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Tattoo Sourcebook: Pick and Choose from Thousands of the Hottest Tattoo Designs
Whether you’re tattoo-curious or tattoo-crazy, The Tattoo Sourcebook has everything you need to pick and choose the perfect design for you. Browse the nearly two thousand designs included — everything from Celtic and tribal to butterflies and fairies. It’s a visual compendium of high-quality, detailed designs from artists all over the world including contributions and commentary from famed tattooists Friday Jones (who inked Angelina Jolie and Janeane Garofalo), Lyle Tuttle (who tattooed Cher and Jane Fonda), Guy Aitchison, Rand Johnson, Edward Lee, and more. And if you’re a tattoo newbie, find out everything you need to know before you get inked. Crosses, dragons, astrological signs, snakes, phoenixes, and more — this is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone whose tattoo itch is starting to burn!
- GenresArtNonfictionReference
520 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
TattooFinder.com
3 books6 followersLaunched in 2003, TattooFinder.com provides the highest-quality tattoo artwork available as individual designs for sale on the Internet. All designs sold are scanned from original artwork, digitally enhanced, cleaned, sized and posted for download/print.
The Editors at TattooFinder.com are those at the company involved with the education of and advocacy for tattoo enthusiasts worldwide. This work includes authorship of our books.
The TattooFinder.com mission is to provide customers with the resources they need to get the tattoo they really want. This includes providing Tattoo Friendly® design reference specifically created for use with personalized and custom tattoos, a state of the art search engine to find the reference they are looking for, tools to save tattoo designs for later allowing for thoughtful consideration in the design identification / development process, and social options to share tattoo designs and get feedback about design ideas from family and friends.
The Editors at TattooFinder.com are those at the company involved with the education of and advocacy for tattoo enthusiasts worldwide. This work includes authorship of our books.
The TattooFinder.com mission is to provide customers with the resources they need to get the tattoo they really want. This includes providing Tattoo Friendly® design reference specifically created for use with personalized and custom tattoos, a state of the art search engine to find the reference they are looking for, tools to save tattoo designs for later allowing for thoughtful consideration in the design identification / development process, and social options to share tattoo designs and get feedback about design ideas from family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 28, 2008
I picked this up mostly because I didn't have the time to sit and pour through it, but wanted to give myself a few days to decide whether or not it was a keeper.
It's a GREAT collection of different tattoo designs, lettering, etc. My brother chose a dragon from the collection to have inked and while I didn't choose any of the designs (I wasn't impressed by the selection for me on a personal level), it certainly reminded me to continue to be creative in my choices. Getting inked doesn't hurt me at all, but I'm damn sure getting it removed wouldn't be fun.
This book is a great reminder to make wise choices, to do your research, and it gives newbies great info on choosing a tattooist, the healing process, etc. I'm far from a newbie, but I just might keep this book as a reference guide.
It's a GREAT collection of different tattoo designs, lettering, etc. My brother chose a dragon from the collection to have inked and while I didn't choose any of the designs (I wasn't impressed by the selection for me on a personal level), it certainly reminded me to continue to be creative in my choices. Getting inked doesn't hurt me at all, but I'm damn sure getting it removed wouldn't be fun.
This book is a great reminder to make wise choices, to do your research, and it gives newbies great info on choosing a tattooist, the healing process, etc. I'm far from a newbie, but I just might keep this book as a reference guide.
July 27, 2017
This is a nice collection of flash and I particularly enjoyed the brief histories of the different tattoo styles. The introduction section offers some helpful guidance for tattoo virgins such as myself!
The artwork is a bit dated and there was nothing within the pages that made me really stop and look. Despite contributions from an impressive number of artists, the styles didn't seem to vary all that much.
Unfortunately, I am no closer to fine-tuning the tattoo I want for myself one day, but as the authors state, the best and most meaningful tattoos are as individual as their wearers, so I'm not likely to find it in a book!
The artwork is a bit dated and there was nothing within the pages that made me really stop and look. Despite contributions from an impressive number of artists, the styles didn't seem to vary all that much.
Unfortunately, I am no closer to fine-tuning the tattoo I want for myself one day, but as the authors state, the best and most meaningful tattoos are as individual as their wearers, so I'm not likely to find it in a book!
April 23, 2025
Solid advice, the designs are mostly traditional, 2000s tribal, old school Americana and very Western-focused. Not much realism or variety in styles, but good if you're interested to see common and popular designs from the last couple of decades.
October 10, 2016
Голяма колекция от татуси, разделени на съмнителни категории и събрани в сборник? Нещо такова. Само дето седя и си разглеждам аз към 500 страници с картинки и не мога да си представя някой да ги гледа и да си каже: Ей т'ва искам да си жигосам во веки! Не съм против татуировките, даже напротив. И аз си имам. Обаче събраните тука са просто абсурдни... Ще се спукам от смях ако видя някоя върху човек на улицата, ама ще се смея с глас и ще соча с пръст идиота!
November 10, 2009
As one of the contributing authors, I'm obviously biased, but the reception this book has received has been overwhelmingly positive! In the fall of 2008 Barnes & Noble ordered 20,000 copies of the book as one of their promotional items for the holiday season. The book was sold out online by October. The second printing for Barnes & Noble is complete and the book is once again available in stores and on their website (as of November, 2009).
The book is not intended to be the end-all source for tattoo designs, but as the name suggests, a source as part of a larger search to find the perfect tattoo design (or designs) for YOU. Artwork tastes are relative . . . some of the designs in the book may not "speak" to you, but no design speaks to everyone. Our hope in creating the book is that it inspires ink seekers to continue their own tattoo journeys, armed with good information and the resources they need to make good decisions and have the best possible tattoo experience.
