Begin your tattoo design using images, photographs or artwork. Make a direct copy of an image that you like or use one as inspiration to draw your own design. Search online for a tattoo image, print it out, and embellish or personalize it using pens or markers. Look through hundreds of designs at TattooJohnny.com or TattooFinder.com to find an image you love. (References1, 2)
Scan your embellished tattoo design into a computer using your scanner. Open your image in image editing software and crop it tightly so you eliminate space around the design.
Create a transparent layer in your file to use as the background. Select and delete the existing white background, leaving your image with a transparent background. Save this file. (Reference 3)
Use your camera to photograph yourself exposing the area where you want to get the tattoo. Scan this image into your computer and open it in your image editing software, as well.
Drag the image of your tattoo design into the image of yourself to combine the two images. Use the resize, crop and rotate tools to place the tattoo image exactly where you would like to preview it on your body.
Test out several different sizes and placements of the tattoo image on your body to decide what you like best. Save and print the image files to help decide what you like and also to show your tattoo artist.