We love tattoos here at Lamar Street Tattoo Club! As a Dallas-based tattoo parlor, we have seen so many beautiful designs in our shop over the years, both that we’ve designed and on the skin of our patrons. Tattooing is a rich and vibrant art form, and we love seeing the creativity, passion, and thought our customers put into their designs.
However, it’s just a fact of life that not every tattoo design was done perfectly. We do encounter people looking to redesign a tattoo that they just aren’t feeling. There are a couple of reasons why you might consider this.
- The original tattoo was done poorly, or maybe by an amateur.
- The original tattoo has faded, usually due to poor aftercare.
- You want to incorporate the old tattoo into a new design
- You’re past whatever point in your life the tattoo reminds you of
- You just want to!
Well, you’re in luck. We have four tips to keep in mind when redesigning a tattoo!
See if You Need to Touch Up
Before you go and redesign the entire tattoo, please ensure that you need to do this. Depending on the tattoo, you might be able to get away with a touch-up. Sometimes, tattoos don’t look their best due to recovery or fade. While this can result in the tattoo not looking its best, it can be relatively easy to fix. A touch-up could be a good solution if the primary work is fine but looks faded.
This obviously will depend quite a bit on the tattoo itself. Sometimes, it may be too poorly done to salvage, or maybe you’re just over the piece of ink in question and want to start fresh. That is totally understandable. We would just encourage you to keep the idea of a touch-up in mind as you go forward, as this is sometimes a good option for some tattoo enthusiasts.
Cover the Old Tattoo
Covering the tattoo in question is a tried-and-true option for a reason. It’s the best way to ensure the bad ink is entirely out of sight and out of mind. There is more to covering up a bad tattoo than showing up at the tattoo parlor and asking for a new tattoo.
- Be sure to meet with your artist for their recommendations.
- Plan out the size. You may need to have a larger tattoo than the original.
- Find out if there are certain shades to include or avoid. Colors will blend when applying a cover-up tattoo, so you and your artist must understand what you’re trying to accomplish and utilize with this new tattoo.
- Laser tattoo removal to lighten the affected area is sometimes a good option.
- Be prepared for a follow-up appointment after the tattoo has healed. You might need a touch-up after the colors have faded.
Incorporate into the New Tattoo
Incorporating an old tattoo design into a new one is related to covering up the old one, but this idea is slightly different. It will, of course, always depend on the tattoo and what you would like to do next with your ink. Incorporating a past design into the upcoming one can recycle what you have on your skin currently and be quite efficient.
This also is a great option to flex your creative muscles. If you’re incorporating an old tattoo into a new design, you have a couple of choices for how to go about this, so feel free to let your artistic side shine here!
Depending on your needs and the tat, you could choose:
- Contrasting colors
- Complementary designs
- And more
Research the Right Artist
Not all tattoo artists are created equal. An amateur artist or non-licensed artist will produce amateur work. That’s just a fact of life. Choosing a reputable artist and tattoo parlor with clear aftercare instructions, hygiene protocols, and public portfolios of work is necessary to redesign this tattoo correctly.
However, it is also worth noting that some artists specialize in tattoo redesigning and will likely have more to offer you. Others can redesign tattoos but prefer not to. Still, others might enjoy redesigning in one style but not the style you need. If you are redesigning a realism tattoo, you need a realism style expert to give you the type of result you’re looking for.
You must find the right artist and have a detailed consultation with them about what this tattoo will look like and your needs. A good artist will offer helpful suggestions, give feedback on your design, and ask questions to help you think through the process. Plus, you’ll also be able to ask to see their portfolio of work and see how their tattoos look a few months after the healing process.
Contact Lamar Street Tattoo Club
As one of Dallas’s premier tattoo parlors, we’ve redesigned many tattoos. If you need help understanding your options for this new design, call us today! We’re voted the best tattoo shop in Dallas for a reason!
Call Us Now at 972.863.3518 for a Free Consultation or to Schedule an Appointment!