Really Bad Quality Tattoos

85
rate or flag this page

By becauseilive


Written by: Jaclyn Popola

The only thing that qualifies me to be an authority on the subject of what makes a bad tattoo is that I have thirteen myself and think they're all pretty cool. Granted mine are small and pretty hard to mess up. However, I've met a number of individuals--online and off--whose tattoos are just completely atrocious. What possesses them to get such horrible things inked permanently onto their skin for the rest of their natural born lives, I don't know and can only speculate. I have noticed several requirements that are pretty much guaranteed to create a bad quality tattoo.

INAPPROPRIATE SCALE A tiny image on a huge expanse of skin. Not only does the tattoo look lost in the midst of all that blank space, but it has the probability of interfering with any hopefully larger, better tattoos you may want to get in the future.

TOO SMALL
TOO SMALL
POORLY DRAWN This is most likely the fault of the artist. Just because you can learn how to work a tattoo gun doesn't mean you should do so for a living. There's a reason why they're called tattoo ARTISTS; there is supposed to be an artistic quality to the images they create.

NO OUTLINE A yellow dragonfly with no defining outline, shading, depth or dimension will quickly grow to look like the mark of a leper...unless leprosy is the look you're going for?

PLACEMENT There are so many beautiful places on a woman's body for her to put a tattoo, locations that would accentuate her natural curves--her lower back, the nape of her neck, her hipbones, winding up her side. Why then would she choose HER BUTT??

COVER-UP Covering up tattoos is a finely honed skill that can turn an old, spur of the moment or regrettable tattoo into something new and beautiful. Ideally, the new image will be much better than the original. Apparently, this isn't always the case.

ANNOUNCING PREJUDICES You want the world to know you're a close-minded bigot? Fine. But the annihilation of the body by symbols of destruction and genocide is something I simply cannot respect.

DISJOINTED STRUCTURE The body is a blank canvas to which paint must be applied accordingly. Some people do not understand this concept, and believe they can just splash ink on their skin in any fashion and it'll look good. You are not Jackson Pollock. Sorry.

GETTING INKED WHILE DRUNK If you're drinking with your buddies and one of them says, "Bro, let's go get matching tattoos!" chances are he means YOU get the tattoo while he stands there and laugh. Also be wary of the friend who says, "Bro, my uncle's got a tattoo gun. Let's use it...on you!"

COLORING If this isn't the fault of the tattoo artist, it should be. I understand that a lot of people have no idea what they're talking about when they enter the tattoo parlor and ask the tattoo artist to bring the idea in their head to life on their skin. But it is the job of a good artist to explain the concepts of shading, and how certain colors fade faster over time, and what colors look best when blended together. On the other hand, some people can be very insistent about what they want and what THEY think will make a great tattoo, despite any warnings or opposing suggestions.

RANDOMNESS There's no explanation for these atrocities. They are random selections that are randomly placed and poorly executed.

TATTOOS THAT NEVER GET COMPLETED A good deal of tattoos can not be completed in a single sitting. Intricate designs using a lot of color or large back pieces usually require several sessions before they're fully finished. But there's no excuse for small designs like the ones seen here to remain incomplete for longer than a few moments. Unless you're a wussy who couldn't take the pain.

Music lines with no music notes
Music lines with no music notes

Miami Ink - Season 1 Miami Ink - Season 1
Price: $5.27
List Price: $9.95
Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched in Flesh Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched in Flesh
Price: $8.24
List Price: $19.95

Ink: The Not-Just-Skin-Deep Guide to Getting a Tattoo Ink: The Not-Just-Skin-Deep Guide to Getting a Tattoo
Price: $6.70
List Price: $15.00
Inked - The Best of Season 1 Inked - The Best of Season 1
Price: $2.48
List Price: $19.95

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

jamestedmondson profile image

jamestedmondson  says:
2 years ago

I really enjoyed this Hub. Those tatoos look horrible!

I kind of like the one of the executive desk chair though. It is strange, and at least its not poorly drawn (possibly poorly executed though).

