/r/tattoo

Photograph via snooOG

Welcome to /r/tattoo! Please review the rules before posting and commenting. Artists and apprentices, please contact the mods for verification!

Welcome to /r/tattoo! Please review the rules before posting and commenting. Artists and apprentices, please contact the mods for verification!

  1. Tag all NSFW/NSFL content as such.

  2. Be considerate and respectful.

  3. Properly crop and focus your pictures.

  4. Do not mock a person's appearance or tattoo.

  5. Do not claim a tattoo that is not your own.

  6. Do not request/offer medical advice.

  7. No drawing/idea/suggestion/translation requests - /r/tattoodesigns and /r/translator are better resources for these things.

  8. Artists & apprentices, please contact the mods for verification!

  9. No scratchers or asking how to scratch.

  10. Credit the artist/shop.

  11. No Reposts/Multiple Posts a Day.

  12. No trashing artists or shops.

We ask that you post a maximum of once per day, excessive posts will lead to removal.

Please don't ask about pricing - it varies so wildly between regions and artists that we simply can't give you a helpful answer.

If you see any posts or comments that break any of these rules, please utilize the report or modmail functions and let us know. Please do not reach out to moderators privately via DM or chat. Comments and/or posts may be removed at moderator discretion. Don't be an asshole.

Here's a helpful and informative Beginner's Guide, courtesy of /u/zzz0mbiez!

Interested in learning about the profession? Check out /r/TattooApprentice and our Apprenticeship FAQ.

Check out these other tattoo-related subs!

/r/tattooprobuyselltrade

/r/irezumi

/r/tattoodesigns

/r/traditionaltattoos

/r/nerdtattoos

/r/fixedtattoos

Do you have or know of a tattoo-related sub that you'd like to see listed here? Please reach out to us via modmail to discuss!

/r/tattoo

952,323 Subscribers

11

Tattoo by Paul, Almost Famous Tattoo, Northern Ireland

Cow and linework healed! Colour fresh. All feedback appreciated.

4 Comments
2024/12/03
21:33 UTC

12

Tat by Katy at Dinosaur Studio Tattoo and Art Gallery

A take on Eminem’s Mom’s Spaghetti.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
21:05 UTC

12

Killua Tattoo by Wade Whitman at Red Oaks Tattoo in Madison Heights, Michigan

5 Comments
2024/12/03
19:50 UTC

8

Tattoo flu?

My sleeve is 95% done. I’ve been going every two weeks to get it done. The last two sessions were long ones, the first being six hours and this last time being about 8 hours. The last one was in a lot of sensitive spots but were big pieces too. I think the session before this last one, I got a touch of the tattoo flu. But it only lasted a couple days. I’m on day four on the eight hour piece and I’m still really sick feeling. I can’t stay awake for long. I need naps throughout the day. I’m achy. Kinda stiff (probably from sleeping) all around I just feel awful. I thought sugar would be key but I don’t know if that’s been the right call. How long can tattoo flu last and what can I do to make my body better? I’m getting my neck done this weekend since it’s not attached to the fresh tattoos but will be connected at the end. What can I do for that session to make it so I avoid feeling like this again? Thanks y’all

26 Comments
2024/12/03
17:30 UTC

38

Snake and Ram Skull, me, now at Diamond Heart Studios in Flemington, NJ

3 Comments
2024/12/03
17:16 UTC

31

Jesus portrait tattoo by hilmartattoos based out of Los Angeles ca

7 Comments
2024/12/03
16:11 UTC

4

Memorial tattoo by Joel Kendellen (me) at Alkali Tattoo in Janesville, WI

1 Comment
2024/12/03
14:56 UTC

13

Getting a tattoo before losing weight

I am a chubby gal (height 160cm (5'4), weight 82kg (180 pounds). I am currently losing weight, already down 2kg but I've been down 8 kg before and then gained it back so it fluctuates. I've wanted a thigh tattoo for a long time (depicting three women dancing) but I'm afraid of getting it now cause it might warp after I lose weight. If I lose weight and get it I'm afraid I might gain the weight back and it will stretch. Apart from my stomach, my thighs show my weight gain/loss the most. Does someone have any experience with tattoos on areas that change a lot and their weight fluctuates like that? I'll hear any advice (if someone has pictures with comparisons I would really appreciate it)

15 Comments
2024/12/03
10:14 UTC

573

By Levi Murphy (me) done at One Block in Las Vegas

Done in two back to back sessions.

