Pintrest and the Creativity of Artists

Copying a Pinterest Tattoos

Considering copying a Pinterest tattoo to a real one? Read on about what tattoo artists think, what copyright law states, and how to recreate a Pinterest image as a tattoo that's truly your own.

Your Scrolling on Pinterest

It's late, and you're already in your two-hundredth rose tattoo, and you've found the one. You can practically see it on your wrist.

Almost everyone has begun their tattoo journey the same way by searching the social media platform. You type in fine line floral and a thousand designs pop up in an instant. You might keep your boards up for months or even years

That's the beauty of Pinterest, a fantastic resource for finding inspiration, but the complications begin once you arrive at the shop, and your saved image falls out with the question, can you make me this one?

This is important, and a discussion worth having before any tattoo is inked, because it involves copyright law, etiquette at the tattoo shop, and even whether you'll still like the design in time

Is It Okay to Copy a Pinterest Tattoo?

For most, the simple answer is no

Using a tattoo as inspiration is one thing, but asking for an exact replica, however, is something else entirely. You must consider that the image you've saved could belong to two people: the designer who drew it and the random person who happened to get it tattooed on their skin. This means you would, in a sense, be asking to wear someone else's artwork on your own body permanently.

Something few people realize is that a tattoo, like any other piece of artwork, is protected by copyright law the moment it's drawn

This means the drawing itself, whether it be flash art or a more elaborate custom design, is technically the property of the artist who drew it. You are not permitted to recreate it without permission, unless the rights to the design have since been transferred, which they almost certainly have not in this case

Because the copyright was not transferred, the tattoo you want most likely isn't up for grabs.

The reason most artists won't recreate another's design, especially if it's Pinterest content, isn't often out of stubbornness, but practicality

It takes years for an artist to hone their style, and this painstaking process is what makes their work instantly recognizable as their own. When an artist spends all that time developing their look only to have it traced by someone else, it's understandably frustrating. Not to mention that most in the industry would rather not risk their reputation by copying another person's work, as it can lead to the tracing artist getting labeled as unethical in the community.

Most professional artists will be able to recreate a design of your choosing in their own style, which may be something you can ask for instead if you'd prefer a tattoo that looks like the drawing but feels more personal, since you got to put your own twist on it. Keep in mind, however, that many of these Pinterest images may not have been made by tattoo artists in the first place

If you like the look of a specific piece but not the style of the artist, it might be worth looking through other artist's portfolios to find one you connect with more

Tattoo Inspiration vs Tattoo Copying

Here's the difference between the two, and what sets them apart:

Inspiration:

Seeing something you love and using that feeling or aesthetics of it as a jumping-off point for your own tattoo. You might take note of the use of negative space in a particular design, or the colors used. Or it might be something as simple as a certain placement, such as on the wrist, that inspires you to get something similar but not the same. Whatever the reason, inspiration allows for your tattoo artist to use their skills and creativity to interpret this vision for you.

Copying:

Simply wanting something you saw, exactly as it appears. In this case, you're looking for something specific, with little to no room for error, and asking someone else to recreate it for you.

Inspiration will allow for more creativity on the artist's end, while copying will do the opposite. The former gives room for your artist to contribute and put their own stamp on the design while the latter leaves little to no room.

Inspiration almost always wins out here, hands down, because the tattoo you'll be left with will feel more personal, as it will be tailored to you and your preferences. Something duplicated, however, will struggle to feel unique, as it was made with little-to-no consideration of your own body's idiosyncrasies. It might have been popular or well-done, but it's ultimately a tattoo better suited to the person it was made for already.

What Happens When Lots of Other People Get the Same Tattoo?

You've no doubt seen it happen before: a certain kind of tattoo becomes popular, so you decide to get one like it. Maybe it's the same small hearts that were everywhere a few years ago, or the minimalist mountains that everyone seems to keep finding and getting everywhere. Fine line florals and single-needle minimalism continue to remain a staple of the tattoo industry. They're popular, as are more sticker-style tattoo pieces and celestial imagery that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and tends to dominate both Pinterest and TikTok.

This is the unfortunate reality of trends: a certain number of people will become enamored with a certain thing and want to have it as soon as possible, which is why a given style will often see a sudden uptick in popularity all at once. This can be a problem when it comes to tattoos, as you may later regret getting one that feels too similar to dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of other people's tattoos

It's not that there's anything wrong with trends per se, but something about liking something so much that you want to have it permanently on your person begins to feel less special when everyone you know also has it somewhere on their body. After all, one of the appealing qualities of tattoos is that they're personal to you. Something duplicated, however, will struggle to feel as meaningful, as it wasn't made with you in particular in mind.

This loss of individuality is one of the chief reasons why it's generally advised to avoid copying Pinterest tattoos. This is all hypothetical, of course; the likelihood of you regretting your tattoo entirely simply because everyone else also has it is low, but you may find that it's something you're less enthusiastic about in the long run

How to Properly Use Pinterest Before Getting a Tattoo

As mentioned, it's perfectly fine to use it as a resource for inspiration, as long as that's all you're using it for.

