Flash & Custom Tattoos
Choose an existing design or create something completely your own
Not every tattoo starts in the same way.
Sometimes you see a design and immediately know: that’s the one. Other times, you have an idea, memory or reference image but need help turning it into a tattoo.
At Elmar Tattoo in Amsterdam, you can choose from my collection of flash tattoos and exclusive flash designs, or we can create a custom tattoo together based on your own idea.
I specialise in fine line, single needle and tiny tattoos, so many of my available and custom designs naturally reflect this style: delicate, detailed and made with careful attention to size and placement.
[VIEW AVAILABLE FLASH DESIGNS]
Three Ways to Find Your Tattoo
Flash Tattoos
A flash tattoo is a tattoo based on a design that I have already created.
Instead of starting a new design from scratch, you choose something you like from my available flash sheets.
Flash tattoos are ideal if you:
- see a design you immediately connect with;
- want some inspiration;
- don’t have a specific tattoo idea yet;
- like my existing drawing style;
- or simply enjoy choosing spontaneously.
My flash collection includes many small and delicate designs that work particularly well as fine line and tiny tattoos.
Depending on the design, a flash tattoo may be tattooed more than once.
Exclusive Flash Tattoos
Want an existing design but still want it to be uniquely yours?
That’s what my exclusive flash collection is for.
These are original tattoo designs that are available to one person only.
Once an exclusive flash has been chosen and booked, it is removed from the available collection and I won’t tattoo the exact same design on somebody else.
It gives you the convenience of choosing an existing design while still knowing that your tattoo remains individual.
How does exclusive flash work?
- Choose an available exclusive design.
- Contact me with the design you would like.
- We discuss the size and placement.
- Once the tattoo is booked, the design is reserved for you.
- After it has been tattooed, it won’t be offered again.
One design. One client. One tattoo.
Custom Tattoos
Your idea, designed for you
If you already have an idea but can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in my flash collection, we can create a custom tattoo.
You don’t need to arrive with a finished drawing.
You can send me:
- a photograph;
- a sketch;
- reference images;
- something you found on Pinterest or Instagram;
- a symbol;
- handwriting;
- an object;
- a memory;
- or simply describe your idea.
I’ll use that information to create or adapt a design that works as a tattoo.
During the design process I consider not only how something looks on a screen or on paper, but how it will actually work on skin.
That means thinking about line weight, detail, size, composition, placement and how much space different elements need.
The goal isn’t simply to make your idea smaller.
The goal is to make it work as a tattoo.
Flash or Custom Tattoo?
Not sure which option is right for you?
A simple way to think about it is:
Choose a Flash Tattoo if…
You find one of my existing designs that you already love.
Choose an Exclusive Flash if…
You want to choose an existing original design but don’t want the same design tattooed on someone else.
Choose a Custom Tattoo if…
You have your own idea and want me to help turn it into a tattoo designed specifically for you.
There is no better or worse option.
Some of my favourite tattoos started as flash designs, while others started with nothing more than a photograph, a few words or a rough idea from a client.
Can I Change a Flash Design?
Small adjustments are often possible.
For example, we can usually discuss:
- size;
- placement;
- orientation;
- and minor details.
However, if you want to substantially change an existing flash design, it may make more sense to treat it as a custom tattoo.
That gives us more freedom to create something specifically around what you have in mind.
Can You Copy a Tattoo I Found Online?
Reference images are absolutely welcome.
They are one of the easiest ways to show me the style, composition or feeling you’re looking for.
But I don’t exactly copy another tattoo artist’s original work.
Instead, we can look at what you like about the reference and use that as a starting point for your own tattoo.
You can send several references if that helps explain your idea.
Fine Line, Single Needle & Tiny Tattoo Designs
Many of my flash and custom tattoos are created around the styles I specialise in:
Fine Line Tattoos
Delicate tattoos created with thin, precise linework.
[MORE ABOUT FINE LINE TATTOOS →]
Single Needle Tattoos
Detailed tattooing using very small needle configurations for precise linework and subtle detail.
[MORE ABOUT SINGLE NEEDLE TATTOOS →]
Tiny Tattoos
Small tattoos where the design, amount of detail and spacing need to be carefully considered to remain readable.
[MORE ABOUT TINY TATTOOS →]
If you’re unsure which category your idea falls into, don’t worry about it.
