15 Things Worth Knowing About Ink Different Tattoos After 15 Years
Fifteen years of building something the tattoo industry said couldn't be done.
Key Takeaways
Ink Different Tattoos has been quietly building one of the most comprehensive tattoo education ecosystems in the country
The founder came from music and film, not tattooing, and that outside perspective changed everything
The company survived a full shutdown during the pandemic and came out bigger
Ink Different Tattoos is producing a documentary and has a 50+ episode podcast most people don't know about
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship includes a guaranteed job offer, something still rare in this industry
Most people know Ink Different Tattoos as a “tattoo apprenticeship company”. And sure, that's a big part of what we do. But fifteen years of building tends to add up in ways that don't always get talked about.
Here's the stuff that might actually surprise you.
1. The Founder Has Never Been a Tattoo Artist
Paul-Anthony Surdi didn't come from the tattoo world. His background is in music and film, two industries that gave him a front-row seat to how creative people get locked out of opportunities that should be theirs.
That outside perspective is exactly what made Ink Different Tattoos possible. Someone already inside the industry would have accepted the gatekeeping as normal. Paul-Anthony looked at it and saw a problem worth fixing.
2. The Tattoo Industry Actively Pushed Back When We Started
We weren't welcomed with open arms.
The idea that a tattoo apprenticeship could be structured, professional, and open to anyone willing to do the work went against decades of tradition. We were written off as disruptors who didn't understand how things worked.
Turns out disrupting a broken system was exactly the point.
3. Every Single Location Shut Down During the Pandemic
This one doesn't come up often, but it's worth knowing.
When the pandemic hit, Ink Different Tattoos closed every single studio location. For a company built entirely around hands-on, in-studio training, that was a serious test. The company made it through. And came out on the other side with more locations than before.
4. We've Trained Tattoo Artists in Their 30s, 40s, and Beyond
There's a persistent myth that becoming a Tattoo Artist is something you have to do young or not at all.
We've spent fifteen years proving that wrong. Career changers, parents returning to work, people who spent decades in completely unrelated fields, they've all come through our tattoo apprenticeship and built professional tattooing careers on the other side. Age has never been a barrier here. Willingness to do the work is the only thing that matters.
5. We Have Tattoo Studios Specifically Supporting Spanish-Speaking Artists
Tattoo education shouldn't have a language barrier, so we made sure ours doesn't.
Ink Different Tattoos offers dedicated support for Spanish-speaking artists at studios in Miami, Brooklyn, Denver, Orange County, Naples, Oklahoma City, and San Diego. Making this career accessible means making it accessible to everyone.
6. The Guaranteed Job Offer Is Still Rare in This Industry
A lot of tattoo apprenticeships end with a handshake and a "good luck." Ours doesn't.
Every tattoo apprentice who completes our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship receives a guaranteed job offer. That's been part of the model since the beginning, and it's still not the standard everywhere else. We think it should be.
7. We Have 17 Celebrity Tattoo Artists Actively Mentoring Right Now
The Master Mentorship Program doesn't get talked about enough.
Right now, 17 celebrity and world-renowned Tattoo Artists, including Master Mentors Big Ceeze, Joey Tattoo, Billy Jack Gunter, Liz Cook, and Kyle Dunbar, are actively training working Tattoo Artists through this program. These are Tattoo Artists whose work you already follow. Getting direct access to their knowledge used to be about luck and connections. We made it something you can actually apply for.
8. We've Been Podcasting for a While Now
The Ink Different Tattoos podcast has quietly crossed 50 episodes, including the fan-favorite Convention Connection segment.
It covers real conversations about the tattoo industry, Tattoo Artist journeys, and what building a career in this craft actually looks like day to day. If you haven't listened yet, there are hundreds of hours of content waiting for you.
9. We're Producing a Documentary
This one is still in progress, but it belongs on this list.
Ink Different Tattoos is currently producing a documentary featuring tattoo legend Gill Montie. It's a story the tattoo world genuinely needs to see, and more details are on the way.
10. A Tattoo Career Is One of the Most AI-Proof Paths Out There Right Now
This wasn't something we planned for, but it's become one of the most important things we can tell people.