* The latest information about the book's availability can always be found at the Official Tattoo Sourcebook Website.
* Additional information about the world renowned artists of the designs in the book (and thousands of additional designs) can be found at the TattooFinder.com Website.
* Additional information about the Editors of TattooFinder.com can be found here.
The book is not intended to be the end-all source for tattoo designs, but as the name suggests, a source as part of a larger search to find the perfect tattoo design (or designs) for YOU. Artwork tastes are relative . . . some of the designs in the book may not "speak" to you, but no design speaks to everyone. Our hope in creating the book is that it inspires ink seekers to continue their own tattoo journeys, armed with good information and the resources they need to make good decisions and have the best possible tattoo experience.
* The latest information about the book's availability can always be found at the Official Tattoo Sourcebook Website.
* Additional information about the world renowned artists of the designs in the book (and thousands of additional designs) can be found at the TattooFinder.com Website.
* Additional information about the Editors of TattooFinder.com can be found here.
November 10, 2009
As one of the contributing authors, I'm obviously biased, but the reception this book has received has been overwhelmingly positive! In the fall of 2008 Barnes & Noble ordered 20,000 copies of the book as one of their promotional items for the holiday season. The book was sold out online by October. The second printing for Barnes & Noble is complete and the book is once again available in stores and on their website (as of November, 2009).
The book is not intended to be the end-all source for tattoo designs, but as the name suggests, a source as part of a larger search to find the perfect tattoo design (or designs) for YOU. Artwork tastes are relative . . . some of the designs in the book may not "speak" to you, but no design speaks to everyone. Our hope in creating the book is that it inspires ink seekers to continue their own tattoo journeys, armed with good information and the resources they need to make good decisions and have the best possible tattoo experience.
* The latest information about the book's availability can always be found at the Official Tattoo Sourcebook Website.
* Additional information about the world renowned artists of the designs in the book (and thousands of additional designs) can be found at the TattooFinder.com Website.
* Additional information about the Editors of TattooFinder.com can be found here.
The book is not intended to be the end-all source for tattoo designs, but as the name suggests, a source as part of a larger search to find the perfect tattoo design (or designs) for YOU. Artwork tastes are relative . . . some of the designs in the book may not "speak" to you, but no design speaks to everyone. Our hope in creating the book is that it inspires ink seekers to continue their own tattoo journeys, armed with good information and the resources they need to make good decisions and have the best possible tattoo experience.
* The latest information about the book's availability can always be found at the Official Tattoo Sourcebook Website.
* Additional information about the world renowned artists of the designs in the book (and thousands of additional designs) can be found at the TattooFinder.com Website.
* Additional information about the Editors of TattooFinder.com can be found here.
January 6, 2011
Within the pages of the tattoo sourcebook, you will find some pretty dated tattoo designs that no self respecting artist would think twice about plonking straight onto anyone. There is nothing new here as you will clearly notice when visiting any oldschool backstreet shop. That said, many clients will come to a studio with vague ideas, which can at times be a little frustrating. With a bit of patience and some inspiration, consultations can become a better experience for everyone. This book isn't my main source for this but it has been well used in my studio for this purpose. I have never used any of the designs but as Joolz Denby said, i'm sure the DIY Ebay enemies have butchered plenty of people with its help. Lastly, i will say that there are a few very well respected artists who have contributed to this collection but seem to have kept the good stuff for themselves. Quite right, too.
January 5, 2014
I do believe the people who collected this collection seemed to just grab what they thought would be popular and liked for most of the art is quite similar in style. If you are looking for inspiration for a new tattoo this is not a book that I would recommend, most of the tattoo's appear dated and to be honest not the most original designs. Many remind of of the cheap transfer tattoo's I used to wear as a child.
Saying that there are quite some nice designs and ideas, some of the art is quite horrible and a lot less is quite stunning. Its interesting for a flick through and I know some who loved the dated/vintage tattoo designs but overall I find this book rather boring.
Saying that there are quite some nice designs and ideas, some of the art is quite horrible and a lot less is quite stunning. Its interesting for a flick through and I know some who loved the dated/vintage tattoo designs but overall I find this book rather boring.
January 25, 2017
Nice book to look over Tattoo. They actually have a mistake in one of the images, In the Ancient Egyptians Section They have The Ancient Egyptian God of Afterlife Anubis image label and text as HORUS. I notice the mistake, I had to smile. Anubis is a Jackal type God and Horus is a Falcon type God. Either way, it was a nice sight to see and view. It was on special at the bookstore and I glanced through it all in within a couple hours. The first 20 pages are about Tattoo's and if it is right for you. In the book they have different sections like Cross's, Animals, God's, Symbols and etc. Great and huge selection in the softcover book.
December 29, 2008
Really, really bad. Only of interest to those with reverse artistic appreciation and an interest in street-shop tattooing. My father always says: clever people know when they don't know something. The 'artists' in this top-selling tome-of-kitsch are obviously blissfully ignorant - of the fact they can't draw.
And I'm a working tattooist - I dread this volume falling into the hands of the 'I-Got-A-Tattoo-Kit-Off-The-Internet-&-I'm-Gonna-Practice-On-My-Friends-In-My-Bedroom' brigade.
And I'm a working tattooist - I dread this volume falling into the hands of the 'I-Got-A-Tattoo-Kit-Off-The-Internet-&-I'm-Gonna-Practice-On-My-Friends-In-My-Bedroom' brigade.
February 5, 2013
It's pretty good for tattoo ideas, I would recommend making personal changes to what this book offers. Really doesn't say much about history or meaning behind designs.
May 3, 2013
I like that the book is full of useful info about picking tattoos, tattooists, the process of getting a tattoo - and even the different ways to get them removed.
April 19, 2016
Awesome!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews