Flash tattoos are cheap, but still hugely popular among many people getting tattoos for the first time. They are most likely to be low-quality and poorly drawn. Nearly 90% of the people requiring cover-ups or touch-ups to their tattoos have flash tattoos usually done from some free flash design that has done the rounds of the internet or from some backstreet tattoo parlors. What’s wrong with flash tattoos? Flash tattoos are anything but original. They are based on ready-made, knocked up designs drawn by unknown ‘artists’ and sold in hundreds if not thousands of copies, worldwide or downloaded free on many websites. It’s very likely if you get a flash tattoo that somebody somewhere has the exact same tattoo, most likely done in the exact same manner and possibly on same area of the body say for example lower back tribal tattoos. Flash tattoos have nothing to do with what tattoo art should be which is creativity and uniqueness and reduces tattooing to little more than tracing. Flash tattoos lack one other important thing: meaning. They generally have no meaning to the person getting them done. Tattoos should reflect a person’s life and should at least have some meaning — not necessarily the meaning of the actual design but what it means to the person receiving it. This is the reason tattoo removal is big business. Keep in mind that it costs more 10 times the amount to get a tattoo removed as it does to get it done in the first place. So if you are looking for tattoo designs forget flash tattoo designs. If you see free flash tattoo art on some website, or if the tattooist tells you to pick one from a sheet or ‘off the wall’ and doesn’t draw your design free hand right in front of you but copies it on a piece of transparent tracing paper from a notepad go elsewhere. Always ask to see the tattooist’s portfolio of custom tattoos before committing to getting one done. Free tattoo designs or gothic tattoo designs are available everywhere. You just have to take your pick in the wide array of selection.

If you have decided to get a tattoo, be aware that the possibilities for your design are basically endless. As with many situations, proper research is key. If you are dedicated enough, it’s possible to find an excellent free tattoo design to satisfy your needs. Knowing what you want before you enter the tattoo parlor will go along way towards ensuring you are happy and proud of your design.

Check the Internet

The web is one of your best resources. In addition to images and symbols, you can search for designs that other people have created and used. One step of the tattoo design process is choosing an image and adjusting it until it is able to be inked on your body. With a little research, you can find designs ranging from simple birds and flowers to full portraits.

Check Books and Magazines

When searching for a tattoo that really displays your personality and interests, it is important to be aware of all available resources. Sources you may not immediately consider, like magazines and books, can help provide inspiration for an excellent design. In no time, you’ll be more aware of what you want and able to limit the choices and pick the perfect option. The environment and large amounts of literature around you can provide nearly endless inspiration and ideas for your tattoo. Always be aware of your surroundings, and you will begin to think of more ideas than you ever thought possible.

Choosing an Artist

After you’ve selected your design, it’s important to select the best artist for the task. Not all artists are created equal: there are large differences in style, ability and cost from artist to artist. Certain artists have the most experience with realistic designs and images, while others specialize in more cartoony and surreal artwork. It is definitely worth your while to search around before making a decision. Use the Internet to find their portfolios, and ask friends and family for suggestions and information. If you have the specific style and type in mind, it is relatively easy to find an artist that will meet your needs.