Beginners can look at a cosmetic tattoo course that starts with theory and builds toward live model work, and ARCH’s program is built in that order. Its training page says the program is designed to teach new skills and advance current practice, and that it’s equipped for everyone. Confirm your own situation with the team before paying a deposit.
Choosing a cosmetic tattoo course is a big decision, especially when you’re new. You’ll want to know what you learn each day, what you receive, what it costs and how success is measured. Here’s a clear walkthrough of what ARCH Academy publishes for its North Adelaide training.
What does ARCH’s training actually offer?
Which programs can you choose from?
ARCH lists two paths. The Combination and Microblading Course is a private three day group program led by Shikira Nicholls, listed at $3,999 including GST. The One on One ARCH Microblading Course offers personalised training with continuous feedback, listed at $5,500 including GST. Both take place in the North Adelaide facility.
Who is it designed for?
The page says the group program teaches new skills and advances current practice, which suggests a mix of newcomers and working artists. ARCH also frames the training as a way to turn brows into a business, with mentoring toward a profitable career. If you’ve never held a tattoo machine, ask about it during a consultation.
How are the three days structured?
Day one is theory and foundations. You’ll study the ideas behind cosmetic tattooing along with business management, so you aren’t walking in blind. That’s a reassuring start for beginners, because it sets the vocabulary and expectations before anyone touches skin. Honestly, strong foundations make everything else less intimidating.
Day two shifts to practice. You’ll work on synthetic skins, then watch Shikira complete a start to finish process on a live model in real time. Day three moves to live models and assessment, with Shikira managing consultation, numbing and the full tattooing procedure alongside you. It’s a staged build, which is exactly what newcomers need.
How is your success assessed?
What are the four passes?
ARCH doesn’t hand out certificates just for attending. You’ll present before and afters of your next four clients to determine your success. Once all models are completed and four passes are obtained, you receive your certificate and begin your career. That’s a real benchmark, and it keeps standards honest for everyone involved.
Is there support afterwards?
Yes. The page states that ongoing support is available through your selected accredited trainer, and that Shikira offers support whenever you need it. For a beginner, that safety net matters. The first few real clients can feel daunting, and having an experienced mentor to message makes those early weeks much less lonely.
What comes in the ARCH kit?
Every student receives a take home booklet covering the theory, plus a professional tattooing kit. ARCH lists the following inside:
- Premium ARCH cosmetic tattoo gun
- Needle cartridges
- Microblades
- Brow Daddy pigments
- Mapping materials
- Hygiene equipment and more
- A course completion certificate, presented after assessment
That’s a lot of equipment to source yourself, so having it included lowers the barrier. It also means you’ll train on the same tools you’ll use afterwards, rather than learning on one setup and buying another.
How much does it cost and how do you book?
The full group course is $3,999. A $1,500 booking fee secures your place, or you can pay the full amount upfront, and the remaining balance is due 5 days before the class begins. ARCH accepts EFTPOS, or cash if paid in full at the premises. All booking fees and deposits are strictly nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Because of that policy, do your homework first. Book the free consultation, ask about prerequisites and talk through your goals. Think about which cosmetic tattoo clinic or studio environment you want to eventually work in, too, because training with a working studio gives you a realistic picture of daily client life.
Why does the business side matter?
Skill alone doesn’t build a career. ARCH weaves business management into day one, and the program is pitched as a pathway to a profitable career in cosmetic tattooing. Beginners often underestimate this. You’ll need pricing, client communication and policies like deposits and cancellation rules, which ARCH itself models clearly in its own terms.
Watching a working artist run a clinic is half the education. Notice how Shikira structures consultations, designs brows with a predraw and sets policy for late arrivals. A cosmetic tattoo course that includes those real world habits prepares you for the unglamorous parts of running a business, not only the artistic ones.
Conclusion
Beginners can absolutely explore ARCH’s training, provided they confirm suitability first. The course moves from theory to synthetic skins to live models, supports you with a kit and ongoing mentoring, and measures success through four assessed passes. Book a free consultation, ask your questions openly and decide with the full picture in front of you.