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30 Terrible Tattoos That Look Even Worse When Compared To The Originals, As Shared On This Online Group
Bad tattoos are like funny jokes, they're not always intentional but they most certainly get a reaction. These designs, with their crooked lines and messy shading, often leave us wondering how people could have possibly thought they were a good idea.
While they already appear subpar on the wearer, they become even more comical when compared to the things they are meant to depict. Which is exactly what the subreddit 'Tattoo Comparisons' is dedicated to.
Created in 2013, it has 11,500 members who are constantly sharing "face swaps" of the most unfortunate body ink they find. From family and celebrity portraits to wild animals, continue scrolling to check out some of the most popular ones, and don't miss the talk we had with tattoo artist Adam Grant, who represents the Gypsy Stables Tattoo & Piercing Studio located in Soho, London. You'll find it in between the images.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Indistinguishable
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
I have asked this myself. what is it about tigers they find so hard, the bloke can probably smash out a perfect skull or something but tigers seems to be extra tricky
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RELATED:
#2
Freddie Mercury
Valen Rodriguez 2 years ago
Caught in a landslide no escape from reality.
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Fraxinus excelsior 2 years ago
Looks like when the chap starts transforming in An American Werewolf in London
Kimberleia 2 years ago
unpopular opinion, but I like it. It can be looked at as a caricature maybe with some extra shading and some color will make it better
Tris Hunt 2 years ago
I was thinking that too with the caricature bit. But it shouldn't have happened to Freddy.
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The last thing we want is for these pictures to discourage you from getting inked. We hope they will simply act as a friendly reminder to do your research (and provide an innocent laugh or two). Whatever pushes you toward the needle, it's a good enough reason. After all, it's your body. You set the rules.
However, judging from his experience, Adam Grant thinks people usually focus on meaning when they get their first tattoo, but last-minute impulse decisions for a friend or new partner are a strong contender.
"Don't get me wrong, [those are] perfectly valid," Grant told Bored Panda. "It doesn't matter what you get as a first tattoo as long as you are conscious of the potential consequences of things like judgemental perspectives of others, [work] rules and requirements, or even your own change of heart down the line."
"If you are ok with the risks involved in getting a tattoo then go for it!"
#3
Precious
Joshua David 2 years ago
What I would assume to be the daughter, she seems to have a hand getting ready to snatch something instead of a nose.
Magical Carp God 2 years ago
This is why ask if they have someone who does portraits. You don't want I can do portraits. You want I only do portraits.
Terra Raizor 2 years ago
Can't stop hearing super dramtic music with flames rising around these faces
#4
Money Talk
#5
Wejrns Werl
It's normal to be worried even after you do all the homework. It's a totally new experience! Professional tattoo artists, Adam Grant included, have no problem with it.
"The whole process is new to [first-timers] and of course, it can be alien and concerning," he said. "Especially with the anticipation of the pain that might be and the comments of others who have or have never had tattoos."
"I can handle nervous customers as it's natural and understandable. Patience is key in tattooing. What I have little care for are customers who are rude and unnecessarily demanding. Respect is a two-way street and kindness costs nothing," Grant explained.
#6
Borb Murley
#7
Bootmoon
#8
A Chimp... A Lion... Idk
Fraxinus excelsior 2 years ago
Looks like he stuck his head out of the space shuttles window during take off
#9
Mama
Upstaged75 2 years ago
Poor woman! We can only hope she's deceased because showing her this tattoo might kill her. My mom would probably chop my arm off herself! ;)
The numbers say that more and more people are walking into tattoo shops. A Harris poll of 2,225 United States respondents performed in 2015 found that 29% of Americans had at least one design on their skin, an increase from 14% in 2008 and 21% in 2012.
Tattoos were slightly more common among United States women (31%) than men (27%). Younger respondents were more likely to have tattoos, with nearly half (47%) of those 18-35 years old reporting that they had one.
#10
Joe Pesci, What Happened To Your Face?
