ADVERTISEMENT

Skeletons, arrows, pigs… what do they all have in common? They’re just a few of the wildly random things people have permanently inked onto their bodies. And while every tattoo usually starts with a bold idea and big confidence, not all of them end the way the wearer imagined.

Sometimes the lines are crooked. Sometimes the design is… questionable. And sometimes, what sounded amazing at 2 a.m. turns into a lifelong “why did I do this?” moment. Today, we’ve taken a deep dive into an Instagram page to find some truly unfortunate tattoo designs. From concepts that didn’t translate well to ink that went hilariously wrong, we rounded up a few pieces that might leave you staring a little longer than expected. Keep scrolling at your own risk.

#1

Hand tattoo with a coffin, tombstone reading RIP, and fingers spelling OUCH, showcasing ink fails and permanent regrets.

inks.only Report

Sara Frazer
Community Member
7 months ago

But this is well done (???) and the humor is spot-on

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Man with a tattoo on his bald head that reads hair, one of many ink fails turning bad ideas into regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Jedi Panda
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    I think this one's clever

    View more comments
    #3

    Tattoo fail featuring Neanderthal text and a primitive man next to a patch of real hair, illustrating a permanent ink regret.

    inks.only Report

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Is that patch representative of the 3.17%?

    #4

    Minimalist back tattoo with thin ink lines and a small figure, showcasing one of the ink fails that turned into a permanent regret.

    inks.only Report

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    For some odd reason I like this.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Tattoo fail on foot with poorly done smiley face and unintended ink marks causing permanent regret example.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Humanity seems to be at a complete loss with what to do with themselves anymore 😕

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Back tattoo with uneven ink, featuring a cross and poorly drawn wings, a clear example of ink fails and bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    DEW
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Not with those wings.....

    View more comments
    #7

    Tattoo fail showing a blue ink handicap symbol with text humorously misspelling mentally handicapped on a man's face.

    inks.only Report

    DEW
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Why does the back of his head look like a second face?

    View more comments
    #8

    Back tattoo ink fail of two misshapen wings that look awkward and poorly designed, showing ink regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Funderthuck
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Chicken wings!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Tattoo ink fail of angel wings on neck, humorously edited to show man appearing to fly with ink wings in the sky.

    inks.only Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    🤣🤣🤣

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Tattoo of a keyboard on lower back showing ink fail example of bad ideas leading to permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    She's not my type

    View more comments
    #11

    Man with a scalp tattoo that looks like a poorly done hairline causing an ink fail and permanent regret.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    Was he going for cartoon character or bowling ball? Both works.

    View more comments
    #12

    Comparison of ink fails and professional tattoos showing extreme differences in quality and detail.

    inks.only Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    The expensive one is gorgeous, but I also like the cheap one, it looks primitive on purpose (like a fun little doodle or children's drawing), it has character and that facial expression is great.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Close-up of a shoulder tattoo added with text, showing an ink fail example from bad tattoo ideas and regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Close-up of an arm tattoo fail showing a crooked square outline, an example of ink fails and permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    NoRestfortheQWERTY
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    This is kinda awesome.

    View more comments
    #15

    Tattoo ink fail of a distorted Jesus face with a crown of thorns, illustrating permanent regret from bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    "Adrian!"

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Chest tattoos with ink fails showing misspelled phrases and poor lettering, examples of bad tattoo ideas regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    Judge can only god me?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Man with multiple face tattoos and a poorly executed ink fail tattoo on his forehead circled in red.

    inks.only Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    Clearly...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Person’s back showing a poorly drawn dog tattoo, an example of ink fails and bad tattoo ideas with permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Did he do this himself?

    View more comments
    #19

    Man showing a poorly done ink tattoo portrait on chest alongside the original photo on a smartphone screen.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    That will be $200 and please fill out this satisfaction survey card before you leave.

    View more comments
    #20

    Tattoo fail showing a poorly drawn search engine with phrases about tattoo mistakes and regrets on skin.

    inks.only Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Tattoo late.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Back tattoo resembling a lined paper with handwritten text, an example of ink fails and bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    At least there's space to add in the missing letter.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Tattoo ink fail of a braided hair tattoo on a man's neck and upper back, showcasing a permanent regret from a bad idea.

    inks.only Report

    DEW
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    HUH?!

