Want another tattoo? Fort Worth parlors are offering insanely cheap Friday the 13th deals

If you want another tattoo, this Friday, Dec. 13 is the day to do it.

Some associate Friday the 13th with bad luck, but in tattoo culture, it’s a great day to get some cheap ink.

The holiday even has roots in the D-FW area (Dallas, to be specific): On Friday, June 13, 2008, Elm Street Tattoo shop co-owner Oliver Peck decided to tattoo the number 13 on as many customers as possible, back-to-back, for 24 hours. He ended up tattooing 415 people, and Friday the 13th became associated with getting tattoos of the number 13, or, later, tattoos of different flash designs that incorporate the number 13.

The concept of getting a “13” tattoo dates back to sailors’ legends:

“Sailors would often get the number 13 tattooed so that bad luck would see the mark and pass on by them,” according to Good Pain Artworks in Grand Prairie.

Most parlors offer pre-drawn, small designs that they are willing to do for as cheap as $13. Whatever you end up with, just be sure to tip your artist. A standard tip for a tattoo is between 15 and 20 percent of the total.

While almost every tattoo shop offers cheap deals, here are 10 D-FW parlors where you can get inked on Friday, Dec. 13.

Where to get cheap tattoos for Friday the 13th in Fort Worth

Bonehead Tattoo:

• 7944 Camp Bowie W. Blvd., Fort Worth from 3 p.m. until supplies last

• $13 flash tattoos

• Cash only

• Select from predetermined designs (13s can be removed)

Lucky Horseshoe Tattoo:

• 1426 N. Main St., Fort Worth from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• $13 tattoos

• $130 tattoos

• $13 basic piercings

• $31 exotic piercings

• Get there early to wait in line

Spinning Needle Tattoos and Piercings:

• 2711 N. Main St., Fort Worth from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.

• $20 flash tattoos

• $20 piercings

• First come, first served

Villains Ink:

• 1717 W. Berry St., Fort Worth from 1 p.m. 9 p.m.

• $20 ($13 and $7 tip) flash tattoos

• $40 for two

• $60 for three

• $13 Piercings (+$7 tip)

• Walk-ins only

• Cash only

• Select flash designs to choose from

Cowtown Tattoo Lounge:

• 14150 Trinity Blvd., Unit 120, Fort Worth, from 10 a.m. until supplies last

• $20 flash tattoos

• $20 piercings

• Arms and legs only

• Cash only

• Select designs will be posted to Cowtown’s Facebook page on Dec. 12

Where to get cheap tattoos for Friday the 13th in D-FW:

Da New Kandy Shop:

• 3610 S. Cooper St., Arlington, from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

• $20 ($13 and $7 tip) flash tattoos

• $13 piercings (+$7 tip)

• Choose from a design sheet, or bring in your own small design to be considered

Elm Street Tattoo:

• 2811 Elm St., Dallas, from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday

• $20 ($13 and $7 tip) flash tattoos

• Pre book your appointment here to ensure a spot.

• Walk-ins allowed

• Elm Street Tattoo does this every Friday the 13th, regardless of the month.

Good Pain Artworks:

• 112 NE 4th St., Grand Prairie, from 3 p.m. to midnight

• 1 for $30 flash tattoos (must be on one person to get deal)

• 2 for $50 flash tattoos

• Arms and legs only

• Walks-in only

• Predetermined designs to choose from (not eligible for customizations, unless you want the “13” removed from any)

Diamond Tattoo Parlor/Just Inked Radio:

• 510 E. Pipeline Rd., Hurst, from 11 a.m. until artists can’t work anymore

• Tattoos from $40 to $120

• Black outline and shading only

• Color is an additional $10

• First come, first served

• See Diamond Tattoo’s Facebook page for flash options

Ink Theory:

• 951 Winscott Rd., Benbrook, from noon to 11 p.m.

• Flash tattoos starting at $30

• Walk-ins welcome

• Select designs available to view in shop

This story was originally published December 10, 2024 at 11:34 AM.

Ella Gonzales

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.