AI is cutting through entire industries faster than most people expected. Tattooing isn't one of them. It's a hands-on craft built on human connection, physical skill, and personal trust. Nobody is letting a machine handle their tattoo. In a job market that's getting harder to predict, a career as a Tattoo Artist is one of the safest bets going.
11. We've Grown From 27 to 48 Locations in the Last Year Alone
People know we have locations nationwide. What they don't always realize is how fast things have moved recently.
In the past year, Ink Different Tattoos grew from 27 to 48 studio locations. That's not slow, steady growth. That's the kind of expansion that happens when a model is genuinely working and demand keeps rising.
12. Only Two Spots Are Available Per Studio Per Mentor
This surprises a lot of people.
We don't run large cohorts or fill seats to hit a number. Ink Different Tattoos accepts only two tattoo apprentices per studio per Mentor. That's intentional. Real mentorship doesn't scale the way a classroom does, and we've never tried to make it.
13. Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship Is a Solid College Alternative
This isn't a talking point. It's math.
A four-year degree costs an average of six figures and comes with no guaranteed outcome on the other side. Our tattoo apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months, comes with structured hands-on training, real mentorship from professional Tattoo Artists, and a guaranteed job offer upon completion. No debt. No guessing. Just a clear path to a licensed career that belongs to you.
14. We're Not Just a Tattoo Apprenticeship Company
Most people find Ink Different Tattoos through our tattoo apprenticeship. But what we've built over 15 years is bigger than that.
We're a full tattoo education ecosystem. That means studio locations, the Master Mentorship Program for working Tattoo Artists, a podcast, a documentary in production, and business development support for Tattoo Artists who eventually want to run their own studios. The tattoo apprenticeship is where most people start. It's not where the story ends.
15. The Mission Has Never Changed
Fifteen years, 48 locations, 17 Master Mentors, and a whole lot of growth. But the reason we exist today is the same reason we opened our first studio.
Tattoo education should be accessible, professional, and career-driven for artists from every walk of life. No gatekeeping, no hazing, and no luck required. Just serious training, proper mentorship, and a solid path forward. That hasn't changed. It won't.
And This July, There's Even More to Know About
If you've been thinking about a tattoo apprenticeship, July is worth paying attention to.
Every tattoo apprentice who enrolls this month gets an exclusive invite to a free live online webinar with a celebrity Tattoo Artist. One grand prize winner receives a one-on-one virtual session with a celebrity Tattoo Artist. And every July enrollee receives a free Skin Tone ink kit upon completing Phase 2 of their tattoo apprenticeship.
Fifteen years in, and we're still finding new ways to invest in the people who come through our doors.
Now You Know
Fifteen years of Ink Different Tattoos is a lot to fit into one article. But if there's one thing worth taking away from all of it, it's this: this model works, and it keeps working because it was built around the people who need it most.
If any of this resonated with you, the next step is simple. Explore our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship to see what a full professional training pathway looks like. When you're ready, fill out the form and our team will take it from there.
There are only two tattoo apprentices accepted per studio per Mentor. Don't wait too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Ink Different Tattoos?
Ink Different Tattoos was founded by Paul-Anthony Surdi, whose background in music and film gave him a fresh perspective on an industry that badly needed one.
Does Ink Different Tattoos offer a guaranteed job offer?
Yes. Every tattoo apprentice who completes our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship receives a guaranteed job offer upon completion.
What is the Master Mentorship Program?
An advanced, in-person mentorship experience connecting working Tattoo Artists with 17 celebrity and world-renowned Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, and Kyle Dunbar.
Is tattooing a good career choice right now?
Yes. Tattooing is one of the most AI-proof, hands-on careers available. It's built on human connection and physical skill that no machine can replicate.
How many spots are available per studio?
Only two tattoo apprentices are accepted per studio per Mentor, keeping training personal and focused.
Does Ink Different Tattoos support Spanish-speaking artists?
Yes. Spanish-language support is available at studios in Miami, Brooklyn, Denver, Orange County, Naples, Oklahoma City, and San Diego.
