The Shocking Truth About ‘Black Band’ Tattoos That Tattoo Artists Refuse to Ink

Not all tattoos are cut from the same cloth, and trust me, every artist has that one design that makes their eyes twitch—or conversely, sing with joy. You might think a plain black band tattoo is innocent enough, right? I mean, it’s just a simple stripe… but hold onto your hats, because this minimalist design stirs up more drama than a reality TV reunion. Some tattoo pros loathe it not because it’s complicated-looking, but because perfectly inking a solid, straight band is a maddeningly slow ordeal. Oh, and if you thought it’s just a chic symbol of strength or mourning, wait till you hear about the risqué secret some corners of the internet have tied to this seemingly harmless ink. What’s the deal with that black arm cuff making waves for all the wrong—or maybe right—reasons? Dive in and get ready to have your mind a little blown. LEARN MORE

Not all tattoos are created the same, and every artist will have their preferences when it comes to inking a design.

It goes without saying that asking for a flash sheet tattoo or a simplistic design will most likely be music to your artist’s ears, while rocking up at the studio with ideas for a complex piece or cliché design may elicit a raised eyebrow or two.

However, sometimes loathsome designs can appear relatively simple and inoffensive.

According to a recent TikTok post by EvolveINK, one of the five most detested tattoos is the simplistic black band design, which looks like the one below:

This is the one we’re talking about (Reddit)

Out of all the ideas you would come up with to get tattooed on yourself, a plain black band feels very inoffensive – especially when compared to people who choose to have the name of a former flame or incorrect translations added to their bodies – but the creator gave a pretty understandable reasoning why tattoo artists may dislike the design.

“[They seem simple, right?” the creator began, before explaining why these simple circular designs are actually more complicated than they first appear.

“They take so long to do; they have to be perfectly packed in straight and solid, and most tattoo artists say they hate the process.”

But if that isn’t enough to make you think twice about getting an inked arm cuff, then you may want to look into the meaning behind the design, as some people get it for very explicit reasons.

What is the significance of the black band tattoo?

Traditionally, the black band tattoo is said to be a symbol of mourning or loss, while others see it as a sign of strength and luck, according to Solong Tattoo Company.

Some people choose the design for its minimalistic appearance, as a single band looks a lot less cluttered than various intricate designs.

The design has different meanings depending on the person, including explicit ones (X)

However, there is a certain corner of the internet which has associated the black band with something a little more explicit.

The X-rated association with black band tattoos explained

For those of you who aren’t already in the know, the black band tattoo is known as a ‘depth marker’ in some LGBTQ+ communities, signifying a certain sexual preference.

What is a depth marker, you ask? It refers to how far a person can reach inside their lover’s behind when getting frisky, if you get what I’m saying.

The position of the band signifies how far they can reach inside their partner, with a higher placement being more impressive.

This sexualised explanation for the design comes as a surprise to many. “It changed the way I look at everyone that has one. The higher the wilder it gets,” one person said of the design on X.

The explicit meaning isn’t the reason why some artists refuse to ink black bands, as it’s also pretty difficult do (Getty Stock Images)

How did the black band tattoo earn its explicit meaning?

While there is, of course, no way to definitively prove that a black band tattoo refers to how far you can reach your hand into the can of metaphorical Pringles, the meaning has been traced back to adult actor Brent Everett, who is said to have popularised the design among members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The more you know, huh.