Unfortunately gatekeeping education in the Tattoo Industry is rampant. The adverse power dynamic existing in too many tattoo studios more often than not creates conditions where apprentices are taken advantage of for free labor and even worse, cases of abuse (physical & psychological) have been documented.

Authentic and safe tattooing education should be available for anyone that has a desire to pursue the art, and it should not come with harassment or abuse. An apprentice should not have to “earn the right” to be taught tattoo. Nor should they have to be subject to physical and emotional hazing just to “prove” themselves worthy to be a tattoo artist. This unfortunately is common practice in the industry, and has been for decades. Some documented experiences range from individuals becoming an unpaid shop janitor for months and months and even years without ever even learning a thing, to the more extreme, sexual and psychological abuse.

House of Ink Tattoo University (HOITU) is a dedicated tattoo school where you will receive consistent and pre-scheduled one-on-one training and time with a professional artist to review your work and teach techniques. And although House of Ink does operate an official tattoo studio, you will not be required to service, clean or monitor the shop. You will not be required to submit to duty requests by other artists, employees, or management. No unpaid labor, no “grunt” work. You are there for one single purpose: To learn tattoo and become an experienced, confident and licensed Tattoo Artist.

Typical Cost Breakdown

While there is no fixed industry standard, reported costs for paid apprenticeships generally fall into these brackets:

—Monthly Fees: Common rates range from $250 to $1000 per month.

—Total Program Cost: Traditional paid apprenticeships often average around $5,000, though high-end studios or "tattoo schools" may charge between $10,000 and $20,000 for structured programs.

—Traditional Unpaid Route: Many apprentices pay $0 in tuition by working full-time for the shop—performing duties like cleaning, booking, and setting up stations—in exchange for mentorship. 

What the Cost Should Include

If you are paying for an apprenticeship without supplies, the fee should primarily cover: 

—Direct Mentorship: Dedicated one-on-one time with a professional artist to review your work and teach techniques.

—Studio Access: The right to use the shop’s space, furniture, and utility resources.

—Business Education: Training on sanitation, Bloodborne Pathogen certification (though you often pay the ~$25–$100 license fee yourself), and client management.

—Guaranteed Position: Some paid models include a contract for a resident artist position upon completion. 

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if a shop asks for high fees without providing a structured curriculum.

—Double Charging: It is often considered a red flag if a shop requires both a high tuition fee and full-time unpaid labor (grunt work).

—No Portfolio Review: Reputable mentors usually only accept apprentices after a rigorous portfolio review; shops that accept anyone with "tuition money" may be focused more on profit than education.

—Lack of Transparency: Always ask for a written breakdown of what the tuition covers and the expected timeline for when you will begin tattooing.

—Unfortunately gatekeeping education in the Tattoo Industry is rampant and more often than not potential apprentices are taken advantage of for free labor and even worse cases of abuse (physical & psychological) have been documented.

—Is this a traditional shop or a dedicated tattoo school? …Apprentices at a tattoo studio are often in competition with the general schedules and expectations of running a shop, and hence are often left in limbo without any solid guarantee of when they will be trained or how long the apprenticeship will even be. A dedicated tattoo school is able to give their students far more attention and direct hands-on training, including garunteed schedules and time frames when the apprenticeship will be complete.

—Does the shop expect you to do daily chores (like cleaning or front desk work) in addition to the fee? …Many shops unfortunately take advantage of apprentices as free labor, often saying its for the cost of the apprenticeship, and then never guaranteeing any actual training schedule or timeframe for completion of the apprenticeship. At a dedicated tattoo school (HOITU) you are not an employee or a shop laborer. You are simply here to learn and will be introduced to tattooing process and technique from the very beginning.

—Are they offering a guaranteed spot as a resident artist after you finish your apprenticeship?

Erik (aka Matthew Hayos) brings over 18 years of tattoo experience into the classroom. He is a graduate from The Acadmey of Art College in San Francisco, where he double-majored in Illustration and New Media / Web Design. Erik is also a military vet with a love of art, design, knowledge and structure, and after years of studying and practicing tattoo it became increasingly clear that the tattoo industry seriously lacked any organization or structure for safely and efficiently teaching the art of tattoo. Hence, the formation of The House of Ink Tattoo University.

When Erik is not out scouting for more mountain bike and running trails, he is making art and creating tattoo. Erik is currently a resident tattoo artist at Lash & Esthetic in Noblesville, Indiana. His love for tattoo is evident in his attention to all the finer details of a tattoo client’s experience as well as the tattoo itself. With two decades of experience, he specializes in fine line, illustrative, geometric, new traditional, & tribal fusion styles—creating custom designs that reflect each client’s individuality & vision.  
Erik’s journey into tattooing started in 2004. Shortly after serving in the Navy, he undertook a tattoo apprenticeship in Nacogdoches, Texas. Erik then went and got a Bachelor of Arts from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco (2010). He eventually migrated back to Texas where he tenured at Casey’s Tattoo Shop for four years, until April 2018 when he decided to migrated to Austin, Texas where he operated a private studio for almost seven years.

After relocating to the Midwest, Erik sought a space that matched his artistic values—professional, serene, and client-focused—and found his new creative home at Lash & Esthetic Studio. Here, he combines technical artistry with an exceptional client experience, transforming tattooing into a creative & deeply personal ritual.

 “I believe tattoo is a ritual, and that the experience is integral to the art—I perform a tattoo as much as I make or create it.”