43 Tattoo Artists Share the Most Shocking Client Requests They Regret Inked Forever
Ever wondered what happens when a 74-year-old grandma decides she wants a fresh tattoo? Spoiler alert: you don’t tell grandma no. From cats on necks to cringe-worthy “love” tattoos and the downright bizarre requests that make tattoo artists question their life choices, this wild ride through the tattoo chair is nothing short of hilarious and eye-opening. So, buckle up and get ready for stories that prove sometimes saying no is just the beginning of the chaos — and the art. Ready to dive in? LEARN MORE
My 74 year old grandma wanted me to tattoo a cat on her neck. I asked this question. She said yes. My grandma now has a siamese cat on the side of neck. You don’t tell grandma no. And she looks dope.
Edit for picture link
Recently talked someone out of getting that stupid anchor tattoo with the words “I refuse to sink” around it. THAT’S WHAT ANCHORS DO YOU MORONS! I hate that tattoo.
I actually refused to do this one– an 18 year old girl came in wanting her boyfriends name on her lower back. She had never met him–she was his prison pen pal for a month, and he was being released in a couple weeks and she wanted to get it to surprise him. No judgements on ex-cons or 18 year old girls, but I got the impression the relationship wasn’t going to last!
Sometimes, your customers might not be aware that their ideas are insensitive or risky. They might lack life experience or basic context. You can inform them, warning them that, in your opinion, as a professional, they’d be making a huge mistake.
As ‘10 Masters’ explains, tattoo artists need to be comfortable with the work that they do because it’s their reputation that’s on the line. You don’t have to try to please every single customer.
It’s by saying ‘no’ and having boundaries that you define your values. Some designs might be offensive or hateful. Meanwhile, other designs might be so complex or in such high-risk body areas that you don’t (yet) have the skills to do them well.
I witnessed a tattoo artist attempt to talk a guy out of a tattoo while getting one. This guy who was maybe early 30s came in, he was super awkward and had a few other people with him. They where obviously drunk. He explained to the artist he wanted a hello kitty tramp stamp the size of a cd. His friends all laughed and started to record this guy. The artist asked him why and he said his friends thought it was funny. The artist tried to talk him out of it.
He ended up getting the tattoo. I think about this poor guy who was obviously doing this to fit in with his crowd of “friends” and how he has to live with a tramp stamp of hello kitty.
Was in booking a tattoo one day and a woman came in to buy her soon to be 16yo daughter a tattoo.
Owner and tattooist says
‘sure we can sort something out, what is she wanting’
mother says ‘she wants to get the playboy bunny on the inside of her wrist’
artist refused and said
‘I don’t want to be responsible for something so cliche and visible on such a young girl’.
There was an argument, but the woman leaves yelling she is going elsewhere where her money is good enough.
He had strong views on neck, face and hand tattoos.
Friend wanted angel wings tattooed on her back and asked me to go since I was the only person she knew with tattoos. We walk into a pretty well known tattoo shop in LA and she explains to the artist what she wants. As she explains it gets even more elaborate with the wings starting to decay the farther down her back they went and the artist shows us some pretty sweet wings he’d done before. He explains how it will be done, he’d do the outline first and after a few weeks she could come back and he’s start the detail work. Fast forward to 3 days later and she’s topless lying on his chair/bed? and he’s laying a stencil down. He asks her what other tattoos she has besides this one and she tells him that this will be her first one, tattoo guys face drops instantly and he starts saying how he’s going to end up tattooing some of the most painful parts you could tattoo( the ribs mostly) and he asks if she can handle it. She says yes and after a little more talking it happened.
She cannot take the pain at all, she’s crying and griping the cushion. Artist looks at me and his face reads like (is she really going to do this the entire time?) after half an hour of tattooing with the occasional break he says he can’t deal with her screaming in the shop so he stops. He had probably 10% of the outline done on the right wing. We leave with another appointment set so another person could help her with the tattoo and make it something smaller. I didn’t go back but she went with 2 female friends and from what I heard was another 10 minutes of tattooing she had a nice wave outline on her back.
SkaterTrainers- Skateboard Tricks Fast No Experience Needed- Fun, Safe, and Easy- Ollies, Kickflips and More- All Ages- Accessories Make Great Stocking Stuffers Gifts for Teen Boys and Girls
(as of October 7, 2025 18:41 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Mid-Century Modern Transitional LED Bronze Chrome Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades - Metallic Ceiling Fan with Light and Fabric Shade
(as of October 7, 2025 18:41 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS LED Boho Ceiling Fan with Hand Woven Brown/Natural Rope - Macrame Knot Work and Hemp Rope Style Eclectic Cottage Decor - 52" L x 52" W - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades
$183.99 (as of October 7, 2025 18:41 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Alabaster LED Mesh Caged Ceiling Fan - 52" L X 52" W - White/Oak Wood-Grain Blades
$176.09 (as of October 7, 2025 18:41 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment