If you’ve ever visited a tattoo convention or one of the more trendy tattoo studios, you might have noticed a mysterious gumball machine filled with flashes and wondered…why?

We’re revealing the secrets behind tattoo roulettes - also known as get what you get tattoo promotions - and why you should consider running one in your studio!

What is Tattoo Roulette?

Tattoo roulettes are a fun way to add a little extra mystery to the flash process! Combining the thrill of lucky dips with the joy of getting a spur of the moment tattoo, they certainly aren’t for everyone.

So how does it work? Usually, your studio will have a gumball machine filled with capsules that either contain a flash tattoo or a number that corresponds to a sheet of flash. You set the price for a go and give the opportunity for your customer to try for another if they don’t like their first pic - for a further cost, of course.

You could keep the designs as a mystery, but you’re likely to get more takers if you show off all the potential designs. This allows customers to make a judgement on how likely it is they’ll get a piece they like!

Most artists will set a size (such as palm-sized) or specific places on the body where they’re happy to do these tattoos; usually arms and legs. After all, a small flash piece on the sternum or head is an entirely different proposition to a nice easy bicep!

Why not try out a themed tattoo roulette for some smaller wannado tattoos - Tiggy Tattoos at Mount Moon runs a Pokemon get what you get tattoo game and uses that to work through the 151 original Pokemon.

Alternatives to the Gumball Machine

If you can’t find a gumball machine or just want to stand out from the crowd, you can try the same promotion with different gimmicks. A wheel of fortune or roulette wheel is a cool way to introduce a little randomness, and depending on the studio and style of art, may be more appropriate.

You could also go for a plinko board, lucky dip, bingo cage or crane machine, like Neon Wolf! Pick whichever suits your style best, and consider having a second set up so that the body placement can be random too!

When Should I Run a Tattoo Roulette?

These promotions are perfect for tattoo conventions - there’s something about the gamification of tattoo choices that really appeals to customers looking for a quick piece of flash!

If you offer walk-ins, you can set your roulette up in the studio and offer anyone who walks in the opportunity to play. Otherwise, have a look at which days of the week are least busy in the studio and set up specific days of the week when customers can come for a “get what you get” tattoo.

You could also try out themed days to run a tattoo roulette, like Halloween or St Patricks Day - it’s an efficient and fun way to knock out a bunch of tattoos quickly, and maybe even raise a little money for charity!