Navigation

Be the First to Try Elm Street Tattoo's New 'Get What You Get' Tattoo Vending Machine

Yesterday, Elm Street Tattoo unveiled a new, even more adrenaline-pumping way to get inked. The store has stocked a coin-operated vending machine with images of tattoos. It costs $100 for a turn, and whatever comes out is what you'll get. But you don't have to worry about drawing a turd...
courtesy Elm Street Tattoo

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $6,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal
$6,000
$2,800
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Yesterday, Elm Street Tattoo unveiled a new, even more adrenaline-pumping way to get inked. The store has stocked a coin-operated vending machine with images of tattoos. It costs $100 for a turn, and whatever comes out is what you'll get.

"All of these tattoos I would price out between $160 and $180 ... maybe $250."

tweet this Tweet This
But you don't have to worry about drawing a turd or a portrait of Scott Stapp. The Deep Ellum shop has courteously refrained from including joke tattoos in its "get what you get" concept. Instead, the tattoos are all in the traditional American style.

"They're all good ones — old-school snakes, devil heads," a shop employee who goes by Boogie says.

If you're not picky, the game may be a good way to get a tattoo at a discount.

"All of these tattoos I would price out between $160 and $180 ... maybe $250," Boogie says.
click to enlarge
courtesy Elm Street Tattoo

Tattoos will be completed on a first-come, first-served basis. If there's no line, you can get yours right away. If all of the artists are booked, you may have to make an appointment.

The game isn't intended as a temporary promotion. Elm Street plans to keep it around. However, no one has been brave enough to try it yet.

"I think we're going to do it forever," Boogie says. "But we just started doing it yesterday. We may do it for a month or two and see what it does."

If you dislike the tattoo you get, you can purchase a second spin for $20. You won't be forced to get any ink, of course, but there are no refunds.

"It's called gambling," Boogie says.