Nobody can be sure when the first tattoos existed but they have been around for thousands of years in many different cultures. Until fairly recently they were not considered to be something done by polite company but these days everybody can have them without worrying what people might think.

The origins of the word tattoo are thought to have arrived from sailors who had been to Tahiti where a similar word is used to mean a mark. The european sailors discovered that Polynesians and native American Indians were frequently covered in tattoos whereas in Europe the art had almost died out.

Modern tattooing is usually carried out simply for decorative purposes and mosy people choose designs that they feel show off their character or independance. This was not always the case and the Romans used to tattoo slaves and criminals so that everybody could see that they were of low status.

The methods of tattooing have changed little over the centuries though modern equipment is much better at doing the job. The original method was by pricking the skin with a pointed object and then rubbing in the ink and later it was found that scratches could be used to add morre color to the designs. Modern tattoo equipment injects the pigment with a needle.

Tattoos have a long history but the style of tattoos has always been decided by the ability and knowledge of the tattoo artist The internet is not the first thing you would think of in regard to tattoos but the internet has caused a minor revolution in tattooing because it is now possible to view thousands of printable tattoo designs online. You can browse through thousands of tattoo designs before choosing the and then printing out your perfect design. The prent out of the tatoo can then simply be taken to your tattoo artiist who can then copy the design.