Decorative graphic bars

Cover-up cover it, and start again

Start again from what's there

A tattoo that no longer feels like you, a memory you want to turn the page on, a piece you never liked: every reason for a cover-up is legitimate, and I welcome them without judgement. Covering means starting again: the goal isn't just to hide the old tattoo, it's to replace it with a piece you'll want to wear.

Possibilities

When you want to cover an existing tattoo, a few extra parameters come into the design. A good cover-up comes from the attention given to the original piece. Several factors shape how many options there are: the size, the density and the subject of the existing tattoo, and of the new one. And how open you are to suggestions naturally affects the range of choices too.

One important point to keep in mind: the larger the new tattoo, the lighter and more open the piece can be (since the share of it that has to cover the old one is smaller). The smaller you want the new tattoo, the denser and blacker it will need to be to cover the previous piece.

Kaiiza seated and leaning forward, elbows on her knees, listening during a studio appointment.

Abstract work a strong option

Abstract style is a great strength for cover-ups. We can keep the shape over the area to cover as compact as possible, then embellish it and build around it harmoniously. Since there are no figurative shapes, proportions or orientation to respect in the design, we're freer to create.

Blast-over or transformation

Sometimes you don't want to cover the whole existing piece, and in that case it's more of a transformation. There's also the blast-over concept, where a new piece goes over the previous one without trying to hide it to the point of making it completely invisible. Layered pieces can create some remarkable visual play, from a symbolic nod to abstract patterns built on something figurative.

Abstract style is a great strength for cover-ups.

The studio first we look at it together

We start by meeting at the studio to talk about what you'd like and the options open to us. During this appointment, I'll take photos of the existing tattoo and a tracing of it too, so I have the most accurate reference points possible for the area to cover. You'll also get a price range, and we can plan the next steps together.

Examples completed at the studio

Each project was created with the chosen subject, size and desired level of coverage in mind. Every project is unique and offers a different range of possibilities, based on the person's wishes and the tattoo to be covered.

  • Tattoo of two small wings on the shoulder blades before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of large wings surrounding a diamond and crown after an upper-back cover-up.
  • Tattoo of an eye in a yellow triangle surrounded by black rays on the forearm before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of an eye in an ornate crystal ball beneath a moth after a forearm cover-up.
  • Tattoo of three parallel bands on the outer wrist before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of an abstract black wristband and flowing lines with Roman numerals on the outer wrist after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo of a banded wristband with a small central motif and Roman numerals on the inner wrist before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of an abstract wristband with solid black shapes and flowing lines on the inner wrist after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo of a small coloured character with faded outlines on the shoulder blade before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of a black flower with detailed petals and calligraphic lettering on the shoulder blade after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo of an old vertical black motif with faded outlines on the shoulder blade before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of a flower with free-flowing lines and black brush strokes on the shoulder after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo on the shoulder blade with a purple floral stencil applied before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of flowers and foliage surrounding a black background on the shoulder blade after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo of a small black flower with thick outlines on the wrist before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of a pink and black butterfly with a central flower on the wrist after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo on the ribs with a purple abstract butterfly stencil applied before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of an abstract butterfly with black brush strokes and fine wings on the ribs after a cover-up.
  • Tattoo of a phoenix with faded fine lines on the chest before a cover-up.
    Tattoo of a large black phoenix with spread wings against a red disc on the chest after a cover-up.

Before covering

can every tattoo be covered?

Every cover-up is unique, with its own details to take into account. That's why it will all start with a studio appointment: we'll look at the existing tattoo together and I'll share the possibilities open to us.

will the new tattoo be bigger than the old one?

The new project will need more presence than the old one, and that will play out through size, density and placement. The exact proportion will depend on your current piece: we'll define it together, at the studio.

does a cover-up have to be very dark?

A cover-up calls for a piece with more presence than the old one, and my style naturally works with bold lines and confident blacks. The exact composition will depend on your current tattoo and on what you want: we'll talk it through at the appointment.

cover-up or rework: how do i choose?

If you want the old tattoo to disappear behind a new piece, that's a cover-up. If you want it finished, corrected or evolved, that's a rework.

how much does a cover-up cost?

As with any project, the starting price is CHF 150 (Swiss francs), design included. Beyond that, it depends first on the size, placement and style of your piece. At our discussion appointment, once the existing tattoo and the new project are defined, I'll give you a price range. The full workings are on the prices page.

rework or finish a tattoo
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