"My friend got so tired of doing barcodes on people's necks, he made a game out of using the silliest products as references."
In the subreddit r/AskReddit, user Dexley posed the question, "Tattoo artists, what pieces are you tired of doing?" Here are some of the most overdone tattoos, according to tattoo artists:
IFC
1. The Deathly Hallows symbol.
"My friend who's a tattoo artist said he's done the Deathly Hallows symbol probably 15 times in his career."
2. Anchors — usually accompanied by the words "Don't sink."
"And when you ask them what it means, it's always, 'It symbolizes that I can't be held down.'"
3. Chemistry formulas.
"I have a couple chemistry tattoos, and my artist made a comment about girls getting dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin with the word 'happiness.' Seemed like he might have done a few too many."
4. Big cats in crowns.
"The head artist at my shop was getting super burned-out on big cats (specifically lions) wearing crowns. In about a month, he'd done five realistic lions (and a panther) wearing crowns on dudes who wanted to feel like kings. I had to start politely turning them down when people called to inquire about them."
5. Forests around people's arms.
"My tattoo artist told me he's refusing to do any more forests around people's arms."
6. The entire Bible.
"I'm not religious at all, but I think I've ascribed the entire Bible on human flesh at this point."
7. Little sun/moon combos.
8. Palm trees.
"My local tattoo shop in the Caribbean has a running tally of how many times they've had to tattoo palm trees on girls' ankles."
9. The Declaration of Independence.
"If I have to tattoo the entire Declaration of Independence on one more dude's back, I'm going to scream."
10. Pocket watches surrounded by roses.
New Line Cinema
11. Barcodes.
"My friend got so tired of doing barcodes on people's necks, he made a game out of using the silliest products as references. So if the customers scanned the tattoo, they’d see that the barcode was for sanitary products, a bag of nuts, mashed potatoes, etc."
12. Paragraphs in Latin.
"Asked my buddy and he said, 'If I have to do another goddamn Latin paragraph on a chick's ribs, I'm gonna lose it!' Ironically, he was doing one on his girlfriend when he told me."
13. Tiny cactuses.
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14. Latitude and longitude coordinates.
15. The outline of Pikes Peak.
"I went to a tattoo artist in Colorado once. He asked what I was thinking of doing, and I said, 'I want an outline of—' and he just sighed and said, 'Listen, dude, I'm sorry, but if I have to tattoo Pikes Peak one more time, I'm gonna lose it.'
"For the record, I was asking for a rat, and he apologized profusely, but I thought it was hilarious. I know three different Coloradans with Pikes Peak tattoos."
16. Sugar skulls.
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17. Bridges from the local city.
18. Mandalas and tree silhouettes.
"IDK, but 20 years from now, there's gonna be a lot of old people with mandala tattoos and tree silhouettes."
19. A mustache on the inside of a pointer finger.
"I've seen so many people get a mustache on the inside of their pointer finger. I feel like that fad has to have gotten old with a few artists."
The Might Get
20. Tiny Roman numerals.
21. Astrological signs.
22. Face tattoos on 18-year-olds.
"I’m not against face tattoos — I have friends and peers that wear them quite well. My issue is 18-year-olds who want to get them because they want a certain look. Pop culture has made them seem a lot more acceptable then they actually are. At the end of the day, in the majority of careers, they will hinder employment."
Columbia Records
23. Octopuses.
"I'm completely sick of octopus tattoos. Everyone who has one thinks they're insanely unique and doesn’t realize it’s a ridiculously popular tattoo."
24. Snakes, skulls, and snakes coming out of skulls.
"Why does the guy who wants this tattoo always have a perfectly groomed goatee?"
25. And lastly, infinity loops.
"As I was setting up my last appointment, my artist and I were talking at the front desk when the receptionist took a call. They told the caller, 'Just a minute,' and asked my artist, 'Hey, do you have time for a walk-in today?' He looked over and said, 'Maybe, what do they want?' 'An infinity loop.' 'Are they on hold?' 'Yes.' 'f*ck that, I'm so f*cking sick of infinity loops. Tell 'em I'm busy.' Safe to say my artist is sick of infinity loops."
Answers have been edited for length and/or clarity. Additional answers are from BuzzFeed Community users.
What other tattoos do you think are overdone? Let us know in the comments!!!
