Michael Jai White -- Inks Deal with Wife ... She's Wrapped Around My Finger

Michael Jai White surprised his wife with some real estate ... on his body ... getting her name tattooed on his wedding ring finger -- a move that hasn't exactly worked out for him in the past.

The star of "Spawn" and "Black Dynamite" went to T-Man Tattoo in Studio City, CA Tuesday night to get the sentimental ink for his wife Gillian Waters.

T-Man owner Howard Teman tells TMZ ... Michael wanted a very personal touch for the tatt -- showing up with a copy of Gillian's signature.

Teman says White had another woman's name (presumably wife #1) previously tatted on the finger, but it was severely faded. He says Michael joked about the old ink, saying his body "rejected it" since he got remarried.