There’s a lot that goes into choosing your next tattoo, but one of the most important is which style fits your vision. It can be overwhelming to see just how many options are out there. However, once you know which style you want, it will be easier for you to find a tattoo artist who specializes in that style and communicate to them what you’re looking for in your tattoo design.
In this guide, we’ll explore a brief overview of each of the most popular tattoo styles around the world and how to pick the right one for you.
Traditional Tattoos
Traditional tattoos originated from sailors in the early 1900s who wanted to mark their bodies with symbols of their voyages. These tattoos typically feature bold black outlines, a limited color palette (red, green, yellow, and black), and classic imagery such as anchors, roses, and eagles.
Samuele Briganti + Pablo De
Traditional Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Vintage styles
- Timeless designs
- Bold, easy-to-read tattoos
Traditional tattoos are known to stand the test of time. Ink spreads a bit under the skin over the years, but with strong line work and plenty of shading, Traditional tattoos are still easily recognizable decades after they’re done.
Neo-Traditional Tattoos
Neo-traditional tattoos are a modern take on the traditional style. They often feature the same bold black outlines and have a slightly expanded color palette, focusing on more muted hues. They also include additional elements like texture and intricate patterns.
Brandon Over + Maria Lavia
Neo-Traditional Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Traditional tattoos - but you want to add some complexity and depth
- Earthy, muted colors
- Long, dramatic line work
Neo-traditional tattoos are known for their ultra-smooth blends and transitions, and their line work is meant to accentuate the lines of the body.
Realism Tattoos
Realism tattoos are all about creating life-like representations - usually of people or animals. This style is known for its attention to detail, shading, and color accuracy.
If you're looking for a tattoo that looks like a photograph and want to showcase your love for nature, animals, or even portraits of loved ones, realism tattoos may be the right choice for you.
Patrick Dumond + Tobias Agustini
Realism Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Ultra-detailed designs
- Capturing a loved-one’s essence
- Photography
Realism is the #1 most popular tattoo style in the world. However, it’s hard to do with complete accuracy. It’s highly recommended that you research tattoo artists and find one that specializes in realism. (You can tell that someone specializes in realism when their entire Instagram feed showcases their realism tattoos.)
Watercolor Tattoos
Watercolor tattoos are a relatively new style of tattooing, and they are characterized by their vibrant colors and abstract shapes. These tattoos look like a watercolor painting on the skin, and they often feature floral, animal, or landscape motifs.
Bryan Sanchez + @fill_tat
Watercolor Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Art
- Colorful and abstract imagery
- One-of-a-kind designs
Watercolor designs usually have lots of lighter colors in them, which can make them harder to read over time as the ink fades. Consider talking to your artist about incorporating line work into your watercolor tattoo so you can enjoy it for decades to come.
Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattooing, also known as irezumi, is one of the oldest tattoo styles in the world.
These tattoos often feature intricate designs, vivid colors, and images from Japanese folklore such as dragons, koi fish, and geishas.
Ian Det + @makoto_horimatsu
Japanese Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Exploring different cultures
- History and mythology
- Elaborate and intricate designs
Japanese tattoos generally take up large areas of the body (full back, sleeve, or leg sleeve) because the designs are meant to tell a story. This is a great opportunity to work closely with an artist to develop a meaningful design.
However, because these tattoos are larger, they usually cost more and take more than one session.
New School Tattoos
New School tattoo designs are influenced heavily by pop culture and feature bright - almost neon - colors, as well as disproportionate features.
Mark Stewart + Steven Compton
New School Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Cartoons
- Pop culture
- Bright colors
- Humorous imagery
New School designs are usually of cartoon characters, everyday objects, and animals. You can expect to see oversized ears and noses, and a generally playful style of art.
Script Tattoos
If you want to have words inked onto your body, then script is the right choice for you. This style ranges wildly from large, bold lettering to delicate cursive pieces.
@tattoo_rex + Pierr Oked
Script Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Quotes
- Reading
- Representing your family, sports team, or community
It can be hard to explain to a tattoo artist what type of “font” you’re looking for. It’s highly recommended that you bring a few examples of script tattoos you already like for them to pull from.
Micro Tattoos
Micro tattoos are a newer subset of tattooing that involves creating designs the size of a quarter or smaller. Oftentimes, these are very detailed pieces and can be thought of as realism on a tiny scale.
Edit Paints + @e.nal.tattoo
Micro Tattoos are for You if You’re Into…
- Tiny, delicate pieces
- Tattoos you can easily cover up
- Subtle jewelry (micro tattoos tend to look best in areas where you’d wear jewelry)
Micro Tattoos pack in a lot of detail into a tiny place. Because ink spreads under the skin over time, micro tattoos are often criticized for not working out in the long run. While you will most likely see a micro tattoo “blur” overtime, many designs can be helped with touch-ups to freshen them up.
Picking Your Perfect Style
Now that you know about the different tattoo styles, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one for you:
- Consider your personal style and preferences. Think about what kind of art you like and what colors and designs appeal to you. If a personal aesthetic is important to you, mentally go through your closet and see which colors you wear the most.
- Look at the tattoo artist's portfolio. Make sure you choose a tattoo artist who has experience with the style you want and has a portfolio of similar designs. Most artists have their recent work up on Instagram.
- Think about the placement of the tattoo. Different styles may work better on different body parts, so consider the placement of your tattoo before you decide on a style. (For example, Japanese designs look great across the back, while micro tattoos accent the wrist or sternum well.)
- Take your time. Getting a tattoo is a big decision, so don't rush it. Do some research and find the right style and artist for you.
Choosing the right tattoo style can be a daunting task, but with a little research and self-reflection, you can find a style that fits your personality, preferences, and lifestyle. Just remember to take your time, do your research, and find a reputable tattoo artist to bring your vision to life.
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