    View more comments
    #23

    Tattoo ink fail showing two men, one with a distorted pregnant belly, with text containing a spelling error.

    inks.only Report

    NoRestfortheQWERTY
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    "Twilight" or "Beavis and B**t-head?"

    View more comments
    #24

    Person's back with poorly done tattoo reading less is more and nothing is too much, showing an ink fail regret.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    And yet, some things should never be.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Man showing tattoo of a British passport on his back, illustrating ink fails that create permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Wouldn't fit in the passport scanner gates.....

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Back tattoo with a crude, failed ink design of a crucifixion, highlighting ink fails and bad ideas turned permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    BrownEyedGrrl
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    I snorted.

    View more comments
    #27

    Man with a tattoo fail of a belt design on his lower back, showcasing ink mistakes that led to permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    He's a good girl.

    View more comments
    #28

    Back tattoo of a basketball jersey with the name Bryant and number 24, an example of ink fails and bad ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    I mean…better than some of the ones here…I guess.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    Tattoo ink fail showing a distorted face with an unintended smaller face within the mouth, illustrating a permanent ink regret.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Hulkception

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    Back tattoos of tigers showing ink fails with uneven and poorly executed designs on shoulders and backs.

    inks.only Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited)

    The first one was inked by a medieval painter who only ever heard of lion-tigers from a description by a "scholar".

    View more comments
    #31

    Bald man with ink fail tattoo of a fried egg and toast on his head, showcasing permanent tattoo regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    What an egghead.

    View more comments
    #32

    Tattoo ink fail of a foot designed to look like a worn Converse shoe, showcasing a permanent regret ink mistake.

    inks.only Report

    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Aye spartacus

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Tattoo fail showing a poorly drawn bicycle on a person's chest, illustrating a permanent ink regret.

    inks.only Report

    reuben kift
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Stupid but funny.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Faded and poorly executed back tattoo of a tiger and mountains showcasing ink fails and bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Majestic.

    #35

    Man showing a chest and arm tattoo fail with distorted muscular figure, illustrating ink fails and bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    I am just going to scroll away.

    View more comments
    #36

    Receipt tattoo fail showing a McDonald's order inked on skin, illustrating permanent regrets from cheap ink fails.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Or... just save the receipt

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    Tattoo ink fail showing multiple crossed-out names on a forearm, illustrating permanent regrets from bad ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    What makes it even worse is that these must all have been done at the same time, given that the top one next to the arrow-heart is the only one not crossed out.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Close-up of a man with ink tattoo tears running from his eyes, illustrating ink fails and permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    A. Br.
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Is he laying on a morgue table?

    View more comments
    #39

    Close-up of a face tattoo fail showing a distorted Monster logo on the chin, an example of ink regrets and bad ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    W*f!? It just looks like vomit or slime.

    #40

    Back tattoo of clouds and rain drawn with ink fail style, showcasing a permanent regret from a bad idea tattoo.

    inks.only Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    🎵It's raining hair, hallelujah🎵

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #41

    Back tattoo with cartoon-style dogs and text showing a tattoo ink fail mistake with uneven outlines and poor design.

    inks.only Report

    Zero Costa
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    nah this rules

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Tattoo of a misshapen circle labeled as a perfect circle, showcasing an ink fail and a regrettable tattoo mistake.

    inks.only Report

    SJones
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    No. No it’s not

    #43

    Tattoo fail showing poorly executed Batman and Catwoman on a man's back illustrating ink fails and bad ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Small bad tattoos are bad enough, but to get something this massive and this poorly done? I don't even know what I'd do.

    View more comments
    #44

    Tattoo fail on side torso with distorted text, showcasing one of the ink fails that turned bad ideas into permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Looks like a hernia there.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #45

    Tattoo fail showing a poorly executed wolf design on upper arm, illustrating ink fails that became permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    It looks diseased, poor thing.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    Side-by-side comparison of a woman making a face and a poorly done ink tattoo fail of the same image on skin.

    inks.only Report

    Deeelite
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Egads!

    View more comments
    #47

    Tattoo ink fail showing a distorted portrait of Benjamin Franklin with money-themed text on skin.

    inks.only Report

    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    OMG. thought it was his girlfriend or mum.

