Tattoo style
Blackwork tattoos
Blackwork uses solid black ink only: bold shapes, heavy fills, patterns and strong contrast, from ornamental pieces to large coverage.
What it looks like
Clean, saturated black areas with sharp edges. Designs often rely on negative space and pattern.
Who it suits
People who want a graphic, bold look; cover-ups of older, dark tattoos; large pieces such as sleeves.
Healing, ageing and what to watch for
Large solid areas take longer to heal and can be itchy. Black holds very well over the years; sun protection keeps it deep black.
Read more: tattoo aftercare · pain chart
Quick answers
What is a Blackwork tattoo?
Blackwork uses solid black ink only: bold shapes, heavy fills, patterns and strong contrast, from ornamental pieces to large coverage.
What is Blackwork good for?
People who want a graphic, bold look; cover-ups of older, dark tattoos; large pieces such as sleeves.
What should I keep in mind with Blackwork?
Large solid areas take longer to heal and can be itchy. Black holds very well over the years; sun protection keeps it deep black.
Other styles
Fine lineTraditional (Old School)Neo-traditionalRealismBlack & greyColour