ADVERTISEMENT

When I saw my colleague Jonas' story on the Facebook group 'That's It, I'm Inkshaming', I realized that for every good tattoo, there must be at least two terrible ones. And it didn't take long for me to find proof that I'm probably not that far off.

Turns out, there's a subreddit called 'Bad Tattoos' and it's filled with the worst designs to have ever been inked on the human body. Whether we're talking about cringy concepts or lines that look like they were done by a two-year-old, you can't help but feel sorry for the people who have to "wear" them.

I wonder how many people have asked if they're permanent!

#1

Some Guy Tried To Copy My Tattoo Artist's Work - Nipple Tattooed On His Arm

Some Guy Tried To Copy My Tattoo Artist's Work - Nipple Tattooed On His Arm

samusxmetroid Report

#2

Terrifying

Terrifying

throckmorton_ Report

To learn more about underwhelming tattoos and how to avoid them, we contacted tattoo artists Adam Grant of Gypsystables Tattoo and Josh Young of Highwater Gallery.

The process of inking your skin begins with homework; if you haven't researched your tattoo artist or studio, you've already made a mistake.

"In my opinion, what causes a tattoo to be 'bad' is perhaps not enough research," Josh Young told Bored Panda. "Nowadays, there is such an extensive range of different styles by such a huge variety of tattooists, and so you have to go to the best artist suited for the type of tattoo you are after."

#4

"What Angle Do You Want The Plane From?" "All Of Them"

"What Angle Do You Want The Plane From?" "All Of Them"

MarkusAk Report

Add photo comments
POST
hawkmoon avatar
Hawkmoon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps it was drawn before the invention of perspective?

jefbateman avatar
Jef Bateman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has perspective, just not the perspective we expected. Maybe now we know why the ancient Egyptians were never able to design a working model of an aircraft.

Load More Replies...
gabrielakarabinosova avatar
Gabriela Cink
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There were times when this broken perspective was very in. Looking at you, year 1920 and later...

kcasnar avatar
Sven Grammersdorf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The registered owner of that airplane is the Civil Air Patrol out of Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama

bigjeep0930 avatar
Chris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It actually looks to be banking to the left. Is not that far off. Cessna, Not great, but not too far.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"So many times customers have complained to me about bad work they have had done by tattooists who were ill-fitted for the type of tattoo they wanted, and so I try to encourage them to do some research and actively seek out the best for the job," Young explained.

ADVERTISEMENT

"You wouldn't go to a carpenter to fix your boiler so why would you go to a black and grey realism artist and expect a traditional tattoo? Unless you go to an artist who excels at all styles, do some research, find out who specializes in what, and you more than likely won't be having any bad tattoos."

#7

Friend On Facebook Seems Proud Of This Gem

Friend On Facebook Seems Proud Of This Gem

coreyjuliette Report

#8

Friend Bought A Tattoo Gun On Amazon For £100. Tattooed Darth Vader On Himself

Friend Bought A Tattoo Gun On Amazon For £100. Tattooed Darth Vader On Himself

reddit.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

I Think It’s Eye-Catching

I Think It’s Eye-Catching

kittenshateme Report

Add photo comments
POST
lloermynci avatar
Andy Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and he even has to keep that regretful expression for you to know what it is

View more commentsArrow down menu

However, we must keep in mind that everyone's entitled to their own taste. Adam Grant, for example, thinks that if a particular design is tattooed well, then it's only bad as a matter of opinion.

"What makes any tattoo bad are things that show straight away that the 'artist' has little to no training in tattooing," Grand explained. "Wobbly lines, forgotten elements, overworking the skin, and blowouts are all things to look out for. Safe hygiene standards are an absolute must. Make sure you go to a professional by checking online reviews and their body of work on social media."

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

The Concept Looked So Promising

The Concept Looked So Promising

ibboRftw Report

Add photo comments
POST
nathanlaycock avatar
Nathaniel
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything is wrong but.... the Shrek ears! The lion reminds me of that bad taxidermy lion.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Young also added that if you are getting tattoos from your friend in his apartment from a two-bit machine he bought from Wish, that will also probably end up being a bad tattoo. "Stop that. Please," he said.

But if you aren't happy with the tattoo you already have, there are still a few things you can do.

"Firstly, don't go back to the artist who did it," Young advised. "A lot of customers I know have complained about work they have had from someone else, and yet, have returned to them for more, expecting a different outcome—that doesn't make sense."