Carrie  says:
2 years ago

A music staff has 5 lines, either the customer didn't do his/her homework or really wanted six lines. Also, the lines are uneven.

lidybean87 profile image

lidybean87  says:
2 years ago

man thats some BAD BAD BAD ink !

isabelletrapnell  says:
2 years ago

the chair tattoo is actually by a fabulous artist, nick baxter,

and is also extremely well done.

the fact that it's random says nothing about the talent of the artist.

anyway, it's not the artist that decides what the tattoo is,

that's the customer's responsibility.

just because it's not a tattoo that you can see meaning in does not mean it's devoid of personal significance.

grow up.

Kit  says:
2 years ago

Very strange indeed - the article, not the choice of pics..

A small 'starter tat' is never a problem for a even a halfway decent artist to integrate into a larger piece if later desired, and a small tat is more easily removed with laser methods than a large monstrosity one regrets.

As for your chosen pic for 'bad cover up' ?

What on earth gave you the idea that was meant to cover the name , lol ?

It's very clear thecustomer wanted the name to remain visible, and the added art makes a statement. One you might disagree with, and certainly 'Lori' would , I bet !

But it was not an attempt to 'cover' completely the existing tat.

You write well enough.

But- your provincial attitude on whether other's tat's had meaning for *you* and your rush to include pics of tats that did not match your take on them show too much sloppiness.

Take some more time on your next rant, and match what you're saying to what you're showing- and remember the difference between 'not to your taste' and 'poorly drawn'.

The chair ? Not to your taste - VERY well drawn.

Tattoos are for dropouts  says:
2 years ago

tatoos suck anyways.

Tatoos = unemployed.

Lindsy  says:
2 years ago

It's not wrong to judge someone's tattoo. They are likely getting it to show off and are subjecting themselves to other people's opinions then. Tattoos that can't be the center of discussion should be in places no one can see.

That office chair tattoo is random, true, but so well done. The artist who did it is clearly taleneted and has my approval for being willing to give someone exactly what they wanted and doing it well.

mistermooster  says:
2 years ago

At one point I would have agreed with dropout that tats are for losers, etc. But let's face it, those days are long gone. Tattoos are mainstream now, and while facial tattoos, or large tats completely covering one's neck, arms, or whatever may limit employment opportunities, saying that tattoos=unemployment is just silly.

Learntospell  says:
2 years ago

Tattoos = unemployment? Really? Speaking as a well paid and tattooed manager, I would say that not being able to spell is more likely to mean unemployment. I noticed you spelled tattoo correctly in your name though, so I'm going to assume the incosistency of your spelling means you are a moron.

Lesley Shell  says:
2 years ago

That tattoo of the eyes on the butt is male not female. there is hair between the crack and the thighs are straight, not curvy like a woman...

Jack   says:
2 years ago

Ugh! Tattos are self inflicted scars and the most off putting thing I ever see in a person.

Dyl  says:
2 years ago

I have that office chair... in fact, I'm sitting on it right now, and it looks pretty much exact.

tran5  says:
2 years ago

well, other than the fact that all tattoo are pretty much unattractive, these take unattractive to a whole new level. although i also agree w/ the other commentor, that executive chair is actually quite cool and even though i'm not a fan of tattoos I really liked that one :) Do yourself a favor people, there is no design in the world that you will want on your body for the rest of your life, and you can never be truly naked after one, so DON'T GET A TATTOO! pls.

Jim Smith  says:
2 years ago

I have never seen any tattoo that looked attractive. You will acquire enough body mutilations naturally over your lifetime. Why would you do it deliberately? Then having them put in locations where you can't even see them, is even more ignorant.

H. L. Menken was right. "No one ever lost money underestimating the taste of the American Public." What is sad is so much of the rest of the world imitates them.

Kit  says:
2 years ago

Tran5, Jim ?

I don't suppose it's ever occurred to either of you, but here's a gentle hint...

Folks with tattooos aren't trying to attract *you*....

VB  says:
2 years ago

"Do yourself a favor people, there is no design in the world that you will want on your body for the rest of your life"

Actually there is, as long as you don't just tattoo the name of your current favourite band/squeeze/team or go in there and just pick something out the flash books.

The point of putting tattoos somewhere where people can't see them is because they're a personal thing not a t-shirt slogan. Also of course it saves us from narrow-minded idiots like yourself.

