Apprentice Spotlight: Edward Cuff Got Cold Feet, Then Came Back to His Tattoo Apprenticeship
Two years ago, Edward Cuff applied to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and got in. Then he got cold feet. He’d just landed a new job at Amazon, and he wasn’t sure he could handle both. But tattooing never stopped calling. After his job stopped feeling right, he came back and committed fully. Today, he’s halfway through Phase Two and preparing to train at Ink Different’s New Haven location in Connecticut. We sat down with Edward to talk about hesitation, coming back, and why he has no regrets.
Key Takeaways
Cold feet happens: Edward applied and got in, then stepped away for a new job before returning.
The pull didn’t fade: Even when he took breaks from drawing, he always came back to it.
Research helped: He watched Apprentice Spotlight interviews and visited an open house before committing.
Consistency matters: In Phase Two, he never lets more than a day go by without practicing.
His advice: If you think about tattooing every day for a month, send in your portfolio.
Who is Edward Cuff?
Edward Cuff is an Ink Different tattoo apprentice from Connecticut who’s now in Phase Two of the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship.
He’s made art since he was a kid. Music is a big part of his inspiration. Growing up in the metal scene, he’d see people with tattoos and think it was really cool.
Art class was his favorite in high school. He went on to study graphic design at Norwalk Community College. He liked it, but the overall vibe wasn’t for him. He wanted to draw and be creative, and tattooing fit that much better.
He’s drawn to darker artwork inspired by heavy metal, especially combinations of skulls and flowers. Someday, he wants to make his own flash.
Why do aspiring Tattoo Artists get cold feet?
Aspiring Tattoo Artists often get cold feet because of nerves, confidence, and practical worries like money and work. Edward experienced all of them.
Before he found Ink Different, he visited a few tattoo shops looking for a tattoo apprenticeship. He’d get nervous walking in and felt he didn’t represent himself well. He admits he also struggled with confidence.
Getting accepted to Ink Different felt good. But then he got cold feet again. He had just started a new job and didn’t know if he could manage both.
He also worried about scams. With so many online, he says, it naturally crossed his mind.
These worries are normal. Before you start, read about the mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid.
Remember: Hesitation doesn’t mean tattooing isn’t for you. Edward’s doubts came first, and his commitment came later.
What changed Edward's mind?
Edward came back because tattooing never left his mind, and his job stopped feeling right.
Even when he stepped away from drawing, he always came back. Picking up the pen again always felt good.
He worked for Amazon, and toward the end, he wasn’t enjoying it. That’s when he decided to stop putting it off.
His family helped, too. His brother told him to take a chance. If it didn’t work out, it would just be another problem to solve.
He also did his research before fully committing. He’d found Ink Different while searching for tattoo apprenticeships online after hearing horror stories about other ones. He watched and listened to Apprentice Spotlight interviews while making deliveries.
Then he went to an open house at Ink Different’s New Haven location. Charmaine, a Tattoo Artist there, walked him through the tattoo shop. She showed him where apprentices would tattoo and her own area with her art on the walls. When he left, he knew that’s where he wanted to be.
Charmaine has her own comeback story. About 10 years ago, she started a tattoo apprenticeship with Ink Different. Then her family convinced her to go to college instead. She earned a degree and worked third shift at a hospital, which she didn’t enjoy. About four years ago, she found Ink Different again in New Haven, reapplied, and now tattoos full time.
How can you overcome doubt about your career change?
You overcome doubt by testing your commitment, doing your research, and getting support from people who believe in you.
Step 1: Give it a month
Edward’s advice is to take a month and notice whether you think about tattooing every day. If you do, that’s a sign.
Step 2: Do your research
Watch interviews with current apprentices, read about the process, and visit an open house if you can. Edward did all of it.
Step 3: Lean on your people
Edward’s brother encouraged him to take the chance. Support from family can help you take the leap.
