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Getting a tattoo can be a sort of leap of faith. As wonderful and clear as the drawing may be, it ultimately comes down to the tattoo artist’s ability to use their machines. Unfortunately, that means that some folks out there have ink that serves as a warning to always do your research beforehand.

This Instagram page is dedicated to some of the most questionable, bizarre and downright terrible tattoos out there. So get comfortable as you read through, prepare to be deeply confused by how someone could want that, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts below.

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#1

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mooshoflove
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is well done! Makes me like it! - not in a way I'd want to replicate it on my noggin... But in the kind that it's ok to look at from a far lol

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Elladine DesIsles
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But... I want to see what it looks like if one is standing on his other side... Optical illusions are great, from the perfect angle, but they don't always work in three dimensions.

Janissary35680
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first thought exactly. Trompe l'oeil and anamorphis only work if the artwork is viewed from the right angle.

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Mike F
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It made my butt clench to look at that. I'm betting it hurt like hell.

Miki
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not fail. this is great tatoo. why is it on 1st place when it shoud pe probably last.

Jay
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He has a portal.... IN HIS HEAD!!!!!! THEREISAMTHAFKINPORTALINHISHEAD!!!!

Dave Morris
Community Member
6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really bad is it? I mean a bit weird, but extremely well executed.

nuberiffic
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dunno. This seems fake. The tattoo would only work from one angle; just doesn't seem like something someone would do

JB
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with most everyone else. Not a fail in my book.

Sara Frazer
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see this as a "fail" that's some artistic skill right there! Plus I love the shark 🦈

David
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't call this 'bad'. It wouldn't be my choice but it is well executed.

Jeolas1
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't the title say something about "fail"? Where's the fail here?

Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not a "bad" tattoo simply because it's not your aesthetic. There's a level of quality here, whereas a bad tattoo skips right over quality and artistic skill.

Luci
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t think this is a fail. It’s really well done and very creative. I can see how it might make some people uncomfortable. But I wouldn’t call it a fail.

Ell Bee
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gasped in shock. I wonder if it looks that real from every angle.

CG
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a pretty cool optical illusion. Not one I'd get personally, but it's definitely a win.

Mr.Li
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is actually pretty good. Tattoo artist did a solide job

Steve Robert
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plot twist: not an illusion. This is the aftereffect of meeting a zombie.

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Tattoos are evidence that no matter how long something has been around, ultimately it comes down to human artistic skill to make it look good. We have evidence that people had some sorts of tattoos over 5000 years ago, for example, “Ötzi” whose mummified remains were found in the Alps, had a number of simple, line tattoos on his corpse.

We have more evidence from the ancient Egyptians, who put in more work to preserve their bodies after they died. One example had multiple animals, a bull and sheep, showing that the ancients weren’t that different from us and liked modifying the way they looked.

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This means that humans have been developing this skill for thousands of years, yet there are still tattoos being made in 2024 that are absolutely terrible. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, importantly, the person requesting the tattoo is almost never the person making it, so there is always the question of if this was what they really wanted.

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This underscores just how important it is to do one’s research. Good tattoo artists tend to charge a lot of money, but it’s best to think twice before entrusting someone’s roommate who happens to have a tattoo machine. This list stands as a warning as to what can happen. Remember, getting it removed is not at all fun either.

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On the flip side, doing your research might take time and cost a bit more, but you can discover actually awesome artists who you maybe never would have known existed. Unless you have a very, very particular idea of what you want, it can be beneficial to explore some other art styles and see what a creative professional can suggest.

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#29

I Wonder If He Has Fries?

I Wonder If He Has Fries?

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Traveling Lady Railfan
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another example of really neat idea if this was done for a Halloween party or something with makeup, but as a permanent tattoo? Perhaps not the best choice

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#37

Sun 🌞 Clown 🤡 Done By @was.a.star

Sun 🌞 Clown 🤡 Done By @was.a.star

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#49

Football Hooligan?

Football Hooligan?

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Svenne O'Lotta
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an old school skinhead. Not necessarily the racist kind. The Oil! and ska gives it away.

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#50

Which Car Brand Will You Choose? 🤔

Which Car Brand Will You Choose? 🤔

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Note: this post originally had 80 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.