#11
Faceswap
Blur Davis 2 years ago
Well that face would be a great cover album picture for some death metal band
#12
Anatomically (In)correct Pin Up Girl
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
My God! These body standards are just getting increasingly unattainable!
#13
God Of War
Looking more globally at industrialized Western societies, French dermatologist Nicolas Kluger, M.D., Ph.D., published a review of epidemiologic studies performed in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and South America, reporting that the prevalence of tattooing is around 10%-20%.
Interestingly, Kluger also noted that the prevalence of tattoos among United States Navy personnel in World War II was 65%, while the modern prevalence of tattoos among those in the military is cited as ranging widely from 10%-44%.
#14
The Joker
DP 2(DP) 2 years ago
“Wanna know how I got these scars? I mean my mental scars not the ones on my face. Some guy turned me into a tattoo and posted it on Bored Panda. I look so weird. I got an alien chin Batman. An Alien chin.”
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Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
A tattoo The Joker would appreciate since everything's a joke and death is the punchline and all. 😂
#15
Grean Dae
Cat enthusiast 2 years ago
I mean the left guy isn’t so bad?… *trying to find a way that it actually looks okay*
#16
Minions
fair_weather_rose 2 years ago
The one with the ukulele is th only one now smiling, I think it's that one
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Jasmin Mendoza 2 years ago
One of the items doesn't belong here and is nightmare fuel. Can you find it?
Melissa Walker 2 years ago (edited)
How do u screw a minion up they're like the easiest thing to draw, paint freaking mold out of clay etc. That's crazy
#17
Megern Ferx
However, despite its popularity, the tattoo world still has misconceptions, and the hottest one in Adam Grant’s professional circle now seems to be temporary designs.
"I’ve been getting an increase in customers requesting temporary ink tattoos,” he noted. “It appears this has been advertised on social media as a common possibility. As far as I’m aware, there are no disappearing ink tattoos that fade in a short amount of time.”
“There are henna ink tattoos, but that’s a different practice, and I strongly advise visiting henna professionals for that because there are henna inks out there that are potentially dangerous to human skin,” he added.
#18
Nailed It
#19
Seinferld
#20
Nailed It
Daniel Atkins 2 years ago
You know she says “Dad, put on some sleeves you’re embarrassing me.”
#21
I Bet You Can't Even Tell Which One Is The Tattoo
Otherwise, Grant suggests people go with Inkbox or a temporary tattoo stick-on company. "Essentially, that just transfers paper ink that takes time to wash away. My opinion on this is to go with your gut and stay clear of tattoos until you are one hundred percent confident in a design that you love."
"Some tattoos we regret over the years because we are constantly becoming different people than who we were yesterday," the artist highlighted. "That's OK. Making mistakes is part of humanity and it adds to our character."
#22
Hairy Patter And The Dethly Hellos
Huck Finn 2 years ago
Yea but what in the actual f*ck is going on in that other tat? Is that supposed to be beetlegeuse?
Erin Sullivan 2 years ago
I think it's supposed to be Harry fighting the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets? Maybe? 🤔🤷♀️
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
Ok, dafuq is going on in the other section of their tattoo? I mean, I can at least identify Draco...
Pumpkin Spice 2 years ago
"YOU WAIT TILL MY FATHER HEARS ABOUT THIS, MALFOY" "YOUR FATHER IS DEAD, IDIOT"
Imperial Guard 2 years ago
That man is wielding a pretzel stick and you cannot tell me otherwise
BeepBeepBoopBoop 2 years ago
yea but one of the bad ones because there's no salt. Or he could be like me and sometimes I lick off the salt
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#23
Family Portrait
Mickysixxx 2 years ago
I swear there is a family up the road that looks like this, we call them the Drawn family lol
Little Wonder 2 years ago (edited)
I feel like, if I was getting a portrait tattoo, I'd ask the artist if they had a portfolio of their other portrait work because it's kind of important to not do.. well.. this.
#24
It Turned Out Better Than I Anticipated... But That's Still Not What A Wolf Looks Like
Justin Rogers 2 years ago
Three man wolf pack? Does that mean there's three of these horrible tattoos in existence?
