Your body is your personal canvas, which means you’re free to put as much art—like tattoos—on it as you please. It’s a great way to express yourself, honor your memories, and celebrate the people in your life. Every tattoo you get is a reflection of yourself, so you’ll want to choose your design wisely.

To help you find the perfect tattoo, we’ve prepared a guide on popular tattoo styles and a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a design to ink on your skin. Here’s what you need to know:

The Different Tattoo Styles

There are numerous tattoo styles out there, so we’ll dive into the most popular ones.

American Traditional

People usually think of this style when they picture tattoos, distinguished by their saturated colors, bold lines, and minimalist designs without intricate details. The most common tattoos done in this style are skulls, daggers, and roses. 

Lettering

As implied in the name, this style focuses on inscriptions using various fonts and techniques. Sometimes, they are free-handed inscriptions or ones based on existing fonts. Tattoos in this style usually consist of quotes that express the person’s views and values, names of a loved one, or Roman numerals to commemorate a special event.

Realism

The realism tattoo style depicts images as close to real life as possible through the expert use of contrast and shading. Portraits of people or animals are usually realistic and can be any size, like as large as a back tattoo or a tiny picture on the shoulder, which many women favor.

How to Choose the Perfect Tattoo

Now that you know some of the most famous tattoo styles, it’s time to pick a design you’ll treasure for the rest of your life. It is crucial not to be impulsive in choosing a tattoo design, as you’ll likely regret it at some point. Some people advise waiting a full year before finalizing your decision, but a few weeks to a month should be long enough for you to cement your choice of tattoo design.

Once you’ve settled on a design that speaks to you, look for the best tattoo artists in Denver that can make your idea come to life. The tattoo isn’t just a piece of art inked on your body but an expression of your thoughts, ideas, and values. Look for an artist specializing in the kind of technique or style you want, look through their feedback, and browse their portfolio.

You’ll also want to review your tattoo design one last time to ensure it’s exactly what you want. If you’ve chosen a tattoo in a foreign language, don’t use Google Translate to verify the meaning—instead, ask a native speaker to find out what it really means. It would help to get a second opinion so that the meaning of the tattoo you’ve chosen is undisputed. Be sure to select a design with colors that flatter your skin tone, as you may end up selecting hues and tones that make your skin look sickly or mottled.

The placement of your tattoo is also a factor to consider. Ask yourself if you want the tattoo to be highly visible, which means putting it on your arms, legs, neck, or shoulders. However, take note that it is especially painful to get a tattoo on your wrists, knees, spine, neck, head, and inner and outer thigh. If you have a low pain threshold, consider getting a tattoo on your shoulders, calves, forearms, or your lower back instead.

Lastly, consult with your tattoo artist and follow the pre-tattoo preparation guidelines to the letter. Eat before your appointment, don’t drink alcohol, and don’t take any painkillers. Consider bringing some snacks with you, as your tattoo may take a while. 

Once you’re finished, keep your tattoo wrapped for 24 hours to protect it from infection. Then, wash it twice a week to keep the bacteria away, but do not scrub it. You may also want to keep it covered from the sun while it heals.

Conclusion  

Getting a tattoo is an exciting way to express yourself with a design that truly speaks to you. However, finding a design you won’t regret can be difficult. By following our guide, you’ll narrow your selection to a design that expresses you best and find the best tattoo shop to make your vision come to life. 

Certified Tattoo Studios is a Denver tattoo shop specializing in various techniques, such as fine line, full color, portraits and realism, watercolor, and more. We also offer piercing and laser services. Contact us today to book your appointment!