The Tattoo Lettering Blog

Believe it or not, tattoos are nothing new. Although, they may have become more commonplace in recent years our generation is definitely not the first to bare tattoos. In fact mummified bodies that date back to around 3000 B.C. have been found with marks on their bones that indicate that they had tattoos.

The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word "tattau". This word literally means "To mark" which makes sense considering that a tattoo involves marks on the skin. In the 18th and 19th century Tattoos were rediscovered by Europeans when during their explorations they came across the Polynesians and American Indians who bore tattoos. At this time tattoos were very uncommon in Europe and the United States where they were amazed by the Polynesians and Indians who were covered in tattoos.

If you are considering getting a tattoo, you probably have your own reasons for wanting one. You might think of it as a sign of independence or a work of art. Whatever your reason, it is your personal choice but that wasn't always the case. While the first tattoos may have been purely decorative in nature this wasn't always the case. Early Romans practiced tattooing as a type of classification system. Slaves and criminals in particular were tattooed with a symbol to make others aware of their status. In Tahiti, tattoos were considered a tribal rite symbolizing the journey of your life. Today tattoos have somewhat returned to their earliest uses. Most people who get a tattoo today do so purely for decorative reasons.

Not only have the reasons for tattoos changed through the ages but the methods have changed as well. Pricking was one of the first methods used by Native Americans. Later on a few tribes in California modified the process by using scratches to add color. Polynesians used a small rake like tool to inject pigment into the skin to create their tattoos. The Maoris actually carved into the skin to create colored grooves. Today tattoos are created by puncturing the skin and injecting pigment with a needle. This style of tattooing is similar to the process used by the Europeans.

What are the Most Popular Tattoo Designs?

Tribal Tattoos - Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years and are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.

'Old School' Style Tattoos - Anchors and swallows seem to be making a comeback and not just amongst old sailors and bikers. A lot of females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck and chest while many guys are going for the ol' sailor Jerry tattoos on their forearms. This style is further fueled by the 1950's revival characterised by retro vixens such as the Suicide Girls.

Lower Back Tattoos - These are a perennial favorite particularly amongst females. The most popular lower back tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well.

Dragon Tattoos - Dragon tattoo designs are another style of tattoo that seems to be enjoying a revival. There are so many styles of dragons from the traditional chinese dragon tattoo to more mythical dragons.

Celtic Tattoos - Celtic tattoos are being done on people with a celtic heritage but also by many people with no celtic origin. Some of the celtic symbols are universal in nature and have universal meanings common to all races. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos.

Tips for Getting Tattoos

Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist is capable of doing 'custom work'.

Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!

Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.

Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. In summer many people get tattooed and can't wait to flash their tattoos in public. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid them fading prematurely.

There are several tattoo styles that are gaining popularity in America. Though, in ways they are very similar, the differences can either make or break a tattoo. Understanding the differences can be crucial for a tattoo artist. The continuity and flow of Celtic knots, to the proper look of Bio-Mechanics. There are many different styles, however to go through them all, it would be a bit much. In this series of articles that I like to call "The many faces of tattoos", you will learn the different types, and techniques of tattoos that exist in our country. There will also be some examples of artists which have helped to inspire the style of tattooing.

Bio-Mechanical Tattoos: Bio-Mechanical tattoos, or as most call it Bio-Mech is a style of tattooing which depicts living robotics (human robotics). The most popular artist of whom has made this style of tattooing more popular, is illustrator H.R. Giger, of whom designed the creatures from the Alien movies. Majority of Bio-mechanical tattoos show flesh intermingling with machinery. Often times you will see bio-mechanical tattoos done in Grey wash, as it helps to find a flow between flesh tones, and the ink. However, if done properly, color can give a new intriguing look to bio-mech.

Grey wash (Black and gray tattoos): This style of tattooing was once believed to have been derived from prison tattoos, as getting your hand on colored ink was fairly difficult. It was soon brought fourth into mainstream tattooing, it was refined in the late 1970's, turning grey wash into the next big hit. Grey wash is usually used in a portrait tattoo, or anything that you are wishing to achieve a realistic effect. As said before, most of your Bio-mechanics are preformed with your grey wash technique. You can either purchase pre-made grey wash, or you can make your own by adding drops of water to a small amount of black.

Gothic style tattoos: Though there are many different types of "Goth." tattoos, such as skulls, or pents, or all the way to your more candy coated tattoos filled with bright colors, and ironic designs. Though the two styles are very different, they are one of the most predominant tattoo styles in the US. Chances are, if someone has a body suit, they will have at least one skull in the collection. The designs are endless, and not only "Goths" can get them.

Tribal tattoos: This form of tattoos has been practiced for centuries through a plethora of tattoo styles. Though most tribal tattoos are received by those who do not understand their background, simply for their striking appearance there is a thick history in tribal style tattoos. Historically, getting a tattoo was a right of passage, many girls were required to get facial tattoos before they were able to marry. The boy, would be considered un-fit to become a man if he couldn't handle the pain from the tattoo. Though tribal tattooing is common in America, it is hard to find an artist capable of completing the tattoo in one sitting. Between the need for straight, or flowing lines and the thick solid fill, it is a difficult tattoo to preform. It will take time and practice to get an even distribution of ink. I would suggest Kuro Sumi tribal black ink.