IT’S pretty normal to have a Pinterest board filled with cute tattoo designs, or if you Google “2023 tattoo design” three days before your next appointment. There are a lot of people that do the same, sometimes even checking out designs online just a few hours before they get inked. But most probably, you’re not a tattoo expert – more importantly, you’re probably not a tattoo artist, either.

You may not be aware that in the past, many artists have expressed disdain for tattoo designs that come directly from Pinterest. There are some that even flat-out say no to doing certain designs unless they’re allowed to make changes so it won’t be directly copying the original.

Hattie Gladwell, a writer from Metro, wrote that taking a design from Pinterest is akin to stealing someone’s artwork. “Taking inspiration from the internet, let alone an actual image for your tattoo is a common thing, and having done it myself in the past I can’t exactly tell you to stop,” she said.

But how about tattoo artists in the Philippines? What do they think about tattooing designs from the internet onto a person’s skin?

Mixed emotions

For 26-year-old tattoo artist Gio Parcia, designs for Pinterest are fine with him–to an extent. 

“I’m fine with it, as long as gagamitin lang for reference, hindi yung ipapakopya sa’kin mismo,” he said. 

“Feel ko yung mga gumagaya lang ng design is mga tinamad lang mag-isip. For me kasi, malaking disrespect yun sa original artist na ninakawan, and sa’kin din kasi,” he said.

It’s okay with him to take inspiration from other artists’ design as long as the actual design would not be copied. This is in respect of the work of the other artist, which may have a deeper meaning for the creator, he said. 

“Artist naman ako, hindi printer,” he added. 

Mari Kloie Ledesma, a 25-year-old home service tattoo artist, feels that many aren’t aware that it’s not a good thing to use someone’s design without permission.

“I ask them first if nagpa-design ba sila, or they just got it online,” Ledesma said with regard to her clients. “If they found it on the internet without the artist’s permission, I always explain to them na we shouldn’t steal someone’s art. They can ask for the artist’s consent and pay them to get their designs tattooed.” 

Eloise Cadilo, another tattoo artitst, also said not all clients are accustomed to artistic etiquette. 

“Even artists, actually. We do not learn about copyright, intellectual property, and artist etiquette in school, and the industry restricts the craft to its commercial defines, [so] clients may have the tendency to get designs off of the internet as it is widely practiced,” Cadilao said.

“While we, artists, recognize the shared responsibility of doing research, I think it’s the artist’s burden to actually do the briefing,” she said.

Tattoo artist Patty Tatty said that doing designs from these signs gives her the “normal amount of ick.” 

“But it’s fine with me,” she continued, “because I’ll put a different twist to it.”

“It’s fine to get inspiration from other designs as long as you also have an input you would like the artist to change or add. Nobody likes a generic tattoo,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Mila, a tattoo artist at Vimana Tattoo Studio, thinks that getting designs from Google, Pinterest, or Instagram is normal and acceptable. 

“The internet is a great source for inspiration, and I think it’s healthy for clients to look around and feel inspired by things for them to decide what they’re putting on their body,” she said. 

Mila also mentioned, though, that it’s best to use these sites as your first points of reference only. 

“The part that isn’t okay is wanting a tattoo that is the same as someone else. I think artists are always striving to better their craft and push for their own unique style. This is what makes us artists,” she said.

What the artists recommend

To avoid the repetition of tattoo designs, Eloise recommends creating a booking system so as not to replicate designs, and including guidelines to ensure that the design given can be used. 

“When I encounter intricate original designs, I do Google Reverse even without the client knowing,” she said.

Eloise also said that for artists, it’s important to take note of the client’s budget. Designing would require a separate payment from the tattooing, and it’s not something everybody could afford, she said, 

“Should this be the case, a client can opt to look for public domain designs online or draw something the artist can refine. I sometimes give my clients an option for design commission; I offer to do freehand, which would not incur any extra costs,” she said.

Parcia advises those who want tattoos to do a mood board of the pegs for their design.

They should also do research on the style of the tattoo artists to make sure this would match their preference, he said.  

Tattoo artist Dan said clients should keep an open mind because he usually asks them if he could tweak the design if this was taken from the internet, so that it would not be the same as the reference photo. 

Ledesma suggests looking for shops on Instagram that sell tattoo designs.

“I recommend commissioning them to design their tatts. That way, it’s support for the artist and makes their tattoos special,” she said.

Mila also said inspiration could be drawn from anywhere. Moreover, there should be clear communication between the artist and thd client. 

 “I think the most important part in all of this is communication so that, as an artist, I can bring to life my client’s vision with my best ability,” she said 

How to get original tattoos

Always be sure to consult your tattoo artist on whether or not they do original designs. The answer is probably yes. You can also check out their pages for flash tattoo sheets; some designs are repeatable, but others are often meant for just one person, so there’s still that factor of uniqueness that comes with the tat.

“Non-tattoo artist illustrators are hidden gems,” said Boochii from Shadow Studio. “They can create a design from several ideas, then just ask your tattoo artist to turn it into a design fit for a tattoo.”

Ledesma recommends Anika on Instagram, an artist that makes tattoo designs. The tattoo shop Bad and Boochi also offers original flash designs, as do most tattoo shops in the Philippines. 

Ledesma herself also offers a variety of flashes for her customers; Parcia, Dan, and Mila also have them readily available as well. Opportunities for custom designs are everywhere; all you have to do is look.

At the end of the day, getting a tattoo is a big, expensive decision that requires a lot of research, time, and thought. If you have enough to pay for an expensive tattoo, then what’s stopping you from getting a design commissioned as well?