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Good tattoo artists sometimes don’t get the attention and respect that they deserve. Some people simply assume that high-quality ink is par for the course. It’s only after you’ve seen just how bad things can truly get that you start developing an even deeper appreciation for good designs and techniques.

The ‘That’s It, I’m Inkshaming’ Facebook group calls out the worst of the worst tattoos that have ever found their way on someone’s skin. They gently poke fun at the designs and share the photos as a warning for everyone to put some thought into choosing their artists. It’s all done in good spirits though, as the point is to mock the actual art, not the people who got them.

Scroll down for some jaw-droppingly bad ink, upvote the tattoos that you’d hate to get the most, and let us know in the comments if you’ve ever had any ink regrets, Pandas. Meanwhile, if you’d like to see some more God-awful tattoos, you can take a peek at Bored Panda’s previous feature about the Facebook group right over here.

#1

Every One Hates It But This Dumb Tattoo Makes Me Giggle Every Time I Look At It

Every One Hates It But This Dumb Tattoo Makes Me Giggle Every Time I Look At It

Eunice Pepper Report

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butt soup
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if it makes you happy, who cares what anyone else thinks! what an adorable emotional support shark <3

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Talented tattoo artist David McKinlay, who runs the Archangel 1608 Tattoo Studio in Glasgow, Scotland, told Bored Panda about how artists improve their skills, why it's essential to constantly try to improve, and just how important your reputation is in the industry (spoiler warning: it's everything). Check out our full interview with David from Archangel 1608 below, Pandas. Especially if you're an artist yourself or have hopes to be one in the future!

David, from the Archangel 1608 Tattoo Studio, explained to us how artists develop the skills and confidence to ink other people.

"So an apprentice tattooist will start tattooing on themselves, then when they have good knowledge, on their friends or regular customers of the studio they work at.

From there, their mentors will decide when they are ready to actually tattoo properly on paying customers," he told Bored Panda.

#3

Not Sure If Wolf Utterly Surprised, Or If Wolf Gonna Hork

Not Sure If Wolf Utterly Surprised, Or If Wolf Gonna Hork

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

"You need to be confident in your skills to be a good tattooist, as you can’t half-ass it. Every tattoo needs to be the best you can make it, so you need to be sure you can do that. A sign of a good tattooist though is sometimes passing on a design if you’re not feeling 100% about it," tattoo artist David pointed out that it's fair to understand and acknowledge your limits. Humility and dedication are key character traits to have here.

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As in most things in life, it's important to put in consistent effort to get better and better, avoiding stagnation.

"As long as tattoo artists are constantly trying to improve and evolve, they’ll always get better—sometimes it’ll be fast, sometimes slow, but as long as you realize you can always go up a level, you will," David said.

#5

Anyone Else Thinks That Looks Like A Big Bruise ?

Anyone Else Thinks That Looks Like A Big Bruise ?

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#6

It's Like Looking In A Mirror!

It's Like Looking In A Mirror!

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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

Imagine wearing shorts, and only lower half of tattoo is showing. 😂😂

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"There are too many people that think once they’ve reached a certain level of success, that they no longer have to work hard or make any effort with their work. Nowadays, a lot of artists are quite open about their techniques and skills and are happy to share them. This is how we all get better—by sharing and learning from each other," the tattoo master told Bored Panda.

David, from the Glasgow-based Archangel 1608 Tattoo Studio, said that reputation is everything in the tattoo world. 

"You’re only as good as the last tattoo you’ve done, and if you’re putting out low-quality work, your business will suffer. If you have been doing poor tattoos, you need to work hard, keep your head down, and only take on tattoos you’re sure you can do well."

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#7

They’re So Realistic, I Can’t Tell Which Ones Are Fake

They’re So Realistic, I Can’t Tell Which Ones Are Fake

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#8

While Looking For Scar Coverage Tattoos, I Found This Gem

While Looking For Scar Coverage Tattoos, I Found This Gem

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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The ‘That’s It, I’m Inkshaming’ Facebook group is an online community that unites 283.3k members. Up from 243k members the last time Bored Panda wrote about them, the members of the group have been shaming ‘Actually Bad Tattoos’ since 2017.

