeships here are unpaid and run on a mentorship basis — you are learning a craft, not filling a job. Most apprentices keep other work while they train, which is why consistency of attendance matters more to us than hours.
How long does it take?
There is no fixed length. It depends entirely on how quickly your drawing and technique develop, and you move forward when your mentor judges you ready — not on a schedule.
Do I need tattoo experience?
No, and self-taught practice on skin is not an advantage. We would rather teach fundamentals cleanly from the start than correct habits. Strong drawing is what we are looking for.
What should my portfolio include?
Twelve to twenty pieces is plenty. Include sketchbook pages and unfinished work — we want to see how you think and how often you draw, not only your most polished images.
Are places open right now?
Usually not. We take one apprentice at a time and only when a resident has capacity to teach. Apply anyway — strong portfolios stay on file and we contact people directly when a place opens.
Do I need to be in Toronto?
Yes. The apprenticeship happens in the studio at 59 Berkeley St, and you need to be able to attend regularly and in person.
When will I start tattooing?
When your mentor says your work is ready — typically after months of drawing and synthetic-skin practice, and always beginning with small pieces under direct supervision.