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Getting a tattoo can be a sort of leap of faith. As wonderful and clear as the drawing may be, it ultimately comes down to the tattoo artist’s ability to use their machines. Unfortunately, that means that some folks out there have ink that serves as a warning to always do your research beforehand.
This Instagram page is dedicated to some of the most questionable, bizarre and downright terrible tattoos out there. So get comfortable as you read through, prepare to be deeply confused by how someone could want that, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts below.
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#1
Mind-Bending Ink
RELATED:
#2
No Shame Zone
#3
Muscle Goals, Kinda Reached
Tattoos are evidence that no matter how long something has been around, ultimately it comes down to human artistic skill to make it look good. We have evidence that people had some sorts of tattoos over 5000 years ago, for example, “Ötzi” whose mummified remains were found in the Alps, had a number of simple, line tattoos on his corpse.
We have more evidence from the ancient Egyptians, who put in more work to preserve their bodies after they died. One example had multiple animals, a bull and sheep, showing that the ancients weren’t that different from us and liked modifying the way they looked.
#4
Blue Collar Rapper Vibes
#5
Built-In Excavator Skills
#6
Waves of Irony
This means that humans have been developing this skill for thousands of years, yet there are still tattoos being made in 2024 that are absolutely terrible. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, importantly, the person requesting the tattoo is almost never the person making it, so there is always the question of if this was what they really wanted.
#7
The Half-Hearted Haircut
#8
Hidden Art Confusion
This underscores just how important it is to do one’s research. Good tattoo artists tend to charge a lot of money, but it’s best to think twice before entrusting someone’s roommate who happens to have a tattoo machine. This list stands as a warning as to what can happen. Remember, getting it removed is not at all fun either.
#10
When Ink Goes Wrong
#11
Tentacle Trouble
#12
Permanent Eyebrow Goals
On the flip side, doing your research might take time and cost a bit more, but you can discover actually awesome artists who you maybe never would have known existed. Unless you have a very, very particular idea of what you want, it can be beneficial to explore some other art styles and see what a creative professional can suggest.
#13
Artistic Oops Moment
Ace 1 year ago
It's so bad I hadn't even realised who/what it was supposed to be.
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Per-Ole Sjuve 1 year ago
"Thank you so much for trusting in my talent".... yeah, this is why trust is earned. XD
Mason Kronol 1 year ago
My husband thought it was a monkey. So glad he doesn’t do tattoos.
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Mason Kronol 1 year ago
The lion and tin man on the bottom and Jesus and the joker on top. It’s in the Bible.
Bookworm 1 year ago (edited)
That's the tin man? Why does it have pointy teeth?
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ncht7qzjz4 9 months ago
Going back to the same bad tattoo artist. Once, shame on them. Twice, shame on you. Thrice, you're a dumbf*ck. Fourth, what the heck bro?!?
Terri Rowland 1 year ago
Sorry but I can't bring myself to vote on this appalling selection of images..
Ashleigh Fuller 1 year ago
Are these the inbred versions? I understand fully that the top left is NOT this, but at first glance, it looked like a chromosome-challenged Joe Exotic.
Daniel Gómez 1 year ago
My favorite part is the caption. If this is talent, I don't want to know what lack of it is...
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
Attempts were made. What I love is how this guy kept going back for more.
Jen McCartney 1 year ago
The mistake was continuing to use the same artist (I use that term very loosely)
#14
Belly Button Takes Center Stage
#15
Birds of a Forehead
#16
Birds of a feather tattoo together
#18
Quirky Ink Surprise
#19
Face Swap with Ink
#20
Hidden Faces Revealed
#21
Bandana, But Make It Permanent
#22
Quirky Confidence Unleashed
#23
Modern Art or Brave Choice?
#24
Expectation vs Reality Ink
#25
Chicken Wings, But Make It Literal
#26
Permanent April Showers
#27
Checkmate or Just Checking In
#28
Tattoo Oops Moment
#29
Six-Pack Goals
#31
Silent But Spiky
#32
Burger Brain Energy
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 year ago
Another example of really neat idea if this was done for a Halloween party or something with makeup, but as a permanent tattoo? Perhaps not the best choice
#33
Permanent Ice Cream Rant
#34
Unlikely Crew Goals
#35
Blink and You’ll Miss It
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 year ago
If this was done with eyeliner pencil for a party or something, cool. Permanent tattoo? Oh my god.
#36
List of Exes, Meet the Marker
#37
Ink Dreams vs Reality
#38
Abstract Art Gone Wrong
#39
Sunburn with a Statement
#40
Sunshine With a Twist
#41
Tattoo or Optical Illusion?
#42
Ink Meets Stubble Drama
#43
Sketchbook Came to Life
#44
Palm Party Starfish
#46
When Tears Don’t Come Easy
#47
When Art Goes Off Script
#48
Permanent Prescription Problem
#49
Bold Statements, Bald Canvas
Svenne O'Lotta 1 year ago
That's an old school skinhead. Not necessarily the racist kind. The Oil! and ska gives it away.
