Tattoo Pass – Pay What You Can

A tattoo pass is a digital authorization that grants someone permission to get one of my artworks tattooed. It’s not a tattoo design service, and I’m not a tattoo artist. It’s simply a respectful way to legally and ethically wear my artwork on your body.

Technically, you can — but that doesn’t make it right. Copying and tattooing art without permission is a form of theft, even if it’s unintentional. Artists spend hours designing, creating, and refining their work, and when that work ends up tattooed without consent, it's not just disrespectful — it’s unpaid labor.

A Tattoo Pass is your way of saying:
“I love this work, and I respect the artist enough to do this the right way.”

Many tattoo artists are creatives too, and they often want their own work on someone’s skin. Tattooing someone else's art can feel like they’re just a technician instead of an artist. Others may refuse due to professional ethics, copyright concerns, or stylistic mismatches.

That’s why it’s important to:

1. Get permission from the original illustrator (via a tattoo pass)

2. Find a tattoo artist who is both willing and capable of tattooing someone else’s work well

A good tattooer will always want to ensure the art looks good on skin, and not all illustrations are tattoo-ready.

Even if not all tattooers will work with outside art, a tattoo pass:

• Legally authorizes you to use the design for a tattoo

• Compensates the illustrator for their labor and vision

• Prevents theft and misuse of the artist’s work

• Encourages ethical collaboration between illustrators and tattooers

• Gives peace of mind — you’re doing things the right way

Tattoo passes exist because this is going to happen anyway. People will find and get tattoos of art online. The pass is how we make sure artists are acknowledged and paid when that happens.

No. I am not selling custom tattoos or premade tattoo templates. I’m selling usage rights — the legal right to get an existing piece of mine tattooed on your body. That’s it.

I’m not a tattooer. I won’t modify or resize your design for tattoo purposes. I won’t consult on placement or style. That’s your tattooer’s job.

You’ll receive:

• A digital certificate of permission to tattoo a specific piece of my artwork

• A clear image of the art to your best email within 5 business days

Every pass is for personal use only, for one tattoo on one person. Commercial use or resale is not permitted.

At this time, I’m not accepting commissions. But if I do, I’ll be announcing it on my Instagram: @dreamlikeinnovations

Yes, as long as the recipient understands and agrees to the terms. Please indicate at checkout if it’s a gift so I can personalize it for them.

A single tattoo pass covers one use only. If you'd like to use the same design for multiple tattoos (e.g. matching tattoos with a friend), you’ll need to purchase an additional pass for each person.

It's never too late to do the right thing. Reach out and we can talk about retroactive authorization. Artists deserve compensation — even after the fact.

Unfortunately, that’s always a possibility. That’s why it’s your responsibility to find an artist beforehand who is:

• Comfortable tattooing another illustrator’s work

• Skilled in the right style (linework, color, etc.)

• Respectful of both you and the original artist

If you're unsure, you can always show them the art before buying the pass.

The artwork you selected in the form, along with your tattoo authorization, will be emailed to you within 3–5 business days after payment clears.

No physical signature is required — your purchase record and confirmation serve as legal acknowledgment of the agreement.

Yes:

• A tattoo is forever. Make sure the art speaks to you.

• Artists — illustrators, painters, tattooers — all deserve credit and compensation.

• Respecting art = respecting the artist.

Thanks for doing it the right way.