Tattoo styles - 100% Best list
3D Tattoo Styles
Ordinary tattoo is 2D, but with this type of tattoo gives the illusion of depth in the skin. May be biomechanical, or something floating over the skin. Maybe some perspective illusion. Can be black or in color. But usually shadows or white ink are needed to create the effect.
Abstract Tattoo Style
If you think of abstract art, maybe there are names like Picasso, van Gogh and Jackson Pollock in your head? Well, of course, this type of art also exists in the tattoo world. And just like in painting or sculpture, the point is the same: to distort shapes and forms to create an idea or feeling about something, but not to have the real representation.
Aesthetic Tattoo Style
How about aesthetic tattoo? Really not all tattoos try to be aesthetic? Yes, yes and no. When we talk about aesthetic tattooing, we are talking about tattoos that only go for aesthetic purposes. Sometimes they are just beautiful, sometimes they are to cover up another tattoo, or even to cover up some physical problem or complex.
Ambigram Tattoo Style
An ambigram is when you can read a word, at least in two different ways. There are many ambigrams there, sometimes it happens when it rotates, sometimes when you look at the word in the mirror, other times it is a circle, and so on. The ambigram looks really good and it's one thing to do it the right way.
American Traditional Style
Think of the old movies you've seen and the tattoos the bad people have there. Ok, this may be the first image of American traditional tattoo styles we all have in mind. The art of tattooing has evolved a lot, but the essence is the same. And we love it because it's one of the legacies of the tattoo world.
Anatomical Tattoo Style
Anatomical style is not so common, but for us it is worth a lot. Theoretically, this style is for tattoos that represent parts of the body in a realistic way, but there is much more. This type of tattoo usually means some accident, illness or injury that marked a life. And this is one thing.
Bands Tattoo Style
This is not about groups, you do not have to worry. When we talk about Bands Tattoo Style, it's about having bands (black or colored) in the skin, that's all. Yes, in theory it's a blackwork sub-style, but I think it's something else. Sometimes the bands are just bands, but other times they can have something more in the design.
Biomechanical Tattoo Style
If you like bold tattoos, this is your style. If you like pretending to be Terminator, this is your style too. Yes, Biomechanical tattoo style combines the machine drawings with realistic 3D tattooing with only one purpose: Pretend you have mechanical pieces inside you.
Black and Grey Tattoo Style
Each and every gray tattoo is one of the most popular ever, and I think it will always be this way. This style is one of the biggest on this list, because when the tattoo artist only uses black or gray ink, the tattoo is here.
Blackwork Tattoo Style
Just after black and gray tattoo style, just an introduction about blackwork tattoo style. Is another of the big ones and, like black and gray, has only one condition: Black ink only.
Blast Over Tattoo Style
Blast Over is a tattoo style that is a bit weird and psychedelic, and definitely not for everyone. But it is also fantastic. Blast over is used to cover old tattoos - not as a coverup - but more as a compliment to the old one.
Broken Glass Tattoo Style
Broken Glass tattoo style is inside all 3D tattoos. It is true that it is not the trendiest, but we like it. Is a 3D tattoo style. Usually made with black and gray ink. You can use it in almost any tattoo. But in the real world, it's only used on gangster tattoos ...
Brush Stoke Tattoo Style
Brush pull tattoo is not one of the most common on earth, but we love it, because it is delicate, balanced and beautiful. The point here is to make patterns with ink (black or colored) unique, because you can not copy a brushstroke! This technique is widely used for abstract patterns, but you can do many different things.
Cartoon Tattoo Style
I think you can realize what is cartoon tattoo style just by name, right? Spoiler alert! Cartoon tattoo style is only for comics (you know, American and European cartoon), manga and anime are in another category ..
Celtic Tattoo Style
Celtic symbology is really one thing, and you have many patterns over there. They used to work well in the shoulders or chest, but you can get tattooed with this style in almost any place
Chicano Tattoo Style
Chicano Tattoo style is really one thing, especially in countries like Mexico or the United States. Chicano Style comes from the gangs of the Mexican people who live in the southern American neighborhoods and they have their special cultures and iconography. And we all love cultural expressions.
Dotwork Tattoo Style
Dotwork has appeared a few years ago and it really is a trend. Of course, it's really beautiful, if the tattoo artist can do it well. The point is to do something that the pointillist does in painting, but tattoo.
