Ink Different opens second Dallas-area tattoo apprenticeship site in The Colony

Ink Different Tattoos has launched a second Dallas-area apprenticeship location at Artistic Encounter in The Colony, expanding its college-alternative tattoo training program beyond Deep Ellum. The move gives North Dallas and suburban applicants another path into an 18-24 month mentorship program with a guaranteed job offer after graduation.

Why it matters: - Ink Different is widening access to its tattoo apprenticeship program across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. - The new The Colony location gives aspiring tattoo artists in North Dallas and nearby suburbs another in-person route into the industry. - The program is positioned as a college alternative for artists who want hands-on training instead of a four-year degree. - Ink Different describes tattooing as an AI-proof creative career with strong earning potential.

What happened: - Ink Different Tattoos opened its second Dallas-area apprenticeship location at Artistic Encounter in The Colony, Texas. - The expansion builds on the company’s existing partnership in Deep Ellum. - BillyJack Gunter will lead the apprenticeship program at Artistic Encounter. - Applications are now open for the new location.

The details: - The program offers hands-on experience, one-on-one mentorship and professional development over 18-24 months. - Graduates receive a guaranteed job offer upon successful completion. - Ink Different says the apprenticeship is designed for talented artists who want to become professional tattoo artists without taking on student debt. - The company says professional tattoo artists earn a median income of around $106,000 per year. - Artistic Encounter extends Ink Different’s footprint into North Dallas and the broader DFW suburbs. - BillyJack Gunter is described as a respected Dallas-Fort Worth tattoo artist known for technical precision, artistic versatility and individualized mentorship. - Paul-Anthony Surdi said Gunter blends Japanese tradition with black and grey realism and builds each piece around storytelling. - The program is offered as a structured path into professional tattooing inside a working studio. - More information is available at becomeatattooartist.com.

Between the lines: - Ink Different is trying to frame tattooing as a career track with structure, mentorship and job placement, not just informal shop training. - The North Dallas location may help the company reach applicants who want creative work but are not looking for a traditional college path. - Pairing the program with a well-known local mentor gives the expansion more credibility in a craft that often depends on reputation and studio culture.

What's next: - Ink Different is enrolling new apprentices at Artistic Encounter now. - The company’s next step is likely to be filling the new cohort and building on its Dallas-area presence through both The Colony and Deep Ellum. - Successful graduates will move into jobs in the tattoo industry after completing the program.