# Blackwork tattoos in Seattle

> Blackwork is tattooing done entirely or almost entirely in solid black ink, from bold patterns and woodcut-style illustration to large blacked-out areas. It draws on traditional tribal tattooing, engraving and ornamental art, and it delivers the highest contrast of any style. It works on every skin tone and ages extremely well.

- Also called: black work tattoo, blackout tattoo, heavy blackwork, solid black tattoo, black ink tattoo
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $250–$750 (About 1.5–3 hours at palm size. Large solid fills are often split into several sessions.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 5
- Best placements: Forearm, Upper arm, Calf, Chest, Back
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/blackwork

Blackwork has several roots. One is the traditional tattooing of cultures such as Borneo and Polynesia, which inspired the neo-tribal movement of the 1980s led by Leo Zulueta. Others are European woodcuts, etchings and decorative patterns. Today the label covers bold black illustration, patterns, abstract shapes and blackout work, where whole areas of skin are filled solid.

What unites it is solid, saturated black placed against open skin, with little or no grey wash. That contrast reads from a distance and suits every skin tone. Blackwork appeals to people who want graphic, dramatic tattoos, and it's one of the most effective ways to cover old work. Large fills hurt more and take longer to heal, so heavy blackout projects are usually split into several sessions.

Blackwork gets an aging score of 5 out of 5. Black is the most durable tattoo pigment, and solid fills have no fine detail to lose, so the design stays bold for decades. The main caveat is planning: negative-space details need enough room between them, because closely spaced lines can merge over time.

## Defining traits

- Solid black fills
- High contrast against open skin
- Bold patterns, woodcut and etching textures
- Little or no grey wash
- Can include large blackout areas

