Straight answers to the things that stop people booking a tattoo — from the first idea to a healed tattoo. Each guide points you at real, credited work in the catalogue, and health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos.
Tribal tattoos: bold black patterns that follow the body, their cultural roots, fit, aging, cost and how to spot respectful, well-made work.
Blackwork — solid, graphic, maximalist
Placement and style work together — some styles (like Old School or Blackwork) hold up well even in smaller or higher-friction spots, while detailed styles like Realism need…
That is why artists push back on tiny, detailed designs: Bold outlines and solid black (Traditional, Blackwork, Tribal, Japanese) age most predictably — the design stays readable even…
Dotwork is a technique that many ornamental pieces use; Blackwork shares the black palette but favours large solid areas; geometric work swaps decorative motifs for pure shapes.
New School tattoos explained: exaggerated cartoon shapes, saturated colour and bold outlines - who they suit, how they age and what to look for.
Nine stages from a vague idea to a healed tattoo. Every guide ends with a link to the next step, so you can read them in order — or jump straight to where you are.
The worries people mention most — and where the honest answer is.
11 guides
10 guides
4 guides
6 guides
4 guides
4 guides
5 guides
1 guide
Health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos word for word. New to the words? See the tattoo glossary. How guides are written and corrected: editorial policy.