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Not all tattoos are inked equal. While some are stunning and wow people with their artistic merit, some others can force a double-take, making folks wonder what exactly happened there. Welcome to the ‘That’s It, I’m Inkshaming’ Facebook group, a community of nearly 243k members who poke fun at ‘Actually Bad Tattoos.’

The group is meant for posting “truly awful,” low-quality ink, all in the hope of making people laugh. It’s not meant to be mean and there’s no place for general jerkiness. We’ve collected some of the group’s most interesting features photos, the crème de la crème of bad tattoos, to share with you today, dear Pandas. Scroll down and enjoy.

Meanwhile, be sure to read on for Bored Panda’s in-depth interview with the owner of Glasgow-based Archangel 1608 Tattoo Studio, talented tattoo artist David McKinlay.

#3

Sooooo Much To Unpack Here

Sooooo Much To Unpack Here

Jessica Snow Report

Tattoo artist David, who runs the Archangel 1608 Tatoo Studio in Scotland, was kind enough to answer Bored Panda’s questions about tattoos.

We spoke about how tattoo artists hone their skills, whether or not customers are always right, and what happens if an artist makes a mistake while tattooing someone.

“Tattooists can practice on any number of things initially, to help them get the mechanics and techniques to tattoo properly,” David explained to Bored Panda.

#4

They Look Like Industrial Era Coal Factory Workers

They Look Like Industrial Era Coal Factory Workers

Patrick Harrington Report

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love when they hold the pictures up to the tattoos because they think they've done such a good job!

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#6

No. No You Did Not Have To

No. No You Did Not Have To

Jessica Marie Report

“You can buy synthetic skin, pig skin from a butcher’s, or even use fruit, such as oranges or lemons, bananas,” he told us.

However, the tattoo artist pointed out to Bored Panda that there is “no substitute for moving, breathing, sweating, bleeding human skin.” In short, nothing beats the real thing. And sooner or later you’ll have to switch to inking real live human beings. Though, later is best. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down and feel confident.

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#7

The Lil Girl Looks Like A Tube Of Toothpaste

The Lil Girl Looks Like A Tube Of Toothpaste

Naomi Searson Report

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Myrtille rat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

awww I thought : this one ain't that bad till I read the caption ..now can't unsee it

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#8

Found On A Sketchy Sales Page Get Booked In Quick!

Found On A Sketchy Sales Page Get Booked In Quick!

Stacey Webb Report

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#9

Local Shop, Poor Gal Only Wanted Linework Silhouette Of Dog Ears

Local Shop, Poor Gal Only Wanted Linework Silhouette Of Dog Ears

Sarah Thompson Report

“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 revealed to Bored Panda the dedication that he personally had for his craft when he was just starting out.

“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 said.

#10

Found This In An Article I Came Across On Here, Can't Remember What It Was About, But How Tf Do You Manage To F*ck This Up That Bad?

Found This In An Article I Came Across On Here, Can't Remember What It Was About, But How Tf Do You Manage To F*ck This Up That Bad?

Heather Achterberg Report

#11

Looks Like Katherine Ryan

Looks Like Katherine Ryan

Reyna Givhan Report

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could be Katherine Ryan. Could be Michael Jackson. Could be their love child.

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#12

There Are No Words

There Are No Words

Erika Payne Report

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David takes a lot of pride in what he does for a living. “Tattooing is a craft, a skill, and should be taught directly from one person to another,” he said that it is not something that should be learned “by a YouTube video or a bs tattoo ‘school’ that only care about your money.”

#13

Found This On A Page For A Local Artist… Really Hope The Person Who Got This Atleast Wanted The 6 Fingers

Found This On A Page For A Local Artist… Really Hope The Person Who Got This Atleast Wanted The 6 Fingers

Jesse Blankenship Report

#14

I Thought It Was Supposed To Be A Pile Of Wood Lmao

I Thought It Was Supposed To Be A Pile Of Wood Lmao

Angel Burgemeir Report

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September
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first thought was crystals. You could have light shining on/through them casting a prismatic effect. Add highlights to the crystals and white shading to make them look glassy, transparent?