32 Comments
2024/12/03
10:03 UTC

6

Getting tattoos as someone with extreme perfectionism and anxiety-- lots of fear even though I want this tattoo

Hi all,

I have my first tattoo appointment on Wednesday. It's a small, simple piece of two monstera leaves that I designed in honor of my father, who passed away in March this year. I've sat on this tattoo since August when I designed it, and have been thinking about getting a tattoo since around the time he passed. I made this appointment back in September, and now that the time is come, I'm getting extremely anxious about it, even though I know I *want* this tattoo. I designed this tattoo myself and it has a lot of symbolism, and I want to be able to have a symbol of my father (who was also my best friend) that's always part of me.

I have OCPD and as a result have a lot of obsessive and anxious thoughts that are hard to quell. I'm just wondering if anyone else here relates to that and how they feel about their tattoos/experience now. I keep asking myself: What if I don't like it? What if I hate it when it gets old and the lines aren't as ​​sharp? What if I notice something about the design I don't like years down the line? Would my father even approve of me getting a tattoo (chances are he wouldn't really care, but anxiety doesn't go with rational thought very often)? Am I mutilating my body by doing this? What if other people judge me for having a tattoo?

Obviously my perfectionism extends to most parts of my life, and my body is included in that. It took a long time for me to be ok with stretch marks and scars, and I didn't get my ears pierced til I was 21 because I was terrified of ruining the "sanctity" of my body (and I love my piercings now). I've just been worrying about all the ways it could go wrong.

And before anyone tells me to see a therapist, I've been seeing one for years. I am getting treatment and I know and recognize the problem; I'm just looking to see if anyone has similar experiences and what they did to quell their perfectionism/fear. ​I'm trying to remind myself why I'm getting this tattoo, and it does help ease my worries a bit, but it'd be nice to hear what others have to say to. It's too late to back out since I put down a deposit months ago, and quite honestly I feel like I would regret NOT getting this tattoo more, so I don't want to, but it's hard to fight the urge. Thanks for all insight; I do appreciate it a lot.

66 Comments
2024/12/03
01:44 UTC

0

The beauty of minimalism by Eman Scorfna @ 7 Deadly Sins Studio, Malta.

A very minimalistic sternum concept !

11 Comments
2024/12/02
20:41 UTC

198

Corpse bride tattoo by hilmartattoos based out of Los Angeles ca

9 Comments
2024/12/02
17:59 UTC

50

Black Friday bangers by Mike at cat and cobra Albuquerque 2/2

I got two pieces in the same sitting on saturday but could only post one here in a day….Love both of these guys so much!!!

7 Comments
2024/12/02
13:02 UTC

98

Customized Poseidon by Aaron Calderon (Me) aaroncalderontattoo, PH

6 Comments
2024/12/02
10:14 UTC

0

Script tattoo done by Shannon at United Tattoo in Colorado Springs

extremely happy with the work he did on this. Knocked this out in less than an hour, was very impressed with how clean and crisp the lines looked after I took the second skin off.

6 Comments
2024/12/02
06:40 UTC

10

I am nervous about my first tattoo...

I have officially booked my first tattoo appointment! It's less than two weeks from now!

That tattoo is a "sister" tattoo of my sister's cat and my cat (so just two cats.) I love these two cats, the first that belong to us and not the family, and I love my sister. I have also wanted a tattoo for a long time.