## Studios listing blackwork work

- [Cleopatra Ink Seattle](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/cleopatra-ink-seattle) — 1523 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 · (206) 699-2822 · https://www.cleopatraink.com/en/studios/seattle-tattoo-and-piercing-studio · Featured: Seattle Tattoo and Cleopatra Ink Seattle share ownership.
- [True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/true-love-tattoo-art-gallery) — 421 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 · (206) 227-3572 · https://www.trueloveart.com
- [Lilith Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/lilith-tattoo) — 2006 E Union St #1, Seattle, WA 98122 · (206) 335-7783 · https://www.lilithtattooseattle.com
- [Not Occult Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/not-occult-tattoo) — 2018 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122 · (206) 457-3002 · https://www.notocculttattoo.com
- [Living Skin Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/living-skin-tattoo) — 9118 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206 · (509) 921-9000 · https://livingskintattoo.com
- [TygerWolf Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tygerwolf-tattoo) — 539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 · (206) 713-2006 · https://www.tygerwolf.com
- [Lux Studios VA](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/lux-studios-va) — 11818 SE Mill Plain Blvd Suite 412, Vancouver, WA 98684 · (360) 991-9063 · https://www.luxtattoostudio.com
- [Tattoo Asylum](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tattoo-asylum) — 5225 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 · (253) 503-1058 · https://www.tattooasylum253.com
- [Spirit Flame Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/spirit-flame-tattoo) — 1002 NE Minnehaha St, Vancouver, WA 98665 · (360) 690-0091 · https://www.spiritflametattoo.com
- [Stay Marked Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/stay-marked-tattoo) — 160 NW Gilman Blvd Suite 418, Issaquah, WA 98027 · (206) 999-7017 · https://www.staymarkedtattoo.com
- [Paradox Tattoo Gallery](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/paradox-tattoo-gallery) — 19106 Wa-410, Bonney Lake, WA 98391 · (253) 750-4485 · https://www.paradoxtattoogallery.com
- [Top hat Tattoo and Top Hat Barber Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/top-hat-tattoo-and-top-hat-barber-shop) — 10828 Myers Way S, Seattle, WA 98168 · (206) 457-8059 · https://www.tophattattooseattle.com
- [Gold Scarab](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/gold-scarab) — 8212 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 · (206) 702-1202 · https://www.goldscarabtattoo.com
- [Washington St Tattoo Colective](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/washington-st-tattoo-colective) — 410 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 · (330) 628-8391 · https://washingtonstreettattoo.com
- [Legacy Tattoos Co](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/legacy-tattoos-co) — 351 Three Rivers Dr, Kelso, WA 98626 · (360) 703-5301 · https://legacytattoocompany.com
- [Cleopatra Ink](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/cleopatra-ink) — 4502 S Steele St Unit 133, Tacoma, WA 98409 · (253) 442-3421 · https://www.cleopatraink.com/tacoma
- [Steam & Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/steam-ink-tattoo) — 175 Hansen Ln, Woodland, WA 98674 · (360) 919-0114 · https://steamandinktattoo.com
- [Voodoo Tattoo and Piercing](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/voodoo-tattoo-and-piercing) — 5508 NE Fourth Plain Blvd Suite D, Vancouver, WA 98661 · (360) 253-6464 · https://voodootattoo360.carrd.co
- [Smitty's Place Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/smittys-place-tattoo) — 322 Callow Ave N, Bremerton, WA 98312 · (360) 479-4908 · https://originalsmitty13.wixsite.com/smittysplace
- [Kristina Louise Tattoos](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/kristina-louise-tattoos) — 103 Palouse St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 · https://www.kristinalouisetattoos.com
- [Fortunata Tattoo Studio](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/fortunata-tattoo-studio) — 121 W Pacific Ave Suite 400, Spokane, WA 99201 · (509) 960-8974 · https://www.fortunata.studio
- [Coastal Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/coastal-tattoo) — 2522 Meridian St Unit 102, Bellingham, WA 98226 · (360) 305-1980 · https://www.coastaltattoo.net
- [Local Boy Tatau](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/local-boy-tatau) — 601 Main St Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660 · https://www.localboytatau.com
- [The Nova Expansion](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/the-nova-expansion) — 511 2nd Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 · (206) 487-6024 · https://thenovaexpansion.com
- [Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — 1512 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 · (206) 556-7666 · https://inkdavincitattoos.com
- [Delicate Flower Ink](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/delicate-flower-ink) — 319 W Hastings Rd Suite B202, Spokane, WA 99218 · (503) 720-4039 · https://www.delicateflowercreations.com
- [Moonfall Ink Tattoo Boutique](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/moonfall-ink-tattoo-boutique) — 103 Main Ave S Suite 206, North Bend, WA 98045 · (503) 756-1588 · https://www.moonfallink.com

