The Difference Between Premade Tattoo Designs & Tattoo Flash
If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, you might come across terms like "premade tattoo designs", “available designs”, and "tattoo flash." While both offer a special purpose and tattoo experience, they serve different purposes and provide unique outcomes for both the tattooer and the client. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make the right choice for your next tattoo.
Tattoo Flash: Traditional & Timeless
Tattoo flash is a term that has been around for decades. These are pre-drawn or digitally created designs that are usually displayed on the walls or in books at tattoo shops, or on some artists or shops social pages. Flash sheets are often bold, colorful, and designed for quick application. They tend to follow the traditional and neo traditional styles of tattooing, but have recently expanded into fine line tattoos, micro tattoos and even small realism pieces. They cater to walk-in clients who want a tattoo on the spot without an extensive consultation or custom design process. A good scratch for your next tattoo itch.
Flash designs can be created by the artists working at the shop, and they can also be mass-produced and shared among different studios. Some flash designs have been around for generations, passed down as traditional imagery. Classic tattoo flash includes roses, daggers, swallows, skulls, and nautical themes; however, many modern artists create new and original flash sheets that reflect current trends and styles.
Premade Tattoo Designs: A More Personal Approach
Premade tattoo designs, on the other hand, are created by the artist with the intention of being tattooed but are not part of a mass-produced collection. These designs are created with the artist’s unique style and creativity in mind. Unlike flash, premade designs are often one-of-a-kind or available exclusively to one person, meaning they won’t be tattooed on anyone other than you.
Many tattoo artists, including Timmy Grounds based in Dayton, OH, create premade designs as a way of expressing their own artistic visions. They are artists after all, and they LOVE to create. So, this not only works out for a client who sees a design that they like, it works out for the artist as well. These pieces allow the artist to explore ideas that they are passionate about while still offering clients the opportunity to get a stunning, original tattoo at a special rate. Timmy also runs regular tattoo giveaways featuring his premade designs, making it possible for lucky winners to get an exclusive piece of his artwork at no cost.
Choosing Between Flash and Premade Designs
The main difference between flash and premade tattoo designs comes down to availability, pricing, and exclusivity. If you're looking for a quick, timeless, more affordable and widely recognized design, flash is a great option. If you want something more refined or on a medium, large, or XL scale that is more personal and that represents the artist's distinct style, a premade tattoo design is the way to go.
Both choices provide amazing tattoo opportunities, but ultimately, it depends on your preference and how much you want your tattoo to reflect the individuality of the artist. With an artist like Timmy Grounds, who puts so much passion into his creations, you know that whatever design you choose will be a piece of art that holds meaning and quality.
