Cheap Tattoo

Cheap Tattoo is a tattooing game where you operate the machine yourself. Set its voltage, choose a needle and trace a stencil line by line, wiping away blood as you work. The skin reacts to each pass: clean work leaves the ink sitting well, while mistakes can damage the skin and upset your customer.

Work the machine

Voltage and needle depth affect how the ink goes into the skin. If the needle is too shallow, the ink falls out; if it goes too deep, it shreds the skin and causes bleeding. Different body parts respond differently to the needle, so a forearm does not behave like a neck. Liners are used for outlines, shaders and magnums for filling, and bugpins for detail; each cartridge behaves differently under the skin.

You can use 18 inks, including six neon tones that glow. Dip the cap to load ink, keep an eye on its level as you work and dip again before a line runs dry.

Practice and progress

You can test an unfamiliar needle on practice leather before using it on a customer. Marks on the practice skin fade after a couple of seconds, letting you see how hard the needle pulls without hurting anyone.

You start on a prison bunk with a machine made from a toothbrush motor, then work your way out and into your own place before progressing to a shop with your name over the door. Better machines provide a steadier hand and keep the voltage where you set it.

Free Mode

Free Mode unlocks everything. You can type your own text in five tattoo lettering styles or import your own design as a stencil.