# Cover-Up tattoos in Seattle

> A cover-up tattoo is a new design placed over an old tattoo so the original no longer reads. It usually needs to be larger and darker than what it hides, using dense black, deep color, texture and smart placement. Faded or laser-lightened tattoos give the most options. Cover-ups take more planning than fresh work and often cost more.

- Also called: cover up tattoo, tattoo cover-up, coverup, blast over tattoo, tattoo rework, tattoo fix
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $450–$1000 (Covering a small old tattoo with a palm-sized piece takes about 2.5–4 hours. Laser fading, if needed, is billed separately.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 3
- Best placements: Wherever the old tattoo is, Upper arm, Shoulder blade, Calf, Lower back
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/cover-up

Cover-ups are one of the two main ways to deal with an unwanted tattoo. The other is laser removal, and a cover-up is usually cheaper and less painful. People cover old names, faded or blurry work, 1990s tribal, amateur tattoos and scars. Some artists specialize in cover-ups, and some offer free cover-ups for hate symbols and similar cases.

The artist designs around the old tattoo's darkest areas, hiding them inside heavy shading, black or deep color, and adds new focal points that pull the eye away. Common approaches include Japanese work with dense backgrounds, dark florals, blackwork and textured animals. A rework, which refreshes and redraws an old tattoo, or a blast-over, a bold new design over a faded one, are alternatives. If the old ink is very dark, a few laser fading sessions first can make a smaller, lighter cover-up possible. Bring clear photos to a consultation, and expect the artist to change your initial idea.

We give cover-ups an aging score of 3 out of 5, though the final result depends on the style chosen. Dark, dense cover-ups age as well as any bold tattoo. The risk specific to cover-ups is that faint traces of the old design can show through as the new ink settles over the years, so many artists plan a follow-up session to reinforce coverage.

## Defining traits

- Larger and darker than the original tattoo
- Dense black, deep color or heavy texture
- Designed around the old tattoo's dark areas
- Often preceded by laser fading
- Usually needs a consultation first

## Studios listing cover-up 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.
- [Absolute Body Art](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/absolute-body-art) — 10625 Pacific Ave S Suite E, Tacoma, WA 98444 · (253) 258-6329 · https://absolutebodyart.tacomalocal.net
- [The Roost](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/the-roost) — 315 N Main St #3311, Ellensburg, WA 98926 · (509) 201-1044 · https://www.theroosttattoostudio.com
- [Sacred Yeti Tattoos](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/sacred-yeti-tattoos) — 105 W 6th St, Vancouver, WA 98660 · (503) 461-1944 · https://customtattoosvancouver.com
- [No Surrender Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/no-surrender-tattoo) — 12924 W Sunset Hwy, Airway Heights, WA 99001 · (509) 315-5953 · https://nosurrendertattoo.wordpress.com
- [Five Star Tattoo Co](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/five-star-tattoo-co) — 715 W Main St Unit 114, Battle Ground, WA 98604 · (360) 687-8081 · https://fivestartattoo.com
- [Tattoo Asylum](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tattoo-asylum) — 5225 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 · (253) 503-1058 · https://www.tattooasylum253.com
- [Stray Cat Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/stray-cat-tattoo) — 723 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290 · (360) 217-7385 · https://straycattattoos.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
- [Arboretum Studios](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/arboretum-studios) — 401 W 13th St, Vancouver, WA 98660 · (360) 207-0435 · https://arboretumstudios.net
- [Kristina Louise Tattoos](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/kristina-louise-tattoos) — 103 Palouse St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 · https://www.kristinalouisetattoos.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