#51
Frankling
#53
The Tattoo Was Placed Perfectly 👍
#54
Cool Guy Alert
#56
Thoughts? He Doesn’t Need A Barbershop Anymore
#57
Eagle 🦅
#58
Why Go To The Gym? If You Can Get A Tattoo Of A Beautiful Body
Traveling Lady Railfan 1 year ago
Although I wouldn't recommend it, this tattoo is not terrible
#59
Lara Croft Tattoo
#60
Always Smile Widely
#61
2.1% Neandertaler
#62
The Dude Loves Lettuce
#63
What Are Your Thoughts On This? 🤔
#64
#66
Sucky Backwards Wolf 🐺
#67
How Much Do You Like Hot Dogs? 🌭
#71
Beautiful Eyebrows By @vidocorp
#73
Slag Tag
#74
Lion, Tiger Or Bear? Oh My
#75
Sucky Reveals
Svenne O'Lotta 1 year ago
Yeah that's bad, but maybe try wiping the tat properly before taking pictures
#76
Done By @themojaveroom & @hairynscary
#77
Are There Any One Piece Fans Here?
#78
Yin Yang
#79
Is This True Love?
#80
What’s Your Favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Character?
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What do you think ?
Pittsburgh rare 1 year ago
You have THE ENTIRE BODY to ink and you tattoo your forehead? I'm sorry, but a face tat tells me that person is not that mentally stable
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
Just what I was thinking. I wouldn't employ any of these people for an office or customer-facing job.
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David “Dsumz” Sumner 1 year ago
All depends on what the tattoo meant to the person who had it after all can you really blame the customer unless it's a really bad idea of what they want but at the end of it all if it turns out like a bad child's drawing haven't you got to look at the artist the tools and even the ink and never go to a guy called Terry the tattoist who lives on the corner of 66 doughnut street who does it in his kitchen and charges £15 quid an hour and says I've done a few now and I'm getting better but has no photos of his work then RED FLAG!!!!!
Marie BellaDonna 1 year ago (edited)
Everything else aside, when will people learn that you can't just go to any artist for a face portrait tattoo?? They're not like regular tattoos. They're much harder to do. You HAVE to go to someone who does them often, and has done them recently, and you HAVE to see their portfolio of work first! I LOVE my artist, and wouldn't go anywhere else. But I would NOT go to her for a portrait. Because that's not her specialty. And any decent artist would refuse to do something out of their wheelhouse. Their art on your skin is their advertisement. A good artist wouldn't want bad representation. I wouldn't get a portrait anyway. They're really difficult to do, really hard to get right, and they can just go way too badly, way too quickly. But, just like everything else on here that isn't my cup of tea, it's their skin, and their choice...
talliloo 1 year ago
whenever i see tats that are something just horrible or appear to have been an intended 'joke' i think about the woman (she has now passed on) who was known as being the most tattooed woman. she had tatted up every inch of her body...and i do mean every inch as i saw a photo exhibit of her. she related that when she got to her skull she had run out of ideas so told the artist it was his choice. what did she end up with? a collage of penises with vines and flowers. she acted like that was fine with her but there was something about her that kind of showed she really didn't like it. what else could she have said at that point.
Learner Panda 1 year ago
A few of these look like prison tats. I can't believe a professional artist would create things so awful.
Cheryl Robinson-Atwood 1 year ago
Tatts too often expose a decided lack of IQ points in the wearer.
Pittsburgh rare 1 year ago
You have THE ENTIRE BODY to ink and you tattoo your forehead? I'm sorry, but a face tat tells me that person is not that mentally stable
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
Just what I was thinking. I wouldn't employ any of these people for an office or customer-facing job.
Load More Replies... David “Dsumz” Sumner 1 year ago
All depends on what the tattoo meant to the person who had it after all can you really blame the customer unless it's a really bad idea of what they want but at the end of it all if it turns out like a bad child's drawing haven't you got to look at the artist the tools and even the ink and never go to a guy called Terry the tattoist who lives on the corner of 66 doughnut street who does it in his kitchen and charges £15 quid an hour and says I've done a few now and I'm getting better but has no photos of his work then RED FLAG!!!!!
Marie BellaDonna 1 year ago (edited)
Everything else aside, when will people learn that you can't just go to any artist for a face portrait tattoo?? They're not like regular tattoos. They're much harder to do. You HAVE to go to someone who does them often, and has done them recently, and you HAVE to see their portfolio of work first! I LOVE my artist, and wouldn't go anywhere else. But I would NOT go to her for a portrait. Because that's not her specialty. And any decent artist would refuse to do something out of their wheelhouse. Their art on your skin is their advertisement. A good artist wouldn't want bad representation. I wouldn't get a portrait anyway. They're really difficult to do, really hard to get right, and they can just go way too badly, way too quickly. But, just like everything else on here that isn't my cup of tea, it's their skin, and their choice...
talliloo 1 year ago
whenever i see tats that are something just horrible or appear to have been an intended 'joke' i think about the woman (she has now passed on) who was known as being the most tattooed woman. she had tatted up every inch of her body...and i do mean every inch as i saw a photo exhibit of her. she related that when she got to her skull she had run out of ideas so told the artist it was his choice. what did she end up with? a collage of penises with vines and flowers. she acted like that was fine with her but there was something about her that kind of showed she really didn't like it. what else could she have said at that point.
Learner Panda 1 year ago
A few of these look like prison tats. I can't believe a professional artist would create things so awful.
Cheryl Robinson-Atwood 1 year ago
Tatts too often expose a decided lack of IQ points in the wearer.
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