For most people, Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky. For tattoo people, it’s practically a holiday.
Friday the 13th has become one of the most recognizable traditions in the tattoo industry. Shops bring out flash, artists tattoo all day, and people use the occasion as an excuse to finally get that small tattoo they’ve been thinking about.
If you’re looking for a Friday the 13th tattoo in Tempe, AZ, or you’re coming from Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, ASU, or somewhere nearby, here’s what you should know before you head to your local tattoo shop.
Why Do People Get Tattoos on Friday the 13th?
The number 13 has been associated with bad luck and superstition for a very long time. Tattoo culture did what tattoo culture tends to do and turned that idea on its head. Instead of avoiding the number, tattooers embraced it.
There’s even an old tattoo tradition of using the number 13 as a kind of good-luck symbol. The idea was essentially that if you were already wearing the supposedly unlucky number, bad luck might pass you by.
The modern Friday the 13th tattoo event became especially popular in the 1990s. Dallas tattoo artist Oliver Peck is often credited with helping turn it into the shop-wide event people recognize today, although even he has said he wasn’t the first person to tattoo 13s on Friday the 13th. His tattoo parties helped popularize the tradition, and eventually shops around the country started creating their own Friday the 13th flash events.
Today, Friday the 13th is less about being afraid of bad luck and more about tattoos, flash art, collecting something fun, and being part of a long-running tattoo tradition.
What Is a Friday the 13th Tattoo?
Don’t sweat it, there isn’t one specific tattoo you’re supposed to get. Traditionally, artists create sheets of small pre-drawn designs called flash. Some designs incorporate the number 13, while others play with the general Friday the 13th theme.
You might see black cats, lucky or unlucky symbols, spooky imagery, skulls, daggers, creepy and/or cute characters, florals, traditional tattoo imagery, or designs that are simply something the artist had fun drawing.
And no, your tattoo doesn’t have to be scary! That’s part of what makes Friday the 13th fun. Every artist has their own style, so the flash can be completely different depending on whose wanna-do’s you’re looking through.
What Exactly Is Tattoo Flash?
Flash tattoos are pre-drawn designs that an artist has ready to tattoo. Flash has been around for generations. Back in the day, tattooers displayed sheets of designs so clients could look through the artwork, pick something they liked, and get tattooed. You’ll still see that tradition in some tattoo shops today.
Choosing flash doesn’t mean you’re getting a lesser tattoo. In fact, artists often use flash to draw ideas they really want to tattoo. You’re choosing a finished concept from the artist rather than starting with a completely custom design. That can make Friday the 13th a great opportunity to discover something you probably wouldn’t have thought to request yourself.
Are Friday the 13th Tattoos Really $13?
This is probably the question we hear the most. Historically, $13 tattoos were part of the Friday the 13th tradition, sometimes paired with a $7 tip for good luck. But that doesn’t mean every tattoo shop still offers $13 tattoos.
Tattooing has real costs behind it. There are sterile single-use supplies, needles, setup and breakdown time, equipment, shop expenses, and, most importantly, the time and skill of a professional tattoo artist. Shops today set their own Friday the 13th pricing.
At Sentient Tattoo Collective, our regular shop minimum is $100. Check our current Friday the 13th information before your visit for the latest details about flash, booking, and availability.
A Friday the 13th tattoo can still be a fun way to grab a smaller piece or collect flash from an artist you like. Just don’t assume every shop is offering tattoos for thirteen bucks!
Do Friday the 13th Tattoos Have to Include the Number 13?
Definitely not. The number 13 is part of the tradition, but you don’t have to get it tattooed to participate. Some people love having a tiny 13 hidden inside a design. Other people would rather get a black cat, skull, flower, little creature, piece of traditional flash, or something completely unrelated to superstition.
Pick something you actually want to wear. A fun date is a good reason to get tattooed. It’s not a good reason to choose a design you don’t really like.
Can I Change a Friday the 13th Flash Design?
This depends on the artist and the event. Flash is generally intended to be tattooed as designed. Sometimes an artist can make a small adjustment to size, placement, shading, or even adding color if the design is black and grey. Bigger changes may turn the piece into a custom tattoo and change the amount of time needed, so they aren’t always possible during a busy Friday the 13th flash day.
If there’s something you want to change, ask. Your artist can tell you what will work, what won’t, and whether your idea would be better booked as a separate custom appointment.
Do I Need an Appointment for a Friday the 13th Tattoo?
At Sentient Tattoo Collective, appointments are strongly encouraged if you know you want to get tattooed, especially on a busy day like Friday the 13th. Walk-ins are welcome as availability allows. Friday the 13th can be much busier than a normal Friday, so planning ahead makes things easier and saves you from spending all day at the shop. If you’re hoping to walk in, coming earlier in the day is usually your best bet.
You can also text the shop at 480-382-9219 to ask about availability.
