# Script and Lettering tattoos in Seattle

> Script and lettering tattoos turn words, names, dates and quotes into tattoo art, in styles from delicate handwriting and cursive to bold blackletter, Chicano script and brush calligraphy. Good lettering is drawn for skin, not typed in a font, with letter size, spacing and line weight planned so the words stay legible as the tattoo ages.

- Also called: script tattoo, lettering tattoo, name tattoo, quote tattoo, calligraphy tattoo, blackletter tattoo, Chicano script
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $150–$400 (Short phrases often cost at or near the shop minimum. Detailed custom lettering takes 1–1.5 hours.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 3
- Best placements: Forearm, Collarbone, Ribcage, Upper back, Chest
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/script-lettering

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.

## Defining traits

- Custom-drawn letterforms
- Cursive, handwriting, blackletter or calligraphy
- Spacing and size planned for legibility
- Usually black ink
- Follows the curve of the placement

## Studios listing script and lettering work

- [Liberty Tattoo Seattle](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/liberty-tattoo-seattle) — 2702 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 · (206) 656-3990 · https://www.libertytattooseattle.com
- [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
- [TygerWolf Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tygerwolf-tattoo) — 539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 · (206) 713-2006 · https://www.tygerwolf.com
- [Bakers Dozen](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/bakers-dozen) — 307 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501 · (360) 972-3868 · https://www.bakersdozentattoo.com
- [Strictly Irezumi](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/raijin-tattoo) — 8544 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 · (206) 782-0801 · https://strictlyirezumi.com
- [Gray State Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/gray-state-tattoo) — 1110 5th St #2, Marysville, WA 98270 · (564) 249-3808 · https://www.graystatetattoo.com
- [Steam & Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/steam-ink-tattoo) — 175 Hansen Ln, Woodland, WA 98674 · (360) 919-0114 · https://steamandinktattoo.com
- [Inkstaind Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/inkstaind-tattoo) — 1210 East Main, Puyallup, WA 98372 · (253) 881-1832 · http://www.inkstaindtattoo.com
- [Pacific Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/pacific-tattoo) — 1014 Bay St, Port Orchard, WA 98366 · (808) 975-6013 · https://thepacifictattoostudio.com
- [Local Boy Tatau](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/local-boy-tatau) — 601 Main St Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660 · https://www.localboytatau.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 script and lettering 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
- [Bella](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/bella-lux-studios-va) — Tattoo artist · Lux Studios VA (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellabootattoos
- [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
- [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
- [Chris Winn](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chris-winn) — Tattoo artist · Main Ave Tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswinntattoos
- [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
- [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
- [Elijah](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/elijah-bakers-dozen) — Tattoo artist · Bakers Dozen (Olympia, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Script and Lettering, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimsynmoi
- [Heysus](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/heysus-local-boy-tatau) — Tattoo artist · Local Boy Tatau (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Tribal, Chicano, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heysus94
- [Jasmine McNallie](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jasmine-mcnallie) — Owner and tattoo artist · Gray State Tattoo (Marysville, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcnalliejasmine
- [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
- [Manuel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/manuel-local-boy-tatau) — Tattoo artist · Local Boy Tatau (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Chicano, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/que.sera8
- [Marcus Solomon](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/marcus-solomon) — Tattoo artist · Cygni Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcusxtattoo
- [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
- [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
- [Rudy](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/rudy-sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — Tattoo artist · Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings (Lacey, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudyxcastillo
- [Vesper](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/vesper-andromeda-studio) — Apprentice tattoo artist · Andromeda Studio (Renton, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Illustrative, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vespertilia.ink
- [Brice Longanecker](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/brice-longanecker) — Owner and tattoo artist · Coastal Tattoo (Bellingham, WA) · Illustrative, Script and Lettering
- [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
- [Jp Gomez](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jp-gomez) — Tattoo artist · Lucky No. 3 Tattoo Company (Centralia, WA) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering
- [Seth Goodkind](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/seth-goodkind) — Tattoo artist · True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethbeastmeat
- [Aaron Norgate](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/aaron-norgate) — Tattoo artist · Sacred Soul Tattoo (Renton, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Illustrative, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mister_perks
- [Halimah Gardenia](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/halimah-gardenia) — Tattoo artist · Moonlight Tattoo (Roosevelt & Maple Leaf, Seattle) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Chicano · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halim.thedream
- [Jacilyn](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jacilyn-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Script and Lettering, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justacook9
- [Kred](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kred-westbound-tattoo) — Owner and tattoo artist · Westbound Tattoo (Tukwila, WA) · Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Chicano · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbykred
- [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
- [Scary Tate](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/scary-tate) — Tattoo artist · Moonfall Ink Tattoo Boutique (North Bend, WA) · Blackwork, Minimalist, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarytate
- [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
- [Angel Garcia](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/angel-garcia) — Apprentice tattoo artist · Studio No. 7 (Wenatchee, WA) · Black and Grey, Script and Lettering
- [Crystal](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/crystal-inkstaind-tattoo) — Owner and tattoo artist · Inkstaind Tattoo (Puyallup, WA) · Fine Line, Japanese (Irezumi), Realism, Watercolor, Minimalist, Script and Lettering
- [Justin Diaz](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/justin-diaz) — Tattoo artist · Cosmic Tattoo (Centralia, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Chicano

## FAQ

**How small can a script tattoo be?**
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.

**Can I get a tattoo of a loved one's handwriting?**
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.

## Sources

- [How to Pick a Tattoo Font That Will Still Look Good in 20 Years](https://www.allure.com/story/best-fonts-for-tattoos)
- [Blackletter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackletter)
- [The Roots Of 'Black And Gray Realism' Tattoos](https://www.npr.org/2018/04/12/601759879/the-roots-of-black-and-gray-realism-tattoos)