#25
Immortaliderp
#26
*they Wre-E-E-Cked Her*
MonicaChicagoGal 2 years ago (edited)
The people in the hills ate her eye.
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#27
Cardi B
#28
Wednesday Addams
DP 2(DP) 2 years ago (edited)
That show is so dang popular. “Dance dance dance with my hands hands hands”
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#29
Realistic Dancer Girlfriend
Allan Hart 2 years ago
I bet they weren't going for hyperrealism. For a toony tat it turned out fine
#30
"Ladies And Gentlemen, The Beotles!"
Curtis Dahl 2 years ago
Other than John Lennon looking like he ate a few too many tangerine trees and marmalade skies this one is pretty good
#31
Brad Pitt
#32
Hoolk Hoogan
#33
Majestic King Of The Mount Derp
#34
The Majestic Tiger
2 years ago (edited)
Kid: Mommy, mommy look a tiger // Mom:aww what a cute looking tiger that is 🤣
Cat enthusiast 2 years ago
I would stare at that tattoo for a few moments and then keep staring bc WTH
#35
Jesus Arm-Wrestling With Satan
#36
Franklin
Alya 2 years ago
Honestly it's hard to tell if we're looking at his throat or the back of his head
Amanda B Bench 2 years ago
I thought it was the back of his neck at first too and was concerned for him and the shape of his head 🤣
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#37
Majestic Lion
waddles 2 years ago
is it bad that i find the face part adorable- not on a body but maybe a drawing tacked up on the fridge
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 2 years ago
In the jungle the mighty jungle the demonic possessed hell-beast from the darkest pits of hell and despair sleeps tonight...Oh in the jungle....
#38
Elvurs Prursley
Amanda B Bench 2 years ago
What in the actual hell?! That looks NOTHING like Elvis or any other living human, thank goodness. That eye that's almost in the sky... gah!
#39
The Bear
#41
This Sub Deserves A Resurrection
2 years ago
If i seen a bear like that irl i'd laugh so damn hard at it and then run because it's still a bear
Cat enthusiast 2 years ago
UM, ACTUALLY! You’re supposed to, actually, back away slowly. Sigh! /s
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#42
Found On The “Sucky Tattoos” Instagram
#43
I Think It's An Owl
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
YO, YO YO, BRO, I have the best idea for a tattoo and I want it right now. Bring over your gun! No, I'm not *too* high, just get over here!
#44
Nermern Reedus
#45
Tiger Leap
MotherofGuineaPigs 2 years ago
Alright. If I must leap, but I'm not going to pretend I like it...
#46
The Humane Thing To Do, Would Be To Put It Down
#47
Jermes Hertfierld
#48
Chris Farley
DEW 2 years ago
I've read recently that some don't think this should have happened. It's one of my favorite skits. These two were showing not everyone needs to be perfect and sometimes the normal isn't the best. I reminds me of The Twilight episode where the lady wants to look like the rest of the world who has disfigured faces. She looked like us. God Bless these two fabulous actor's who were taken way to early. I would see a show with these 2 and John Candy! Heaven is in stitches of laughter!!!
MotherofGuineaPigs 2 years ago
* The Twilight Zone - A much better story.
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The Bear
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
To be fair, looking at it does terrify me on a visceral level so I guess it still works...
#50
Wild Wolfs
#51
Dinosaur
#52
Ride It
PigSquatch 2 years ago
Because the majority of people are trash maybe? I have never understood getting a tattoo there and then showing it off. Makes people trashy in my opinion
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White Tiger
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
Note to self: do not get a tiger tattoo, ever. No one seems to know what they look like.
#54
Dragonborn
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
Actually, the face isn't so bad. The body is a travesty though. Protip for new artists: shading comes before scales.
Dahamada Jamawas 2 years ago
I think the other way aroung would be even funnier: The dragon body from the tattoo combined with a "real dragon head"
#56
Freddie Mercury
#57
Steve Buscemi Tattoo Face Swap
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
Actually, since it's so small, and it's Steve Buscemi, it's not that bad. Every single tiger on this list is at least 1,000 times worse.
