Getting a Friday the 13th Tattoo? What to Know Before You Line Up
Today is Friday the 13th, and many tattoo studios are running one of the industry’s best-known traditions: flash day. That means small pre-drawn designs, low flat prices, and lines that start before the doors open. It’s also the last Friday the 13th of 2026, and the next one doesn’t land until August 13, 2027.
A Friday the 13th tattoo is a small, pre-designed flash tattoo offered at a reduced price on Friday the 13th as a long-running tattoo studio tradition. Before you head out, here’s what to expect, what to bring, and how to keep your new tattoo safe. And if watching Tattoo Artists work all day sparks something bigger, we’ll cover that too.
Key Takeaways
What it is: A Friday the 13th tattoo is a small, pre-drawn flash design offered at a discount on that date.
Why it’s popular: It mixes superstition, community, and affordable tattoos into one high-energy day.
Safety first: Make sure your Tattoo Artist follows the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard before you sit down.
Timing: Today is the last Friday the 13th of 2026. The next one is August 13, 2027.
The path: Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months. It includes licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios.
What Is a Friday the 13th Tattoo?
A Friday the 13th tattoo is a small, pre-designed flash tattoo that tattoo studios offer at a discounted price when the 13th falls on a Friday. The designs lean into superstition: the number 13, black cats, skulls, daggers, horseshoes, dice, and other “unlucky” imagery.
The tradition has been around for decades. It started as a way for tattoo studios to flip an unlucky date into a celebration and welcome new clients. Today, many Tattoo Artists draw custom flash sheets weeks in advance, and clients plan their whole day around the event.
The traditional price is $13. Many tattoo studios now charge more to cover supplies and time, so prices vary from place to place. Every year has at least one Friday the 13th and never more than three. 2026 had three: February, March, and today.
For many people, a Friday the 13th tattoo is their first tattoo. It’s small, budget-friendly, and comes with a story attached.
Why Are Friday the 13th Tattoos So Cheap?
Friday the 13th tattoos are affordable because they’re small, pre-drawn, and done quickly in high volume. That lets tattoo studios charge a flat low rate while serving many clients in one day.
The low price doesn’t mean lower quality. You choose from a set flash sheet instead of paying for custom design work. The design is already drawn, and the stencil is ready, so the Tattoo Artist can move from one client to the next efficiently.
Tipping is customary on flash day. Your Tattoo Artist may work 12 hours or more without a real break, and the flash price is already discounted. Many clients tip based on what the tattoo would normally cost at full price.
What Should You Expect When You Line Up?
Expect a long wait, a busy atmosphere, a limited menu of pre-drawn designs, and a first-come, first-served process at most tattoo studios.
Lines often form before opening. Some tattoo studios hand out numbers so you can leave and come back. Popular designs can run out, and some tattoo studios cap how many tattoos each person can get. Bring patience, a charged phone, and a friend if you can.
You’ll usually pick from the flash sheet instead of bringing your own idea. Placement is often limited to quick, easy spots like forearms, calves, and ankles.
Pro Tip: Ask to see the Tattoo Artist’s portfolio, and make sure they open a fresh, sealed needle in front of you. A busy day is never an excuse to skip safety.
How Do You Prepare for a Friday the 13th Tattoo?
To prepare, eat beforehand, drink water, bring cash and a valid ID, arrive early, and confirm the tattoo studio follows proper sterilization standards.
Step 1: Eat and Hydrate
Getting tattooed on an empty stomach can leave you lightheaded, especially after hours in line. Eat a full meal, drink water, and skip alcohol. Alcohol can increase bleeding and make the tattoo harder to do well.
Step 2: Bring Cash, ID, and a Buffer
Some tattoo studios go cash-only on flash day to keep the line moving. Bring the flash price, your tip, and a little extra in case you want a second design. Most tattoo studios also require you to be 18 and show a valid photo ID.
Step 3: Verify Safety
Check that the tattoo studio follows the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, uses single-use needles, and changes gloves between clients. A licensed tattoo studio should be happy to answer your questions.
Step 4: Plan Your Aftercare
Know how you’ll care for your tattoo before you leave. Follow your Tattoo Artist’s instructions and the American Academy of Dermatology’s tips for caring for tattooed skin. Keep it clean, avoid soaking it in pools or baths, and keep it out of the sun while it heals.
What Does Friday the 13th Look Like From the Other Side of the Machine?