Their goal is to make people laugh by showing how ‘truly awful’ some designs are, whether due to a lack of skill on the part of the artist or due to reasons beyond anyone’s understanding.

The team running the group makes it very clear what the community is and isn’t for. “If a tattoo isn't your personal style, you disagree with the placement (like if you say you like tattoos because you're super [effing] hip! But God forbid someone have a face tattoo!), if you're only posting for attention, or if you're trying to get validation for a tattoo on your body that you know is fine... This isn't the place for you,” they write.

“If you're triggered by skin, and think every post should conform to your CW's... This isn't the place for you. This is a place to post truly awful, [crappy] tattoos, and laugh at them together. Any subject matter is welcome, your content warnings are not.” But before you post anything, make sure that you understand the rules that members are asked to abide by.

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#11

What She Asked For.. vs. What She Got

What She Asked For.. vs. What She Got

Group member Report

#12

That Wolf Has Seen Some Stuff

That Wolf Has Seen Some Stuff

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

Tattoo artist David, from the Archangel 1608 Tattoo Studio in Glasgow, Scotland, previously explained to Bored Panda how people can practice their skills in order to get better at inking others.

“Tattooists can practice on any number of things initially, to help them get the mechanics and techniques to tattoo properly,” he told us during an earlier interview. “You can buy synthetic skin, pig skin from a butcher’s, or even use fruit, such as oranges or lemons, bananas.”

Whatever the case might be, the artist noted that there’s really “no substitute for moving, breathing, sweating, bleeding human skin.” Sooner or later, all tattoo artists will have to practice on real people.

“The first 4 or 5 tattoos I ever did were on myself. It was a pretty severe learning curve, but I had to prove that I wanted the apprenticeship, and it let me see how the tattoos would heal up, and what I could do better,” David, from Glasgow, opened up about his own journey in the industry.

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#13

My Ex Sent Me This Yesterday. That’s On His Throat. I Can’t Even Tell What Exactly It’s Supposed To Be. I Do Know That It Looks Horrific

My Ex Sent Me This Yesterday. That’s On His Throat. I Can’t Even Tell What Exactly It’s Supposed To Be. I Do Know That It Looks Horrific

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#14

There Are No Redeeming Qualities

There Are No Redeeming Qualities

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Hex Gurls
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

✅ugly ✅cringy ✅weird font ✅just post it on facebook it doesn’t need to go on ur body forever

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“You shouldn’t really be tattooing actual clients for a long time, but if you can persuade friends to let you once you’re ready, that’s great,” he shared his thoughts.

“Tattooing is a craft, a skill, and should be taught directly from one person to another,” David said that it isn’t enough to learn by watching “a YouTube video or [going to] a bs tattoo ‘school’ that only care about your money.”

#17

Boyfriends Brother Tattooed A Friend Last Night In Our Garage

Boyfriends Brother Tattooed A Friend Last Night In Our Garage

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Little Wonder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this one, which is worrying. I feel like my standards are dropping the further down this list I go.

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The customers have to be completely confident about the tattoo they’re getting. A good artist will make sure that they don’t have doubts, big or small, about the design. That way, there are fewer regrets down the line. There’s a constant balance to be maintained between what the customer might want and what an artist can do.

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#19

Really Love How The Artist Thought The Skull Was Wrinkly Like The Skin

Really Love How The Artist Thought The Skull Was Wrinkly Like The Skin

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#20

Why Does She Look Like She’s Pooping Out A Chakra

Why Does She Look Like She’s Pooping Out A Chakra

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#21

When You Get Stoned And Eat A Whole Cherry Pie

When You Get Stoned And Eat A Whole Cherry Pie

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

“We’ll try to offer a compromise, but if the client is too rigid, we’ll point them in the direction of another artist. The client is only right in terms of what they like, not how the tattoo can actually be done or will end up looking,” tattoo artist David told Bored Panda.

#22

I Have Never Seen A Back Wing Tattoo That I Liked. But This One… This I Hate Even More Than The Others

I Have Never Seen A Back Wing Tattoo That I Liked. But This One… This I Hate Even More Than The Others

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#23

Tiger... Lilly?