Geometric Tattoo Style
Geometric tattoos are all tattoos with geometry inside. Can be patterns in different shapes, or just a design made with geometry. They work really well with dots, ornaments and many other styles, and we love it.
Glitch Tattoo Style
Yes, you know exactly what the glitch effect is (at least if you are over 30 years old). This effect happened earlier on VHS tapes and on TV in the 90's, and then you can watch it many times in movies (maybe in The Matrix?). Well, Glitch Tattoo Style is the same, but ink.
Glow in the Dark Tattoo Style
Yes. It's amazing and weird, but you can have a tattoo that glows in the dark with UV ink. I think I can say nothing more about this tattoo style, and maybe it's better if you can see it, right?
Gradient Tattoo Style
Gradient Tattoo is another special sub-shape that works especially well with colored, but also with black and gray. Is not super trendy, but is cool.
Graffiti Tattoo Style
This style is easy to understand because it only makes a tattoo with graffiti aesthetics. You know, can be letters (or letters) or a drawing / design. The point is to follow the graffiti style. And why not, come back to the 90s.
Grey Wash Tattoo Style
This style is easy to understand because it only makes a tattoo with graffiti aesthetics. You know, can be letters (or letters) or a drawing / design. The point is to follow the graffiti style. And why not, come back to the 90s.
Haida Tattoo Style
Haida tattoo style is one of our favorites, as it has everything we love in one style: Some tribe, for the Haida culture is from natives of British Columbia and Alaska. Something natural because the traditional patterns are focused on animals and plants. You recognize the style miles away.
Hyper Realism Tattoo Style
Hyperrealism appeared in the 60's in painting and sculpture, and you can define it as: Is this a photo or a painting? Well, the same thing with tattoos!
Illustrative Tattoo Style
Illustrative tattoo style is more of a concept, as it has a lot of influence from undeclared work, dotwork, even realism. Like other tattoo styles, it has a lot of painting world and a lot of sub-styles inside.
Inverted Tattoo Style
Inverted tattoo style is a strange and beautiful thing. The core is to do something like the negative in photography, but with ink. So you "just" have to make the white to black and the other colors with their complementary, then you have it.
Japanese / Irezumi Tattoo Style
Japan has a lot of tradition with tattoos, and Irezumi tattoos are just an art inside tattoo. If you want to stay in the tradition, Japanese tattoo style makes the whole body like a cloth. Traditional Irezumi is a tattoo for the whole body. Black and red are the main colors. Patterns, human figures, animals and Japanese culture can usually be seen in the style.
Kawaii Tattoo Style
Kawaii is a manga style based on drawing very cute things (animals, plants, whatever). When it comes to art, kawaii drawing is simple, with many colors and looks great on the skin. Kawaii draw style can be in the tattoo, of course. These tattoos are usually colorful with solid colors. These types of tattoos are usually small or medium sized.
Line Tattoo Style
We have seen many different intricate tattoo styles, but line tattoos are just one back to basics. And we love it. If we are talking about line tattooing, the point is that the tattoo only needs to be done with lines. The results can be very balanced, harmonious and beautiful.
Mambo / Destrutturato Tattoo Style
Yes, this is a brand new style invented by Mattia Calvi, in Milan, Italy. Why call this style Mambo? Because the tattoo shop is called Mambo Tattoos. The point is to break the natural structure of something and shape it into simpler pieces. And we think it works perfectly.
Mandala Tattoo Style
You know what a mandala is, right? Well, this tattoo just puts a mandala in the skin. Of course, it can be a mandala or just integrate it into a design. And we think it works perfectly.
Mayan Tattoo Style
Of course, the Mayan Tattoo style is within all ethnic / tribal tattoo styles. As you may know, the Mayan culture has many symbols and special patterns and designs, usually intricate, and the patterns are amazing.
Minimalist Tattoo Style
Minimalism Tattoo style is one of the most colored worldwide. The design is simple and usually small, so you can get something special without getting much attention. The design should be simple. Usually, these types of tattoos are small or medium sized. For many people, their first tattoo is one of these
Native American Tattoo Style
Yes, Native American tattoo style is inside all the ethnic tattoos, and that is one thing in itself. As you know, the Native American people have their own symbology, deities and culture. Black and gray are ok, but color too. You can tattoo symbols, animals or anything about Native American culture. Tattooing Indians is also a trend, and the patterns are absolutely stunning. You can do it in a hyper-realistic way, newschool or whatever you want.
