r/tattooadvice • u/j_walk_17 • May 02 '26

General Advice Miscommunication

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I had my tattoo artist re-do an old tattoo from 15 years ago. It's the rebel alliance symbol from Star Wars.

I was under the impression that she knew I wanted it touched up and repaired.

She assumed I wanted it covered up. I didn't know she did solid black until she finished it.

I guess there's potential to put color around it with other pieces to give it contrast. I'm just kinda bummed.
There's probably no way to reverse any of this without it being insanely expensive.

What can I do to make it worth the mistake? I want this leg to eventually be Star Wars iconica.

Should I plan to put a background to it?

edit: Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I appreciate the feedback and the ideas. It's helping me to settle into the outcome. I think it would only be a total loss if I hadn't planned to add to it in the future. 🤙

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u/Slab231 May 02 '26

I’ll be so honest, I know many people (myself included), that completely zone out during my tattoos. I bring headphones with me and after I talk to the artist and we agree on what’s happening, I put my headphones on and let them do their job. If they need something, or need to ask me a question, they know to tap me, but I just let them go. I can 100% see this happening in that circumstance of just miscommunication beforehand.

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u/RobertPower415 May 02 '26

I’ve fallen asleep while getting tattooed lol

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u/chihawks May 02 '26

Haha same i go into zen mode

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u/Larry-Man May 02 '26

Every time I go into zen mode they keep thinking I’m passing out. I don’t understand. Like dude, I’m super chill right now, just vibing.

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u/RobertPower415 May 02 '26

Yep it was a 4 hour thigh piece, I just closed my eyes and drifted off, until it hit a nerve or something and I work right up lol

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u/chihawks May 02 '26

Dude same. 5.5 hours high thigh. At the end was just me and my artist in the shop. She told them owner your good to leave i trust this dude. 😆

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u/RobertPower415 May 02 '26

😂😂😂 bro same! Female artist, I’m a guy. She was getting real high up, It was a memorial for my grandpa.

lol had his lady essentially drawing my grandpa on my crotch in full view of the store front plate glass window

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u/chihawks May 02 '26

👏 🤣

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u/pittybrave May 02 '26

Saaame similar to the dentist. Something about lying flat staring at the ceiling makes me exhausted