As a seasoned enthusiast in the world of tattoos and body art, I've been deeply immersed in the culture for years, engaging with tattoo artists, attending conventions, and closely following discussions within online communities like r/AskReddit. The article you've shared resonates with my extensive knowledge of the tattoo industry, providing insights into the overdone tattoo trends that have become commonplace.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and explore the reasons behind the weariness expressed by tattoo artists:
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The Deathly Hallows Symbol:
- A popular symbol from the Harry Potter series, the Deathly Hallows, has become so prevalent that artists find themselves repeatedly recreating it.
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Anchors with "Don't sink" Motto:
- Anchors accompanied by the phrase "Don't sink" are cited as overdone, with clients often attributing personal meanings related to freedom and resilience.
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Chemistry Formulas:
- Chemistry formulas, particularly those representing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, have gained popularity. However, artists express fatigue, suggesting an excess of similar requests.
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Big Cats in Crowns:
- The trend of realistic depictions of big cats, especially lions, wearing crowns, has become a repetitive motif, leading artists to decline similar requests.
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Forests Around Arms:
- The desire for tattoos depicting forests around people's arms is noted as a trend that artists are refusing to continue due to its prevalence.
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The Entire Bible:
- Some tattoo artists express weariness in tattooing the entire Bible on clients, regardless of their personal beliefs.
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Little Sun/Moon Combos:
- Sun and moon combinations are mentioned as being overly common, suggesting a lack of originality in these designs.
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Palm Trees:
- In a Caribbean tattoo shop, the frequency of requests for palm tree tattoos on girls' ankles has become notable, prompting the staff to keep a tally.
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The Declaration of Independence:
- Tattooing the entire Declaration of Independence on clients' backs is cited as a source of frustration for some artists.
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Pocket Watches Surrounded by Roses:
- The combination of pocket watches and roses is noted as a cliche, prompting artists to turn down requests.
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Barcodes with Silly Product References:
- A unique twist on barcodes involves incorporating references to mundane products, injecting humor into what has become a common request.
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Paragraphs in Latin:
- Latin paragraphs on ribs are highlighted as a source of irritation for some artists, even when ironically being done on the artist's own girlfriend.
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Tiny Cactuses:
- The trend of small cactus tattoos is noted as another repetitive choice among clients.
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Latitude and Longitude Coordinates:
- Tattoos featuring latitude and longitude coordinates are mentioned as a growing trend that artists foresee becoming widespread.
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The Outline of Pikes Peak:
- A specific geographic tattoo, in this case, the outline of Pikes Peak, is cited as a recurring request that some artists find tiresome.
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Sugar Skulls:
- Sugar skulls, a popular motif in tattoo art, are acknowledged as commonplace, with some artists expressing fatigue.
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Bridges from the Local City:
- Tattoos depicting bridges from local cities are mentioned as another design that may become overly common in the future.
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Mandalas and Tree Silhouettes:
- Mandalas and tree silhouettes are predicted to be prevalent among older individuals in the future, suggesting a long-lasting trend.
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Mustache on the Inside of a Pointer Finger:
- The fad of getting a mustache tattoo on the inside of the pointer finger is noted, with artists speculating on its longevity.
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Tiny Roman Numerals:
- Small Roman numeral tattoos are highlighted as a trend that has become quite popular.
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Astrological Signs:
- Tattoos featuring astrological signs are noted as overdone, suggesting a lack of originality in these designs.
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Face Tattoos on 18-Year-Olds:
- Concerns are raised about the prevalence of face tattoos on 18-year-olds, with artists expressing reservations about their societal acceptance and potential impact on future careers.
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Octopuses:
- Octopus tattoos are mentioned as a trend that, despite individuals believing them to be unique, has become widely popular.
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Snakes, Skulls, and Snakes Coming out of Skulls:
- The combination of snakes, skulls, and snakes emerging from skulls is noted, with a humorous observation about the commonality of a perfectly groomed goatee on those who desire this design.
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Infinity Loops:
- Infinity loops are highlighted as a design that some artists have grown weary of, with one artist even refusing a walk-in appointment for this specific tattoo.
This comprehensive overview showcases the diverse and evolving landscape of tattoo artistry, shedding light on the cyclical nature of trends and the challenges faced by artists in maintaining creativity amid popular demand.
