How do you properly apply ink to the needle when doing a tattoo?

Question

when you dip the needle into the ink, how much are you supposed to dip into the ink? any video's or photo's would be appreciated. regular detailed explanations work too, haha.

Answer 1

ask an artist at the shop where you are apprenticing

oh wait you are doing that right? not just back alley basement tattooing?

Answer 2

I am guessing that because you are asking on here, you either:

-went to ask an actual artist and got shot down

or

-you are too afraid to ask an artist because you are doing your own ' at home business'.

Why would you ask people on Yahoo Answers, who most likely aren't tattoo artists, instead of an actual tattoo artist?  

Answer 3

If you need to ask this, you have no business tattooing.

This is kind of an incredibly important step in the tattoo application process, and you don't know how to do it.

Put down whatever machine you bought off ebay, and go to a shop and try to get an apprenticeship the old fashioned way.

Answer 4

the reason they are saying to go to an artist and ask, is because most states these days require schooling for tattooing. you pretty much walk away with a degree in dermitology and blood born pathegens, Granted some people do it out of their houses and what not but it's the sterilization and the possibility of turning someone's skin into complete hamburger. It's not a secret society, it's the fact that everyone thinks they can be a tattoo artist, but not everyone has what it takes. There's more to it than tracing lines on someone's skin. If your constantly checking at shops about becoming an apprentice and they keep telling you know, there's probably a reason. Take in a flash portfolio and prove to them you have to do it. Your not a surgeon just because you pick up a scalpel, what makes you think just cause you pick up a machine your a tattoo artist?

now to the question. I'm not trying to be hateful or rude, just trying to let you know that there is so much more to being a tattoo artist than people even realize.  think the best way for you to find out since you won't ask an artist and they more than likely won't tell you. (i'm sorry, i can't bring myself to tell someone how to tattoo who probably doesn't have any kind of training at all. no offense) is go get a tattoo from a professional and watch how they do it. Learn from example.

Answer 5

i hate this, its a simple question and he or she wants an answer and no one will give them one, i hate it because i want to start tattooing and no where near me will give me an apprenticeship, not for any reason, they just say 'we dont do apprenticesips' and when i ask tattooing questions, most artists seem to think they are in a secret society or something, it really gets to me, they are like, " you have no business tattooing if you dont know 'x' " and its like well how did you start then, many artists on tv for instance Kat Von D started when she was 14, and im pretty sure you dont get apprenticeships at 14.