#58
Steve-O
ggus44 2 years ago
This one is well done. The pic for comparison should be the one they used to make this tattoo.
Na Schi 2 years ago
Went here to say the same - the angle is the clue... And how faboulous it turned out when considering that he'd got the first version by sitting in the open trunk of an off road jeep. Hitting continuously nasty bumps.
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Southern Pride Punisher
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
I see so much of this nonsense out here in AZ. First off, you're out West, not crossing Dixie. Second, The Punisher would hate you and you should all be glad he's not real. Third: nothing screams "I AM EXTREMELY INSECURE" harder than proclaiming you're a "badàss".
#60
So Majestic!
#61
The Greatest Of The Big Cats
just another teen 2 years ago
ok but this one isn't even that bad just a bad angle in my opinion
#64
Noooooooooooooo-Ot My Father!
Amanda B Bench 2 years ago
I don't really know what Darth Vadar (?) is supposed to look like, but this looks pretty good I think
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What do you think ?
GadgetGirl 2 years ago
Tattoo Precheck: 1. Is it out of a book chained to the counter? No? Continue Yes? Rethink your choices 2. Is it of the name of your current input/output? No? Continue. Yes? Rethink choices. 3. Does the artist have a gallery of similar tats so you can investigate their style? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 4. Is there a consult appt first where you sit together and hash out the design, the potential pros and cons of putting that there, how long it will take and how much it will cost? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 5. Does it hold meaning to you now and will continue to mean something to you in the future? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 6. Does the artist show you a sketch first that you can change, show you different size options, and apply a transfer first so you get a really good idea of what it will look like before it's permanent? No? Rethink choices Yes? Continue. 7. Have you wanted this for a long time? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue.
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
And lastly, be aware that you could go through all of this and it might still not come out well. Some people are very dedicated conmen...
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
This list made me feel a lot better about my now 16 year old still unfinished tattoo...
Alex Noisette Stephenson 2 years ago
Literally just gotta do your research and get a good artist lol. I'm pretty sure 99% of these were spur of the moment at a random tattoo shop
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Krizzy Macali 2 years ago
If the design still appeals to you and you're comfortable with it, you might have your tattoo touched up. Another option is laser hair removal. However, a lot of individuals feel that getting a terrible tattoo like these covered up is the quickest, simplest, and most enjoyable course of action. On my tattoo, it tried utilizing a temporary tattoo from https://wannabeink.com/, and it works wonderfully.
GadgetGirl 2 years ago
Tattoo Precheck: 1. Is it out of a book chained to the counter? No? Continue Yes? Rethink your choices 2. Is it of the name of your current input/output? No? Continue. Yes? Rethink choices. 3. Does the artist have a gallery of similar tats so you can investigate their style? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 4. Is there a consult appt first where you sit together and hash out the design, the potential pros and cons of putting that there, how long it will take and how much it will cost? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 5. Does it hold meaning to you now and will continue to mean something to you in the future? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue. 6. Does the artist show you a sketch first that you can change, show you different size options, and apply a transfer first so you get a really good idea of what it will look like before it's permanent? No? Rethink choices Yes? Continue. 7. Have you wanted this for a long time? No? Rethink choices. Yes? Continue.
Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
And lastly, be aware that you could go through all of this and it might still not come out well. Some people are very dedicated conmen...
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 2 years ago
This list made me feel a lot better about my now 16 year old still unfinished tattoo...
Alex Noisette Stephenson 2 years ago
Literally just gotta do your research and get a good artist lol. I'm pretty sure 99% of these were spur of the moment at a random tattoo shop
Load More Replies... Krizzy Macali 2 years ago
If the design still appeals to you and you're comfortable with it, you might have your tattoo touched up. Another option is laser hair removal. However, a lot of individuals feel that getting a terrible tattoo like these covered up is the quickest, simplest, and most enjoyable course of action. On my tattoo, it tried utilizing a temporary tattoo from https://wannabeink.com/, and it works wonderfully.
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