INKED Inc. - a community for the counterculture

Friends don't let friends ...

I was in my favorite studio today [making an appointment for more ink] when this huge guy and his friend came in. The huge guy had some great custom work that he was more than proud to show off. His friend was a tattoo virgin. What's interesting is that the friend was getting some flash. I hate to be judgmental [although that's exactly what I'm being], but I could only think of the old saw, "Friends don't let friends get flash!"

Seriously, I thought it odd that huge guy didn't encourage his friend to get a custom design. Well, perhaps he did and the friend didn't "get it," so to speak. I hope he won't be back for a coverup in a few years. Or months.

Tags: custom, flash, tattoo

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Laura on June 13, 2008 at 7:39pm: I have hd a lot of custom tattoos done, but only 1 flash. It isn't so bad but I'll never do it again. It's only custom for me from now on!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dallas on June 21, 2008 at 8:58am: I agree, all of my work (even thought its only 2) is all custom. MY cousin is my tattoo artist in Florida and their shop is all about custom. They refuse to do anything else but custom and no one receives the same tattoo. They'll send you to another shop before they tat 2 people with the same tat.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janet on August 10, 2008 at 8:56pm: ..I am with you. I have 7 custom pieces and would discourage a friend of mine from getting flash.......; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Gunyon on September 14, 2008 at 11:51pm: I agree!!! I've been under the needle 17 times and every one is custom, some drawn my myself, some by my artist. My most recent, a cover up (of my very first tatt, also a custom drawn by myself, but badly tattooed by a novice artist) done today (Sept 14, 08) was drawn by me. It's the way to go for a lovely unique representation of yourself.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by So-Ah on September 23, 2008 at 7:05pm: Totally true!!! I'll never get a flash. My friend had one, and is doing a cover up. Custom for me all the way!
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Permalink Reply by Bones on September 30, 2008 at 12:47am: I love custom and want all my work to be custom. I do think, however, that there are some timeless classical flash designs. The shop I go to has a "Tribute to Tradition" every now and again with specials on traditional Americana flash. If the artist is good, he or she will make even flash look great, especially if the flash is a classic design.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna on October 8, 2008 at 11:22am: OK good classic Americana flash looks good but could you put something original with it to make it 'yours'?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bones on October 8, 2008 at 2:20pm: Sure, I would think so. Classical flash does not have to dictate color scheme, size, placement, etc. Nor does it preclude the addition of an element or a slight change in design. Again, all of my plans are for custom, but I could imagine someone coming in who wants a classical Sailor Jerry design precisely because that helps them define who they are.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna on October 8, 2008 at 11:21am: Hi,
I'm never sure why they get flash either. When I talked about getting my first one my son said, " Mom, just promise me you'll never get flash." At that time I wasn't quite sure what he was talking about but I told him I never would. (Then went and looked it up. tee hee couldn't have him thinking I didn't know right?) Any way,
I've stayed true to my word and none of mine are flash, although one comes close. But why would anyone want someone elses art work on them? I Don't get it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JD LaRish on February 2, 2009 at 12:36pm: hmmm ... i think there can sometimes be a very fine line between "flash" & "custom".
i have seen some god-awful "custom" tattoos and some very exquisite pieces of "flash".
i've worked in a street shop that catered to both side of the coin. we had some amazing sheets of flash on the walls from some of the best tattooers in the world. and although many times the tattooer would change it up a bit sometimes that preexisting drawing is just about as good as it can get.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tzu-jan on February 14, 2009 at 3:27pm: I agree some flash is really good, but the bottom line is someone else out there is dressed in the same suit as you (can you imagine running into them... lol) I worked in a studio in NYC at the front desk so I got to see all the last minute Louies who would make an appointment to get a tattoo and pick there art off the wall 5 minutes before they took the chair. I used to try and talk them out of it but it got to be entertaining, so I just took there money and shut my mouth. Besides letting them alone generated alot of cover up work for us.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by michael wallace on February 18, 2009 at 2:40am: he prob will be at some stage flash off the wall or out of a book is so out dated he will get sick of seeing his design on so many other people! ME I REFUSE TO DO FLASH OFF THE WALL I EXPLAINE TO CUSTOMERS ITS ONLY FOR REF IDEAS AND WILL DRAW THEM UP THEIR OWN DESIGN OR THEY CAN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! IM AN ARTIST NOT A DUPLICATOR! YA CAN DO THE SAME DESIGN BUT I PREFERE MY VERSION OF IT AFTYER AL;L THATS IS WHY THEY COME TO YOU!; ▶ Reply to This