As a tattoo artist, having a portfolio is an essential part of building your career. You can think of it as a visual resume that can help you attract clients, land studio apprentices and opportunities, and show off your favourite works. Your folio can be in a physical format, digital (e.g. through Instagram or TikTok), or both. In this blog we’re sharing our top five tips to make your folio stand out.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
When you’re beginning to learn tattooing, it can be tempting to build out your portfolio with as much work as you have, but being selective about what you include is important. Simple tattoos or easy tattoo patterns executed beautifully are a great addition when you’re starting out. It’s much better to have ten amazing designs than 50 “okay” ones.
INCLUDE SKETCHES AND DESIGN CONCEPTS
Tattooing isn’t just about execution, it’s also about design. Including hand-drawn or digital sketches alongside finished tattoos can help show your creative process and ability to create custom pieces. Especially when you’re starting out and don’t have as many finished tattoos you’re happy including in your folio, including sketches is a great addition.
SHOW A RANGE OF STYLES
As well as showing what you’re best at, your folio should demonstrate your range of abilities. If you have honed a particular style, you can still showcase it as the focus point of your folio, but make sure to include some variety as this is appealing to studios. This could be through different styles, line work, shading or compositions.
HIGH-QUALITY IMAGERY
Do your pieces justice and ensure you’re taking high-quality photos. Avoid blurry or overly filtered images – natural lighting or a ring light works well to show off your work.
UPDATE IT REGULARLY
Make sure to keep updating your folio with new work that aligns with the types of tattoos you want to be known for. This is easier with a digital folio (e.g. on Instagram or TikTok), but can be easier to forget with a physical version. Remember to make time for regular updates.
At Omnia Tattoo Academy, we understand the importance of building a portfolio that reflects your skills and potential. That’s why our courses don’t just teach technique, we help you develop a professional portfolio that showcases your growth as an artist. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, with the help of our expert tutors you will leave the course with the folio you need to take the first step in the industry.
If you’re interested in learning more about our online tattoo training, speak with one of our consultants today.