How Should I Prepare for a Friday the 13th Tattoo?
Treat it like any other tattoo appointment. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat before you come in. Drink water. Wear something that gives your artist easy access to the area being tattooed. Please don’t show up drunk or hungover. Alcohol can affect bleeding and your ability to sit comfortably, and no reputable tattoo artist wants you making a permanent decision when you’re intoxicated.
It’s also smart to think about placement beforehand. A design might look great on a flash sheet but need to be a certain size to age well on the body. Listen to your artist if they recommend going slightly larger or moving the tattoo to a better spot. Sometimes tattoo shops require Friday the 13th designs to be done on arms and legs only to avoid trickier placements that may take longer to get just right.
The artist’s goal isn’t to ruin your idea. Their goal is to make sure it still looks good years from now.
Is Friday the 13th a Good Day for Your First Tattoo?
It can be. Flash takes some of the pressure off because you don’t have to walk in with a perfectly developed tattoo concept. You can browse designs, find something that connects with you, and talk through size and placement with an artist. The atmosphere can also be really fun if you choose the right place.
That said, Friday the 13th can be busier than an average day at a tattoo shop. If you’re nervous about your first tattoo and would rather have more time to ask questions, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with booking a regular appointment or consultation instead.
You don’t get extra tattoo points for making your first tattoo chaotic so take your time and do what’s right for you!
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Friday the 13th Tattoo at Sentient?
You must be 18 or older to be tattooed at Sentient Tattoo Collective. We don’t tattoo minors, even with parental permission. There are no exceptions. Be sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID with you.
What Should I Look for in a Friday the 13th Tattoo Shop?
A special event doesn’t change the standards you should expect from a professional tattoo studio. Look for a clean shop, professional artists, sterile single-use needles, appropriate sanitation procedures, positive Google reviews, and artists whose work you actually like.
You should also feel comfortable asking questions. At Sentient Tattoo Collective, all of our artists receive annual bloodborne pathogen training. We use medical-grade, packaged, sterilized tools and never reuse needles. Cheap or discounted should never mean cutting corners on safety.
Friday the 13th Tattoos Near Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and ASU
Sentient Tattoo Collective is located at 227 S. Smith Rd., Suite 101 in Tempe, just south of Tempe Marketplace and east of ASU’s main campus. That means we’re an easy option for people looking for Friday the 13th tattoos in Tempe as well as nearby Mesa, south Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the surrounding East Valley.
Our studio is home to artists working across a wide range of tattoo styles, so our flash reflects that too. Depending on the artist, you might find fine line, traditional, black and grey, illustrative, botanical, Japanese-inspired, realism, microrealism, bold color, or something completely unexpected. And honestly, browsing is half the fun.
Friday the 13th Tattoo FAQs
Does Sentient Tattoo Collective do Friday the 13th tattoos?
Yes. Sentient celebrates Friday the 13th with Flash Friday and plenty of flash designs to browse at the shop. Check our Friday the 13th page or Instagram account before the event for the most current information.
Are Friday the 13th tattoos only walk-ins?
Not at Sentient Tattoo Collective. Appointments are encouraged, especially if you already know you want to get tattooed. Walk-ins are also welcome if an artist has availability.
Can I see Sentient’s Friday the 13th flash online?
Our current Friday the 13th setup includes flash available to browse in person at the shop. That gives you a chance to see your options clearly and talk with an artist about the right size and placement.
How much are Friday the 13th tattoos at Sentient Tattoo Collective?
Sentient Tattoo’s shop minimum is $100. Pricing can depend on the design, artist, size, placement, and event details.
Can I bring my own tattoo idea on Friday the 13th?
Friday the 13th is traditionally centered around flash, but we’re a full-service tattoo shop and our artists also create custom work.
If you have your own idea, text us or talk to an artist. Depending on the design and how busy the day is, we can let you know whether it makes sense as a walk-in or should be booked for another time.
Should I tip for a Friday the 13th tattoo?
Tipping is always appreciated when you’ve had a good experience. We generally recommend around 20% for great service but we never expect it.
Can I get more than one Friday the 13th tattoo?
Potentially, but it depends on artist availability and how busy the shop is that day. If there’s a line of people waiting, your artist may ask you to choose one first so everyone gets a chance. Ask when you arrive and we’ll let you know what’s realistic.
Looking for a Friday the 13th Tattoo in Tempe?
Whether you collect a Friday the 13th tattoo every chance you get or you’ve never participated before, the whole point is to have fun with it. Browse the flash. Ask questions. Find something you actually want. Get tattooed by someone whose work you trust.
Sentient Tattoo Collective is located at 227 S. Smith Rd., Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85288 and is open daily from 12PM to 8PM.
For Friday the 13th availability, you can text us at 480-382-9219. If you know you want to get tattooed, booking ahead is the easiest way to make sure you get a spot.
Bad luck optional. Good tattoos required. See you at the shop!