The kind of person who'll have a tattoo on their face are the kind of person who wouldn't get a job, tattoo or not.

Renaissance profile image

Renaissance  says:
2 years ago

Awesome Hub!

Well, I may as well throw my own tattoo up here and see how the Hub community judges it...Though the photo is not the best quality, I assure you that the lines are crisp, so the quality of the tat is very good:http://hubpages.com/hub/Design_A_Tattoo

By the way, becauseilive, I dig your armband.

bubba a smith  says:
2 years ago

wow i shouldnt be suprised by the ignorance and closed mindedness of some of these comments but i still am.

SmashTheState  says:
2 years ago

There's no way you can know whether the chair tattoo is "random." Maybe the person owns an office furniture store. Maybe the person worked her or his whole life in a chair factory. Maybe that was the chair she or he was sitting in when she or he qon the lottery. Symbols have totemic power, and no one can know their true meaning except the person with the tattoo.

taylorblue profile image

taylorblue  says:
2 years ago

Thanks for showing these to us...some people are crazy on what they want...don't let anyone tell you different.

Andy  says:
2 years ago

That is not an unfinished music staff on a wrist. There are six lines there and a music staff has only five.

ophotric  says:
2 years ago

tatoos gives a very first impretion of who you are and eventually the way you look and judge things that comes your way

jimmy  says:
2 years ago

#1 - Jim, Tran5, Jack - you spent the time to look at a page devoted to something you find repellent and then had to comment on it? I don't get the point, unles you like being grossed out. Even then tammyfayebakernudes.com is probably a better bet.

#2 - The chair is gorgeous.

#3 - I would never choose it for myself, but kind of like the Warrant/Whitesnake/ Twisted Sister tattoo. It shows dedication. Give'r

k  says:
2 years ago

it strikes me as odd that people see tattoos as "self mutilation." it's one of the oldest forms of expression in existence. no one questions pierced ears, or calls them disgusting or repellent.it seems like an arbitrary distinction to me. the only difference is that one is considered more mainstream than the other.

lani  says:
2 years ago

1. Sometimes no outlines work on tattoos. Work better than having an outline.

2. She wanted a tattoo on her butt. Who cares? That is where she wanted it. If you don't want a tattoo on your butt, don't get one. Not all women want tramp stamps

3. Whether or not it looks disjointed to you, I bet that is how he wanted his back, or he would not have gone for all those sessions. I may not understand it either, but it's obviously what he was going for.

4. The turkey and the arm chair are not poorly executed. In fact the armchair is one absolutely stunning tattoo. Just cause you don't like them or understand them, doesn't mean they are poor tattoos.

5. Simple line work such as the last tattoo are becoming a popular style of tattoos. What is wrong with them? Nothing.

HaHa  says:
2 years ago

I like the guy who says "Tatoo's = unemployed" .. the guy can't even spell tattoo. Who is the Dropout ?

And I'm not bias, I do not even have a tattoo

Renaissance profile image

Renaissance  says:
2 years ago

Wait, wait, I get it... it's an armchair... on an arm.

taylorblue profile image

taylorblue  says:
2 years ago

Thanks HaHa at least you said it!

Swamp  says:
2 years ago

I love random tattoo's! That chair tattoo has been one of my favourite tattoo's for ages. So well done and a nice omage to a very expensive piece of vintage furniture.

'tattoo's = unemployment' guy, pretty smug sitting there with your billion dollar an hour job that you recieved on a strict no tattoo agreement. Ive got many visable tattoos (some that belong on this page) and I live happily animating cartoons that your kids watch. Don't judge a book by what people drew all over it.

Mixas  says:
2 years ago

The pic with eyes on the butt is not a girl - it is russian mens prison tattoo and it has a meaning - that he is everybodys bitch.

L  says:
2 years ago

THE OWNERS PROBABLY THINK THEY ARE AMAZING

Tattoos.soottaT   says:
2 years ago

To the anti-tattoo people posting here:

I have tattoos, some of which cannot be easily hidden like the one on my left forearm and bicep. Obviously at job interviews I wear long sleeve shirts but day to day at work I wear jeans and short sleeve t-shirts. I work as a network engineer at a big data center and nobody cares in the slightest that I have tattoos.