For Tattoo Artists, Friday the 13th is a long day of focus, speed, and client care. It shows exactly why skilled Tattoo Artists can’t be replaced.
The work starts weeks earlier with drawing and finalizing flash sheets. On the day itself, Tattoo Artists prep stencils, tattoo client after client, and reset and sterilize their station between every tattoo. Many keep going for 12 hours or more. That kind of consistency comes from training, repetition, and mentorship.
A lot of people waiting in line start wondering if they could do this too. It’s a fair question. Tattooing is a hands-on craft that depends on human skill and connection, which is why Tattoo Artists are still essential as automation spreads. A machine can’t calm a nervous first-timer or adjust a design to fit someone’s body.
How Do You Go From Getting Tattoos to Giving Them?
You go from collecting tattoos to creating them by completing a structured tattoo apprenticeship. There, you learn drawing, machine handling, safety, and client care under an experienced Mentor.
No app, video series, or weekend class will make you a professional Tattoo Artist. Real skill comes from hands-on practice with someone who has already built a career in tattooing.
You don’t need to be a lifelong artist to start. A good tattoo apprenticeship teaches the fundamentals from the ground up. If you’re thinking about a fresh start, a tattoo apprenticeship works well for career changers.
Tattooing is also a real alternative to a four-year degree. Instead of years of student debt, you build a skill people pay for directly. That’s why tattoo apprenticeships keep gaining ground as an alternative to college.
What Does Ink Different's Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship Offer?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases. It takes you from complete beginner to job-ready Tattoo Artist, with licensing support along the way.
Ink Different has been training Tattoo Artists for 15 years. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide, where apprentices learn under experienced Mentors. Here’s how the four phases break down:
Phase 1: Art and Design Principles. Build your drawing skills, learn digital design, and start your portfolio.
Phase 2: Machine Mastery and Practice Tattooing. Learn how tattoo machines work and build muscle memory through practice tattooing.
Phase 3: Supervised Tattoos. Tattoo real clients in the tattoo studio under your Mentor’s supervision.
Phase 4: Junior Artist Externship. Keep growing your skills while you start earning an income.
No prior experience is required. What matters is commitment and a willingness to learn. To get a head start, read up on the tools every beginner Tattoo Artist should know.
A Career That Comes With Confidence
Ink Different’s training gives you job-ready skills and support through the licensing process. When you finish, Ink Different provides a guaranteed job offer at one of its tattoo studios. You don’t have to graduate and then hunt for a chair on your own.
What Is the Master Mentorship?
The Master Mentorship is a one-year, in-person path where you train directly with renowned Master Mentors. You can master a specific style, speed up your career, or prepare to open your own tattoo studio.
It’s built for people who want to go further, faster. You learn alongside Master Mentors like Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla, whose work is known around the world. It suits ambitious beginners and experienced Tattoo Artists ready to level up.
Making Tattoo Training Accessible for Everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations, so language doesn’t stand between you and a tattoo career. You can train in Spanish in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Interest-free payment plans are also available.
Remember: Each Mentor takes on just two tattoo apprentices per tattoo studio. Real mentorship can’t be mass-produced, so seats fill up.
Ready to Flip the Chair Around?
Getting a Friday the 13th tattoo is a fun story to tell. For some people, it’s also the moment they realize they want to be on the other side of the machine.
If that’s you, you don’t have to wait for the next Friday the 13th to act. By August 13, 2027, you could already be nine months into your training.
Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building a hands-on career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Friday the 13th tattoo cost?
The traditional price is $13, but many tattoo studios now charge more. Prices vary, so check ahead. A tip on top of the flash price is customary.
Do I need an appointment for a Friday the 13th tattoo?
Usually not. Most tattoo studios run flash day first-come, first-served. Arrive early, because lines form fast and popular designs can run out.
Are Friday the 13th tattoos safe?
Yes, when the tattoo studio is licensed, follows the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, uses single-use needles, and keeps a clean station. Ask about sterilization before you sit down.
When is the next Friday the 13th?
After today, the next Friday the 13th is August 13, 2027. It’s the only one in 2027.
Do I need art experience to become a Tattoo Artist?
No. Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners and teaches drawing, design, and machine handling from the start.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
It takes 18 to 24 months across four phases: Art and Design Principles, Machine Mastery and Practice Tattooing, Supervised Tattoos, and the Junior Artist Externship.
