creativity and techniques turn old faded ink into new art. These clever and amazing cover-up tattoos take oldies to the next level.
In the perfect world, tattoos are meant to last forever. you choose a design that represents your personality and wear it on your sleeve happily ever after.
But in real life, some tattoos don’t hold up over time. It is common for small tattoos to fade within a decade or even a few years. and the colors fade, especially in the area most exposed to the sun, such as the hand.
and for some, their tattoos no longer represent them. For example, you can have a tattoo with the name of a relationship that ends. or your aesthetic changes, and it no longer makes sense to use the ink you don’t like.
So what do you do when you don’t like your old tattoo anymore? or you remove it, touch it up or cover it up.
Should I remove or cover up my old tattoo?
so on this list are some of the best cover up tattoos from talented artists. scroll on for cover up tattoo ideas and things to know before doing a cover up.
things you should know about cover up tattoos
- Do cover tattoos have to be big?
the size depends on what you want as a new tattoo. but a cover-up tattoo will always be bigger than the previous one. if it’s smaller, it won’t completely cover the lines and color underneath.
- Are tattoos more painful to cover up?
Depending on the condition of your old tattoo, a cover-up tattoo may be more painful than the first if there is scarring on the skin.
And also, because cover-up tattoos are larger, they may take longer to complete. therefore, for some people, the experience is more painful.
- Do I need a tattoo or removal?
If there’s nothing you like about your tattoo and you haven’t figured out what you want for a new one, you can remove it with a laser.
It’s also worth noting that bright colors are more difficult to remove completely. and several treatments may be needed to remove a tattoo.
but if you’re not happy with the colors or shading, you can do a touch up. or you can go further by replacing it with a new design. and that’s when you need a cover-up.
When choosing cover ideas, always ask yourself what you want. then look at it as a new tattoo and make a list of the designs you love. don’t choose something you don’t like because it covers the old tattoo perfectly. or you may regret it in a few years and need a cover-up again.
And always talk to experienced tattoo artists. Qualified tattoo artists will help you figure out how to create something you like and hide the old tattoo.
Disclaimer: This tattoo collection is for inspiration only. please do not copy the artwork. If you love these tattoos, follow the artists and show them some support.
shiny cover up tattoos with before and after
cartoon butterfly tattoo to cover up
@azustatattoo
wings and heart tattoo cover-up
@danidemori.tattoo
The vintage tattoo is made up of two wings and a heart shape in the middle. it may have once been a popular design, but the faded colors make it almost unrecognizable.
The tattoo artist used the original blue color of the wings as a background and created a stunning hummingbird on top.
vivid colors and details really make the design stand out. It’s proof that cover-up tattoos can be beautiful and completely different from the original.
beautiful landscape tattoo to cover up
@tattoist_zela
tattoo to cover the dreamy moon
@o.ri_tattoo
impressive night view tattoo
@tatuador_sigak
beautiful cover up tattoo on the waist with flowers
@yerae_tt
butterfly tattoo cover-up
@duchess.tattoo
butterflies and flowers often appear together in tattoos for women. this shoulder tattoo is a bit different. initially, it was a single butterfly tattoo. then, as the patterns fade, it reshapes itself into a flower and butterfly.
vibrant colors cover most of the old tattoo. but if you take a closer look, you can find the old butterfly in the center of the new one, which looks like a rebirth. And that’s what makes this cover-up tattoo significant.
leaf tattoo on the shoulder
@thiagomuller.tattoo
cover up universe and butterfly tattoo on leg
@dan_tattooer
ouroboros to crown
@inkstress
Ouroboros is a snake that bites its own tail. It originated in ancient Egypt and was introduced to the West. Symbolizing infinity and unity, the ouroboros has been a popular tattoo pattern.
but because of the details that go into the snake’s scalp, it’s not the best tattoo to stand the test of time. This cover up tattoo takes the original shape of the uroboros and turns it into a crown.
