The Evolution of Flash Tattoos
Let’s talk flash tattoos people! Flash tattoos are typically what you find on the walls or in binders at tattoo shops. It’s a pre-drawn design available to those who have trouble coming up with their own artwork. Your indecisive woes can be brushed aside! Common ones are skulls, anchors, hearts and flowers. Many of the flash designs can be traced back to the early 20th century.
It all began because tattoo artists had to work very quickly in order to complete a tattoo because tattooing was still not commonplace... or technically legal in many places. In 1961 NYC made it “unlawful for any person to tattoo another human being.” It didn’t become legal again until 1997! Of course, this did not stop many artists, including Michelle Myles who we interviewed HERE. With a pre-design the artist could just grab the drawing and tattoo wherever necessary, and they could do it in a “flash.”
(Art print from Amazon)
Jump to 2019 and artists no longer have to tattoo in a rush. They also don’t need to just use the flash drawings they have set up in their own shops. Many sell their flash designs online to other artists and shops. Some even sell them as simply artwork to hang on your walls. We would definitely use tattoo designs as wall décor. Would you?!
We’ve seen many tattoo shops these days coming up with a sheet of flash tats for a holiday or event such as pride flash tats during gay pride months, specific athletic team themes, Christmas, and most importantly and our favorite, Halloween! You name the theme, and one shop or another has it. Normally, there are 10-15 tattoos to choose from on each sheet and they are mega discounted. We’re talking $20-50 generally, sometimes they can even be $13! WHAT A STEAL. These are perfect for someone who’s itching for some ink but doesn’t have the funds for a masterpiece.
One of our fav artists, Dan from Electric Hand Tattoo in Nashville says he loves doing flash tattoos because it brings in new customers. The last time they did a Halloween flash tat sale for $13 (with a lucky $7 tip) they had a line down the block! For those in the tattoo biz, this is one of the tried-and-true marketing tactics. Although the tats are cheap, you get loads more clients.
For those of you who are less committed or unsure of an actual tattoo, many companies sell temporary flash tattoos, and we’re not talking about the silly ones you used to cover yourself in as a kid. There are new temporary tattoo brands that look completely real and last longer than one or two showers. Love a design but scared of commitment or needles? Just keep reapplying the same flash tat! Check out that totally realistic world design pictured above.
However, us OCDivas are totally up for the real deal. We may need to get matching ghosts or bats this Halloween season. It’s actually shocking we don’t already have matching ink.
xx,
The OCDivas
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