Palm-size in Seattle
$150–$400
Short phrases often cost at or near the shop minimum. Detailed custom lettering takes 1–1.5 hours.
Ages well
3/5
Lettering is one of the oldest tattoo genres, from banners and names on sailor flash to the elaborate script of Chicano black and grey tattooing. Today it ranges from fine-line handwriting, including tattoos copied from a loved one's handwriting, to blackletter, the dense medieval-style lettering often called Old English, and brush calligraphy.
Specialist lettering artists draw each word for the placement, adjusting letter shapes so loops stay open, spacing stays even and the line of text follows the body's curve. Bring the exact text, double-check spelling, dates and any translation with a fluent speaker, and let the artist adjust the size. Script suits names, dates, mantras and memorial pieces, alone or worked into a larger design.
Script gets an aging score of 3 out of 5. Larger lettering with open spacing ages well. Tiny cursive is the classic problem: closed loops in letters like e, a and o fill in as ink spreads, and words on the side of a finger or wrist can become unreadable within years. Going larger is the simplest fix.
11 studios in Washington list script and lettering work, 3 of them in Seattle. Always check an artist's portfolio — style is about the artist, not the shop. See the 33 artists who list it.
Showing all 3 studios
Photo: studio websiteBelltown, Seattle
Liberty Tattoo is a tattoo studio located in Belltown at 2702 3rd Ave in Seattle. The studio describes work in traditional tattooing, fine line black and grey, lettering, and Japanese styles.
Capitol Hill, Seattle
True Love Tattoo and Art Gallery is a tattoo studio and art gallery in Capitol Hill, Seattle. The site lists styles including Japanese traditional, black & grey realism, color work, geometric designs, and dotwork, and says consultations are free.
Greenwood, Seattle
Strictly Irezumi, formerly Raijin Tattoo, is a tattoo studio in Seattle. It specializes in Japanese Irezumi and offers custom tattoos in styles including illustrative, fine line, micro-realism, realism, anime, and script.
Showing all 8 studios
Tacoma, WA
TygerWolf Tattoo is a custom tattoo studio in downtown Tacoma. It offers free consultations and uses a booking form to connect clients with a preferred artist or match them with an artist for their idea.
Olympia, WA
Baker's Dozen Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Olympia, located at 307 4th Avenue East. Artists manage their own schedules and clientele, and appointments are arranged directly with them through their social media or personal websites.
Marysville, WA
Gray State Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Marysville, Washington, offering walk-ins, custom tattoos, and cover-ups. The studio lists styles including black-and-grey realism, fine line, lettering, traditional, color, ornamental, and minimalist.
Woodland, WA
175 Hansen Ln
Vancouver, WA
Local Boy Tatau is a custom tattoo shop in downtown Vancouver, Washington. The shop lists specialties including Polynesian, lettering and script, traditional, Japanese, and photorealism tattoos.
North Bend, WA
103 Main Ave S
Artists
Tattoo artist at Finer Things Tattoo
South Lake Union, Seattle
Tattoo artist at True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery
Capitol Hill, Seattle
Tattoo artist at Moonlight Tattoo
Roosevelt & Maple Leaf, Seattle
Dzul Ink Lounge · Belltown
Sacred Soul Tattoo · Renton
Studio No. 7 · Wenatchee
Lux Studios VA · Vancouver
Andromeda Studio · Renton
Coastal Tattoo · Bellingham
Main Ave Tattoo · Spokane
Inkstaind Tattoo · Puyallup
Andromeda Studio · Renton
Bakers Dozen · Olympia
Local Boy Tatau · Vancouver
TygerWolf Tattoo · Tacoma
Gray State Tattoo · Marysville
Lucky No. 3 Tattoo Company · Centralia
Cosmic Tattoo · Centralia
Westbound Tattoo · Tukwila
Nexus Tattoo · Vancouver
Local Boy Tatau · Vancouver
Cygni Tattoo · Tacoma
Lux Studios VA · Vancouver
Auralite Art Collective · Spokane
Old School Tattoo & Piercing · Bellingham
Pronoia Ink Studio · Tacoma
Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings · Lacey
Moonfall Ink Tattoo Boutique · North Bend
Andromeda Studio · Renton
Names, roles, styles and photos come from each studio’s own website, and every profile links to its source. Professional information only. How artist profiles work
Smaller than you'd think on paper, but larger than most people ask for. As a rule of thumb, lowercase letters need enough height that loops like e and a stay open after years of slight ink spread. Many artists will size a word up or simplify the font. Trust that advice, because tiny script is the most common lettering regret.
Yes, and it's a popular memorial tattoo. Bring a clear, high-resolution scan or photo of the original writing. The artist will clean up the lines, adjust thickness so it heals legibly, and may enlarge it slightly while keeping the character of the handwriting.