Negative Space / Blackout Tattoo Style
When you think of a regular tattoo, you think of ink any design in the skin in black or in color, right? If you instead tattoo in black and the design is in skin color? The tattoo is a negative surface and will be amazing! You will need a lot of black ink! The design itself can be whatever you want. Sometimes you need some white or colored ink to make it happen.
Neotraditional Tattoo Style
If you remember, we talked at the beginning of this article about Classic American tattoos. Well, this neo-traditional tattoo style is the evolution of this Classic American, with thick lines, colors and many different patterns. You can read it as Neotraditional or just "Neotrad".
New School Tattoo Style
New School tattoo style is really like Neo-traditional. Thick lines, even brighter colors and bold patterns. The point here is perhaps a little more of graffiti technique in the drawings and colors. That's all.
Norse / Viking Tattoo Style
I think that the culture of the Norwegians and the Nordic symbology is well known all over the world, it does not matter if we are talking about Vikings or Sami people, right? This tattoo style is within ethnicity (of course!) And the only requirement is to have elements from these cultures.
Optical Illusion Tattoo Style
Optical illusion is of our beloved tattoo style. (Usually) thick lines, big enough and this "wow effect" so everyone has to take a look at your tattoo. Of course, there may be an optical illusion in your tattoo. Usually in black and gray, but it is not necessary. Usually bold lines, but not necessary.
Ornamental Tattoo Style
Ornaments and decorated style are a must in the tattoo world and serve as a large box where other sub-styles are found. Speaking of technology, decorative tattoos have many details, can be more organic or more like traditional geometry.
Outline Tattoo Style
Outline Tattoo Style is simple in itself and it is easy to understand. The tattoo is precisely outlined, without colors or specific details. Yes, you may think it's simple, but with the right design, it's great.
Pinstripe Tattoo Style
Complicated patterns. Clear lines. May have some colors. Can be with all types of lines and combinations of it.
Pixel Tattoo Style
We who were born in the 70s and 80s, for us, pixels are an art in themselves, to live with them back in the 90s and play video games. Well, what if I told you that there is a tattoo style that simulates 8-bit design? Pixels can be found on the tattoo. Can be black or colored. Can be of almost any size.
Pointillism Tattoo Style
At the beginning of this page, we talked about Dotwork as a tattoo style about making patterns with dots. Ok, Pointillism tattoo style go further and try to mimic pointillism in painting but on the skin. Yes, you need a lot more detail, work, pain and technology!
Polygon Tattoo Style
Polygon Tattoo Style was a trend a few years earlier, especially with animal drawings. The point of this tattoo style is to take whatever design you form and make it into polygons. Can be black or colored ink, does not matter.
Pop Art Tattoo Style
I think everyone can easily depict this tattoo style. If pointillism tries to emulate this trend in painting, the Pop Art Tattoo style does the same, but with a different style. Pop art designers must, of course, be colored. This type of tattoo usually has black and colors. The colors can be strong and preferably well packed.
Portrait Tattoo Style
Portrait tattoo is very popular in almost all countries. The basis is simple: to have a portrait on the skin. It does not matter if the portrait is a celebrity, someone in your family or your cat. It just has to be a portrait (at least) on your skin. Can be black or colored, does not matter. These tattoos work best in medium size.
Psychedelic Tattoo Style
We can say Psychedelic Tattoo style is the main style for many others like Blast Over or even New School, with many bright colors. You know what psychedelia is in music or in almost every art. Colors are a must, and better if they are bright and with strong colors. Color gradient is also ok. Of course, you need a psychedelic design, you know, odd and weird things.
Quote/Words Tattoo Style
Being candid, quote or word tattoo style is much like letters and script one. Just one thing, the point here is to write some quotes or words, not names. The tattoo must be based on quotes, texts, words, etc. Can be black ink or color. Can be in any size you can think of.
Sak Yant Tattoo / Sak Yant Tatuering
The meaning of Thai Tattoo, a world of magical art called Sak Yant. Sak Yants are hand tapped tattoos, also known as bamboo tattoo or thai tattoo, each with special meaning and purpose. When activated by blessing, it develops power, magic and protection for the wearer.