Step 4: Send in your portfolio
Edward says just send it in. If you’re accepted, it feels good, and it’s worth it.
Step 5: Commit to consistency
Once you start, keep going. Edward says when something gets hard, take a breath, calm down, and try again.
What does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship teach you?
The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists with hands-on mentorship.
It’s career training, not a quick course. Here’s what Edward has experienced so far:
Phase One, art and design: He learned four styles. For Japanese traditional, he drew a koi and placed the background waves so the viewer’s eye flows in a circle. For American traditional, he learned to pull back on detail. New school was the hardest. His first attempt looked too neo-traditional, so he redid it with bigger eyes and expressions.
Phase Two, practice pads: He’s now working on color blending and gradients. After a month, he still wasn’t getting saturated lines. He found it humbling, but he kept practicing.
Phases Three and Four: You’ll tattoo real clients under a Mentor’s supervision in a tattoo studio, then build independence and get ready for licensing.
His biggest lesson in Phase Two is consistency. Edward once took two days off and felt like he was back at the beginning. Now he practices at least a little every day, even if it’s just an hour.
Line work is where he’s improved most, since every assignment includes it. He’s also learned what his Mentors look for, so he knows which mistakes are acceptable and when to start over.
Training includes safety standards based on OSHA bloodborne pathogens guidelines.
A career that comes with confidence
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios. As we explain in why Tattoo Artists are still essential, tattooing is a human craft that technology can’t replace.
What is the Master Mentorship program?
Once you’ve built your foundation, you can keep growing with Ink Different’s Master Mentors. They include Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla.
Learning from Tattoo Artists at that level sharpens your technique and helps you develop a signature style. That fits Edward’s goal of creating his own flash someday.
His own Mentors have already made a difference. He’s learned most from Ruby, Matt, and Martin, and he says Martin stands out because his sense of humor makes class fun. Martin has been with Ink Different for about 14 years. Edward says all his Mentors are polite, answer every question, and do whatever they can to help. He’d redo an assignment 100 times if they asked.
How do you start your tattoo apprenticeship?
You start by applying, sending in your portfolio, and beginning Phase One online.
Apply: Submit your application and portfolio. Not sure yet? Fill out our quick questionnaire first.
Start online: Phases One and Two happen online in small classes of about five to 10 apprentices. Edward says the format gives him more freedom than college, and questions get answered faster.
Train hands-on: Move into a tattoo studio for supervised work. Edward will train at Ink Different’s New Haven location on State Street.
Finish job-ready: Complete all four phases with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer.
Making tattoo training accessible for everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. With 60+ locations nationwide, there’s likely one near you. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
Good Humans, real guidance: We've spent 15 years training professional Tattoo Artists since 2011. You bring the courage. We bring the map.
Ready to take the first step?
Edward Cuff got cold feet, stepped away, and came back. Since starting, he says he hasn’t had any doubts. It’s still a struggle, but he knows that if he keeps going, it will click.
His message is simple: if tattooing is on your mind constantly, give it a shot. He doesn’t regret it.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist? Apply now to Ink Different's Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer. Prefer to explore first? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to get cold feet before starting a tattoo apprenticeship?
Yes. Edward Cuff applied, got in, and stepped away before coming back two years later. Hesitation is common.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, from online foundations to supervised client work in a tattoo studio.
Do I need prior art experience to become a Tattoo Artist?
No. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners and teaches drawing, line work, and machine handling.
What makes Ink Different Tattoos different from other training?
Ink Different offers small classes, experienced Mentors, a guaranteed job offer, Spanish-speaking locations, a “Good Humans” culture, and 15 years of experience.
Is tattooing an AI-proof career?
Yes. Tattooing depends on human skill and the trust between a Tattoo Artist and a client, which AI can’t replicate.
Can I start my tattoo apprenticeship without quitting my job right away?
Yes. Phases One and Two happen online, so you can begin building skills around your current schedule.
