COVER-UP TATTOO

Like any other tattoo, the cost depends on size, designs, and artist experience. At Outliers Ink, tattoos start at £60. Consultations help determine exact pricing. Reach out to us.

Most tattoos can be covered, but very dark, large, or heavily saturated tattoos may require a couple of laser sessions first to lighten it. An experienced artist can assess feasibility and recommend the best approach during consultation.

Laser can give you more options for your cover up tattoo, if your old tattoo is very dark, large, or limits design options. It lightens the ink, giving your artist more flexibility. Consult with your artist to decide if it’s necessary.

Cover-ups are better when you want new art immediately, have budget constraints, or want to avoid multiple painful laser sessions. They’re ideal if your old tattoo is relatively small or not too bold.

Dark colours like black, deep blue, and purple hide old ink best. If you have a tattoo with heavy black linework, we won’t be able to cover those areas with a fine line pastel pink piece. The best thing to do is go to your chosen artist with a range of ideas or styles you would be happy with and they will let you know what works.

At Outliers Ink we have a wealth of experience in cover-ups and have built a solid reputation in giving clients tattoos they love (and want to keep!). We see cover-ups as a ritual, moving from the past towards something new, whether it’s covering old scars, a tattoo you no longer want to see or one you want refreshing or adding to. We work with you from the day you enter our shop for your first consultation, to the day you leave feeling brand new. Find out more about us here, check out our instagram to see our work and check our google reviews to understand why our clients keep coming back for more ink.

Artists assess the old tattoo’s size, shape, colour, and darkness, then design larger, darker pieces that strategically incorporate or conceal the original ink based on what you would like to have.

Not necessarily. If you go to the right artist, they will be able to let you know if you can keep it relatively small, taking into consideration the size, shape and colour of your current tattoo. This is why it is important to research artists for cover ups. There are lots of artists who will encourage you to get something larger than needed just so they can charge you more.

We have always had great results and happy clients because we take the time to work with your skin. Scar tissue holds ink differently, it may appear raised or textured, and can sometimes be a little more painful to tattoo. Experienced artists adjust techniques and manage expectations about texture and colour retention.

We will guide you throughout the process and will need you to bring some ideas of what you would like to have and styles you are open to, but typically, here are the questions you should ask: “Have you done similar cover-ups? Can I see examples? What design options work for my old tattoo? Will laser fading help? How many sessions are needed? What’s the total cost and timeline?”.

If you are looking beyond Outliers Ink. Absolutely check out before-and-after photos showing successful transformations. Check if old tattoos are completely hidden, if new designs look cohesive, and if the artist handles various ink colours well. But it’s not just about how the work looks. When you get a new tattoo you will always remember the experience of having it done. Think about if you feel comfortable and safe, the studio needs to be clean and the artists willing to answer questions. Beware of cheap prices, covering up a cover-up is expensive and sometimes can’t be done. We have done a full blog on how to choose your tattoo artist

A lot of styles can be used to cover up old tattoos, it’s probably easier to state those that won’t work so well, for example fineline, pastels and light colours won’t cover thick dark lines. Blackwork, illustrative, realism, geometric, Japanese, traditional, neo-traditional, and illustrative styles work well. These use bold lines, heavy saturation, and strategic dark areas to effectively mask old, dark, or colourful tattoos. But the best thing to do is bring a range of ideas to your tattoo artist so they can guide you to what will work best for your tattoo.

A well-executed cover-up should completely hide the old tattoo, if that is what you are going for. However, very close inspection might reveal subtle shadows or texture, especially if the original was very dark or raised. Or if you are not wanting something too heavy or bold your tattoo can be hidden or disguised rather than completely covered to get the style you want. This will always be discussed during your consultation, so you know what to expect.

Cover-ups can be slightly more painful due to working over previously tattooed skin and scar tissue. Sessions may be longer and require multiple passes. For larger pieces you can ask to do it over multiple sessions.

Choose an artist with proven cover-up experience. Ask to see their portfolio, discuss design options, enquire about their process, request realistic timelines, and ensure they communicate clearly about expectations.