Convention Connection: Raised in a Tattoo Shop, How Drake Sanchez Became San Antonio’s Rising Star Before 25
Drake Sanchez got his first tattoo at five years old, on Father’s Day. His dad is a Tattoo Artist, and a spare room at the family’s tattoo shop was his daycare. He did his first tattoo convention at 10, won his first award at 11, and started working full-time for his mom at 16. Now 24, he has nearly two decades of tattooing behind him. Chico Cortez caught up with Drake at the Texas Tattoo Show in San Antonio for Convention Connection. Chico had a personal connection: Drake’s dad tattooed him about 15 or 16 years ago, when Drake was only 9 or 10.
Key Takeaways
Raised in the industry: Drake grew up in his family’s tattoo shop, where the Tattoo Artists became his best friends.
An early start: He got his first tattoo at five, did his first convention at 10, and won his first award at 11.
Full-time at 16: After a homeschool program, he started working full-time for his mom at 16.
Conventions as a classroom: Drake says watching hundreds of Tattoo Artists work is how he learns and grows.
His mindset: Stay humble. Once you get a big head, you plateau.
Who is Drake Sanchez and why does his story matter?
Drake Sanchez is a San Antonio Tattoo Artist at Inception Tattoos, his family’s tattoo shop. He works for his mom, his dad is a Tattoo Artist, and his sister tattoos right next to him.
“Family means the most to me,” he says.
His story matters because it shows how much your environment can shape you. Drake grew up surrounded by Tattoo Artists and absorbed the craft from childhood. And despite getting such an early start, he’s focused on staying humble and continuing to grow.
What does it mean to be raised in a Tattoo Shop?
For Drake, it meant the tattoo shop was home.
There was a little extra room at the tattoo shop, and that was his daycare. He always enjoyed drawing and hanging out with the Tattoo Artists. He thought they were cool, and they became his best friends. He got his first tattoo at five, on Father’s Day.
He got his first machine when he was around nine. Coil machines were heavy, so his dad didn’t want him using one. Then Cheyenne came out with the Thunder, a rotary machine. By the time Drake got into the industry, cartridges had arrived, making it more plug-and-play. He did clean tubes, but he says he got the easier part of the industry. Many Tattoo Artists before him had to build and tune their own machines and keep five on the tray. He has one machine and five needles.
Chico says he’s probably the only one his age who experienced tattooing the way Drake did. Drake says he’ll always appreciate it.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to grow up in a tattoo shop to learn like Drake did. A structured tattoo apprenticeship puts you inside a working tattoo studio with Mentors.
How did Drake become a rising star before 25?
Drake started early and never stopped learning.
He started young. He did his first tattoo convention at 10 and won his first award at 11. At that age, he says, he felt comfortable and knew it was where he belonged.
He went all in. He did a homeschool program, since he didn’t like school. At 16, he told his mom, “I’m ready to go,” and started working for her full-time. That was almost eight years ago.
He traveled. Once he finished school, he had the chance to travel to competitions and out-of-town conventions.
He stays versatile. He does black and gray, and this year he’s been focusing on color realism. He also does line work, Polynesian work, and script. He mixes it up so he never gets bored. If he did roses all week, he says, he’d get tired of them. Next week, he’ll do script.
He respects the fundamentals. He says line work is the most basic part of tattooing, so it always has to be clean.
He takes his time. He calls himself a slow Tattoo Artist. He finds every detail and makes everything precise. He doesn’t worry about time limits, because he wants everything to be perfect.
Want to avoid common traps? Read about the mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid.
Why do tattoo conventions matter to young artists?
Drake calls conventions a classroom.
His tattoo shop has four Tattoo Artists. At a convention, there are hundreds. You can walk around and watch how they tattoo. “This is how we learn,” he says. “We’re all growing together. It’s just like a class. We’re all students learning.”
He also loves the connections. He enjoys talking with people and vibing at conventions.
At the Texas Tattoo Show, he wasn’t competing. He was focused on tattooing his clients, who are all from San Antonio, and on getting every detail right.
How can you start your own path right now?
Step 1: Surround yourself with Tattoo Artists
Drake learned by being around Tattoo Artists every day. A tattoo apprenticeship gives you that same environment.
Step 2: Choose real training
Drake learned in a working tattoo shop with professionals guiding him. Look for structured, hands-on training, like Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship.
Step 3: Learn safety and licensing
Every Tattoo Artist must know the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard. For licensing, see how to get your tattoo license in Texas or tattoo license requirements in California.
Step 4: Master your line work
Drake says clean line work is the foundation of everything.
Step 5: Stay humble
Growing up, the Tattoo Artists around him always gave Drake the same advice: stay humble. “Whenever you get a big head, that’s where you plateau and you will never grow,” he says. “Always stay humble, and you’re going to shoot to the sky.”
For gear, see the tools every beginner Tattoo Artist should know.
What is the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists. It’s a structured version of the kind of immersion Drake grew up with.
Phase One: Art and design fundamentals.
Phase Two: Machine practice on synthetic skin with feedback.
Phase Three: Supervised client work in a tattoo studio.
Phase Four: Building independence and preparing for licensing.
No prior art experience is required. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.
This is a career that comes with confidence. Tattooing is also a human craft, which is why Tattoo Artists are still essential.
What is the Master Mentorship program?
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, Jordi Pla, Marcel Oliveira, and Kara Gutierrez.
Drake grew up learning from many Tattoo Artists at once. Master Mentorship gives Tattoo Artists access to some of the most respected names in the industry.
How does Ink Different make training accessible for everyone?
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, New York City, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. Its “Good Humans” culture means you’re treated like family, not a number, much like the family atmosphere Drake grew up with at Inception Tattoos.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist?
Drake Sanchez grew up in a tattoo shop, but his success comes from more than a head start. He keeps learning at conventions, takes his time on every piece, stays open to new styles, and stays humble.
Chico says he’s proud of how Drake turned out, both as a Tattoo Artist and as a person. “You were raised with respect,” Chico told him. “I can tell.”
Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
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 at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. Prefer to test the waters first? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
To get tattooed by Drake, follow him on Instagram at @draketattoos01 or visit Inception Tattoos in San Antonio, where he says everyone is welcome. Follow Chico at @m4l_chico.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Drake Sanchez when he started in tattooing?
He grew up in his family’s tattoo shop. He got his first tattoo at five, did his first convention at 10, and won his first award at 11.
When did Drake start tattooing full-time?
At 16, after finishing a homeschool program. He’s worked full-time for his mom for almost eight years.
What styles does Drake Sanchez tattoo?
Black and gray realism, color realism, line work, Polynesian work, and script.
Why does Drake call conventions a classroom?
His tattoo shop has four Tattoo Artists, but conventions have hundreds. He says watching them work is how Tattoo Artists learn and grow together.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
Do I need to start young like Drake?
No. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners and career changers at any age.