You don’t need to know tattoo terminology before contacting me. Send me your idea and I’ll help determine what technique and approach will work best.
Tattoo Placement
The same design can look completely different depending on where it is placed.
A design that works beautifully on a forearm may need to be adjusted for a wrist, ankle, ribs or behind the ear.
That’s why placement is part of the design process.
Before tattooing, we can look at the size and position together and make adjustments where necessary.
If you’re not sure where you want your tattoo yet, that’s completely fine.
I can help you think through the options.
How Small Can My Tattoo Be?
This is something I get asked a lot.
There isn’t one minimum size that works for every tattoo.
A simple symbol may work beautifully at a very small size, while a detailed illustration needs more room.
Making a design smaller doesn’t automatically make it more delicate. If too much detail is compressed into too little space, the tattoo can become difficult to read as it ages.
Because I specialise in tiny, fine line and single needle tattoos, I always try to find a balance between making a tattoo as delicate as possible and giving the design enough room to work.
Tattoo Prices
Flash and custom tattoos are priced according to factors such as:
- size;
- placement;
- complexity;
- level of detail;
- and the amount of design work required.
An existing flash tattoo may require less design preparation than a completely custom piece, but tattoo pricing isn’t based on size alone.
You can find my current starting prices and more information about how tattoo pricing works on the dedicated price page.
How to Book a Flash or Custom Tattoo
Booking a Flash Tattoo
Send me the flash design you would like together with:
- approximate size;
- placement;
- and your preferred appointment date.
Booking a Custom Tattoo
Send me:
- your tattoo idea;
- reference images if you have them;
- approximate size;
- placement;
- and your preferred appointment date.
Don’t worry if you don’t have all the details figured out yet.
That’s what the design process is for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flash tattoo?
A flash tattoo is based on a design that a tattoo artist has already created. You choose a design from the available collection rather than starting a completely new design from scratch.
What is an exclusive flash tattoo?
An exclusive flash is an original design that I offer to one client only. Once it has been chosen and booked, it is removed from the available collection and I won’t tattoo that exact design on somebody else.
What is the difference between a flash tattoo and a custom tattoo?
A flash tattoo starts with one of my existing designs. A custom tattoo starts with your own idea and is created or adapted specifically for you.
Can I make changes to a flash tattoo?
Minor adjustments such as size, orientation or certain details may be possible. If you want to make substantial changes, I may recommend creating a custom version instead.
Will somebody else have the same flash tattoo?
Regular flash designs may be tattooed more than once. If you want a design that will only be tattooed once, choose one from my exclusive flash collection or book a custom tattoo.
Can I bring my own tattoo design?
Yes. You can bring your own drawing or idea. I’ll check whether the design works well as a tattoo and we can make adjustments if necessary.
Can I send you Pinterest or Instagram references?
Absolutely. Reference images are very useful for showing me what you like. I won’t exactly copy another artist’s original tattoo, but we can use your references to develop your own design.
Do I need to know whether my tattoo is fine line or single needle?
No. You don’t need to know which tattoo technique is required before booking. Send me your idea and I’ll advise you on the approach that works best for the design.
Can you design something if I only have a rough idea?
Yes. You don’t need a finished concept. A photograph, object, memory, symbol or short description can be enough to start developing a tattoo.
Are flash tattoos cheaper than custom tattoos?
Not necessarily. Tattoo pricing depends on the size, placement, complexity and amount of work involved. A flash tattoo may require less design preparation, but the tattoo itself still requires the same care and precision.
Can I get a very small custom tattoo?
Yes. Tiny custom tattoos are one of my specialities. However, the amount of detail needs to work with the size. If an idea is too detailed to work well at the requested size, I’ll suggest adjustments.
Where is Elmar Tattoo located?
Elmar Tattoo is located in De Pijp, Amsterdam, at Van Woustraat 4-III, 1073 LL Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The studio works by appointment.
Find Your Tattoo
You don’t need to know exactly what you want before getting in touch.
Maybe you’ll find your tattoo among my flash designs.
Maybe one of the exclusive designs immediately feels right.
Or maybe we start with your own idea and create something completely new.
Whichever route you choose, we’ll make sure the design, size and placement work together before the tattoo begins.
Elmar Tattoo — Amsterdam
Fine Line · Single Needle · Tiny Tattoos