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#15

I Was Told By The Artist He Could Do Watercolors Effect. This Is How That Turned Out

I Was Told By The Artist He Could Do Watercolors Effect. This Is How That Turned Out

Tiffany Hill Report

Bored Panda was very interested to learn about the dynamic between artists and their customers. David explained that they have a rule that if they’re not 100 percent confident about the tattoo, they don’t do it.

“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,” he said.

#17

Sorry But.. The Hair!

Sorry But.. The Hair!

Ashleigh Bill Report

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Eilen
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who is this even supposed to be? The moustache could be Lemmy Kilmister’s but otherwise the face belongs to Homer Simpson

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What’s more, the tattoo artist and his staff also draw the line when it comes to certain tattoos. “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 explained.

#19

Ok, I'm Gonna Say This, Only A Real Man Would Rock This With Pride!

Ok, I'm Gonna Say This, Only A Real Man Would Rock This With Pride!

Reyna Givhan Report

#20

What.. What Is Happening Here

What.. What Is Happening Here

Shannon Ouray Robles Report

#21

I Don't Have Words

I Don't Have Words

Jenna Arr Report

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Mattewis88
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Worst is, these people proudly display their tattoos and eagerly show them off. I never know what to say when people look at my tattoos, as about their price and go "wow, that's way too expensive, I go to this guy (shows absolute dog**** tattoo) and he only charges XYZ, his work is amazing." I just nod and walk away. I can't.

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Like any other artists and craftsmen out in the wide world, tattooists can make mistakes, too. There’s no such thing as perfection in any craft. It’s best to learn from any mistakes and, most importantly, to learn to control your fear.

“Sometimes, a client will sneeze, or move to answer their phone, meaning the tattoo has an extra line or detail,” David said.

#22

I Normally Love This Artist…but What The Hell?

I Normally Love This Artist…but What The Hell?

Macey Shayn Report

#23

Found This In A Scorpio Astrology Group. All I Gotta Say Is The Lips Are One Of The Worst Parts

Found This In A Scorpio Astrology Group. All I Gotta Say Is The Lips Are One Of The Worst Parts

Lexi Rolle Report

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#24

You Guys Like Playing Hidden Picture Games? The First Hidden Item You See Is Your Next Bad Tattoo

You Guys Like Playing Hidden Picture Games? The First Hidden Item You See Is Your Next Bad Tattoo

Eve Gray Report

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El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

definitely a cover up..tried ti blend in tattoos that were there before into the new one

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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!”

#25

I Feel Awful Because I Think It’s Supposed To Be A Memorial? But I Really Had To Triple Check To See If One Of My Facebook Friends Really Posted This Or If It Was This Group

I Feel Awful Because I Think It’s Supposed To Be A Memorial? But I Really Had To Triple Check To See If One Of My Facebook Friends Really Posted This Or If It Was This Group

Amiah Michele Weitzel Report

#27

Saw The Guy In The Bottom Pic The Other Day At Mcdonalds. I Thought It Was Vin Diesel

Saw The Guy In The Bottom Pic The Other Day At Mcdonalds. I Thought It Was Vin Diesel

Kimberly Fowler Vanderlick Report

#28

Found In The Wild. Thought It Was This Group At First. Very Unfortunate

Found In The Wild. Thought It Was This Group At First. Very Unfortunate

Bryenna Kump Report

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София Харитонова
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG. Nevermind the tattoo quality - you can't tattoo over moles and pimples! That's really dangerous and can lead to skin cancer.

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#29

It's... Lips?

It's... Lips?

Mecca Oliver Report

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Damon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like someone didn’t pick up after their dog

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#30

Ink Shaming Myself And My Best Bud While He Was Apprenticing. Ps If You Have An Issue With Body Hair On Women You Can Go Fys

Ink Shaming Myself And My Best Bud While He Was Apprenticing. Ps If You Have An Issue With Body Hair On Women You Can Go Fys

Ashley Murphy Report

Note: this post originally had 118 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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