DIY Tattoos

what are everyones thoughts on DIY tattoos? granted they are dangerous and sometimes ugly, you have to keep in mind that they have been done for thousands of years without modern technology. does anyone have any? tell us the stories, etc behind them and maybe even post some pics.

I've heard some horror stories.

care to share?

I was really drunk
My friend had just bought a tattoo gun
He had no idea
I had no idea
I let him tattoo me 3 times
Heres a picture

Everyone said
OMG YOULL REGRET THAT SOOO MUCH

They're in places that I really don't care, plus I like them because it's a good memory.
Nothing got infected, all was well.

However PUNX now looks a bit like PU X
1990 on my armpit is the best one

never heard of anyone tatting themselves but sounds real dumb, especially if you have no talent.

my friend has a bf who bought a tattoo gun, and hes tattoo'd eveerything she has on her, and they all suck, theres one that kinda ok, but most of them are really shitty and he did a music note on her hand, and it got all infected and looks nasty.
then he did these 2 lightning bolts on her chest, and they dont look the same and they're lopsided, its just retarted.

Dan and I have tried it but it didn't work, it was nothing but a few dots to test it out, we used pen ink. It was a dumb thing to do, but nothing happened and none of the marks lasted for more than a week.

My artist said the first tattoo he ever did is on himself, and fact is, almost every tattoo artist has done one on himself, it's how you start out and learn.

Yeah, but we all aren't tattoo artists.

If you want to learn how to tattoo go get an apprentice job at a shop... if you want to get a tattoo, I do not care how good of a deal your friend is going to give you, don't get it from someone that does not have a shop. Saving 50 bucks or so is not worth a lifetime of a shitty tattoo

People think of tattoos in different ways though. I'd never get anything major done by an amateur mate, but if it was part of a drunken bet or just messing around on holiday or something I'd get random lil things like Kieran has, I'm sure of it. It's not so much about the tattoo or what it looks like, more that it's a mark of a memory of a good time you can carry with you everywhere. There'll be a story behind it, whereas with most tattoos it's "oh, I got it cuz I liked the picture/band/whatever".

The biggest problem with tattoos is that so many people with a tattoo gun suck as artists. There is this weird assumption that paying for a tattoo automatically makes it good, but most tattoos suck. Most tattoo artists suck. That being said, getting someone who is not actually a tattoo artist to ink you is a bad idea because they either (a) suck a lot, or (b) will give you gangrene AND a shitty tattoo.

Unless you are talking about the melted plastic, urine, and shoe polish tattoos like they do in prison. In which case, go for it!

Those in prison always astound me with their resourceful ways.

Ross wrote:

Those in prison always astound me with their resourceful ways.

I know. I once picked up a book (not a pamphlet, a BOOK) at a punk rock show about how to make prison wines. It was a fascinating read, if horrifying. (Unless drinking fermented sugar packets and Hi-C from a sock sounds good, in which case you should read about it.)

I've considered killing people so many times just so I can get a prison tat. But I haven't really.
However I am getting a proper one in August, anyone good at drawing designs?

Just get a massive picture of your face on your back like Steve-o from Jackass.

I still can't help but laugh at the gall he has.

If you want something good though, make sure it's designed by a really sweet artist and look everywhere for the best tattoo artist you can find. If you're gonna go to the effort of getting something designed, you don't want a shitty tattoo artist to mess it up!

What sort of thing are you looking for? I know EMC on these forums is good at cartoon style graphics.

JakobDoetman wrote:

Dan and I have tried it but it didn't work, it was nothing but a few dots to test it out, we used pen ink. It was a dumb thing to do, but nothing happened and none of the marks lasted for more than a week.

yeah but mine was a lightning bolt, but it didnt stay for longer than 2 weeks. the ink came out like pimples. if it was india ink, it would have probably stayed (we used pen ink).

wow, that was like 5 months ago.

But equally punk rock

Stalls_Standing wrote:

But equally punk rock

haha, is that what you would call it?

Just being cliche, sorry!

oh no, i just thought it was dumb of me to use pen ink.

i have thought about it cuz my friend made a tattoo gun that actually works but i have never known what to get. i have branded myself with a penny though, it didnt turn out so good...its not even round. haha

tanner you idiot. you wanted to brand yourself today with a cigarette lighter from my sisters car.