How to Make and Build a Tattoo Portfolio and What to Put in Your Tattoo Portfolio

Building your tattoo portfolio starts with the materials.

From checking my searches, I have found that many people are trying to find out how to make or how to build a tattoo portfolio. Therefore I am going to show a step by step on the physical construction of a portfolio.

Step 1: Decide how much you want to spend on your portfolio.
Portfolios of any kind simply include examples of your work. Both tattoo artist and piercers benefit from having portfolios displayed in a shop. These can be made from a simple school-style 3-ring binder, or something more expensive like a scrapbook or photo book binder. Some of these more high-end binders can get expensive since you can find them even made from leather. Deciding between these depend on the look you want or your budget.

A school binder can be found just about anywhere. It is best to get a school binder that has a clear plastic photo sleeve on the cover. This is where a photo of you as the artist, or your best work should go-along with your name.

A higher end photo book or scrapbook can be found at places such as Target, Walmart, or just about any craft store. Some of these have openings for photos on the cover, and some do not. If your name is not on the outside, it should be on the inside cover.

Step 2: What to include in your portfolio.
To start, you will need photo sleeves. These come in full-page sleeves (for 8 x 10 paper) or segmented sleeves for regular sized (4 x 6) photos. If you buy a photo book they sometimes include photo sleeves for you.

If you are using a school style (or another binder that holds 8 x 10 paper) you can paste your regular size photos onto a sturdy paper and slide that into the 8 x 10 protective sleeve.

In the beginning or outside of your portfolio, you should include your logo, name, or photo. Many artists have a logo containing their name that they put in the front of their portfolios.

Step 3: Pick/Print photos and assemble.
Follow the steps in the last post to make sure you pick the best photos for your portfolio. Remember quality always before quantity. After this is done you can get them printed. Either print through a photo shop or somewhere like CVS, Walmart, or Costco. If you print from home, always use photo quality paper.

Decide the order you want and assemble your binder. Place photos back to back and slide them into the sleeves. If you are using paper and pasting on photos do the same process. You want photos on the front and back of pages-like a book. Don't have empty photo sleeves in the back of your portfolio. Remove them if they don't have photos and leave them aside until you need them.

Step 4: Keep up your portfolio!
Continue to take photos and don't let your portfolio fall apart! Now you're ready to go.

DOs and DON'Ts of Portfolio Content

DO:

    Treat your portfolio like a resume, because it is!
    Use high-quality, sharp, non-pixilated photos, on photo paper or prints
    Show a variety of your work, include new and old work
    Try to snap a photo quick, before a tattoo is too red, swollen, or bloody.
    Always take photos of your work, and decide later what you want to include/
    Get multiple photos, and multiple angles, especially on larger works.
    Use a nice-looking portfolio, making sure it is clean and not torn.

DON'T:

    Share blurry photos, they make any tattoo look bad.
    Use a time code on your camera. A time code makes any work look dated.
    Include all photos. Choose your photos based on the quality of the tattoo, and the photo.
    Finally, don't let your portfolio fall apart.

Keep up on the content and quality of your portfolio. A torn and dirty portfolio reflects negatively on you and your work. Continue to be proud of your art, and show your evolution through the photos you include in your portfolio.

Use social media and websites to your advantage when it comes to sharing photographs and promoting yourself. A digital portfolio carries the same rules.

Visit my website for more marketing ideas for tattoo shops and artists.

Find great tips, promotion ideas, and online marketing ideas at http://TattooedMarketing.com.

Tattooed Marketing is a great source for marketing and business ideas for your tattoo shop. Contact me to be a guest writer or to be interviewed for the blog.