About Copies

Every tattoo design, whether it's a "Wanna Do" or a custom design, reflects the artist’s dedication and hard work. Behind each design, there’s much more than just an idea – it takes hours, creativity, and fine-tuning before it even comes to life on the skin.

It’s perfectly fine to be inspired by other works of art. Inspiration, however, means drawing ideas from a flower, a rough concept, or a suggested placement. But there’s a big difference between being inspired and outright copying.

Taking someone else’s design and bringing it to a tattoo artist with the intention of getting it tattooed is not only illegal for the person who wants the tattoo but also for the artist who executes it. Copying designs with the intention of getting them tattooed at a different studio is a violation of copyright and can be punishable by fines or imprisonment.

In addition to financial penalties, copying designs can also lead to long-term legal consequences. A tattoo that was copied without the artist's permission could become a problem for both the wearer and the tattoo artist in the event of a legal dispute, as it would be considered a violation of copyright.

It’s worth considering whether you want to be tattooed by someone who profits from stolen artwork. It becomes especially uncomfortable when you’re confronted about it and realize that the design isn’t original.

Unfortunately, there are tattoo artists who use stolen designs from talented artists and pass them off as their own to deceive clients. How can someone call themselves an artist if they steal the work of others?

Many people don’t realize that just because they find an image on platforms like Pinterest, it doesn’t mean it’s free to use for their own tattoo. Every artwork is automatically protected by copyright and the copyright always belongs to the original artist.

Pinterest is not a source for free or copyright-free designs.

If you spot stolen designs on Instagram, Facebook, or other social media, please inform the affected artists. Only by working together can we prevent dishonest studios from profiting off stolen designs.