Cover-up
A cover-up tattoo hides an old tattoo under a new, darker and larger design. Tattoonic's Cover-up shows one on your own photo: add a photo of the old tattoo, describe what you would like instead or leave it open, pick one of 16 styles, and take the result to your tattoo artist as a reference.
Free · 3 designs a day · Every tool and style
How it works
- Add a photo of the old tattoo
- What would you like instead?
- Pick a style
- See the result, then save it or keep going
Every choice, before you start
Pick here and Tattoonic opens with your choices made.
Pick a style
Examples
What it is good for
People use it when an old tattoo no longer fits them: a name from a past relationship, a small tribal band, a star or a flower that has blurred over the years. Before a consultation, see on your own skin how a new design could sit over it, try the same idea in Japanese or Blackwork, and bring your tattoo artist a picture of it.
Tips for your photo
Photograph the old tattoo straight on, at arm's length, in daylight or good indoor light, without flash. Keep the whole tattoo and some skin around it in the frame: a cover-up is larger than what it hides. In the description, say what you would like instead, such as a peony or a lion, rather than how to hide the old one. Tattoo artists usually cover old ink with bold, dark styles such as Blackwork or Black & grey; Fine line or Watercolor may look good in the picture but not hide it on real skin.
What it does not do
It shows a cover-up as a picture, a reference for a tattoo artist: it does not tattoo, and it cannot tell whether a design will hide your old tattoo on real skin. Only an artist can judge that, and some tattoos need laser fading first. It does not predict how your skin heals and gives no medical advice. On your photo it changes only the tattoo, keeping your body, the light and the framing.
Questions and answers
More answers in HelpCan any tattoo be covered up?
Not always. A cover-up works best over faded ink, with a bigger and darker design, and a very dark tattoo may need laser fading first. Your tattoo artist decides what is possible on your skin.
Do I have to describe the new tattoo?
No, the description is optional. Leave it empty and Tattoonic picks a design that suits the spot and hides the old one, in the style you choose; describe it when you already have an idea, such as a peony or a lion.
Which style is best for a cover-up?
Bold, dark styles hide old ink best: Blackwork, Black & grey, Traditional, Neo-traditional and Japanese are common choices. You can try the same photo in several of the 16 styles and compare them.
Is the cover-up tool free?
Yes. The free plan makes 3 designs a day, each with a watermark, and Pro makes up to 50 a day without it. Each cover-up you make counts as one design.
Cover-up: try it on your photo
Take the photo of the spot where you stand. Your designs follow you between phone and computer.