## Artists listing blackwork work

- [Alan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alan-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · American Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alannguyentattoo
- [Alec aka LoLo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alec-aka-lolo) — Tattoo artist · Local Roots Ink Studio (Des Moines, WA) · Blackwork, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkbylolo
- [Allie Stodola](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/allie-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliestodolatattoo
- [Amanda Marie](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/amanda-marie) — Owner and tattoo artist · Main Street Tattoo (Edmonds, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamarietattoo
- [Bee](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/bee-skye-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Skye Tattoo (Arlington, WA) · Blackwork, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chai.bees
- [Brady](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/brady-andromeda-studio) — Tattoo artist · Andromeda Studio (Renton, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Geometric, Dotwork, Script and Lettering, Tribal · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berracudatattoos
- [Chloe Rozo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chloe-rozo) — Tattoo artist · True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloerozo
- [Chris](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chris-gold-scarab) — Tattoo artist · Gold Scarab (Greenwood, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Realism, Script and Lettering, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jajachris
- [Christen Wolfe](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/christen-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Owner and tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christen_wolfe
- [Circe](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/circe-electric-cobra) — Tattoo artist · Electric Cobra (Columbia City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circe
- [Diego](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/diego-andromeda-studio) — Tattoo artist · Andromeda Studio (Renton, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diegoart.tattoo
- [Dylan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/dylan-lux-studios-va) — Owner and tattoo artist · Lux Studios VA (Vancouver, WA) · Blackwork, Realism · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackworx_ink
- [Erik Jacobsen](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/erik-jacobsen) — Tattoo artist · Dark Age Tattoo (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik_jacobsen_tattoo
- [Farid Pashayev](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/farid-pashayev) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Realism, Dotwork · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faridtattooer
- [Hailey Elixman](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/hailey-elixman) — Owner and tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aura222tattoos
- [Hildur Blom](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/hildur-blom) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildurblom
- [Jena](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jena-gold-scarab) — Tattoo artist · Gold Scarab (Greenwood, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Geometric, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenaperrytattoos
- [Jessie Gutz](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jessie-gutz) — Tattoo artist · Dying Wish Tattoo (SoDo, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverie_inks
- [John Filanoski](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/john-filanoski) — Tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john.filanoski.tattoos
- [Jon](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jon-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sage.jon.tattoo
- [Jordi B](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jordi-b) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Realism, Micro-Realism, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordi.b_tattoo
- [Kingsley](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kingsley-rabid-hands-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrthlsstattoo
- [Kristina](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kristina-nexus-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Nexus Tattoo (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatzbykrissy
- [Luigi Viviescas](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/luigi-viviescas) — Tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Geometric, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luigitattoolife
- [Luna](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/luna-true-love-tattoo-art-gallery) — Tattoo artist · True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Watercolor, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunatattooss
- [Lyn Sweet](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/lyn-sweet) — Tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynthesweet
- [Mad Max Wallace](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mad-max-wallace) — Tattoo artist · Top hat Tattoo and Top Hat Barber Shop (Seattle, WA) · American Traditional, Blackwork · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmaxwallace
- [Madelyn Roberts](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/madelyn-roberts) — Tattoo artist · Red Sparrow Tattoo Collective (Bellingham, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madelart_
- [Mallory Bragg](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mallory-bragg) — Tattoo artist · The Nova Expansion (Queen Anne, Seattle) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Dotwork, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallotron
- [Marissa](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/marissa-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Realism, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkinthepark_tats
- [Meg](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/meg-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Micro-Realism, Geometric, Ornamental, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghaneedles
- [Mel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mel-skye-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Skye Tattoo (Arlington, WA) · Blackwork, Illustrative, Anime, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkodama
- [Melanie Meszko](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/melanie-meszko) — Tattoo artist · Pink Peony Club (Bremerton, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melmieee
- [Mitch Wolff](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mitch-wolff) — Tattoo artist · True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchwolfftattoons
- [Moth](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/moth-tattoo-asylum) — Tattoo artist · Tattoo Asylum (Tacoma, WA) · American Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothboy_tattoo
- [Nikita](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/nikita-lux-studios-va) — Tattoo artist · Lux Studios VA (Vancouver, WA) · Blackwork, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinsky.ttt
- [Payton Strait](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/payton-strait) — Tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paytonstattoos
- [PingPing](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/pingping-nieu-studio) — Owner and tattoo artist · NieU Studio (Downtown, Seattle) · Blackwork, Realism · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkprick
- [Raven](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/raven-ethereal-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Ethereal Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raveninkwork
- [Realms](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/realms-sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — Tattoo artist · Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings (Lacey, WA) · Blackwork, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realms.tattoos

## FAQ

**Does blackwork hurt more than other tattoos?**
Large solid fills often do, because the artist goes over the same skin repeatedly to pack the black evenly. Small or line-based blackwork feels like any other tattoo. For big blackout pieces, artists usually split the work into sessions, and swelling and tenderness can last a few days longer than with line work.

**Can blackwork cover an old tattoo?**
Yes. Solid black covers almost anything, so blackwork and blackout designs are among the most reliable cover-up options. The tradeoff is that the new piece will be dark and usually larger than the old one. A few laser fading sessions first can widen your design choices.

## Sources

- [Leo Zulueta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Zulueta)
- [Cover-up tattoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover-up_tattoo)