Most tattoo artists know a bad design when they see one. That is why they might offer some slight changes or suggest getting rid of the thing overall. However, some people are determined to get what they want. This leaves the tattooist with one option—trying to make it the best possible terrible tattoo using their skills. Luckily, some of these attempts turn out pretty great and end up on the internet, where they are met with repulsion and praise at once. That is due to the cringy idea, yet exemplary execution of the tattoo.
The Awful Taste But Great Execution community on Reddit is overflowing with examples of ATBGE type of masterpieces. From crossovers of children’s favorite characters to unexpected portraits, and more—people’s fantasy has no limits. Look through these fantastic tattoos and appreciate the intricate work of the artist even with the weirdest of requests.
If you’ve enjoyed these awful yet excellent tattoos, check out the examples in this Bored Panda post that are definitely more awful than excellent.
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This Tattoo
Coming up with the right tattoo for yourself might become quite a quest. It takes time to think of the idea, whether it’s something meaningful or just a nice image. That is when tattoo artists come to the rescue. Years of experience working in the field and an eye for detail might help sort out your design.
Tattooists noticed a rise in demand over the last decade. Research shows that back in 2012, 21% of Americans had at least one tattoo, while in 2019 the number reached 30%. People with at least one tattoo account for 40% of those aged 18-34 and 36% of 35-54 year-olds. The data also stated that a tattooed person most commonly has two of them, yet the average number of tattoos that Americans with ink have is four.
This Tattoo
This Wine Tattoo
While some choose this way to show tribute to their loved ones, others simply find tattoos pretty. Research by Statista discovered that the most common reason for people aged 18-59 to get a tattoo is to express their style and character.
Other popular bases include indicating personal opinions, commemorating a place, an event, or a new chapter in life. One of the least popular reasons on the list is energizing oneself or getting a tattoo as a mantra. To each their own, and these Reddit pictures are here to prove it.
Client: "I Want A Tattoo That Makes Me Feel Drunk When I Look At It"
I Went On A Date Today, He Proudly Showed Me This Tattoo
The aforementioned research also found that 53% of people over 60 think that tattoos are not an option for them. Only 21% of 30-59-year-olds and 9% of 18-29 share such views. Be that as it may, some people only realize they don’t want one anymore after it becomes too late.
Unlike wine, certain tattoos might not get better with time. This is mostly proved to be right by those with a lover’s name inscribed on their skin. Luckily, with the help of technology, nowadays, this art form is not as permanent as it used to be; there are ways to remove it using lasers or cover it with the help of skilled artists.
This Sub Is The First Thing I Thought Of When I Saw This Tattoo
This Snake Skin Tattoo On Some Dude’s Leg
This Crossover Tattoo
Some of the pictures on the list prove that tattoo artists can turn even an abomination into something decent-looking. From terrible designs to concepts one would have doubts about tattooing, the artists did their best to try and save the execution part, at least. That’s why you should always choose the tattooist wisely; their skill can make or break the end result.
According to IBISWorld, there are nearly 33,500 tattoo businesses in the US, so there is definitely plenty to choose from. Data presented by Zippia shows that there are currently more male artists, despite the nearly 10% rise in the number of female tattoo artists in 2010-2019. However, when it comes to salary, this form of artistry provides some surprising statistics—women in the industry earn more than their male colleagues.
This Football Tattoo
This Minion Tattoo
This Tattoo Sleeve
Some more interesting stats depict how tattoos might affect one’s likelihood of employment. According to YouGovAmerica, the majority of employers (54%) say that it doesn’t affect their perception of the candidate’s suitability. In addition to that, 6% stated that they would be more likely to hire a candidate with tattoos.
However, face tattoos are not perceived as favorably by most employers. 61% of them state that they’re considerably less likely, while 17% admit to being slightly less likely to hire a person with a design in such a place.
Teach A Man To Fish... Then Tattoo His Leg
A Fellow Redditor’s Tattoo Of His Two Favourite Drummers, Ringo & Animal
This is awesome. It really is great and it incorporates the person's fave things/drummers
Contributing To Tattoo Tuesday
In addition to being very noticeable, face tattoos are also among the most painful ones to get. The level of pain caused by the process differs depending on gender, pain threshold, and age. Nevertheless, certain spots, such as the neck, ribs, and stomach are typically more sensitive to the unpleasant sensation induced by needles.
