When you think of a tattoo, you'll almost certainly imagine it made up of either black or colored inks. However, there some tattoo designs that contain nothing but a single white ink, and their delicate and subtle nature is becoming more and more popular.
We here at Bored Panda have put together a list of white ink tattoos that embrace the lighter side of things. Either as standalone, tasteful works that are nearly invisible, or using the contrast of white against darker colors, these truly unique tattoos will have you planning your next ink in no time! Scroll down to see them for yourself, as well as find out more about this subtle tattoo style.
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Itâs a nice design, but surprised people are still getting these. itâs well known now how badly and quickly they fade.
That could be part of the appeal. Kinda temporary permanent tattoo.
Load More Replies...How come there isn't a single dark-skinned person in this whole list? White tattoos look a lot better on dark skin.
I wanted a white trillium when I got my one and only tattoo and the dude said it wouldn't show up on a white girl. He didn't even say it would fade in a minute or two. I just thought that only black people could get a white tattoo (although I have never, ever seen a black person with a white tattoo)..thank you strange looking white guy in Madison, WI....my tattoo still looks good 30 years later!!!
I particularly like the way the tattoo seem to upon the skin, not in the skin. Quite striking.
Getting a white tattoo isn't a decision to be taken 'lightly,' they are harder to do correctly and require an experienced tattoo artist to pull off well. Ideally, the artist will already have worked with white ink before, because it takes a well-trained eye to see the ink as it is added. Much depends on the color of the skin of course.
But then you follow her and lean in to try to read it and she tells you to stop being a creep and back away.
Load More Replies...Artists that have worked with white ink tattoos before will know that the tattoos can look much more striking and professional if a small splash of color is mixed together with the white ink. The additional color, no matter what it is, will bring the white out more, making it ‘pop’ and be much more noticeable. Because the amount of color added is so miniscule, it will still appear white to the naked eye.
Look like you can run your finger down her arm and feel the texture. It is a beautiful design.
They were checking you out to my house and my babies are going to take the phone back I don't want to hold him like you
oowww how do people get tattoos on their necks? it just sounds painful. imma wimp lol
Neck tattoos aren't all that painful - it's the area of the clavicle that absolutely kills.
Load More Replies...I wish I could see the tattoo on her shoulder also, it looks so colorful and pretty from what I can tell!
what if the tattoo artist's and slips and then plunges the needle into your neck O.o
Now, if she would be my girlfriend I would be seriously tempted to get my box of feltliners... If she'd be the mother of my boy she would have another problem, he doesn't believe in colouring between the lines.
Intrinsic: "belonging naturally, essential Intricate: "complicated or detailed"
Load More Replies...We all make stupid mistakes when we're young. Thank God it'll fade. <2
If you choose to go with a pure white ink, the tattoo may fade and end up being nearly invisible, and look instead like a raised scar. Simple tattoo ideas that are well suited to white ink are always a good idea, which is why choosing to go ahead with white must be thought out properly, and planned carefully.
...in the eye of the beholder. I would have chosen rose leafs, but thats just me...
Correct, it is known for fading over time just like with finger tattoos
Load More Replies...While white tattoos are subtle and discreet in normal light, it's a completely different story under UV light. The white ink will glow, making your tattoo spring to life in the nightclub. Keep this in mind when planning your white ink tattoo!
Does it stay raised like that when done with white ink??? Mine is flat as the skin itâs on...đł
It's either a really fresh tattoo, or sublimely shaded to give that raised look :D
Load More Replies...I've have white tattoos in my wrists lasted over 20yrs, it's all about how you put them in
Load More Replies...If the picture wasn't focused on the whale I would have never noticed it
I guess it would be good if you wanted a tat but it wasn't socially acceptable/ allowed (like at work or smth)
Load More Replies...Single needle tattoo in white ink? That'll never last. First off single needle tats fade badly and quickly, and white ink does as well, so I'm willing to bet this will be gone in two-three years.
This is very beautiful, I love small simple designs like this.
It's just so small and hard to see, like some of the others. It's cute and all, but it's so small that it will fade quickly....just sayin'
Load More Replies...I hate most white ink tattoos, but I don't hate this. The artist packed the color in thick and it actually stand out nicely.
I think kind of the point is that most of these tattoos DON'T stick out
Load More Replies...The pendant at the bottom looks like scarification, not tattoo, to me. It doesn't fit in with the delicate flower design at all.
I don't understand how people would dare to become tattoo artists, like what if you made a tiny mistake or just shook with your hand or did the wrong tattoo on the wrong person, you'd so have to pay for it. Like sure it's probably fun for artistic people but I would choose a career where you couldn't do any mistakes without the consequences of it being visible on another person for years
Behind every horrible tattoo is a tattoo artist who did that, and I just couldn't have that on my conscience.
Load More Replies...WOW! I cant believe her very white skin was able to contrast so nicely!
I hope this person finds the cube inside octahedron that is the third one of the set ...
Have these inks had any type of testing to make sure they are safe? Indeed, have any tattoo inks ever?
