Nick's Notebook

Every serious tattoo collector eventually asks the same question: “What shop are you at?” I can still feel that knot in my chest. The second my answer wasn’t a legitimate studio, the conversation changed. Trust disappeared. Looking back, staying unlicensed didn’t just cost me clients, it easily cost me over $100,000 in opportunities I never even got the chance to earn.

Nick Young, founder of Learn to Ink and a Kansas City tattoo artist specializing in cover-up tattoos, was recently featured by VoyageKC Magazine. In the interview, he shares his journey, the story behind building Learn to Ink, and why he’s working to raise the standard for professional tattoo education through structured, state-compliant apprenticeship training.

Kansas Board of Cosmetology Pathway: 1,350 hours of training—150 beyond Kansas’s 1,200-hour minimum—plus 50 supervised in-studio procedures, Kansas-aligned coursework, the state practical and written exam pathway, and required 8-hour BBP training. Enrollment is limited to one Kansas apprentice per training cycle, with direct 1:1 support throughout. Tuition: $17,500.

Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival 2026 at Crown Center. See inside a tattoo convention + learn how to start a tattoo apprenticeship in KC.

Look, you can binge-watch tattoo tutorials on YouTube till your eyes bleed. But nothing replaces hands-on experience. An apprenticeship throws you into the fire with a seasoned pro guiding your every move. You learn the ropes, the tools, the hygiene, and the art of turning skin into a masterpiece.

If you’re thinking about diving into the tattoo world, especially around Kansas City, you’re in the right place. Tattooing isn’t just about slapping ink on skin - it’s an art, a craft, and a legit career path. REAL LIFE tattoo training is where you want to start if you want to be more than just a weekend doodler. Let me break down why learning to tattoo in Kansas City is a game-changer. Whether you’re in Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, or anywhere nearby, this city’s got the

It is important to find a tattoo artist who has experience in doing cover-up tattoos. Not all tattoo artists are skilled in this area.

I'm stoked to announce that I'm searching for ONE more talented apprentice to join my team here in KC!

As you can see from the photo, I've been channeling my inner Picasso and turning these blank canvases into mini-masterpieces.

Dig out those dusty sketchbooks, those neglected paints, those forgotten art supplies lurking in the back of your closet.

Kansas City is experiencing a cultural renaissance, and with it, a growing appreciation for the art of tattooing.