Silhouette Tattoo Style
Silhouette Tattoos are like portraits, but usually made in black ink, do as the shadow of the design. They perform really well and they are more unnoticed than others, so they are a good starting point. Usually black, but not necessary. They are just the silhouette of a design, nothing less, nothing more. Can be of almost any size
Sketch Tattoo Style
We love Sketch Tattoos because, if the tattoo artist really is and is an expert in this technique, you will get a spectacular job. Speaking of the ink itself, it is easy to explain: The point is to transfer a sketch from a piece of paper to the skin.
Small/Micro Tattoo Style
Not everyone likes big tattoos, and this is a reality. For this you can have a small or micro tattoo on whatever style you want. The only main requirement: It must be small. The only real requirement to be a small or microtattoo if: The tattoo must be small. Usually black, but not necessary. The style can be any.
Stained-Glass Tattoo Style
I'm sure that when you think of leaded glass, your mind goes to a medieval church, or how Tattooed Style in Stained Glass is the same. You have to transfer this style to the skin, and you got it. Large strong black lines that pretend to be lead. Bright colors that pretend to be glass. The design can be like stained glass, of course, but can be whatever you want.
Stick and Poke Tattoo Style
We've been thinking a lot about adding Stick and Poke Tattoo style to this list or not, and here we go. There are people who like to ink just with a needle and ink, and nothing more. We usually do not recommend this style because safety is the first thing when you get a tattoo, if you do not find the right tattoo artist!
Sticker Tattoo Style
Sticker Tattoo Style is something remarkable because it combines some styles we love like 3D, bright colors and amazing patterns. The point is simple: the end result is to pretend you have a sticker on your skin, not a tattoo.
Stonework Tattoo Style
Stonework is another amazing style but not as popular as you might think. The point here is to pretend you have a sculpture in your skin and when this tattoo is done by a professional of this style, the results are just fascinating.
Surrealism Tattoo Style
You may know back in 1920 surrealism born as a style for painting, drawing, writing and whatever art you have. Well, tattoo is not going to be less, and you can do a surrealistic tattoo, of course!
Torn / Ripped Skin Tattoo Style
Torn and cracked skin Tattoo style is a special optical illusion tattoo that can pretend that only the skin is broken. This technique is difficult, and you need a good tattoo artist. 3D is a must for the optical illusion of torn skin. When it comes to colors, black and red are a must, but can also be colored. It does not matter the size, but it works perfectly with large tattoos.
Trash Polka Tattoo Style
Trash Polka is an odd an amazing tattoo style. It comes from Germany and it mixes the collage essence with, how can we say it, "war and rubbish", you know, swords, bombs, smog and whatever. When it comes to colors, black and red are the most important, even the unique ones.
Tribal Tattoo Style
You can see tribal and tribal tattoos all over the world. Tribal tattoo has an important cultural heritage and the patterns are amazing, in large or small tattoos. Of course, if the tattoo artist is focused on tribal tattoo styles, the result will be spectacular
Watercolor Tattoo Style
Watercolor tattoo is a great style, as a standard feature of many other styles on this list. The point is that watercolor tattoos have a special color and a special attractiveness, and that is because they are used in many compositions.
White ink Tattoo Style
If we're talking about the white ink for tattoos, you might think we went crazy at some point, but it's used. Yes, it is not the main color ink and it usually goes unnoticed, but combining it with other colors can make a difference.
Wood Carving Tattoo Style
As a Stonework Tattoo style, pretend you are and stone sculpture, this wood carving tattoo style pretends that your body is made of wood, and the tattoo is just a carving there. The results can be very realistic, if the tattoo artist masters the technique.
Links to Everyday Tattoo and Associates in Business
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Thai Tattoos Sacred Sak Yant Tattoo Studio
Thai Tattoo Sak Yant UK Tours
Bangkok Ink Studio, Machine, Hand Poke Tattoos. VIP Service to Ajarn Ohr
Tattoo School Thailand Bangkok
Asian Artifacts oneshopasia.com
Revolttattoos.com USA, Las Vegas, Tattoo Masters Joey and Walter
Happysailortattoo.com Old School Tattooing
Sacred Art Tattoo Studio Manchester UK
Skin Graffiti Tattoo Studio UK
Dark Mofo Tasmania
