Build your skills through practice
You do not need to arrive as an accomplished artist. Tattooing involves technique, careful replication and consistent practice. Build your skills gradually as you work through design, equipment, linework, shading, hygiene and professional practice.
Meet your instructor
Gary teaches Skinart's tattoo, piercing and body art courses. Review the course curriculum and lesson examples to understand the training offered.
Your course questions, answered
CPD Accredited Course
Gain industry recognition with our CPD Accredited tattoo course. View the CPD Standards provider listing for Skinart Trading and its recognised training activities. Course recognition does not replace local permission to practise.
Course recognition and registration
Review BAQA’s information about course recognition and ask through the Student Chat Portal about any registration requirements before enrolling. Course completion does not by itself establish professional registration or permission to practise.
Earn your certification and start your career with confidence.
Practise on synthetic skin
Follow the recorded demonstrations and practise on synthetic skin as you develop control and confidence. This gives you a place to repeat exercises and review your progress before moving on. Practice skin is a learning tool; it does not replace the hygiene knowledge, training and local requirements involved in working with clients.
Equipment for your practice
(Optional Extra)
Need equipment? Explore the optional tattoo equipment set, or check the course requirements before choosing your own supplies. Equipment is a separate purchase unless your selected offer explicitly includes it.
More InfoStudent work
Explore our studios and in-person training
OUR STUDIOS
Gateway Shopping Mall
Established in 2024, this studio represents our continued growth and commitment to innovation in the industry.
Pavilion Shopping Center
Established in 2007, the Pavilion studio stands as a testament to our lasting presence and reputation.
uShaka Marine World
Explore the uShaka studio through the in-person training option. Confirm its current facilities and availability with the Skinart team before arranging a visit.
Explore the tattoo curriculum
- Introduction to the Fundamentals of Tattooing
- Files and Folders Provided
- An Introduction to Tattoo Art
- Using Themes
- Different Art Styles
- The 12 Most Popular Themes
- Brief History of Tattoos (Parts 1 & 2)
- Licensing Requirements
- Town Planning
- Running a Home Business
- Health and Safety Regulations
- Contact Your Health Department
- About Licensing and Registration
- Public Health Concerns, Including Covid-19
- Designing Tattoos: Overview and Purpose
- Microsoft Image Composer Setup and Usage
- Creating and Simplifying Designs Quickly
- Assignments on Tattoo Design (1, 2, 3)
- Stencil / Trace Methods and Applications
- Rules of Placement
- Applying a Trace on Skin and Practice Materials
- Introduction to Coil and Pen Machines
- Building and Assembling Coil Machines
- Coil Build Discussion, Tips, and Cartridge Conversion
- Maintenance: Quick Tune, Test Run, and Wrapping
- Linework and Technique
- Packing Black, Black Work, Tribal and Mauri
- Soft Shading: Black and Gray Tattoos
- Color Tattoos: Traditional, Watercolor, and Realism
- Special Techniques: Script, Font, Minimalist, and Fur Tattoos
- Understanding the Human Skin and Needle Depth
- Sterilization and Cross Contamination
- Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
- Workstation Cleanup
- Photography and Social Media Skills for Tattoo Artists
- Your First Practical on a Model
- Final Words and Certification
Study at your own pace
Work through the recorded lessons, assignments and practice at a pace that suits you.
10+ hoursRecorded video training
No fixed deadlineTake the time you need to complete your course
Your starting point and how regularly you practise will shape your progress. Course access ends once the course is complete and your certificate has been issued. Support from the Skinart team continues for life.
Certificates
Example certificates are shown below. Select an image to view the available preview.
Accredited Tattoo Certificate
Complete the course requirements to receive your Tattoo Training Certificate. The certificate records completion of the training; keep building your practical skills and portfolio as you progress.
Accredited BBP Certificate
You will also receive a Accredited Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Certificate, ensuring you are trained in hygiene, safety, and infection control for the industry.
