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Old School Tattoo Cover Ups
Old school tattoos, also known as traditional tattoos, were popularized in the early 1900s and are characterized by bold, black outlines and limited color palettes. While they have a classic appeal, some people may want to cover up their old school tattoos for various reasons such as personal preference or to make room for new ink. In this article, we’ll explore old school tattoo cover ups and provide tips and advice from tattoo artists and individuals who have undergone the process.
Why Cover Up an Old School Tattoo?
There are many reasons why someone might want to cover up an old school tattoo. For some, the style may no longer align with their personal taste or aesthetic. Others may want to cover up a tattoo that is no longer meaningful or relevant to their life. Additionally, some individuals may want to make room for new tattoos and use a cover up as a way to create a blank canvas for fresh ink.
The Cover Up Process
The process of covering up an old school tattoo involves using new ink to conceal the existing design. Tattoo artists may use a variety of techniques to achieve this, such as incorporating the old design into a new design, adding shading or color to distract from the old design, or using a laser to fade the old tattoo before covering it up.
According to tattoo artist Jon Boy, it’s important to find an experienced artist who specializes in cover ups. “Cover ups require a lot of knowledge and expertise, so it’s important to find an artist who has experience with cover ups specifically,” he advises.
What to Consider Before Getting a Cover Up
Before getting a cover up, it’s important to consider a few things. First, you’ll want to ensure that the new design will fully cover the old design and that it will be something you will be happy with long term. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the size and placement of the new design, as well as any potential color limitations based on the old tattoo.
Tattoo artist Kari Barba recommends doing your research and finding an artist who can work with you to create a design that both covers the old tattoo and fits your aesthetic. “Don’t be afraid to ask for references or to see examples of past cover ups,” Barba advises. “It’s important that you feel confident in your artist’s ability to create a design that you will love.”
Personal Experiences with Old School Tattoo Cover Ups
We reached out to individuals who have undergone the process of covering up an old school tattoo to get their insights and advice. Here’s what they had to say:
“I had an old school tattoo that I got when I was 18 and it just didn’t fit with my current style. I was nervous about getting a cover up, but I found an amazing artist who worked with me to create a design that incorporated elements of the old tattoo while still feeling fresh and new. I couldn’t be happier with the result!” – Sarah, 27
“I got a tattoo of a band logo when I was younger, but I ended up falling out of love with the band and the tattoo just didn’t feel relevant anymore. I knew I wanted to cover it up, but I was worried about finding an artist who could completely hide the old design. I found an artist who used a laser to fade the old tattoo before covering it up and the results were amazing.” – Mike, 35
Summary Table
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Why Cover Up an Old School Tattoo? | Personal taste, irrelevance, making room for new ink |
| The Cover Up Process | New ink used to conceal existing design, techniques include incorporating old design into new design, adding shading or color, or using laser to fade old tattoo before covering up |
| What to Consider Before Getting a Cover Up | New design should fully cover old design, be something you will be happy with long term, consider size and placement of new design, potential color limitations based on old tattoo |
| Personal Experiences with Old School Tattoo Cover Ups | Individuals share their experiences with cover ups and offer advice |