"Secondly, there is always a cover-up option. Again, do some research, find a tattooist who specializes in coverups or at least a tattooist who has some experience in doing it. Not all artists can cover work, and not all bad work can be covered, so you need to find the right tattoo artist for the job."

ADVERTISEMENT
#14

Playboy Can't Wait To Go To The Beach To Show It Off

Playboy Can't Wait To Go To The Beach To Show It Off

multipleklarts Report

Add photo comments
POST
jack23458 avatar
Mavis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess they figured out that they couldn't have the tail emerging between his legs lol.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

It Looks Like A Lawsuit

It Looks Like A Lawsuit

FoxFreeze Report

Add photo comments
POST
soul_and_sunset avatar
Jubum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, on to the happy guessing. What the hell are we looking at here?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#17

Christopher Walken Or Steve Buscemi? And Why Is He Green?

Christopher Walken Or Steve Buscemi? And Why Is He Green?

SydWashedBrain Report

Then, of course, there's the laser. Adam Grant said that if a touch-up can't remedy your disappointment, a trip to getting zapped is basically your last option.

"If the tattoo was executed as discussed but you don't like it afterward, then unfortunately, that's just tough luck," he explained. "If it was done how it was discussed beforehand, then the tattoo was done as asked."

#19

A Buddy Of Mine Has A Friend Who Gave Himself This In 8th Grade

A Buddy Of Mine Has A Friend Who Gave Himself This In 8th Grade

shad0w2323 Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahk_4 avatar
Sarah K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a conversation starter though!! I like it. It has a primitive feel, like a cave painting or a tree carving-it really makes me feel at one with nature. You don't have to squint at it and say, what is it? It says what it is. It is FOX. And can't we all agree with that message? I'm gonna 10/10 approve this one.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

All of this might sound too tedious for a tattoo, but sitting down in the chair having done the preparation is way better than spontaneously popping into a studio.

One study found that 3 out of 4 people with "tattoo regret" didn't plan for the tattoo beyond a few weeks.

#22

Facebook Delivered. Originally Thought The "Talons" Were Fidget Spinners

Facebook Delivered. Originally Thought The "Talons" Were Fidget Spinners

arwynn Report

#24

The Incredible Hulk - His Face Gets Me Every Time

The Incredible Hulk - His Face Gets Me Every Time

mxdj Report

"If you are indecisive even up until the day of a tattoo, then don't get one," Adam Grant said.

"Wait until you feel comfortable with altering your body. Once you're tattooed, it's done. There's no rewind. The only remaining options are to remove it or cover it up. It's a tattoo, not a haircut so be sure about what you want and who you're getting it from."

#26

How? Why?

How? Why?

cooljesus69 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

Spotted This On My Facebook Feed

Spotted This On My Facebook Feed

aquasun666 Report

#28

If Only Their Familey Had Warned Them

If Only Their Familey Had Warned Them

gablerr Report

#29

My Roommate Got Mad When I Laughed, Am I In The Wrong?

My Roommate Got Mad When I Laughed, Am I In The Wrong?

Trailer_Trash94 Report

"Don't stand for the ego, don't get tattooed through intimidation or being made to feel uncomfortable, and don't go to someone just because they are 'the best,'" Josh Young said. "There are horror stories of tattoo artists out there who are horrific to be tattooed by and yet people still go to them purely because they have a large number of followers; the tattoo artist should be doing everything to make it the best tattoo experience for you."

"Don't rush into getting any work done, you will always end up enjoying and appreciating your tattoo more if you have thought carefully about it, and you have gone to the right tattooist for the job."

Plus, it's not uncommon to feel some regret immediately after getting a tattoo; after all, we get used to seeing our body a certain way, and when it all of a sudden changes, that can cause a little bit of anxiety. Give it a few days or weeks, maybe you'll grow into it!

#30

Okay, Buddy, Okay

Okay, Buddy, Okay

paperrchain Report

Add photo comments
POST
nathanlaycock avatar
Nathaniel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

‘Veni, vidi, vici.’ I came, I saw, I conquered. As a comment it always struck Vimes as a bit too pat. It wasn’t the sort of thing you came up with on the spur of the moment, was it? It sounded as if he had worked it out. He’d probably spent long evenings in his tent, looking up in the dictionary short words beginning with V and trying them out…Veni, vermini, vomui, I came, I got ratted, I threw up? Visi, veneri, vamoosi, I visited, I caught an embarrassing disease, I ran away? It must have been a big relief to come up with three short acceptable words. He probably made them up first, and then went off to see somewhere and conquer it. — Jingo, Terry Pratchett

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.