F

Flash Tattoo Reveal: We Got Threadless Designs Printed on Our Skin, Permanently!

Recently, the Threadless crew decided to take team bonding to a whole new level. We visited Code of Conduct Tattoo in Chicago’s South Loop, where we swapped printing tees for inking skin. That’s right—we chose our favorite submissions from our Flash Tattoo Design Challenge to make a lasting impression on ourselves, literally. This challenge was a nod to the iconic styles that have defined tattooing for ages, drawing submissions from independent artists all over the globe.


For our ink-and-needle escapade, tattoo wizards Jaime Navarro, Jake Ames, and Michal Grebosz took our chosen designs and masterfully transformed them into body art. Stay tuned as we roll up our sleeves to showcase these epic ink jobs and reveal why we chose to carry these designs with us to the grave.


Jake’s Pick: “Eternal Snooze” by LXROMERO

Flash Tattoo - "ETERNAL SNOOZE" BY LXROMERO
Tattoos sting like heck, but Jake is pleased to get ‘five more minutes’ of ink from Michal.

“I chose ‘Eternal Snooze’ because asking for just five more minutes to live feels just as comically serious as asking mom for 5 more minutes of Zelda before dinner time.”

Jake, Threadless Founder & CEO
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Eternal Snooze" by LXROMERO
  • Finished Tattoo

Rafi’s Pick: “Tiger Girl” by Bragans

Flash Tattoo - “TIGER GIRL" BY BRAGANS
Rafi impersonates the ‘I’m in danger’ meme as Jake puts needle to skin.

“I went with ‘Tiger Girl’ because I’m a sucker for that traditional style. And now I have a tattoo with tattoos. How meta is that?”

Rafi (Me, Author of This Post)
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Tiger Girl" by Bragans
  • Finished Tattoo

Lance’s Pick: “A Knife” by LXROMERO

Flash Tattoo - “A KNIFE” BY LXROMERO
Lance finds joy in a ‘bloody’ good tattoo as Michal’s iron buzzes.

“I chose ‘A Knife’ by Lucho as a homage to our dog, Knives. Plus, it’s just super cute and edgy at the same time.”

Lance (AKA WEARECAREFUL)
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "A Knife" by LXROMERO
  • Finished Tattoo


Becca’s Pick: “Caba-Ribbit” by LXROMERO

Flash Tattoo - “CABA-RIBBIT” BY LXROMERO
Becca mentally prepares while Michal places a stencil of a fancy frog in fishnets.

“We are both just fancy ladies. She spoke to me.”

Becca
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Caba-Ribbit" by LXROMERO
  • Finished Tattoo

Josh’s Pick: “Sempre.Al Dente” by Sustici

Flash Tattoo - “SEMPRE.AL DENTE” BY SUSTICI
Josh lies in wait as Jaime makes pasta a permanent fixture on the menu.

“To honor my wife Erin and Thanos, who both believe in pasta ‘perfectly balanced as all things should be.’ Sempre al dente.”

Josh
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Sempre.Al Dente" by Sustici
  • Finished Tattoo

Lucho’s Pick: “Landscape” by LXROMERO

Flash Tattoo - “LANDSCAPE” BY LXROMERO
Lucho winces as Jaime colors in a happy mountain scene, illustrated by Lucho himself.

“I chose my own design because I wanted artwork from an artist I respect and admire.”

LuCHO (AKA LXROMERO)
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Landscape" by LXROMERO
  • Finished Tattoo

Anna Lisa’s Pick: “Thank You” by Moongerm

Flash Tattoo - “THANK YOU” BY MOONGERM
Anna Lisa is all smiles as Michal tattoos a carefree plastic bag drifting through the wind.

“The apathetic smiley face on the plastic bag just made me feel so seen. It makes me chuckle. Moongerm is the best.”

Anna Lisa
  • Flash Tattoo Submission - "Thank You" by Moongerm
  • Finished Tattoo


Big thanks to the incredible artists who submitted to our Flash Tattoo Design Challenge, and shout out to our friends at Code of Conduct Tattoo who imprinted these designs on our skin. Want to wear flash tattoos in a less permanent way? Check out our Flash Tattoo Design Challenge Collection, where you can find these designs and more on your favorite merch, from tees to everyday mugs. Get inked, without the commitment, at Threadless.


Also, follow Code of Conduct Tattoo, Jaime Navarro, Jake Ames, and  Michal Grebosz on Instagram to see their killer work!

Rafael Velez

Copywriter at Threadless. Lover of thin-crust pizza, heavy metal, and B horror movies. Food source for a husky and two cats.