Preparing to work with clients
Before offering tattooing services, check the requirements for your intended premises and activity with your local municipality. Ask its environmental health team what approvals, inspections and hygiene requirements apply. Completing a training course does not by itself approve your premises or authorise you to practise.
Testimonials
How to enrol and get started
Choose the payment option that suits your budget. The Full Course and Pay As You Go options let you start differently; Part 1 is the first part of the course, not the complete qualification. Review the selected offer and its terms before placing your order.
- Select Your Payment Option: Choose between Pay As You Go or Full Course. After selection, click Add to Basket.
- Optional Equipment: After adding your course to the basket, you’ll have the choice to include our optional equipment kit. Note: Equipment is only needed from Part 4 of the Pay As You Go course. You may order it later or use your own.
- Proceed to Checkout: Complete the online checkout form. We recommend selecting Direct Deposit (EFT) as the payment method.
- No Immediate Payment Required: You will receive an automated PDF invoice with our company and banking information. No upfront payment is required to place your order.
- Deposit to Get Started: - If you selected Pay As You Go, just pay for Part 1 to get immediate access to your training. - If you selected the Full Course, you can pay a R5,000 deposit to unlock the first 40% of your online theory training.
- Continue Your Training: - Pay As You Go: Purchase additional parts as you progress. You can order the equipment later when you reach Part 4. - Full Course: Once the balance is paid, you’ll unlock access to the online practical training and receive your certificates upon completion.
Pay As You Go does not commit you to buying later parts. Course refunds are subject to the refund policy shown on this page, so please read it before paying. If you need help choosing, message the Skinart team through the Chat Portal.
Prefer in-person training?
Looking for extra hands on training?
We provide in-person training in the following areas:
- Hillcrest, KZN
- Boksburg, GP
- Pretoria West, GP
- Kuilsriver, WC
- + More Areas
Questions before you choose?
Use the Student Chat Portal for help with course options, equipment or your training. Existing students should sign in so the team can find the correct course and account.
Tattoo Articles
See all Tattoo ArticlesCourse access and lifetime support
You may take as long as you need to complete your course. Course access locks once the course is complete and the certificate has been issued. You receive lifetime support from the Skinart team.
Course refunds
You may request a course refund within 30 days of purchase. If you have done more than one lesson, you are not eligible for a refund under this policy. Logging in, accessing the course, or doing only one lesson does not by itself make you ineligible. This policy does not affect your applicable statutory rights.
Pay As You Go
Pay As You Go is flexible: pay for each next part only when you are ready. There is no obligation to purchase subsequent parts, and choosing Part 1 does not commit you to later payments. Part 1 is not the full course and does not by itself qualify you for the full-course certificate.
Equipment
Equipment is supplied only in South Africa and New Zealand. Check your selected offer: an equipment kit is not automatically included with every course.
Sophie Ioannidis (verified owner) –
Loved every moment!
Levi Vasquez (verified owner) –
Now I feel ready to open my own tattoo studio!
Yusuf Zhang (verified owner) –
Unbelievable.
Dalisay Aguilar (verified owner) –
Takoda Park (verified owner) –
Now I actually feel like I know what I’m doing!
Benjamin Haddad (verified owner) –
Seojun Mensah (verified owner) –
Loved learning shading techniques.
Miriam Hansen (verified owner) –
So easy to understand!
Ali Smith (verified owner) –
Luningning Runningwolf (verified owner) –
Color packing is so much easier now.
Yusuf Salim (verified owner) –
I used to be afraid of shading, but now it’s my favorite part.
Fatima Papanikolaou (verified owner) –
Now I feel ready to work professionally.
Lerato Liu (verified owner) –
My line work is 10x cleaner after this course.
Viktor Iyer (verified owner) –
This course made it easy to set up my workstation correctly.
Astrid Eze (verified owner) –
Feeling ready to take my skills to the next level!
Dakota Lopez (verified owner) –
Farhan Dubois (verified owner) –
I learned things I never knew before.
Isabelle Taylor (verified owner) –
This course covered everything I needed to know!
Tamar Choi (verified owner) –