Tattoos are a beautiful piece of art because it symbolizes many things, such as commitment and bravery. It also helps that the rest of society is slowly becoming more accepting of tattoos, which is why more and more people are getting one. Those who already have a tattoo often elevate it by getting a cover-up tattoo.

A cover-up tattoo is a tattoo that is placed over an old one. It can be placed anywhere on the body, even with an existing tattoo. It’s like placing an overlay on an old painting. It's also an excellent way of hiding a bad tattoo, which is why it's perfect for those who want to rectify mistakes. However, not many people know about cover-up tattoos, even tattoo communities. We'll discuss it all in this article, so read on below to get started.

How It Works

The general idea behind a cover-up tattoo is that new ink is placed over the old one. However, it's a little more complex than that.

For one, the artist should have a solid understanding of what the underneath tattoo looks like to correctly copy it and make it look like a cohesive work of art. The artist should also have the know-how in tattooing the specific body part, which means that the process should be less painful.

The process is long and tedious, and it can take several sessions to complete. This is why a cover-up tattoo is more expensive than a regular tattoo.

The Old Tattoo

The first step in getting a cover-up tattoo is to examine the old tattoo. It's essential to know how the old tattoo was done, such as the style and the coloring. The old tattoo should also be cleaned to remove any smudges.

This will help the artist to have a better idea of how the old tattoo should be outlined and colored. Of course, the old tattoo can be too faded to be repaired, making the choice of a cover-up tattoo more appealing.

The New Tattoo

The next step is to do a rough sketch, in which the artist will lay out the new tattoo. The new tattoo will be inked, just like a regular tattoo. However, the artist must take extra care to ensure that the new tattoo covers the old one. This means it can't be scattered and should be perfectly aligned with the background.

The final step will be to do the final touchups, which will make the new tattoo look like a single, cohesive work of art.

Factors that Affect a Cover-Up Tattoo

Different factors can affect the finished design of a cover-up tattoo. These include:

Color of the Original Tattoo

The color of the original tattoo can affect what the cover-up tattoo should look like. If the original tattoo has vibrant colored, then the cover-up tattoo should also be dynamic. However, if the original tattoo consists of only black and gray, the cover-up tattoo should be black and gray.

The Condition of the Old Tattoo

If the old tattoo has suffered from poor quality or bad ink, then the new tattoo should be placed over it with just black outlines. Thick lines and bold colors can also hide the old tattoo.

Design

The cover-up tattoo should be placed over the original design. This means that even if the original design was a bad tattoo, it should be reworked and redone in the same style as the cover-up tattoo.

Size

Cover-up tattoos can cover up any size, but they can't cover up a big tattoo with a small tattoo. It's best to choose a tattoo that's the same size as the original tattoo.

Maintenance

A cover-up tattoo needs to maintain the popularity of the original tattoo. This means that the new tattoo should be properly maintained. Should the original tattoo have suffered from fading, the cover-up tattoo should be appropriately maintained.

Conclusion

A cover-up tattoo is a good solution for those who want to hide a lousy tattoo but don't want to get rid of it. It's also an excellent way to elevate the art of tattooing by showing off a beautifully done tattoo. As long as you find the right design, you can get a tattoo that's better than the old one.

If you’re looking for the best tattoo parlor in Denver, Certified Tattoo is the place for you! Our team of professional tattoo artists can give you any type of tattoo across different styles, all for an affordable price. Contact us today to book an appointment!