Regardless of whether you plan on getting a tattoo soon or you're a tattoo artist, you can benefit from using Stable Diffusion to create some spectacular designs.
Let's say that you're a tattoo artist and a client is explaining a design to you in person. It takes some time to sketch out a design even if you're a skillful artist. But you can take the description provided by the client, turn that into a prompt, and then go through image variations together. This is a process that requires very little time and gives you a general idea of what the client is looking for.
You don't have to use the design provided by the AI model. Instead, you can create your own unique design. However, you can save a lot of time and learn more about the tattoo design your client wants in only a few minutes.
AI-generated tattoo designs are slowly becoming a thing. Some AI enthusiasts specifically want to put a design created by artificial intelligence on their bodies. I suspect that this will become an even bigger trend in the future, as AI becomes more ingrained in our daily lives.
If you want to get a tattoo designed by AI, I'll show you how to write prompts that will produce great results in this article. This is a topic I've covered once before. I have an article dedicated to Midjourney prompts for tattoos, which you can check out if you want to see additional prompt examples.
How to Write Stable Diffusion Prompts for Tattoos
If you've been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while and have done your research, you most likely know that there are many different types of tattoo styles.
Some of the most popular tattoo styles include watercolor, traditional, tribal, blackwork, illustrative, minimalist, floral, line art, geometric, and abstract. If you want the tattoo design you're creating in Stable Diffusion to feature a specific style, you should mention it in your prompts. However, you can also let the AI model randomize the style.
It's up to you to decide which strategy you're going to use when you're writing Stable Diffusion prompts for tattoos. While writing this article, I came up with numerous prompts. Some contain a specific style, while others don't.
I've personally never had the desire to get something tattooed on my body. But I know many people who have tattoos, and I know how much time they'd usually spend looking through designs on the internet before finding the one they like.
With the help of text-to-image AI models like Stable Diffusion XL, you don't have to spend any time looking through designs on the internet. Instead, you can just describe them to the AI model and it will create it for you. It's not always perfect, but you can generally get amazing designs this way. I'll show you how it works in the next section of the article.
16 Stable Diffusion Prompt Examples for Tattoos
I'm going to explore a variety of tattoo styles with the 16 prompts I prepared for you today. These examples may help inspire you, but I recommend that you ideally let your imagination run wild and come up with designs that reflect some of your characteristics or personality traits. You can describe just about anything to the AI model, and it will usually create a great design from it.
prompt #1: tattoo design of a serene seascape, with a lighthouse in the distance, guiding ships through the night
For the first prompt example, I didn't want to specify any tattoo style. Instead, I just described an image that I imagined and let the AI do its thing. The result is outstanding. This is a beautiful design that can be tattooed on your arm, leg, chest, or back.
prompt #2: geometric mandala tattoo design with an eye at the center, representing inner awareness and self-discovery
Don't be afraid to instruct the model to use a certain tattoo style. As you can see, it will produce great results when you mention a style. Mandala tattoos usually symbolize balance and eternity. I think that the imagery of an eye in the middle of this design complements the geometric mandala style well.
prompt #3: abstract watercolor tattoo of a tree in various vibrant colors, its roots blending into the Earth
Although I don't plan on ever getting a tattoo, I have to say that watercolor designs are always interesting for me to observe. This is a terrific example of how good a watercolor-style tattoo can be. As you can see, the design you generate with the help of Stable Diffusion XL will sometimes show you what the tattoo would look like on human skin.
prompt #4: minimalist style tattoo design of a paper airplane soaring in the sky, symbolizing dreams taking flight and the pursuit of limitless possibilities
Minimalist designs are great, no matter what they represent. I like the simplicity of this art style, so I make sure to use it whenever I can. There is virtually no right or wrong way to write a prompt. I'd say the only rule you should follow is not to make your prompts too long, as that might lead to the AI model generating results that aren't too connected to your description.
