Tattoo Flash Tips

Tattoo Flash is a term for the stock tattoo designs already conceived by an artist either in a tattoo parlor or on a website. They provide both convenience, (you don’t have to come up with your own design), and realistic expectations (you probably know what it’s going to look like). But as with anything else, tattoo flash does provide a few challenges.

Tattoo Flash Tip #1: Don’t be limited by the tattoo flash you see.

For the most part, tattoo flash is the ‘bread and butter’ of the tattoo industry. Most shops and online tattoo directories live and die by their ability to churn out and sell cool tattoo flash to prospective tattoo customers. This is not only because custom tattoos are more time-consuming, but they are also  more expensive—and most people don’t want to spend the extra money.

Still if you see some tattoo flash you like, but would prefer to have some enhancements to it, by all means speak up. Many tattoo parlors and online shops are willing to adjust their custom tattoo rate—which can often be as much as $30/hr more than the tattoo flash rate. Finding someone who will work with you on your  design is a good indicator of how the actual tattoo process is going to go.

Tattoo Flash Tip #2: Ask to see an artist’s tattoo flash book

Don’t be too impressed by the tattoo flash you see on the walls of a tattoo parlor. Oftentimes it is purchased from outside artists and doesn’t represent the work done by an in-house artist.

Ask to see a flash book or a portfolio from the artist who is going to do your tat. When looking through make sure to see if it matches the tattoo flash on the wall. Are the lines of the tattoo clean? Are the colors clear and bright? Anybody can do a stencil on the skin--the real trick comes in the lines and the shading. Don’t be intimidated. Make sure you get what you want with your design.

Tattoo Flash Tip #3: Get some temporary tattoo flash

Temporary tattoo flash might be the coolest invention since the tattoo gun in 1891. By ordering some temp designs you can actually check out the tattoo flash design you’ve chosen and see how it looks on your body. This may not sound as earth-shattering as sliced bread, but you’d be surprised how many people end up getting a skull tattoo on their back only to end up regretting it later.