Been Saving This Blobfish Tattoo For Today, So Ugly It’s Beautiful
Yin Yang Tattoo
My Friend Was Going To Get A Tattoo, But Then He Took An Arrow In The Knee
Data from 2018 shows that Italy is the country with the leading number (48%) of tattooed people. It is followed by Sweden (47%), the US (46%), and Australia and Argentina sharing fifth place with 43% of tattoo-bearing respondents.
Such A Good Tattoo Of A Cat Butthole
A Skeleton Arm Tattoo With The Wrong Anatomy
Sunflower Seeds Tattoo
Out of the countries where people feel this way the most, India is the number one. According to 2016 data, a staggering amount of people (nearly 23,000) decided to undergo a removal procedure. Japan takes a close second (roughly 20,000), then the US (slightly over 14,000), Italy (around 11,000), and Taiwan (nearing 6,000). According to Statista, 12% of people with tattoos regret getting them.
Nick Cage Leg Tattoo
A Toad Knee Tattoo
A Friend Of A Friend's Tattoo
With a growing number of tattoos, the demand for eliminating at least some of them is projected to grow as well. A tattoo removal market overview predicts that by 2027 this market will reach nearly 800 million USD.
This Hardcore Star Wars Tattoo
Pretty Sure These Bruise Tattoos Belong Here
Sailor Devito By @jasminedilworth And @matt.does.tattoos
One of the main reasons for tattoo removal is the spontaneity of the decision. A survey by Advanced Dermatology found that out of those regretting their decision, 28% only gave the thought a couple of hours. 24% of the people let it soak for at least a few days and 21%—for a few weeks. The smallest number of people regretting their actions (6%) contemplated the idea for around a year or more.
Pretty Sure This Goes Here
This Horns Tattoo
This Tattoo
Whether it’s a masterpiece or something you would tell your old self not to do, it requires proper care. It is important to make sure the fresh tattoo is well-maintained, not only for health reasons but for its longevity as well. Nonetheless, you might need a slight correction in the future as it tends to blur out with time.
Playstation Watercolor Tattoo
This Is Objectively The Best Tattoo
This Deeply Unsettling Snake Tattoo
This Peppa Pig Tattoo
This Ace Ventura Tattoo
My Tattoo Artist’s Favorite Thing To Tattoo Is Foodporn. Literally Pornographic Food
These Family Guy Tattoos
Family guy is overrated and not that good imo. Edit: Like what you like though :)
This Rat Tattoo
This Tattoo
Technically Very Sound Tattoo, But
Big Krang Tattoo On A Big Belly
This Rick And Morty Tattoo
These Tattoos Give Me The Heebie Jeebies
My Tattoo Artist Just Posted This
Posted To Local Tattoo Shop's Fb. Pretty Sure That's A Lower Back, Btw
This Golf Tattoo
This Lady Wanted Her Husband's Bite Mark As A Tattoo
Platypus Tattoo
That Tattoo
This Tattoo Of Chiellini Fouling Saka During The Euro 2020 Finals
Did this really happen? Sorry, I don’t watch soccer/football. It’s about as exciting as watching golf. 😴
From My Local Tattoo Shop
Beautifully Done... Cockroach.. Head Tattoo
This Tattoo
This Redbull Tattoo
Usually You Have A Great Idea And An Awful Tattoo, But
The 90s In One B**chin’ Tattoo
This Person’s Tattoo
This Tattoo
Tell me you love whatever is currently popular, even if it's stupid, without telling me you love whatever is currently popular, even if it's stupid.
Yea Let’s Just Get A Spider Tattoo
This Awful Joe Rogan Tattoo
At least they only have to have it until they're dead. Joe Rogan of all people...
This Tattoo
This Tattoo
Yoda Minion Tattoo
This Air Jordan Dragon Tattoo
This Tattoo
This Tattoo
A Guy I Went To School With Just Got This Tattoo
Argyle Sock Tattoos
I mean, if you're really a fan of the pattern of your grandpa's golf socks... XD
Gross / Beautiful Tattoo
Demon Tattoo
Black Eye Tattoo
My Body Is My Journal And My Tattoos Are My Story (Found On Instagram)
Shared On Local Tattoo Shop's Social Media This Week. I Am Speechless
For Tattoo Tuesday… I Present This Horrific Realism Portrait
Croc Tattoo
Friend Got King Of The Hill Calf Tattoos
Full Back Tattoo Of The "Holy Trinity Of Music": Jimi Hendrix, Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepson
Took This A While Back. I Know He Got Alot Going On But That Head Tattoo Was Done Very Well Even Though It's Also Terrible
Probably Went About As Well As A Jeffrey Dahmer Tattoo Possibly Could
This Queen Elizabeth Gang Tattoo
This Tattoo
This Tattoo I Found On Instagram
This Joint Tattoo
Unsettling “Shronkey” Tattoo
Centipede Face Tattoo
A Mutual Friends New Tattoo (She Has No Other Visible Tattoos)
This Dumb & Dumber Tattoo I Saw On Instagram Is Possibly The Worst Thing Anyone Has Ever Done To Their Body
Stranger Things Tattoo
I mean it's a good show, but is it chest piece worthy? I wouldn't even get a Game of Thrones tattoo on my chest, and that's my favorite show ever. But that's just me *shrug*. It's kind of a spot for something sacred, I feel, since it's over the heart.
