How to: get a tattoo done in Photoshop

By Elena Santos on 22 August, 2008

Summer is traditionally the season when most people get their tattoos done. In a way it makes sense, because you usually wear tank tops and shorts, and can therefore show them off. But if you haven't made up your mind yet, why don't you try a Photoshop tattoo instead? It's the perfect way to check how the design will look on you before actually using needles and ink. Plus, it can be redone and erased any time!

Get a tattoo done in Photoshop

1. The first step is obviously opening the images of the person and the tattoo you're going to work with. You can use your own photo or a friend's. As for the tattoo, search Google Images for "flash tattoos" and you'll find tons of designs.

Get a tattoo done in Photoshop

2. Move the tattoo onto the photo with the move (V) tool and resize it with Ctrl+T to make it fit the body. Use also the Distort and Perspective tools if necessary (both under the Edit > Transform menu) so that the tattoo looks as realistic as possible.

Get a tattoo done in Photoshop

3. Now change the tattoo layer blending mode to Multiply and you'll see that all the white in the original tattoo magically disappears.

Get a tattoo done in Photoshop

4. Finally reduce the tattoo's opacity, apply a blurring effect to make it look even more real, and you're done! As you can see, the effect works both with black and color tattoos.

Get a tattoo done in Photoshop

Comments

  • ian newton ian newton

    Thank you. I have often wondered just how to do some thing like this. You made it so easy. Cheers.

    • Sent on 23 Aug 2008
  • lovehugs lovehugs

    I wonder - are the directions for this the same as they would be for paint shop pro? I foollio'ed and bought myself psp instead of photoshop a few years back. I am still kicking myself in the rear for it. =(

    • Sent on 19 Sep 2008
  • Elena Elena

    Sorry lovehugs - can't help you there. I've never used Paint Shop Pro. It's never too late to turn to Phothoshop though ;)

    • Sent on 21 Sep 2008
  • maria maria

    ok

    • Sent on 22 Dec 2008
  • Georgina Georgina

    how do u get this?

    • Sent on 22 Jan 2009
  • nanya nanya

    how do you get photoshop?

    • Sent on 07 Mar 2009
  • Elena Santos Elena Santos

    Nanya: you can download a trial version from the Adobe site. You'll need to create an account (it's free) to download it.

    • Sent on 09 Mar 2009
  • mahmoud mahmoud

    i can draw it :P:P:P::D

    • Sent on 28 Mar 2009
  • heiky32 heiky32

    tattos

    • Sent on 10 May 2009
  • ahmad ahmad

    ahmad_koore

    • Sent on 23 May 2009
  • ahmad ahmad

    uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

    • Sent on 23 May 2009
  • D0N D0N

    Love it n tq

    • Sent on 30 Jul 2009
  • ahmed ahmed

    tattoos

    • Sent on 04 Aug 2009
  • Patkica Patkica

    Great the best way to make tattoo in photoshop......

    • Sent on 09 Oct 2009
  • Alisa Alisa

    This is wou,the best way think tattoo

    • Sent on 21 Jan 2010
  • hana hana

    i like this idea very much , and i tried to do it but i didn't know how to open the image of me and the image of the tattoo i want at the same time ....when i try they replace both images so please tell me how .

    • Sent on 10 May 2010
  • sarah sarah

    this is so call now my friends think that i really have ot a tattoo lolololol

    • Sent on 11 Jun 2010
  • soka soka

    hey guys.. i wanna get real tattoo im from cairo do u know anyone can make one for me??????

    • Sent on 30 Sep 2010
  • soka soka

    if u do plz send the address on my mail. dody_6lf@hotmail.com

    • Sent on 30 Sep 2010
  • JON JON

    THANKS

    • Sent on 19 Jun 2011
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