    View more comments
    #48

    Tattoo ink fail showing a distorted spider design on an arm, illustrating permanent tattoo regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Is that a growth, a deliberate attempt at making the spider look pregnant, or both?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #49

    Hand with a poorly done ink tattoo of a snail twisting around the thumb in a tattoo shop setting.

    inks.only Report

    Ronja Oksanen
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    That's made with pen 🤔

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #50

    Side-by-side images showing a poorly executed ink tattoo fail turning a bad idea into permanent regret.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Fixed it

    View more comments
    #51

    Tattoo fail showing a misspelled phrase inked on forearm, highlighting permanent regrets from bad ink ideas.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Truth

    View more comments
    #52

    Young man with a blue and green cow tattoo on his cheek featuring a misspelled environmental message ink fail.

    inks.only Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    They didn't planet very well.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #53

    Man with multiple fast food brand tattoos including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and KFC, showcasing ink fails.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    I guess he has to make space for more fastfood logos?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #54

    Man with large back tattoo of FitnessGram Pacer Test text and Fortnite logo tattooed on side of head, ink fail example.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    People that ink whole freaking chapters on themselves.... 🤦‍♀️

    View more comments
    #55

    Tattoo fail of a roaring lion with misaligned text reading R U READY and other phrases on a person's back, an ink fail example.

    inks.only Report

    astheshadowsfall
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    And has been coming for the last 2k years. When can we admit that we have been stood up? Been sitting here munching on bread sticks for awhile now.

    View more comments
    #56

    Young woman revealing a large colorful Skittles tattoo on her chest, an example of ink fails and permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    persephone134
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Do people not realize that tattoos are permanent?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #57

    Person receiving ink removal injection on a large lion tattoo on their upper back, showing ink fail and regret.

    inks.only Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #58

    Lower back tattoo fail featuring a poorly executed McDonald's logo as part of ink fails and regrets.

    inks.only Report

    #59

    Side-by-side image of a smiling elderly woman and a poorly done tattoo portrait ink fail on an arm.

    inks.only Report

    Roman Arendt
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    The Red Demon from Insidious has retired to Boca Raton, FL.

    View more comments
    #60

    Tattoo ink fail showing a poorly executed pirate design that turned into a permanent regret on skin.

    inks.only Report

    A. Br.
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Maybe a Patriots fan?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #61

    Close-up of a forehead with failed blue tattoo ink on eyebrows illustrating ink fails and bad idea regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Mrreoww
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Why 😭

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #62

    Two men showing extreme ink fails with full face and body tattoos spelling ICE and skull designs, illustrating tattoo regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Brittania Kelli
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Choices.

    View more comments
    #63

    Side-by-side comparison of a poorly done Jesus tattoo and the original religious image showing ink fails and permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Yelenda Lawrence-Tahir
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Jesus’ evil twin

    View more comments
    #64

    Poorly done ink fail tattoo of a cowgirl with a flag on a thigh, showcasing a bad tattoo idea and regrettable ink fail.

    inks.only Report

    Ronja Oksanen
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    That shiiit took 4 sessions to do?! 😬

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #65

    Before and after image of a lion tattoo showing ink fails and permanent regrets from bad tattoo ideas.

    inks.only Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #66

    Comparison of detailed angel tattoo vs ink fail of a poorly executed angel tattoo on back, showcasing ink fails.

    inks.only Report

    Dee Rutherford
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Not…quite

    View more comments
    #67

    Man with a tattoo fail featuring exaggerated colorful ink on neck and chest, illustrating ink fails and bad ideas regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    Cool bra dude.

    View more comments
    #68

    Foot tattoos with thick black stripes and a logo design, showcasing ink fails that turned bad ideas into permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Deeelite
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    My dude - get that little toe checked

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #69

    Lion face with a poorly done tattoo replica highlighting ink fails that turned bad ideas into permanent regrets.

    inks.only Report

    Alex Buchanan
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    Aw that's adorable

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #70

    Tattoo fail of a child's portrait on a man’s chest, demonstrating ink regrets and poor tattoo design quality.

    inks.only Report

    #71

    Hand with black ink painted fingers showing an ink fail that turned a bad idea into a permanent regret.

    inks.only Report

    Skogsrået
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago

    I doubt this is a real tattoo.

    View more comments