When diving into the world of tattoos, you’ll quickly encounter a unique vocabulary. From “blowouts” to “custom pieces,” tattoo terminology can be confusing, especially for newcomers. One term you’re likely to hear is “Tattoo Flash.” But what exactly is tattoo flash?
To demystify this essential tattoo concept, we’ve asked experienced tattoo artists to explain what tattoo flash is all about.
Decoding Tattoo Flash: Repeatable and Ready-Made Designs
“There’s no right or wrong answer,” says tattoo artist Andrea from @nolseytattoo in Brighton, when defining flash. “If you think of ‘traditional tattooing’ the answer would be designs that you pick from to get tattooed, shown either as prints in a studio or in some sort of folder.” In essence, tattoo flash refers to pre-drawn tattoo designs created by artists that are readily available for tattooing. These designs are typically repeatable, meaning they can be tattooed multiple times on different clients.
Lauren Hepple of String of Hearts in Southsea and @lh.tattoo adds, “Pre-drawn designs that are ready to be booked in as they are shown on the illustration.” Often, artists release flash designs with a specific theme or style in mind. “When I put out my flash designs,” Lauren explains, “there will usually be something specific I am focusing on for that release.”
Repeatable tattoo flash designs by Lauren Hepple, showcasing various small, detailed blackwork tattoos on a white background.
One-Off Tattoo Flash vs. Repeatable Options
While traditional flash is designed to be repeatable, the concept has evolved. Andrea explains her approach: “For now (most of) my flash is one of a kind, mainly because I really enjoy tattooing a design and parting with it.” She playfully describes her flash as designs to “adopt,” emphasizing their unique nature. “They are just silly drawings that I do and then someone comes and takes them home with them forever.” This one-off flash provides clients with the opportunity to get a unique piece of art from an artist they admire.
However, Andrea also creates repeatable flash, particularly for certain styles: “I do have some designs which are repeatable; traditional inspired designs such as kewpie babies and more simplistic designs that I think lots of people might enjoy – small flowers, trinkets, animals, etc, they usually work very well as gap fillers.” These designs are often simpler and appeal to a wider audience, making them suitable for multiple tattoos.
Lauren also notes the shift towards repeatable flash driven by economic factors. “For most of my time tattooing, I’ve only ever tattooed my designs once,” she says. “But with money becoming tighter for everyone, I started doing a small range of repeatable and affordable flash. I hope that this keeps my tattoos accessible. As an industry, we are all trying to adjust to what is a really difficult time for artists to navigate right now.” Affordable flash makes high-quality tattoo art accessible during challenging economic times.
Unique tattoo flash art by Andrea, featuring whimsical and illustrative designs drawn on paper, ready for tattooing.
The History Behind the Term “Flash”
The term “flash” itself has an interesting, somewhat mysterious origin. “The term flash comes from a few different stories,” Lauren explains, “which ones are true I don’t know.” One popular theory connects to the history of tattooing: “One I’ve heard a few times is about tattoo artists needing to be discreet – due to societal views or from when tattooing was illegal [tattooing was illegal in NYC until 1997], and therefore artists needed to be able to pack up quick and be ‘gone in a flash’.” This suggests that “flash” could refer to the speed and portability needed by tattoo artists in less accepting times.
Tattoo of a frog with intricate linework, an example of tattoo flash art by Lauren Hepple.
Flash Scenes: An Innovative Approach to Tattoo Flash
Andrea takes flash design a step further with her unique “flash scenes.” “I’ve always loved illustration, and since I started tattooing I kept trying to think of a way of merging the two. My main inspiration is Where’s Wally?” Inspired by the detailed and engaging Where’s Wally? (or Where’s Waldo? in the US) illustrations, Andrea creates scenes packed with tiny, individual tattoo designs. “I love those illustrations – hundreds of tiny things all cramped together, the more you look at it the more things you find, it’s so exciting and colourful. So I made my version but even better, you find something you like? You can have it on your skin forever!” These flash scenes offer a diverse collection of designs within a larger artwork, inviting clients to explore and choose a piece that resonates with them.
Detailed flash scene illustration by Andrea, packed with numerous small, quirky tattoo designs.
Close-up of a flash scene by Andrea, highlighting the intricate details and variety of tattooable elements.
Key Things to Know About Tattoo Flash as a Customer
When considering getting a tattoo from flash, it’s essential to understand the artist’s policies. Lauren advises, “Make sure you know how the artist runs their flash. Some will repeat designs and others won’t. Some clients really don’t want to share their tattoo with someone else.” If you’re unsure, it’s always best to reach out to the artist. You can “drop a message to ask the tattoo artist – and you’re under no obligation to book after asking a few questions.”
Andrea highlights two important points for clients: “Number 1, most artists are happy to tweak a design that is already taken so you can have something similar,” she explains. “Don’t be scared to ask to have a variation of a design that has been taken if you love it.” Artists may be willing to personalize a flash design even if it’s been tattooed before. “And number 2 – just because it’s displayed online or as a print somewhere it doesn’t mean it’s free to use! As a client or a tattoo enjoyer, I think it’s important to respect the artists’ effort and work we put into it.” Always respect tattoo artists’ copyright and never assume flash designs are free for anyone to use.
Arm tattoo from Andrea's flash, showcasing a bold and illustrative design applied to skin.
Flash Days: Spontaneous Tattoo Opportunities
Many studios and artists organize “flash days,” also known as walk-in days. These events are “literally a day where you can just turn up at a studio (aka a walk-in) and pick from a range of designs and pay a set price. This is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.” Flash days offer a fun, spontaneous way to get tattooed, often with a curated selection of designs available at a set price.
Some artists even use flash days for charitable causes. For example, Glasgow-based tattoo artist Fidjit regularly holds flash days where she tattoos her “Drowning Girl” designs and donates all proceeds to Rape Crisis Scotland.
Tattoo Flash: Original Art at an Accessible Price
Lauren draws a comparison to the art world to explain the appeal of flash: “The closest would be purchasing original artwork. It feels special and like a specific connection to the artist in a way that feels closer to them than purchasing a limited-edition print. I think that is what any client is usually wanting, a connection with the artist.” Tattoo flash bridges the gap between custom tattoos and mass-produced art, offering clients a piece of original artwork with a personal touch, often at a more accessible price point than fully custom designs.
Tattoo from non-repeatable flash by Lauren Hepple, demonstrating a unique and artistic tattoo design.
In conclusion, tattoo flash is a vibrant and versatile part of tattoo culture. Whether it’s repeatable traditional designs, unique one-off pieces, or intricate flash scenes, exploring tattoo flash is a fantastic way to discover your next tattoo and connect with talented artists.