You can also feel free to mention what the tattoo design symbolizes in your prompts. I mentioned that this one represents the pursuit of limitless possibilities, but it can also symbolize freedom.
prompt #5: watercolor style tattoo of a vibrant and enchanting underwater world with coral reefs, exotic fish, and a graceful sea turtle
This is another great watercolor-style tattoo design that I created, with a sea turtle as the focal character. I just want to say that I'm really impressed with the attention to detail that's featured on this sea turtle. There aren't many exotic fish in the image, but that's okay. I also like the different colored coral reefs here. This is overall a great design for someone who likes diving and exploring the underwater world.
prompt #6: tattoo design of an old, weathered book open to a blank page, with a quill resting beside it
I always find it fun when I don't specify a certain style in my prompt and instead let the AI model randomize it. I would classify this as an illustrative-style tattoo. But the result could've been much different if I mentioned that I wanted the design to feature a minimalist style in my prompt.
prompt #7: geometric style tattoo design of a multi-faceted crystal, refracting light into a stunning array of colors
Whenever I see something even resembling a pyramid shape, I immediately think of the legendary album cover for Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. This is obviously a very different design, but it still reminds me of that album that I listened to hundreds if not thousands of times.
prompt #8: abstract style tattoo featuring a celestial dancer with flowing, cosmic ribbons, moving gracefully among the stars
This was the first image that was generated when I entered the prompt. I usually go through at least 12 results to find the one that I like, but I didn't have to do that with this prompt. I was so impressed by this design that I immediately saved it and decided the include it in the article.
prompt #9: surrealistic style tattoo of a door to an otherworldly realm, with intricate, cosmic keyholes and ornate handles
There is a lot going on in this design. I suspect that if you wanted to get this tattooed on your body, it would have to be simplified at least a bit. But nonetheless, this is great concept art that you can show to a tattoo artist who will then make it better. In my mind, the tattoo symbolizes a passion for exploring the unknown.
prompt #10: geometric style tattoo design of a tree composed entirely of intersecting triangles and polygons
I've been interacting with generative AI models for a while now. As soon as I come up with an idea for a prompt, I usually already know whether the model will be able to create a good design from my description. I initially thought that there was no way this idea would yield good results, but I was completely wrong.
prompt #11: watercolor style tattoo of a magnificent peacock displaying its vibrant plumage
I could do a whole article on only watercolor-style tattoos because I find them beautiful. But I want to introduce various ideas throughout the article, so this is the last watercolor-style tattoo you'll see here. Let me just say that this is a great tattoo idea for anyone who loves colorful designs.Â
prompt #12: traditional style tattoo featuring a fierce Viking longship sailing through turbulent waters
There are some parts of the ship that look a bit weird. That's why I say that these generative AI models aren't perfect. And that's okay. Certain features in an image can always be altered to look better. Overall, I think that this is a great design. I think the AI model did a fantastic job of designing the turbulent waters.
prompt #13: geometric mandala tattoo design with a lotus flower at the center, surrounded by intricate patterns and sacred geometry
This is another geometric mandala design where there is a lot going on. But that's kind of the point of this tattoo style. I think that the only thing this design lacks is a bit of symmetry.
prompt #14: minimalist style tattoo of a stylized lighthouse casting its guiding beam across a calm sea
The minimalist tattoo style is the perfect option if you're looking for a discreet design that people won't instantly notice. The idea behind this tattoo is very similar to the first one in this article. I just wanted to show you what a similar scene would look like if it featured a different style.
prompt #15: geometric mandala tattoo featuring an intricately detailed yin and yang symbol at the center
You never know what you can expect from a generative AI model. For some reason, this design looks like it's featured on a piece of paper. The yin-yang symbol is not perfect, but that can easily be fixed.
prompt #16: minimalist style tattoo design of a tiny paper boat sailing on a calm pond
I've just noticed that I featured a few designs in this article with a maritime theme. I'm not sure why it turned out like that, but each design I made with this theme looks absolutely incredible.
Final Thoughts
It's evident that a text-to-image AI model like Stable Diffusion can help you create some stunning tattoo designs. People who are fascinated by artificial intelligence and love getting tattoos should consider mixing these two passions to get a unique design inked on their body.
Apart from the fact that you can create just about any design with the help of AI, you can also go through countless ideas in a very short time period. You can write a prompt, and generate at least four images from it in less than a minute.
If you're a tattoo artist, it might be a good idea to start learning how to use these generative AI models. You can even market a line of designs that were made by artificial intelligence. It can set you apart from the competition and bring a unique experience to your customers.
The age of AI is only getting started. The impact this technology will have on the world is immense. That's why symbolizing the fact that you used an AI model to create a design that you have tattooed on your body is so appealing to some people.