As we grow older, symbols that used to be meaningful may no longer represent us. If that’s the case, it’s okay to have a completely different tattoo than before.
art quote
@gemma_tattooer
Many quote tattoos are done with fine lines, which means they may fade over the next few years. This tattoo artist recreates a paint stroke over the old tattoo. the dark and dense color gives good coverage. and if you look closer, you will find the tree line under a starry night, which makes for a creative and artistic tattoo.
purple rose cover tattoo
@tattooist_zela
Many cover-up tattoos use black or other dark colors to hide the old lines. And that makes the universe the perfect setting for cover-ups.
clever number tattoo coverup
@lottie_tattoo
cover cross tattoo
@newtattoo_franky
tiger tattoo on the ankle
@mimique_tattoo
Most cover-up tattoos take up more space than the originals. and they do it for a reason. Like this clever design, the artist creates a much larger portrait of a tiger. the extra space makes the design more cohesive and natural.
behind the ear snake tattoo cover-up
@eduardo_fiasko
symbol tattoo cover-up
@fredygalindotattoo
If there isn’t a before and after comparison, you may not be able to tell it’s a cover-up. the artist manages to hide the lines of the symbol with the black area. With the color blocks and clean lines, this is not only a successful cover-up tattoo, but also artistic and modern.
fingerprints on the glassware
@tattooist_moony
stunning cross and crown coverlet
@tattooist_zela
star tattoo touch up
@tattoo_kollektiv
This small wrist tattoo is the perfect example of how minor changes make a difference. the red color and curved line bring the star tattoo to life and take it to the next level.
feather cover tattoo behind the ear
@1blacktattoos
small tattoo on the wrist to cover up
@sinbar_tattoo
Instead of completely covering the original tattoo, the artist uses it as part of the new design. the fading colors of the moon make it perfect as a background. the colors of the flower and the moon create a beautiful contrast.
female wrist snowflake tattoo cover-up
@eunyutattoo
birds are one of eunyu tattoo artist’s favorite objects. he has also created a number of beautiful and sophisticated tattoos. Check out our interview with her and learn more about her work.
poetic tattoo on the shoulder
@09xx_
Another brilliant example of creating a new tattoo based on the old one. the color of the original tattoo is still vivid, with lines a bit blurry.
So instead of changing the tattoo entirely, the artist used it as a background and kept the theme of flight. As it turns out, the new tattoo isn’t just a clever cover-up. it is also a work of art that tells a story.
tattoo to cover the nape of a black cat
@carlagalvaotattoo
plant tattoo covering a quote
@dubielfrantattoo
Quote tattoos are not difficult to hide. most of them are black and gray and don’t take up much space. that is why they can be covered with designs with many lines and details like this one.
The leaves extend over the shoulder and clavicle. the result is impressive, and nobody could say that it is a cover-up.
butterfly in feather sleeve to cover tattoo
@studiobysol
tattoo to cover the arm of pear in grape
@fluffy_tattoo
Cover-up tattoos may be similar to the old ones but not exactly the same. chances are you still love part of the old tattoo, be it the style, the color or the design. this grape tattoo creates a different piece on top of the previous one.
By adding shadows and details, the original stamp frame becomes a floral window. the artist also used darker colors for best results. thus the pear turns impeccably into a grape.
intricate floral butterfly tattoo
@carlagalvaotattoo
meaningful tiger tattoo concealment
@dan_tattooer
When you have a tattoo you want to cover up, it’s common to choose coverage over meaning. This simple tiger tattoo takes both aspects into account. the transformation from a baby tiger to a tiger also reflects the growth of the tattoo owner.
beautiful swirl tattoo touch up
@_nono_tattoo
letter tattoo to cover with rose
@tatuador__ria
Rose tattoos are popular for a reason. First, you can tattoo it in black and gray or fill it with colors. and you can easily scale it by adding details and shading.
This stunning blue rose perfectly covers the original lettering tattoo. and shines on her skin, making her as beautiful as a new one.
grape cap tattoo on shoulder
@sinewpark_tt
letter tattoos in landscapes
@studiobysol
If you haven’t found the perfect cover-up tattoo ideas, consider landscape tattoos. they usually consist of mountains and trees, which means there will be a lot of blacks. These two realistic inner arm tattoos are perfect examples.
floral snake cover-up tattoo on thigh
@elenayelloww
tattoo to cover the sleeve of a female lion
@mangsitattoo
This intricate flower and lion tattoo does a great job of combining two tattoos: the cat and the sun. new design details also make it hard to take your eyes off it.
cat tattoo cover-up
@dan_tattooer
Also read: 63 unique and cute cat tattoos for cat lovers
beautiful colored feather tattoo
@eternity_17_tattoo_shop
One word tattoos aren’t the hardest to hide. and give artists plenty of room to explore. This feather tattoo is a successful cover-up for a reason. not only hides the old tattoo, but also complements the curves of the body.
on the hip to cover the tattoo
@dziabam_dziary
Which of these cover up tattoos is your favourite?
or did you do a cover up? share in the comments below!
