Tattooing

Tattoos were introduced in the patch that accompanied The Sims 3: Ambitions, and reintroduced in The Sims 4.

The tattoo system is part of Create a Sim, and it allows players to place designs on a Sim's upper, lower, or full back, or their neck, ankle, chest, stomach, wrist, shoulder, biceps, or forearm. Players are be able to apply multiple tattoos in up to five layers, scale them, change the colors, and even modify opacity. Players can upload and share these tattoos on the Exchange, giving the community yet another creative outlet. Tattoos are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay. Tattoos can be removed. There are two kinds of tattoo chairs in the game, The Ink-in-Comfort 3000, and The Digital Tattoo Applicator. Placing The Ink-in-Comfort 3000 on a community lot will generate a tattoo artist NPC with tattooed arms and heavy eyeliner. Having either machine at home allows premade Sims to access the tattoo interface of Create a Sim. Sims with very little experience tattooing can sometimes draw stick figures instead of the intended design.

Trivia

 * In both The Sims 2 and The Sims 3 players can purchase a poster called Bethany and Miranda which depicts two sisters who opened a tattoo parlor.
 * In addition to the salon, the spa in town also has an option for Sims to "Get Tattoo" for §300.
 * If a Sim was uploaded to The Exchange with a Tattoo, the website will state that The Sims 3 Ambitions is required even if no items from that game (or Deluxe) is used.
 * In The Sims 4, tattoos can be changed by accessing the Create-A-Sim menu, either from a dresser or a mirror.