The only places that tattoos would make me unemployable at are places where I wouldn't want to work in the first place. And the people who my tattoos "offend" are people who I absolutely would not want to hang out with in the first place.

So my tattoos are kind of like "idiot filters." They keep away the people whom I wouldn't want to know and attract the people who I generally get along well with.

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05  says:
2 years ago

"Actually there is, as long as you don't just tattoo the name of your current favourite band" My boyfriend has tattoos from bands he's worked for as well as bands of friend's. We've talked about having tattoos as older people and not liking them, and he's stated that he'll never regret getting any of his tattoos except for his poorly done skull (the tattoo artist dug too deep and the reds and blacks bled together). He says that all his tattoos represent a time in his life that he wants to remember, good or bad.

I think he's crazy, but thought I'd throw that in.

And, I do agree that some of the tattoos in this article aren't neccessarily bad tattoos, just different. Probably loved by the person who has it, such as the chair, or the chicken thing breaking through (I kinda like that one, random and weird yet but with a tad work could be cool looking).

As for jobs, I've seen many managers with visible tattoos. I have a visible one that I've had with a job. I've seen corporate world employees with tattoos. I've seen retail with tattoos. Most say that you cannot have them, but many places do not reinforce the rule, unless someone has an offensive tattoo. Usually names and such are ok, but a demonic skull probably not.

Oh, and yes, that is a man with the eyes on his butt cheeks. He's wearing men's baggy pants with boxers pulled in to show the tattoo. Plus the hair. Ha.

Sam  says:
2 years ago

I think the person in the last picture was a guitarist. Music score has 5 lines but guitar tab has 6.

tim  says:
2 years ago

That chair is not just some random piece of furniture. It is the 1956 Eames Lounge, an absolute icon of design: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair

Or just google "eames lounge" and see how many pages you find.

Just because *you* don't recognize something doesn't mean it's random.

Vastari profile image

Vastari  says:
2 years ago

I can't understand why anyone would want to get a tattoo, certainly not of your girl/boyfriend's name or your favourite band. What happens if you need to change it?

tab  says:
2 years ago

Thank you, Tim... Charles and Ray Eames, the designers of the chair in question were very prolific designers. This extremely well-executed chair would not be so random for a tattoo client that had a passion for design or architecture.

I'm also trying to ignore the tattoo=unemployment comment. I have several larger tattoos and I have a Master's degree along with a well-paying career. Please climb back under the rock from which you came.

I'll never change my t-shirt again   says:
2 years ago

I love the logic of that guy who thinks "tattoos are kind of like idiot filters. They keep away the people whom I wouldn't want to know and attract the people who I generally get along well with".

He should go out pointing a toy gun to policemen, it will allow him to become friendly with the ones who understand his humor!

Michelle  says:
2 years ago

I agree with what everyone is saying, yes it's kind of a weird location, but that armchair tattoo is DAMN good. The detail and shading is just right. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, you can easily get jobs with tattoos as long as you don't get them on your fucking face! I got two jobs and my tattoo covers my entire back and I LOVE IT

Carol  says:
2 years ago

iraado todos !

Beijo ;**

jade  says:
2 years ago

yes its definately a art tattooing ,

i can personally say sometimes its a artists fault but other times its so dammn hard to interpret what the hell the customers want !

simply because he or she cant fully communicate exactly what they are seeing in their mind , many great artists are people persons who understand customers and therefore they seem to get more work and better ideas for tattoos.

the worst i think is when i see girls come in with bad ones , to me its fucked to seriously scar a pretty girl ( no im not a guy being sleazy im a girl too lol married to a tattoo artist :)

when they dig it in too and it scars ,brutal!!!!

poooooooor girls

liz  says:
2 years ago

I've seen the Eames chair riduculed in a few different tattoo posts and it's really sad for so many design ignorant people to embarrass themselves this way. THIS CHAIR IS AN INSANELY IMPORTANT AND FAMOUS PIECE IN DESIGN HISTORY. I doubt it was chosen at random AND it's a really well executed tattoo. Is there some way you can edit this one out of your article and perhaps spare yourself from looking clueless and judgemental any longer?