Tiger... Lilly?

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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#24

Maybe Don’t Actually Just Do It?

Maybe Don’t Actually Just Do It?

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

“We won’t do any hateful tattoos—racist, homophonic, sectarian, etc. Those tattoos are bad news, but unfortunately, there are those that will still do them,” he said that artists should refuse to do tattoos like this.

“Sometimes, a client will sneeze, or move to answer their phone, meaning the tattoo has an extra line or detail,” the artist said that mistakes happen to everyone, sooner or later.

#25

I’ve Seen Road Rash On A Butt Cheek, And This Looks Like Road Rash On A Buttcheek

I’ve Seen Road Rash On A Butt Cheek, And This Looks Like Road Rash On A Buttcheek

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Amanda Rose
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine what that would look like as it fades with time. I can see the medical file though - "not a rash, just a really red tattoo".

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#27

Local Shop Keeps Reposting This Like They're Really Proud Of It

Local Shop Keeps Reposting This Like They're Really Proud Of It

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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

I honestly think it would be pretty cute...if it wasn't a reference toward sex-

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“The important thing is not to panic (and not to panic the client). Take a few minutes and work out how to deal with the mistake—maybe add an extra detail, darken up some shading. Nine times out of ten, you can correct an issue. Stay cool and work it out!”

#28

No Step On Poop Snek

No Step On Poop Snek

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#30

The Only Thing Worse Than The Execution Is The Concept Itself

The Only Thing Worse Than The Execution Is The Concept Itself

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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

A rapist designs a rape tattoo. 0/10. Stop justifying your failure, bruh.

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#33

This Key Wouldn't Even Fit On That Keyhole

This Key Wouldn't Even Fit On That Keyhole

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#35

Never Seen A One Legged, Half-Tailed Mermaid Before

Never Seen A One Legged, Half-Tailed Mermaid Before

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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#37

Permanently Filthy. Big Win!

Permanently Filthy. Big Win!

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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American Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why tattoo the fingers at all? It doesn’t seem to go with the rest of the design at all

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#39

That Palm Has As Much Cellulite As The Parts Under My Butt Cheeks

That Palm Has As Much Cellulite As The Parts Under My Butt Cheeks

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#40

This Was An Ad In My Insta Feed From A Tattoo Shop For Their Custom Design Cover Up

This Was An Ad In My Insta Feed From A Tattoo Shop For Their Custom Design Cover Up

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude, give me the owl anyday!!!!!! That cover-up is horrendous. The snake with the red squares looks better than this lol

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#41

What Someone Who’s Never Seen A Snake Before Drew After A Blind Person Described To Them What A Snake Looks Like

What Someone Who’s Never Seen A Snake Before Drew After A Blind Person Described To Them What A Snake Looks Like

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#42

When Getting A Tattoo The Absolute Last Thing I Would Care About Is How Fast The Tattooist Is

When Getting A Tattoo The Absolute Last Thing I Would Care About Is How Fast The Tattooist Is

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#45

It Says "There Are Twice As Many Stars As Usual" And The Drawing Was Supposed To Be Used As A Rough Sketch

It Says "There Are Twice As Many Stars As Usual" And The Drawing Was Supposed To Be Used As A Rough Sketch

He showed me his vision and it looked great, then never shaded it, just told me it looked good and I owed him 400

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Little Wonder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh that's a shame, I know the poem this is based on and it could have been so gorgeous. Also check me out, knowing a poem. I'm so classy.

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#48

*looks At A Paper Of Bird Anatomy* *tosses Over Shoulder*

*looks At A Paper Of Bird Anatomy* *tosses Over Shoulder*

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

#49

Part Of It Is Invisible... I Just... Wow... Nope

Part Of It Is Invisible... I Just... Wow... Nope

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was all, this is fine! It’s lovely, in fact. And then… what in the mobius strip?!

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#50

Eww On A F**kin Bed? Seems Sanitary

Eww On A F**kin Bed? Seems Sanitary

That's It, I'm inkshaming Report

Note: this post originally had 140 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.