Expressions Tattoo Student Curriculum
(100 clock hours class, 428 clock hours lab)
1000-001 Safety,Cleanliness and Customer Service
Safety/ Hygiene:
- How and when to wash hands
- How and when to use hand sanitizer
- Keep fingernails clean
- Cuts, hangnails, and non-intact skin, How to Protect?
- Hand-Lotion – What kind and how often?
- What is bio hazard?
- Designate bio hazard areas
- What is cross contamination?
- What are universal and standard precautions?
- Learn how to put on and take off gloves
- Learn one-handed techniques
- How to open a clean field
- Spore Test: when, why, with who and what to do if test fails
Cleaning:
- Dusting (non-bio)
- Counter tops (non-bio)
- Changing garbage bags (non-bio & bio)
- Restocking: cups, water, paper towels, and toilet paper (non-bio)
- Learn how to use/maintain Hepa filter, and Distiller (non-bio)
- Mopping (bio)
- Cleaning bathroom (bio)
- Learn to watch out for cross contamination in lobby and how to handle
Customer Service:
- Greeting customers – to relax and address fears
- Answering telephone
- Learn register – receipts, ring in, and void out
- Learn to explain aftercare
- Begin learning to address problems in aftercare
- Read, know and be able to explain all customer release forms
Observations:
- Observe various stencils/ setups and break downs
- Ask questions after client leaves
Written documentation/ readings:
- Start a personal file for the shop
- Read and initial all state required literature, safety procedures, laws, manuals, policies, procedures, and equipment manuals
- Read labels and record observation of MSDS’s for everything in the shop
- Start a journal to record notes, observations, and questions
- Research classic flash and start your sketch book with tracings of it
- Start promoting the shop – web, submissions, fliers, radio, business cards, etc
1000-002 Sanitary Safety, Hygiene and Sterilization
Safety/ Hygiene:
- Get familiarized with the bio hazard work areas
- How to change sharps containers
- Know about the bio hazard pickup
- Learn to clean instruments: like tubes (avoid sharp edges)
- Learn the use of the Autoclave
- Learn to flush and maintain autoclave
- Learn to conduct spore tests
- Aprons, sleeves, masks, and goggles
- Start to learn cleaning and disinfecting
1000-003 Photography and Stencils
Photography:
- Take photos of tattoos (learn to use camera)
- Lighting and positioning for best photos
- Establishing a portfolio
Observation:
- Perform observed stencils
- Watch/ observe basic tattoos
- Perform observed set-up and break-downs
Customer Service:
- Bedside Manners
- Position of body to client
- Language etiquette
Written documentation/ readings:
- Make list of all stencil locations and rate how you perceive their level of difficulty
- Keep list of questions
- Keep record in journal of all stencils that you apply
- Research and document anatomy of upcoming tattoo stencils
- Continue with classic flash tracings
1000-004 Business Solutions and Business Records
Business:
- Learn products/ companies, keep log of who uses what and why
- Learn to place orders/ learn about tattoo supply companies
- Perform unobserved set-ups and break-downs
Written documentation/ readings:
- Continue with classic flash tracings and sketch book
- Draw a set of flash
- Learn how to make submissions and submit flash
- Study machine parts and take quiz
- Study and know the various parts, types and how they work: tubes, machines, needles, pigments, power supplies, clip cords, foot switches, and lighting
1000-005 Tattoo Observation
- Keep observing tattoo artists while working
- Begin skill building tattooing on artificial canvases
1000-006 Tattoo Observation
- Perform small tattoos – upper arm, thighs, calves, forearms
- Start recording own tattoos – thoughts / results / observations / problems
- Start picture portfolio
1000-007 Tattoo Minor
- Perform small tattoos – ankles, shoulder blades, chest, and lower back
- Continue recording own tattoos – thoughts / results / observations / problems
1000-008 Tattoo Major
- Perform tattoos, inner arm, stomach, ribs, feet, hands
- Continue recording own tattoos – thoughts / results / observations / problems
1000-009 Portfolio and Refresh
- Finish your professional portfolio
- Stay focused, friendly, and humble