I think so too... I like this snake tattoo better than the (numerous) others.
Load More Replies...The tattoo artist just shaves the immediate area they are tattoing
Load More Replies...I want an animal cracker that isn't covered in sugar....
Load More Replies...That is so cuuute!!! The underappreciated adorableness of super simple drawings. This is amazing!!
Even if it does fade, as a spell, it doesn't need to be seen by others. The bearer has it inscribed for life whether it's invisible or not...
Yes, they are. Stay. Hold yourself to life. It worth it. You will see. Lots of love and power. đȘđ
This doesnt really look like it fits together. Like one was an after thought
I just realized how well white tattoos work with gingers. It compliments their hair and skin (may I just say I love those freckles!)
Pretty, but as a red top like her I know how it will just disappear in our pale skin sadly...
Maybe that was the intention, would be pretty cool to see
Load More Replies...Will you still be able to see this tattoo once the hair grows back. This man looks pretty hairy and thick too.
That seems almost a waste of a tattoo once the hair grows back, and it might be in a weird place.
Once the hair grows back, can you imagine a bear walking in a hairy forest?
Ive got a tat there.. its pretty uncomfortable. No fat to cushion
Load More Replies...That look ready good and even if he had a shirt on the art work that shows is flattering.
AHHH i don't care if you hate my opinion and downvote me but gosh I hate this one!! Why would you tattoo a scar onto yourself?? Gah this frustrates me...
Looks more like Valkyrie from Thor, silly tattoo choice Valkyrie-5...328f80.jpg
Why would you tattoo a scar on your face? I have several cat scratch scars on my face and I would never in a million years CHOOSE to have them...
Surprisingly not horrible for something that manages to combine white ink with face tattoos.
White ink tattoos are probably most commonly used in small ornaments or in tattoos on otherwise atypical body places.
I have an ear tattoo, hurt way less then any other tattoo.
Load More Replies...Maybe it isn't meant to be something for everyone to see? I personally have some very meaningfull tattoos and the meaning behind them is for me and only me.. You can choose to decorate your body with tattoos, but that doesn't mean they are for everyone to see or know the meaning of, these things can actually be quite private and a lot of people doesn't think about it before they ask about the meaning of the tattoo.
Load More Replies...I bet that look weird from a distance, because the white isn't that visible
Yeah. I feel like another color - green, dark yellow, etc. - would have been a better choice for this otherwise-nice tattoo.
Load More Replies...pretty sure that's just what white ink looks like. the skin isn't actually raised up in any of them. its an illusion
Load More Replies...I couldn't stop myself from picking at the raised skin. I have to stick to flat tats.
That must have been very painful. And it's just going to wear off fast
White ink on hand and this intricate? Arrgh! Another one that will just fade in a hurry - White ink fades fast and hand tattoos are especially tricky because repeated hand wash cycles will help fade it or make it blowout, resulting in a blurry mess, especially if it's this intricate. Normally, on hand you want thick lines and simple designs. Blackwork, preferably.
It's not even two snakes.. if you follow the body, it's more like a two headed snake thing.
Load More Replies...I hope it isn't and to be honest I don't think it is. The shapes of the knuckles are consistent, there isn't any distortion. The most common site for hand arthritis is the distal interphalangeal joints and these aren't enlarged. Some people just have large knuckles.
Load More Replies...Someone needs to make a compilation of that on BP!
Load More Replies...quick question- why are most of the snakes? (i still love them-im just curious)
For when you want the experience of getting a tattoo, but don’t want anyone to be able to see it.
This is from genuine research. A study found evidence that particles from tattoo ink can spread into lymph nodes – but it hasn't been proven that tattoo ink causes cancer. There has been very little research into that. Research was by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Germany, and the Department of X-ray Spectrometry European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France. The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports on an open-access basis, so it's free to read online.
Load More Replies...a couple examples https://old.kennwilson.com/2007/09/white-ink-tattoo-three-years-later/ https://news.bme.com/2013/01/31/another-white-palm/ kinda look like scars
Load More Replies...I didn't know this was a things until today, and now I love them! When I'm old enough, I may get one, but hopefully if I choose right it will not fade.
Someone needs to make a compilation of that on BP!
Load More Replies...quick question- why are most of the snakes? (i still love them-im just curious)
For when you want the experience of getting a tattoo, but don’t want anyone to be able to see it.
This is from genuine research. A study found evidence that particles from tattoo ink can spread into lymph nodes – but it hasn't been proven that tattoo ink causes cancer. There has been very little research into that. Research was by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Germany, and the Department of X-ray Spectrometry European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France. The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports on an open-access basis, so it's free to read online.
Load More Replies...a couple examples https://old.kennwilson.com/2007/09/white-ink-tattoo-three-years-later/ https://news.bme.com/2013/01/31/another-white-palm/ kinda look like scars
Load More Replies...I didn't know this was a things until today, and now I love them! When I'm old enough, I may get one, but hopefully if I choose right it will not fade.