## Artists listing cover-up work

- [Alyssa](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alyssa-finer-things-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Finer Things Tattoo (South Lake Union, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Script and Lettering, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinistrum_tattoo
- [Ashly](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ashly-steam-ink-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Steam & Ink Tattoo (Woodland, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grimsolaire_tattoos
- [Candy](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/candy-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Illustrative, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candywang.tattoo
- [Charlie White](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/charlie-white) — Owner and tattoo artist · Stray Cat Tattoo (Snohomish, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbycharliewhite
- [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
- [Crystal Scott](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/crystal-scott) — Tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Micro-Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/switchbladecrystal
- [Daniel Sas](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/daniel-sas) — Tattoo artist · West Seattle Tattoo (West Seattle, Seattle) · Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_sasink
- [Denise Pinto](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/denise-pinto) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · Black and Grey, Illustrative, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowsofpain
- [Doc Blackwolf](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/doc-blackwolf) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artoftheblackwolf
- [Juan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/juan-tattoo-asylum) — Tattoo artist · Tattoo Asylum (Tacoma, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Watercolor, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barquisimeto_ink_tattoo
- [Juan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/juan-the-roost) — Tattoo artist · The Roost (Ellensburg, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meme_tattoos
- [Kamil Qurbanov](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kamil-qurbanov) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamil_inki
- [Kirsten](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kirsten-skye-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Skye Tattoo (Arlington, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_flesh_art
- [Kristina Louise](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kristina-louise) — Tattoo artist · Kristina Louise Tattoos (Wenatchee, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristina_louise_tattoos
- [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
- [Richard Urra](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/richard-urra) — Owner and tattoo artist · Pronoia Ink Studio (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Anime, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rcd.ink.tattoo
- [Teri Hayner](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/teri-hayner) — Tattoo artist · Madame Lazonga's (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Ornamental, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbyteri
- [Trejen Antaeus](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/trejen-antaeus) — Tattoo artist · Emerald City Tattoos (Lake City, Seattle) · Black and Grey, Realism, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmore_ink
- [Jacob Dzul](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jacob-dzul) — Tattoo artist · Dzul Ink Lounge (Belltown, Seattle) · Black and Grey, Script and Lettering, Tribal, Color, Cover-Up
- [Jerry Coggle’Derosa](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jerry-cogglederosa) — Owner and tattoo artist · Ohana Ink (Everett, WA) · Black and Grey, Tribal, Color, Cover-Up
- [Jor Koffel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jor-koffel) — Tattoo artist · Kintyre Ink tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Blackwork, Ornamental, Cover-Up
- [Molly McIsaac](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/molly-mcisaac) — Tattoo artist · Kintyre Ink tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Color, Cover-Up
- [Ozlok](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ozlok-cleopatra-ink) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Realism, Cover-Up
- [Uzi](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/uzi-tattoos-by-uzi) — Owner and tattoo artist · Tattoos By UZI (Lacey, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Cover-Up
- [Vedo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/vedo-ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — Tattoo artist · Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop (Downtown, Seattle) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Color, Cover-Up
- [Andrew Otto](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/andrew-otto) — Tattoo artist · Sacred Soul Tattoo (Renton, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandrewtattoo
- [Christine](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/christine-sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — Tattoo artist · Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings (Lacey, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Tribal, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinesativatattooskora
- [Jose Camarillo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jose-camarillo) — Tattoo artist · Art Never Dies (South Lake Union, Seattle) · Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josecamarillotattoos
- [Ramsey Rye](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ramsey-old-school-tattoo-piercing) — Tattoo artist · Old School Tattoo & Piercing (Bellingham, WA) · American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramseyryetattoos
- [Alejandro Dzul](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/alejandro-dzul) — Tattoo artist · Dzul Ink Lounge (Belltown, Seattle) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Micro-Realism, Dotwork, Script and Lettering, Tribal, Color, Cover-Up
- [Chad Hartgrave](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chad-hartgrave) — Guest tattoo artist · Hidden Hand Tattoo (Fremont, Seattle) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Geometric, Cover-Up
- [Cio Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/cio-cleopatra-ink-seattle) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink Seattle (Downtown, Seattle) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Cover-Up
- [Enzo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/enzo-ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — Tattoo artist · Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Geometric, Minimalist, Tribal, Ornamental, Cover-Up
- [Jeff Cornell](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jeff-cornell) — Owner and tattoo artist · Hidden Hand Tattoo (Fremont, Seattle) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Cover-Up
- [Johnathan Fleming](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/johnathan-fleming) — Tattoo artist · Tattoo Pizzazz (West Seattle, Seattle) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Cover-Up
- [Spider](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/spider-five-star-tattoo-co) — Owner and tattoo artist · Five Star Tattoo Co (Battle Ground, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Cover-Up
- [James](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/james-tattoo-by-james) — Tattoo artist · Tattoo by James (Tacoma, WA) · Cover-Up
- [Liam Dickinson](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/liam-dickinson) — Tattoo artist · The Hiding Spot (Bellingham, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Tribal, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pharaohs.sparrows

## FAQ

**Can any tattoo be covered up?**
Most can, but not always with the design you have in mind. Dark, dense or very large tattoos limit your options to bigger, darker cover-ups. A few laser fading sessions often open up more choices. An honest artist will tell you at the consultation what's realistic, and may suggest fading first.

**Is a cover-up cheaper than laser removal?**
Usually. Full laser removal takes many sessions spaced weeks apart, while a cover-up is typically one to a few tattoo sessions. If the old tattoo is very dark, though, budget for both: a few laser fading sessions plus the cover-up. In Washington, laser treatment must be done under a physician's authority.

## Sources

- [Cover-up tattoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover-up_tattoo)
- [Tattoo Removal: Options and Results](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tattoo-removal-options-and-results)
- [WAC 246-919-605: Use of laser, light, radiofrequency, and plasma devices as applied to the skin](https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-919-605)