MY son wants to become a tattoo artist after complete his course at art University. I would like to purchase a tattoo machine for him at xmas. I know nothing about this so what would be a good choice to buy? He knows about not practicing on people and using pig skin and some other weird items so what would be a good place for him to start from? He seems quite knowledgeable and seems to want to learn from "the best" and not your average small town "cheap" artist.
Thank you for any assistance.
Darren Jones.

This like any business is a hard one, and he will need a lot of capital to get into the business. Shop rent, and no profit for months if not even a year or two, while he gains a name and business.

Most people either learn by working at another shop, or as many of the "cheap" artists, they start at 15 doing tattoo work on theirself or friends with homemade equipment. Others do it when in prison and more.

Please understand some of the best art work is often by the "cheap" artist, who has found he gets no business at 500 dollars for a average small tattoo and has to do it for 100 dollars.
Price is controlled more by the location of the shop, and what others are charging in the area. It can take years to get a name for yourself,