Inked & Adorable: Meet Hunter, the Artist Tattooing Labubus One Toy at a Time

What started as a fun surprise for his boyfriend has turned into one of the most unexpected and addictive trends in the tattoo world. Tattoo artist Hunter, known on Instagram as @crybabyhunter, has made a name for himself not just on skin but on shelves, thanks to his now-viral series of tattooed Labubus.

“I started tattooing Labubus after customizing one for my boyfriend. It was such a fun experience that I turned it into a series where I surprise my friends with personalized Labubus featuring their actual tattoos,” Hunter tells Inked. These mini collectible figures, each with custom ink that mirrors real-life body art, have become his signature.

The very first piece? A blue Labubu done entirely freehand. “I honestly went into it just having fun, not expecting much… but it turned out so cool that I knew I had to keep going,” he says. That lighthearted creativity sparked a movement — one that now has fans lining up at events and online, hoping to score their own tattooed toy.

 

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Compared to his day job tattooing real people, Hunter admits working on Labubus has its perks. “They’re the perfect clients! No complaints, no pain, just pure creative freedom,” he says. The vinyl surface has its quirks, tougher than skin, but still workable, and Hunter says the process is just as rewarding. He shares, “Depending on the detail, it can take me anywhere from two minutes to an hour to finish one. At pop-ups, I usually knock them out in about two to five minutes each.”

He’s also gained a following that sometimes doesn’t even know he tattoos people. “I never expected things to go viral the way they did. It’s gotten to the point where some of my new followers don’t even realize I tattoo humans, too!”

Each Labubu is crafted with intent. “If it’s for a specific person, I’ll customize it based on their tattoos and personality. If it’s just for fun or for something like my website, I go wild and create whatever I’m inspired by in the moment.”

Collectors have brought Hunter all kinds of items to sign and decorate — shoes, boxes, even more toys — and the response has been overwhelming. “It’s surreal and so much fun. I seriously love people,” he says.

His favorite style to apply? Fine line work. “I still do a mix of everything, but I think the delicate lines look especially good on these little guys.”

As for the future, Hunter sees toy tattooing as a permanent part of his creative world. “I’ve already started experimenting with other toys like Bratz dolls. Fingers crossed for a future collab! But Labubus aren’t going anywhere, they’re just too cute to quit.”

From ink to Instagram, Hunter is proving that tattoo culture isn’t limited to skin, and that even the tiniest canvas can tell a big story. Follow his work at @crybabyhunter to see what he tattoos next.