This Browns Fan's Tattoo Of Myles Garrett Hitting Mason Rudolph With His Own Helmet
Yes, glorifying a moment of senseless violence in the NFL is absolutely something I want immortalized on my body for all to see and admire. /s
Antique Store Find - Saved It For Tattoo Tuesday Just In Case
Let Me Get That My Chemical Romance Face Tattoo Real Quick
Monster Energy Confederate Back Tattoo
This Tattoo Of Saweetie On A Fan's Chest
Roger Stone's Photorealistic Nixon Tattoo
Tattoo Of Serial Killer Albert Fish
Question to those who have a tattoo.........Do you mind if people ask if they can have a better look at it?
I never mind, and if anyone ask I am more then happy to tell the meaning 🙂
Load More Replies...Excellent work, but gaagh, who wants bugs and serial killers on their body? Your tattoos represent you!
Look, the serial killers are weird, but I don't see what's so weird about bugs? Lots of people have butterflies, and I personally have a stag beetle named Stanley.
Load More Replies...This brought out some sensitivity in a few people. If the tattoo is not truly offensive, just weird and odd but still well made why care so much. Id rather have quite a few of the tattoo in this list then some generic c**p
Excellent idea and execution by the tattoo artists. However! the people who walk around with those tattoos are nuts
Better to have a stupid tattoo well done than a meaningful tattoo done badly.
My dumbass sat here and tried the magic eye thing with this cover photo
Most of these desings are really cool. If they are bad they are truly terrible and I will never be able to unsee them but most are cool
The execution is amazing- so many look like photos! Beautifully done work, but omg no- never in a million years!!!
The tattoos themselves are (mostly) really well done, but some of those designs! I guess there's no accounting for taste.
I think "bad design" isn't really correct. Because it's entirely subjective. Just because you don't understand a tattoo, doesn't mean it's bad. It may have meaning, to the person who got it. Or, it may be entirely for fun. Either way, to each their own. The serial killers are the exception, in my opinion. I can't understand why anyone would want something like that. And I have 18 tattoos myself. But, again, to each their own. I guess, lol.
I can't help but wonder what they'll look like twenty years from now.
Question to those who have a tattoo.........Do you mind if people ask if they can have a better look at it?
I never mind, and if anyone ask I am more then happy to tell the meaning 🙂
Load More Replies...Excellent work, but gaagh, who wants bugs and serial killers on their body? Your tattoos represent you!
Look, the serial killers are weird, but I don't see what's so weird about bugs? Lots of people have butterflies, and I personally have a stag beetle named Stanley.
Load More Replies...This brought out some sensitivity in a few people. If the tattoo is not truly offensive, just weird and odd but still well made why care so much. Id rather have quite a few of the tattoo in this list then some generic c**p
Excellent idea and execution by the tattoo artists. However! the people who walk around with those tattoos are nuts
Better to have a stupid tattoo well done than a meaningful tattoo done badly.
My dumbass sat here and tried the magic eye thing with this cover photo
Most of these desings are really cool. If they are bad they are truly terrible and I will never be able to unsee them but most are cool
The execution is amazing- so many look like photos! Beautifully done work, but omg no- never in a million years!!!
The tattoos themselves are (mostly) really well done, but some of those designs! I guess there's no accounting for taste.
I think "bad design" isn't really correct. Because it's entirely subjective. Just because you don't understand a tattoo, doesn't mean it's bad. It may have meaning, to the person who got it. Or, it may be entirely for fun. Either way, to each their own. The serial killers are the exception, in my opinion. I can't understand why anyone would want something like that. And I have 18 tattoos myself. But, again, to each their own. I guess, lol.
I can't help but wonder what they'll look like twenty years from now.