FPM  says:
2 years ago

I used to be a homeless rodeo clown but now I am a world class magician !

Drum  says:
2 years ago

@ I'll never change my t-shirt again: I could make a long argument detailing every reason you're an idiot, but it's not worth my time.

ryan  says:
2 years ago

randomness tattoos are the best :D

dreamcatcher080  says:
2 years ago

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Tattoos are just a more permanent way of expressing who we are just as our clothes and hair do in a more temporary way. Although tattoos are not my style they may be ideal for someone else and I don't think we have the right to be prejudiced against those individuals. I thrive on change and I do agree some of these tattoos are bad quality, but...beauty is in the eye of the beholder!:-)

Confused  says:
2 years ago

Which one is the "arm chair" everyone's talking about? Is it the one below the face scars tattoo cos i have NO idea what thats supposed to be..

becauseilive profile image

becauseilive  says:
2 years ago

Hey Confused -- The armchair tatoo was originally placed in the "random" section in haste. After it was brought to my attention that it was a tattoo of the Eames chair, an icon of design from the 1950s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair ) I took a second look at it and decided to promptly remove it. Because it was under the "random" section, it fell under a heading that said it was a poorly executed atrocity, which it clearly was not. My bad :)

Confused  says:
2 years ago

Thank you for clearing that up Becauseilive :)

Hoshi  says:
2 years ago

Becauseilive - would you mind giving me an honest evaluation of the following tattoo? Good or bad? And why? Sorry that the picture is so small, but hopefully you can get the idea:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1387/tattooxy5.

Hoshi  says:
2 years ago

Becauseilive - would you mind giving me an honest evaluation of the following tattoo? Good or bad? And why? Sorry that the picture is so small, but hopefully you can get the idea:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1387/tattooxy5.

weak-superhero  says:
2 years ago

tattooist gil montie once said "nobody knows their tattoo sucks until some a**s=hole tells them about it."

GALL  says:
2 years ago

OMD I WOULD BARF!

Humblebee  says:
2 years ago

Wow, some of those tattoos are quite miserable, such as the "friendship" one. it could've needed some help on the hands ^-^and the guy who said "tat(t)oos=unemployed" should just think again for a moment. if you're like covered in tattoos all over your face and other pretty visible spots (hands, neck) then you probably won't get a job in a shop. but if you have like, a tattoo on your back (well I do expect people to wear shirts :p) or other spots like that, then why not?I can and can't agree that tattoos are bad, if you tattoo your Girlfriend/boyfriend's name on you, and you break up (which I think happened to the "loli" guy, lol) you're fairly screwed, unless it resembles some important memory. I think it's a great way to memorize someone/something by getting a tattoo to honor them.to the bad again, don't try and tattoo a spot which changes alot after the time you get the tat, as an example, (women) don't get a tat on the boob, get pregnant (boobs grow fairly bigger), get a child to suck your boobs flat, and take a look at the tat, I think that could challenge the ink a little too much. Or if you're fat, and lose a ton of weight, it won't look good :p (I think)

RyanRE profile image

RyanRE  says:
18 months ago

Ouch... Those are some pretty bad tatoos. I realize this is an old hub, but I am new to HB, so I just checking it out for the 1st time. Nice work Jaclyn :D

flutterbug77 profile image

flutterbug77  says:
17 months ago

I'm not one to wear tatoos, but these are HORRIBLE!

starrkissed profile image

starrkissed  says:
16 months ago

wow these are some seriously bad tattoos!!

jovifreak  says:
14 months ago

If tattoo's = unemployed then nobody would have any (good ones anyway) they cost so much !!

I have 4, my last one was done quite badly and I am about to have it sorted out.

I would say to anybody wanting a tattoo, do your homework first, check out different tattooists, look at their work, make sure your confident that they can do what you want and do it well.

sad panda  says:
11 months ago

I was expecting this to be really entertaining, or at least informative, but instead it's simply someone ripping on tattoos because they or their placement is not to her taste. Very sad. While a few actually fall into the catagory of "Really Bad Quality", most of them don't and it's rather insulting to the artists to say that they do.

Shane  says:
11 months ago

Tattooists are artists and not all art is for everyone, good work becauseilive.

sara  says:
11 months ago

The one with the eyes on the butt, well that looks like a mans butt, unless she a hairy one..gross!

