Japanese / Irezumi This time-tested technique originated in the fifteenth century when ukiyo-e— Japanese woodblock prints— were becoming popular. As such, many of its defining markers include symbols and themes from Japanese folklore, as well as red highlights. THINK: Large-scale dragons, oni( ogre-like demons), phoenixes, warriors and ocean waves. |
American Traditional / Old School Often associated with sailors and soldiers, some of the first to brave the electric tattoo machine when it made its debut in the late 1800s. Uses thick lines and bold colors within a primary palette of yellow, red, green and black. THINK: Classic roses, anchors, ships, snakes, eagles and knives-inhearts. |
Neo Traditional This style pays homage to Old School art while incorporating illustrative art nouveau and art deco qualities. |
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Illustrative This style takes elements from fine art and illustration to recreate a stylized, hand-drawn effect on the skin. The subjects usually tell a story, much like illustrations in a book. THINK: A colorful fantastical creature or an abstract recreation of a favorite scene. |
Black and Gray A very broad technique that features— you guessed it— black and gray gradients. Uses a lot of contrast to convey depth. THINK: Botanicals and collages. |
Script / Lettering Clean,( typically) black text that can manifest in a variety of fonts and depict names, dates and quotes. Many use this style to memorialize loved ones’ handwriting. THINK: Names, dates and quotes. |
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Embroidery Also known as patch tattoos, these three-dimensional images use contrast and color to look like thread has been sewn into your skin. THINK: The recreation of a patch you earned in Girl Scouts or a friendship bracelet you created in summer camp. |
Dotwork Derived from the pointillism art movement, Dotwork is typically achieved with a single needle by hand— known as stippling— rather than a machine, using individual dots of varying sizes and densities to create an image. THINK: A detailed portrait or landscape. |
Otaku / Otattoo These fan-favorite tattoos are colorful and vibrant, often incorporating anime, manga or gaming themes. THINK: A favorite Avatar or Attack on Titan character. |
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