Accredited In Person Tattoo Course
Embark on an enthralling journey into the world of tattoo artistry with our all-encompassing In Person Tattoo Course. Ideal for both aspiring artists and enthusiasts keen to sharpen their skills, this course delivers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary tattoo techniques.
Instructor
Gary is the founder and lead instructor of Skinart Academy, with over 23 years of experience in the tattoo, piercing, microblading, and permanent makeup (PMU) industries. He has trained hundreds of students globally, combining hands-on expertise with in-depth theoretical knowledge. Gary is passionate about empowering aspiring artists with world-class training and ongoing mentorship.
CPD Accredited Course
Gain industry recognition with our CPD Accredited tattoo course. Our accreditation demonstrates high-quality training standards and is widely recognized in the EU and many non-EU countries.
Become a Registered Tattoo Artist with the BAQA
Get recognized as a certified professional in the tattoo industry with our BAQA-approved training. We will automatically register you with the BAQA as an accredited tattoo artist.
Earn your certification and start your career with confidence.
Tattoo Equipment
(Optional Equipment Add-On)
You can choose whether to include our high-quality equipment kit during checkout. The kit is yours to keep after completing your in-person training. While attending the course, we will supply all necessary consumables. If you already have your own equipment and prefer not to purchase the kit, please bring your setup with you to the 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
Established in 2001, the uShaka location is our longest-standing studio, soon to undergo an exciting transformation under the Skinart brand.
CHECK OUT THE WORK OF SOME OF OUR STUDENTS

















TATTOO COURSE 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
Access
There is no rush to complete the course; you can take as long as you like.
Total Watch Hours
There are over 10 hours of quality video training for you to access.
Duration
4 Days In Person Training
+ Extra Online Training
Certificates
Accredited Tattoo Certificate
Upon completion, you will receive a Tattoo Training Certificate, proving your expertise in professional tattooing.
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.
Licensing Process Explained
In South Africa, the licensing process for tattooing, piercing, permanent makeup (PMU), microblading, and tattoo removal varies by local authority but generally involves several key steps. Practitioners must apply for a Special Treatments License from their local council, which requires proving their competence and adherence to strict hygiene standards. This often includes submitting detailed information about their premises and operational procedures, completing a health and safety course, and sometimes passing a specific examination. Additionally, for treatments like PMU and microblading, practitioners may need to show certificates from recognized training courses. The aim of these regulations is to ensure that all procedures are performed safely and to a high standard, protecting both practitioners and clients.
Testimonials
HOW TO GET STARTED
Getting started with our in-person tattoo training is simple and risk-free. Here’s how it works:
- Select Your Option: Choose whether to include the optional equipment kit (with or without equipment) and click Add to Basket.
- Proceed to Checkout: Complete the standard online checkout form. We recommend selecting Direct Deposit (EFT) as your payment method.
- No Immediate Payment Required: At this stage, you won’t need to make any payment. An automated PDF invoice will be emailed to you with all our company and banking information.
- Pay a R5,000 Deposit: To secure your place and begin the online preparation training, simply pay the deposit. The deposit unlocks immediate access to your online pre-course modules.
- Confirm Dates & Venue: We recommend discussing available in-person training dates and venue locations with us to ensure your preferred session is viable.
- Pay the Balance Later: The remaining balance can be paid any time before or on the first day of your in-person training. This ensures you feel safe and confident knowing you only pay the full amount once you arrive and meet us in person.
We’ve structured this process to make it easy, transparent, and secure for all our students.
In Person Training Locations
We provide in-person training in the following areas:
- Hillcrest, KZN
- Boksburg, GP
- Pretoria West, GP
- Kuilsriver, WC
- + More Areas
Please log in to view upcoming in-person dates
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If you are unable to attend in person training we do have a completely online training option also.
Online OptionCONTACT US
If you have any questions, we are more than happy to chat with you! Drop us a message on Message Skinart, and someone from the Skinart team will respond to you personally.
We are passionate about helping people succeed in this industry and would love to answer any questions you may have about our training. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way and welcome you to join one of our courses.
We also offer a wide range of other courses, please make sure to check them out below.











Xiao Friedman (verified owner) –
Best breakdown of tattoo techniques I’ve ever seen!
Sophia Gupta (verified owner) –
My dream of becoming a tattoo artist is now a reality!
Anika Gomez (verified owner) –
So grateful for Garys guidance.
Tariro Walker (verified owner) –
My skills improved so much!
Maria Li (verified owner) –
Game-changer.
Liam Zahra (verified owner) –
Ready to take on the world!
Priya Katsaros (verified owner) –
Feeling ready to take my skills to the next level!
Rosario Berg (verified owner) –
I finally know how to avoid blowouts!
Tamar Nassar (verified owner) –
Proud to call myself a tattoo artist!
Benjamin Olofsson (verified owner) –
No regrets.
Neha Reddy (verified owner) –
I finally feel confident in my work.
Bjorn Papanikolaou (verified owner) –
I finally feel confident in my work.
Yael Mensah (verified owner) –
Would totally do it again!
Aisha Garcia (verified owner) –
I wish I found this sooner!
Ingrid Wang (verified owner) –
So good!
Nomsa Rodriguez (verified owner) –
I see a HUGE improvement in my work already!
Matteo Okafor (verified owner) –
Feeling ready to take my skills to the next level!
Nomsa Moyo (verified owner) –
This is only the beginning of my tattooing journey!
Dalisay Bianchi (verified owner) –
Super informative!
Emiliano Two Rivers (verified owner) –
Starting my career as a tattoo artist feels real now!
Sakari Rodriguez (verified owner) –
This is just the beginning!
Sakura Yamamoto (verified owner) –
This course really helped me with precision and detail.
Angelica Rosenberg (verified owner) –
So easy to learn with Gary.
Isabella Tanaka (verified owner) –
Wow!
Sipho Chowdhury (verified owner) –
Couldn’t ask for a better experience.
Hiroshi Rossi (verified owner) –
Best instructor ever!
Fatima Whitefeather (verified owner) –
This is only the beginning of my tattooing journey!
Min-Jae Santos (verified owner) –
My tattoos are so much smoother now!
Katerina Strongbear (verified owner) –
Highly recommended.
Fatima Moyo (verified owner) –
This gave me a serious confidence boost!
Amihan Andersen (verified owner) –
Broke everything down step by step.
Kiona Martinez (verified owner) –
Feeling ready to take my skills to the next level!
Alexis Mensah (verified owner) –
Already planning my first big tattoo project!
Deepak Liu (verified owner) –
Super impressed!
Miriam Tanaka (verified owner) –
Now I actually feel like I know what I’m doing!
Cheyenne Reddy (verified owner) –
Color packing is so much easier now.
Miriam Dimitriadis (verified owner) –
Gary is truly a master at this!