Reddit User Asks For Advice After Being Branded By A Tattoo Artist

Considering the canvas for this particular type of artwork is the human body, you wouldn't typically expect to see a tattoo artist's initials or signature included in their work.

Stephanie

• Published in Interesting
• April 23, 2022

There's no denying that tattooing is a form of art. But considering the canvas for this particular type of artwork is the human body, you wouldn't typically expect to see a tattoo artist's initials or signature included in their work.

So, when Redditor u/TattoodNoobAITA recently got a special tattoo in memory of their grandfather, they were shocked to find that the tattoo artist had included a little something extra in the design. The tattooist's initials, "AT."

The Redditor didn't even notice the initials until they showed the tattoo to their great grandmother weeks after having it done. That's when their great-grandma asked, "Who's AJ?" mistaking the T for a J.

Our OP was shocked but quickly put two and two together and realized the tattoo artist's name was Alice Trever or 'AT.' They immediately contacted the tattoo parlor and demanded a partial refund, which the artist denied.

However, the parlor owner forced the tattoo artist to issue our OP a full refund. And now, the Redditor is wondering if they overreacted.

Naturally, they went to the Reddit community for advice, posting the story in the AITA (Am I The A**hole?)

subreddit. They asked, "AITA for getting mad my artist hid their initials in my tattoo?"

As always, the people of Reddit had plenty to say about this. Keep scrolling to see how they reacted.

The Reddit user asked, "AITA for getting mad my artist hid their initials in my tattoo?"

"Who's AJ?"

Our OP was shocked but quickly put two and two together and realized the tattoo artist's name was Alice Trever or 'AT.'

The parlor owner forced the tattoo artist to issue our OP a full refund, but now the Redditor is wondering if they overreacted.

Here's how people reacted.

"They should get fired."

"This person straight up branded you!"

"NTA!"

"Tattoo artists shouldn't be signing a tat."

"This is something you never do."

"It wasn't even original artwork."

"We trust our artists implicitly and this woman took advantage of that."

"The artist put something on your body they didn't have permission to."

"So much NTA."

"You should seriously consider suing the artist."

"I'd take the artist to small claims court to pay for a removal personally."

"No reputable artist would do this."

"This tattooist should be banned from working again."

"Talk about ego."

"Such a breach of trust."

"The lack of integrity and violation of trust is astounding."

"Reverse Uno that smear campaign."

"It's a tattoo, not a painting."

"She's lucky she still has a job."

"The owner did the right thing."

What's your take on this one? Do you think the OP overreacted, or do you think they were well and truly within their rights to be angry about this?

Surely when it comes to our bodies, we should at the very least be consulted about any permanent changes. After all, we are the ones that have to live with it for the rest of our lives.

Besides that, a tattoo is a very personal thing. Generally, we get a tattoo to represent something extremely important to us.

In our OP's case, the tattoo was to honor their grandfather. So, it's understandable that they would take offense to the tattoo being turned into an advertisement.

We would love to hear your opinions on this. Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Stephanie