Cover-ups: what the artist needs to see
A reference for the new tattoo is only half the job. The artist needs to assess the existing ink before saying whether that design can cover it. A cover-up may need to be larger, darker, or arranged differently than you expected.
Prepare photos and measurements
- Take one photo showing the whole body area and another showing the existing tattoo clearly. Include the surrounding tattoos or empty space.
- Use even light and no filters. Avoid glare, deep shadows, and an angled photo that distorts the shape.
- Measure the current tattoo's height and width. State the body area and how much larger you are willing to go.
- Tell the artist how old it is, whether it has been reworked or previously covered, and whether it has had removal treatment.
Email your cover-up photos with those details. If you have already sent a form inquiry, use the same name so we can connect them.
What must disappear, and what can stay?
Name the part you want changed: a name that must no longer be readable, an image you no longer want, or a design you still like but want reworked. Those are different requests. Tell the artist if any surrounding work must remain untouched.
Separate what matters to you from what is flexible: subject, size, color, placement, and how much surrounding skin can be used. If you will only accept a particular small design in exactly the same footprint, say that before an artist spends time planning it.
Get an assessment before booking the tattoo
Ask whether the proposal is a full cover-up or a rework that keeps parts of the original. Confirm what may remain visible, whether an in-person assessment is needed, and whether the estimate covers one session or several. Photos can start that conversation; they do not guarantee the project is workable.
A cover-up is not automatically a walk-in job. Do not plan around same-day completion until the artist has assessed it. Read the deposit policy before booking.