Cover-up tattoo ideas
A good cover-up doesn't hide the old tattoo, it uses it. Dark, textured designs absorb old lines, and the new piece is usually about two to three times the size of the original.
Peonies and roses
Layered petals and dark shading hide old script and small symbols well.
Animal portrait
A wolf, lion or tiger with dense fur texture covers tribal and faded black work.
Mandala
Symmetric and dense; great over round or centered old tattoos.
Dragon or koi
Japanese styles with waves and scales can cover a large area in one flowing design.
Blackwork band
For very dark old tattoos, a solid geometric band is often the cleanest answer.
Feathers and wings
Directional texture follows the old lines and breaks up their shape.
How it ages
Cover-ups often need two to four sessions, and very dark old ink may need a few laser sessions to lighten it first. TattooLab's Cover-Up Advisor analyses a photo of your old tattoo, suggests ideas with difficulty and sessions, and lets you compare before and after.