Cover up
Are you unhappy with your tattoo?
Cover ups are technically demanding tattoos, and it can be hard for clients to understand why not everything is possible. We explain as best we can.
Motifs that work
The starting point will always determine what can be tattooed over. The principle is that the existing tattoo must be fully covered with either black or non-diluted colors. That means black and grey won't cover the old motif, since the ink is diluted and appears transparent. Dotwork, fine line, and other airy motifs won't provide coverage either.
That said, you don't have to go for a bright color tattoo. You can choose motifs with diffuse, more muted colors, or blackwork where the old motif is hidden under entirely black areas.
Many people think that the old tattoo should be the foundation of the new tattoo. They imagine building onto the existing tattoo and adding new elements to the old motif. Solving the task this way means the contour of the old tattoo often becomes part of the new design. If that's not a goal in itself, we recommend thinking completely differently.
Forget your old tattoo for a moment
Instead, think about what you actually want on your body, regardless of what you already have. Which motif do you want? With a simple, clear idea, the artist can use it as a starting point for a cover up.
Still, there are some things we recommend. The new tattoo should be a bit larger than the old one. By changing the shape and size of the motif, you won't associate the form with the old one.
Limitations you should know about
The tattoo being covered also has its limitations.
If you use white or other pastels, the color won't stay light if there's another color underneath. Using white over a black tattoo will make the color gray. You therefore need to choose dark colors or midtones, since these colors 'eat' black.
To prevent the tattoo from feeling too dark, it helps to use some lighter areas in between. That's why it's nice to have some untattooed skin to work with, where the light colors can sit. The new motif should therefore be slightly larger.
If this feels technical, fortunately it's the artist's job to take it into account. Precisely because it's technically demanding to achieve a successful cover up, it's always a good idea to keep an open mind when planning the design with the artist.
Start by sending us a request with a photo of the tattoo you want to cover, and we'll help you as best we can.