However, with the appointment officially booked, I'm growing nervous.

I will never not be tattooed again! Is it dumb to get cats as a tattoo? When they die in 20 years, will the mourning process be worse cause they're on my body? Will I hate in 30 years? Where do I put it on my arm? (I told my artist that I don't know where to put it and they said they'd help.)

So, my question for you is: Did you have pre-first tattoo nerves and how did you feel afterwards?

21 Comments
2024/12/02
05:10 UTC

31

Designed and tattooed by me Jeff Croci, private studio San Francisco Bay area

4 Comments
2024/12/02
04:09 UTC

64

abstract lily pads, Uplift Tattoo in Soho NY by Megan @imnotsod

3 Comments
2024/12/02
03:51 UTC

3

Rollercoaster of intensely wanting a tattoo vs gettingcold feet

This will sound crazy, but I’m wondering if anyone can relate.

I have been wanting a tattoo on my bicep for years, but was always a little to apprehensive to get it. I got one on my leg as a way of putting my toe in the water, and am happy with it.

I booked the arm tattoo with confidence.

A week or so before the appointment, I started to get irrationally anxious about it.

  • I woke up at 6 am with an anxious/surreal feeling about getting the tattoo
  • I thought about how I’d have to show it to my family who doesn’t know about it (and who wouldn’t be psyched but wouldn’t be mean or anything).
  • I started noticing everyone who DOESNT have an arm tattoo.
  • I thought about how it will be visible every time I wear short sleeves.
  • I started questioning if the style I want would go out of “fashion” and look dumb in the future.

Finally, I decided I was too apprehensive to go through with it and canceled.

Just a few hours later, I saw someone with a piece similar to what I wanted and felt regret at canceling.

Has anyone experienced this level of swings in feelings about a tattoo?

16 Comments
2024/12/02
03:00 UTC

8

Fresh color by Misha Dumois of Electric Kitten (Seattle,WA)

I love the color choices my artist Misha of Electric Kitten made last night on this piece. I have 6 pieces by her and can't wait to add onto my leg sleeve with her next.

1 Comment
2024/12/02
02:55 UTC

11

Belly Button

I am a 41M that recently had a pretty traumatic surgery to my abdomen. During the surgery, my belly button had to be removed. I am looking for advice or recommendations on a shop/artist in the Midwest area that could tattoo a realistic belly button. I live near Indianapolis but willing to travel. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

16 Comments
2024/12/02
01:35 UTC

25

Wholesome tattoo story

Hi everyone! Today we had a Catholic mass and brunch to honor my grandfather, let’s call him Dan, (my father’s father) who passed 30 years ago this November. I was just two when he passed so I remember only stories about him, along with a few photographs. My grandfather was in the navy and had one tattoo on his shoulder it said “Good Luck Dan”. Other than that NO ONE, and I mean no one, in my family has tattoos. That is until I started on my sleeve. I’m basically getting tattooed every month growing the art on my arm, and family members are beginning to accept my tattoos (I knew they would, but it’s good to actually feel it). Anyway my dad, who is an amazing heartfelt writer and speaker, went on and on about his father in front of our entire family. He mentioned the tattoo on his dad’s shoulder, along with the text and my dad, who is also named Dan, made everyone think he was about to announce that he got the same tattoo on his shoulder but spun it around to me saying I’ve “got the tattoos covered for all of our family”. I have a great relationship with my dad but if ANYTHING could put a dent in it, it’d be my tattoos. So in my mind, not only was my dad outwardly, confidently calling positive attention to my tattoos, he did it in a way that made me feel extremely connected to my late grandfather. What a beautiful thing.

TLDR: my father, who I believe had some reservations about my tattoos, called positive attention to them in front of the whole family in a way that connected me to his late father (my grandfather) who passed when I was 2.

3 Comments
2024/12/02
01:19 UTC

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