Cover-up ideas and concepts
A good cover-up turns an old tattoo into part of a new one. Learn what makes a cover-up work, see reviewed designs in styles that cover well, and try a concept on a photo of your own old tattoo to bring to an artist.
1 · Photo of the old tattoo
Your image stays private.
3 · Describe the new tattoo
Style
Sign in · Show the cover-up concept · 10 credits
A concept to discuss with a tattoo artist. Only an artist can judge whether new ink will really cover the old tattoo.
New ink does not erase old ink; it hides it. A cover-up places darker, denser parts of the new design over the old lines and lets lighter areas and open skin sit around it, so the eye reads only the new tattoo.
That is why cover-ups are usually larger and darker than the old tattoo, and why the artist plans the placement of every dark area around what is already in the skin.
Designs with plenty of dark tone and texture hide old lines best: blackwork, neo-traditional with bold outlines and saturated colour, black-and-grey realism, and dense florals, feathers, animals or ornamental shapes.
Very fine line, minimalist designs and lots of open skin rarely cover anything; they work better for a laser-faded tattoo.
Bring a clear, well-lit photo of the old tattoo, the size of the area, and two or three ideas you like. An artist who does cover-ups will tell you what can work and whether a few laser sessions would give more options.
The concept tool on this page helps you picture ideas on your own skin. It is a conversation starter: only an artist can judge whether new ink will really cover the old tattoo.
Reviewed collections with dark tone and texture. Open one, then remix a design or bring it to your cover-up artist.
108 reviewed designsBlackwork tattoo ideas108 reviewed blackwork designs, shown clean and on skin.Blackwork8 placementsBrowse the collection
53 reviewed designsNeo traditional tattoo ideas53 reviewed neo traditional designs, shown clean and on skin.Neo traditional8 placementsBrowse the collection
25 reviewed designsRose tattoo ideas25 reviewed rose designs, shown clean and on skin.Neo traditionalOld school7 placementsBrowse the collection
19 reviewed designsPeony Tattoo Ideas for Patchwork Layouts19 reviewed peony designs with clean artwork, on-skin views, and placement notes for patchwork layouts.Fine lineBlackwork6 placementsBrowse the collection
16 reviewed designsSnake tattoo ideas16 reviewed snake designs, shown clean and on skin.BlackworkBlack and grey realism7 placementsBrowse the collection
10 reviewed designsJapanese tiger tattoo ideas10 Japanese tiger designs, from prowling figures to bold portraits, in color and black ink.BlackworkIllustrative4 placementsBrowse the collectionShort answers before you start.
Many can, but not all. Light, small or faded tattoos are the easiest. Very dark, solid or large old tattoos often need laser fading first. A cover-up artist can tell you after seeing it.
Usually yes. The new design needs dark areas over the old ink and open space around them, which normally means a larger piece than the old tattoo.
You upload a photo of the old tattoo, paint over it and describe the new idea. AI draws a cover-up concept over that area and keeps the rest of your photo unchanged. It costs credits only when the concept is ready.
Yes. The photo is uploaded privately only to make your concept and is never shown in the gallery.
