How to Make a Jail Tattoo

Jail tattoos get their name from the fact that they originated in prisons and jails. These tattoos often look a little cruder than the ones done by professional tattoo artists because the creator has to work with what is available. The tattoos also tend to be blue or black since the ink comes from regular everyday ink pens. The tools needed to create a jailhouse tattoo are items that you probably already have in your home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boiling water
• Needle
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ink pens
• Paper or styrofoam cup
• Water
• Dry cloth

1. Sterilize the needle you’ll be using for the tattoo by placing it in boiling hot water and then covering the outside of the needle with hydrogen peroxide. Jailhouse tattoo artists are forced to use what’s available so they may tattoo using a small razor blade, a bent staple or the end of a paper clip.

2. Break open several ink pens to get to the ink inside, which is usually housed in a small plastic tube. Squeeze the ink into a small paper cup or Styrofoam cup for easy access. Prison tattoos are also created by using items such as styrofoam or plastic, which is burned until it turns black. The material is then scraped up and mixed with water to create an ink.

3. Pour a small amount of water into the ink to make it flow a little easier. The ink may be too thick to stick to the needle or it might be a little clumpy, but it needs to flow smoothly to make the tattoo. Use only enough water, approximately 1 teaspoon, to dilute the ink slightly.

4. Dip the needle into the ink and begin sketching the tattoo on the surface of the skin, making sure to break the surface of the skin. This ensures that the ink goes beneath the surface of the skin and has a permanent appearance. Wipe off any blood that appears on the skin with a clean, dry cloth.

5. Reapply ink to the needle as often as needed. Since there isn’t a way to make the ink flow continuously like it would with a tattoo gun, you’ll need to reapply the ink after finishing each line and sometimes more often. Continue reapplying the ink and sketching it onto the skin until the tattoo is finished.

Tips & Warnings

• You can sketch out the design on the skin first before you start drawing on the tattoo. Jail tattoos are usually done freehand because it takes too long to draw out the design first.
• If the needle goes too far into the skin, the tattoo will have a raised appearance to it rather than the flat look found in traditional tattoos.
• Don’t put too much water into the ink. If you use too much water it will make it impossible to put it on the needle. It might also make for a weak looking tattoo.
• Doing a jail tattoo increases your chances of developing scarring and other potential problems. Many people can suffer an allergic reaction from the chemicals in the ink.

[victimink]

on 6/19/2009 This how-to should just be renamed to how to look like an idiot, and/or contract a disease. You failed big on this one. Congratulations.