it’s pretty simple.

flash is a drawing or design that a tattoo artist will do on anyone, repeatedly, it’s not a unique or singular image. they’ve drawn or purchased the rights to tattoo it as much and as often as they want, and it’s often really cool.

22×30″ sheet of flash.

“want to do this” means the artist has drawn a custom design and wants to do it, once, on one person. the word “flash” is the difference: flash means images you can “flash” to show customers what you can do. in the old days it was up on the walls, or in racks, in every shop and you would walk in and pick something.

it was all pre drawn, repeatable, ready to go.

vintage flash from a friend’s collection

but custom art or one-off drawings are usually never called flash by a tattoo artist.

something I want to do

if you see the word “flash” just be aware it’s a design that isn’t yours alone. otherwise, clarify with your artist by asking if they intend to repeat the tattoo, and ask for a custom piece if you don’t want that.

either way is fine!

something I wanted to do

and then I did it.