Michael  says:
9 months ago

Tatoos are for low-class, uneducated, and uncultured people. Hopefully this disgusting fad will not be passed on to the next generation of Americans.

Jessica  says:
9 months ago

Oh, crud.

I'm low-class, uneducated, and uncultured. Whatever shall I do....Michael hates me. :(

Actually, I find that comment to be quite ironic. Uncultured? Tattoos are the very essence of culture. Perhaps not *your* culture, but for other people, most definitely. Low-class and uneducated? Interesting. I'm pursuing a nursing degree. I graduated in the top quarter of my class of 500 students at my high school. Yes, I'm highly uneducated and low-class.

To be honest, dearest Michael, I find the majority of "ordinary folks" that I run into at concerts, bars, and night clubs to be low-class and just plain DUMB. Oh....but those blonde girls surely look great in their slut boots wobbling all over the place and puking into the street because they've had one too many Smirnoffs. That's class. I must have forgot.

Jenn  says:
8 months ago

Ignorance.

Tattooed people are able to get jobs and keep them.

How do you think we pay for our tattoos?

And how do we get our money?

Oh- and just as much as you hope that the whole tattoo explosion will pass before the next generation comes of age.. I too hope that your ignorance and close mindedness won't rub off on any of them.

Jessicadragon  says:
5 months ago

There are two types of "bad" tattoo, in my opinion.

1) The artist failed, whether it was not filling a solid properly, digging too deep, sneezing and dragging the gun where it did't belong, uneven or illegible lettering or a thousand other scenarios. Basically the artist only fails when it is not what the client intended and/or doesn't match artwork provided and they are not satisfied.

2) When a client's choice of art is not appealing by common standards within the tattoo culture (or artistically bad by the majority in general) and the level of artistry by the tattoo artist cannot compensate for poor selection because it is just that bad.

One cannot blame the other. With the latter, If the client is happy with the tattoo, then they're happy. Some of the stuff people choose to make a part of themselves does make me wonder what they were thinking, but I wouldn't judge them for it beyond what they blatently intend. I don't think it should automatically be filed as "bad", just maybe in poor taste.

To the ones here criticizing tattooed folk, your opinion doesn't actually matter to the people you are expressing yourself to here. I'm just guessing. But what do I know, I am supposedly uneducated and jobless.

Willem  says:
4 months ago

Saw an absolute stinker here

http://www.slprofiles.com/picturedetail.asp?id=277

Carly  says:
2 months ago

Please exercise caution people, ask to see other work or even speak to other people the artist has done. I had a terrible experience, and am now scarred for life. Was tattooed by a guy called Stuart O'Neill in Stoke On Trent (feel i should mention his name so others are aware). He messed me up so bad, and he knew it... with that he kept trying to fix it, long story short... he went WAY to DEEP, I got infected and went to dr, put on oral antibiotics and went back to shop where they returned my money... problem is... how the hell is thing gonna heal up? Will i EVER be able to get it covered... it is still infected, i am early in the stage of antibiotics, and it is far from healed.. so i have NO CLUE if this is even going to be able to EVER be covered if it is scarred.. it is VERY small which is the only good thing!

cHELSEA  says:
2 months ago

Why the hell would u want a tattoo making your face too look like some one beat the shit out of you...i think that is soooo UGLY n STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!LMFAO

nikki  says:
5 weeks ago

If you are really serious aboutgetting tattooed it is all about making sure you are very well informed on the artist of your (final) choice beforehand. So it is really your own responsibility too. Talk to others, make sure you get a good look on his or her works. Make sure you not only take a look at pics of their work (as they may be someone elses) but go in and watch them while working so you can actually judge for yourself how they work (quality, hygiene etc.).

Go to a few conventions so you get a chance to meet different tattooists and styles. It may take a while but that way chances are you'll end up with a tat that you will be happy about. Good luck from a tattooed girl with a regular job that requires nes studies on a regular basis! :-)

nikki  says:
5 weeks ago

sorry! that's my üneducation" and probably because english isn't my native language; it should've been "new" studies instead of "nes studies"! LOL

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working