Tattooing

"Tattoos" redirects here. For the feature in The Urbz: Sims in the City, see Tattoos (The Urbz: Sims in the City).

Tattoos were introduced in the patch that accompanied The Sims 3: Ambitions.

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, bicep, 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.

A sim posing with a tattoo

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 parlour.
• Clicking on the spa, says "Get Tattoo" even if there is a salon in town.
• 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.