The Sims 4 Custom Tattoo Spotlight: Creativity at its Finest!

The Business and Hobbies expansion pack has sparked creativity in the Sims community, particularly with Sims 4 custom tattoos. From bold American traditional designs to ultra-realistic faux piercings, Simmers are making everything your alternative Sim could want. Whether youโ€™re into statement tattoos or meaningful cultural ink, thereโ€™s something for everyone.


Pokรฉmon Tattoos

One creator making waves in the community is Simsigner, who has been consistently delivering high-quality, Pokรฉmon-themed tattoos. Some of their standout pieces include Magikarp and Muk tattoos that any Pokรฉmon fan would be proud to showcase on their Sim.


Custom Tattoo Designs by Fillarybop

Another standout creator is Fillarybop, who makes stunning Sims 4 custom tattoos with bold colors and a feminine touch. Her work is so beautiful that many Simmers wish they could wear them in real life! Not only does she design incredible Sims tattoos, but sheโ€™s also a skilled tattoo artist outside the game.

For Hilary, The Simsโ€™ tattoo system has become a playground for creativity. โ€œWhat I really like about the tattoo system is itโ€™s given me an outlet to experiment with tattoo placements and try out the really wild ideas Iโ€™ve hadโ€”but on Bob Pancakes,โ€ she shares. Giving townies tattoos that reflect their personalities or add new layers to their lore has made the experience even more fun. The variety of tools availableโ€”color wheels, multiple stamps, and brushesโ€”has allowed artists to explore a range of styles, from traditional to abstract.

Real Life Inspiration

Beyond decorative tattoos, Hilary has been impressed by how Simmers have used the system in unexpected ways. โ€œPermanent makeup artists are really showing off their skills using the tattoo system too. It was so impressive seeing all the full faces of makeup on the gallery,โ€ she notes. The system has become a way to add more personal customization, from freckles and scars to birthmarks and moles beyond the default presets.

As both a Simmer and a professional tattoo artist, Hilary has a few ideas for improvements. โ€œWhat Iโ€™d love to see in the game is a way to paint symmetrically on the Sim, like we can with pets. That would be a useful tool for torso designs,โ€ she suggests. Designing back tattoos also presents a challenge, as bras can obscure the view. And for those who specialize in portrait tattoos? โ€œMany artists make their living from portrait tattoos, and it would pair nicely with the dedication tattoo option.โ€

Of course, no tattoo experience is complete without the occasional reality check. โ€œIโ€™m shocked they didnโ€™t have a pass-out feature with this pack either. Not to scare anyone, but passing out during a tattoo is a very relatable occurrence,โ€ she says. And just like in real life, she loves that Sims experience a confidence boost after getting tattooed. โ€œThe moodlets our Sims get from tattooing or being tattooed are all so relatable, especially the suffering for the art. Itโ€™s true, all of our backs hurt.โ€

As for inspiration, Hilary embraces variety. โ€œI could never pick just one style when it comes to tattooing,โ€ she says. From traditional designs and color realism to pop-culture references and pin-up girls, her work is constantly evolving. Having trained in a street shop, she values the ability to adapt to different styles and is inspired by the artists around her.

Want to see more of Hilaryโ€™s work? Check out her tattoos in real life at @Fillarybop on Instagram. If you’re in Missouri, you might even get the chance to be tattooed by her in person!


Piercing Tattoos

Tattoos arenโ€™t the only way Simmers are getting creative. Thanks to the new tattoo system, players have started designing custom piercings too. A Simmer to highlight is x0NeverLetGo, also known as EverTrua on Twitch. Her inspired belly piercings look incredibly realistic and stylish, perfect for enhancing any Simโ€™s alternative style.

Creative & Funny Tattoos

The community isnโ€™t just making stylish tattoosโ€”theyโ€™re also adding humor! Weโ€™ve seen plenty of hilarious tattoos, with Shrek-themed body art appearing more than a few times. Plus, there are countless other funny and unexpected designs inspired by pop culture.


Cultural Tattoos

Simmers are also using tattoos to celebrate cultural heritage. Willowstara has been creating stunning traditional Indian tattoos, like Sindoor and Tilak, honoring deep-rooted traditions.

Missbabyblue2u, another talented creator, has designed cultural tattoos inspired by traditional Mฤori and Inuit ink, adding more realism to Sims storytelling.

Realistic and Abstract Designs

Simmers are getting creative with the new tattoo system, designing some incredible custom tattoos. With the feature still new, many are speculating about future updates, new features, and collaborations with more tattoo artists.


Face, Body and Hair Detail Tattoos

Simmers have used this system in creative and inclusive ways, adding baby hairs, feeding tubes, and other medical devices to better represent their Sims. Hopefully, future updates will bring mobility aids to the base game, just like some of these custom tattoos deserve a permanent spot in Sim customization!


Custom tattoos and custom piercings are thriving in the Sims community, thanks to the Business and Hobbies expansion pack. Whether for fashion, fun, or culture, these tattoos add personality and style to our Sims. If you’re looking to level up your Simโ€™s tattoo skills faster, be sure to check out this handy guide on cheats to skill up in tattoos. Or learn more about the Tattoo Gameplay in our Tattoo Skill Guide. We at The Sims Community hope these custom tattoos inspire your next Simโ€™s style!

BrazilBuggy
BrazilBuggy
Sul Sul! Iโ€™m Cheyenne, a big video game nerd, animal enthusiast, and digital and physical artist. I have been playing Sims since 2004 and have not looked back since. When Iโ€™m not playing the Sims, Iโ€™m busy finishing school to become a video game artist/ 3D generalist.
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Heather Lantz-Brazil

I never knew about this feature/DLC before. It’s awesome to imagine its application and use outside of the Sims universe. Great article!

Jen

I just got an EA ban for ‘nude sim’, after sharing a tattoo design on the Gallery. The drawings were flowers, so I can only assume it was flagged because the sim (by default) was in their underwear?

I have contested the (week long) ban, but if this is going to keep happening, I no longer want to share my creations on the Gallery. ๐Ÿ™

Last edited 1 year ago by Jen
max

A burning scar could be cool for sims that got cought in a fire.

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