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.
Like the idea of black ink but want something more textured and pattern-based, especially geometric or symmetrical — Dotwork.
Tattoo cover-ups and reworks explained: what works, size and darkness, when to lighten with laser first, reworking a bad tattoo, and how to find a cover-up specialist.
How to choose the right tattoo size: detail versus size, how small tattoos age, how size affects price and time, and examples from small to sleeve.
Close relatives: geometric work and mandalas share the same logic of precise, repeating shapes.
New School tattoos explained: exaggerated cartoon shapes, saturated colour and bold outlines - who they suit, how they age and what to look for.
What fine line tattoos are, what they suit, how they age over 5-10 years and how to pick an artist who does them well - with real examples.
Realism or fine line? What the two styles share, where they split, how they age and which one fits your idea - with real examples of both.
Old School vs. Neo-Traditional: the shared roots, the real differences in line, colour and detail, and real examples of each style.
Neo-Traditional tattoos: Old School structure with richer colour, depth and illustrative detail - fit, aging, cost and quality signs.
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.
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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.