Build out your Pinterest boards, saving anything and everything that catches your eye. However, it's advisable to save not just any tattoo but the ones that you feel most drawn to in some way

You may find that certain pieces resonate with you more than others, or stand out from the rest in some way, such as a certain color palette you love. Make sure to save these if you can, as many artists will be more receptive to creating something in a style you specifically enjoy rather than a design that was initially intended for someone else. This will also help your artist determine what you're looking for based on your references, which we'll get to next.

If you've saved any tattoo images, bring them with you to your consultation. Even better, bring a handful. Having more than one image to reference will make it significantly easier for your artist to determine exactly what it is you're looking for, instead of giving them a single image they're expected to trace.

A good rule of thumb is to bring anywhere between three to five images if you're looking to reference Pinterest before getting a tattoo

Aim for variety as well, rather than dozens of similar pieces.

This way, your artist will be able to see a general consensus on what you're looking for rather than getting confused by twenty almost identical tattoos. The goal is to communicate to your artist what you're looking for while leaving room for them to input their own ideas.

A few practical tips to keep in mind when building your Pinterest boards prior to your tattoo consultation include:

• Saving by elements rather than entire tattoos; create separate boards for line style, color palettes, placement, and size, etc.,

rather than dozens of nearly identical tattoos

• Making notes next to tattoos you save if you plan on making any changes, such as removing certain elements,

• Saving a few "opposite" tattoos as well, just in case you want something bolder or more minimalist,

• And remember that just because something is trending doesn't mean you should get it. Ask your artist how they might go about reinterpreting a certain tattoo so that it doesn't feel too dated in a few years

Bringing Reference Photos to Your Tattoo Artist

Make sure to bring reference photos, as most will appreciate it, and it can be significantly easier to explain what you're looking for in images rather than words. Reference photos provide something solid for your artist to work with, providing you're both on the same page when it comes to what you're envisioning before any tattoos are drawn. The only thing to keep in mind, however, is that how you present these photos matters.

You should avoid simply sliding your phone over to your artist and demanding they recreate the tattoo, as this will do little to inspire them. Instead, consider asking them to make something similar in your preferred style

Instead of telling them what to do, you're inviting them to collaborate, and most artists will be grateful for the opportunity. If you're wondering how to best go about this, a good starting point is to frame your request in such a way that you're asking for something that feels more like you. An easy way to accomplish this is by asking for a tattoo that makes you feel a certain way, with your references serving as inspiration for said feeling.

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to bring anywhere between three to five reference photos when consulting with your artist

This gives them enough material to work with without overwhelming you with options

It's also worth noting that not every reference photo is off-limits to recreate, as some are flash tattoos, or standard designs that are meant to be traced by multiple clients

Flash tattoos are often available at most tattoo shops, either on their walls or online, and are generally meant to be redrawn by any artist who wishes to do so. Other artists, meanwhile, may retire a certain piece after tracing it themselves for a client. If you're having trouble distinguishing between flash tattoos and custom designs that are meant to be redrawn, don't hesitate to ask your artist for clarification. It's a totally reasonable request!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a tattoo artist get in trouble for tracing a Pinterest design?

It's possible, especially if the traced design was a custom piece meant for another artist's clientRecreating a piece of artwork that isn't publicly available can constitute copyright infringement, particularly if it's for commercial purposes

In addition, an artist may also get in trouble for tracing another's tattoo, as most artists are familiar with each other's work and it can reflect poorly on them in the community

Is it illegal to ask for an exact replica of a Pinterest tattoo?

Not exactly, as it's usually the person recreating the design who faces legal consequences

Most artists, however, will refuse to trace another's work for the reasons stated above, so you may be met with a polite but firm no

What if the Pinterest image is a generic symbol?

Generic symbols and illustrations are usually copyright-free, so asking to trace them shouldn't be an issue

If there's any doubt as to whether or not an image can be recreated, it's always best to ask your artist for clarification first

How many Pinterest photos should I bring to a tattoo consultation?

Aim to bring anywhere between three to five photos, ideally of varying styles

What if my artist is offended by me bringing Pinterest photos in the first place? They shouldn't be, as reference photos are a normal part of the tattooing process

The only thing to keep in mind is how you phrase your request; instead of asking for an exact replica, ask for something that makes you feel a certain way

The Bottom Line

Pinterest didn't cause the urge to replicate tattoos, but rather made it much easier for people to see what they want inked on their body

The artists who will be tracing your Pinterest tattoo or helping you find inspiration are the ones who know the difference between a client who wants to copy a design and one who wants to trace their inspiration

Use your Pinterest boards to determine your preferences, bring your favorite photos to your consultation to communicate these preferences to your artist, and you'll be left with a tattoo that makes you feel special, decade after decade.