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.

Parameters & 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 widens the range of choices too.

Graphic work holds bold, readable lines

My graphic and abstract style works with bold lines and clean structures: a bold black line stays a bold black line as the skin ages. For a cover-up, that's a real strength: the new piece has to stand in front of the old one and stay readable over time, where very fine pieces tend to blur.

The studio first we look at it together

Every cover-up is its own case: the ink in place, its age, its density, the area. It all starts with a studio appointment: we look at your current tattoo together, you tell me what you want, and we define the project and its price range. In your project request, simply mention that it's a cover-up. And if the old tattoo deserves to be finished or improved rather than hidden, the right page is the rework one.

Before covering

can every tattoo be covered?

Every case is different: the size, density and age of the ink in place change what's possible. That's why it all starts with a studio visit: we look at the existing piece together, and I tell you honestly what works, and what doesn't.

will the new tattoo be bigger than the old one?

Often, yes: the new project has to stand in front of the old one, and that plays out through size, density and placement. The exact proportion depends on your current piece: we 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 depends on your current tattoo and on what you want: it's an appointment conversation, not a ready-made rule.

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. And if you're not sure, bring your piece to the appointment: we'll pick the best path together.

how much does a cover-up cost?

Like any project: the starting price is CHF 150, design included, and I give you a range at the appointment, once the existing tattoo and the new project are defined. The full workings are on the prices page.

rework or finish a tattoo
send me your project request