Tattoo Glossary
Everything you need to know about tattoos
Abstract Tattoo
Non-representational or expressive designs.
Aftercare
Instructions for caring for a new tattoo to aid healing.
Anesthetic Cream
A topical cream to reduce pain during tattooing.
Anime Tattoo
Tattoos featuring characters from Japanese animation.
Apprentice
A trainee learning the art of tattooing.
Autoclave
A device used to sterilize tattoo equipment.
Back Piece
A large tattoo that covers the back.
Barrier Film
Protective plastic used to keep surfaces clean.
Biomechanical
Designs inspired by mechanical parts and organic shapes.
Blackwork
A tattoo style that uses only black ink for bold designs.
Blowout
When ink spreads under the skin, causing a blurry appearance.
Booking Fee
A deposit paid to secure a tattoo appointment.
Cartridge
A modular type of needle for easy switching.
Chest Piece
A large tattoo design placed on the chest.
Color Packing
A technique to saturate skin with color.
Color Palette
The range of colors used in a tattoo.
Color Realism
A realistic tattoo style using full color.
Consultation
A meeting to discuss tattoo ideas before the appointment.
Cover-up
A tattoo designed to conceal another tattoo.
Crusting
Scab formation during healing.
Custom Design
A unique, artist-created tattoo concept.
Day Rate
A flat fee for a full day of tattooing.
Design Fee
Cost for creating a custom tattoo design.
Dotwork
A style using many tiny dots to form a design.
Fade
The gradual loss of tattoo color over time.
Fine Detail
Intricate and small design elements.
Fineline
Tattoos created using very thin, delicate lines.
Flash
Pre-drawn tattoo designs usually displayed in tattoo studios.
Foot Pedal
A switch operated by foot to control the machine.
Freestyle
A tattoo drawn directly on the skin without a stencil.
Geometric
Tattoos using geometric shapes and patterns.
Gloves
Worn by artists to maintain hygiene.
Glow-in-the-Dark
Tattoos that use UV-reactive ink.
Grayscale
Tattoo designs done entirely in black and shades of gray.
Grip
Part of the tattoo machine held by the artist.
Half Sleeve
A tattoo that covers half the arm, typically from shoulder to elbow.
Healed Tattoo
A tattoo that has fully recovered.
Healing Balm
A product applied to aid tattoo healing.
Healing Time
Period it takes for a tattoo to fully heal.
Hygiene
Practices to keep the tattoo process clean and sterile.
Ink
The pigment used in tattooing to create the design on the skin.
Ink Allergy
An allergic reaction to tattoo ink.
Ink Cap
A small container used to hold ink during tattooing.
Ink Sack
A term for the protective plasma layer during healing.
Ink Session
The time spent during one tattoo appointment.
Ink Spill
A messy or unintended area of ink.
Laser Removal
A method of breaking down tattoo ink with laser light.
Lettering
The design and style of text in a tattoo.
Line Work
The lines that form the structure of a tattoo design.
Mandala
A circular geometric pattern often used in tattoos.
Minimalist
A tattoo style that uses minimal lines and details.
Mythological Tattoo
Designs based on myth and folklore.
Needle
A sharp tool used to inject ink into the skin.
Negative Space
Uninked areas that contribute to the design.
Neo-Traditional
An evolution of traditional tattooing with more detail and colors.
Orientation
The direction or angle of a tattoo design.
Overlapping
When one tattoo covers or interferes with another.
Overworking
Tattooing the same area too much, causing damage.
Pain Scale
A subjective rating of tattoo discomfort.
Patch Test
Testing skin reaction to ink before tattooing.
Peeling
Part of the tattoo healing process where skin flakes.
Placement
The location on the body where a tattoo is applied.
Pop Culture Tattoo
Designs inspired by movies, music, or celebrities.
Portfolio
A collection of an artist’s previous work.
Portrait
A realistic tattoo of a person’s face or figure.
Power Supply
Device that controls the tattoo machine’s power.
Quarter Sleeve
A tattoo that covers about a quarter of the arm.
Realism
Tattoo style that aims to replicate real-life images.
Rework
Modifying or fixing an existing tattoo.
Saturation
The richness and density of ink in the skin.
Scabbing
The formation of scabs during the tattoo healing process.
Scarring
Unintended damage to the skin from tattooing.
Script
A tattoo that features written text.
Session
A single appointment or period of tattooing.
Shading
The technique used to add depth and dimension to a tattoo.
Shop Minimum
The minimum price charged by a tattoo studio.
Single Needle
A fine-line tattoo technique using one needle.
Sleeve
A tattoo or series of tattoos that cover a person's arm.
Sleeve
A full tattoo that covers the arm from shoulder to wrist.
Stencil
An outline of a tattoo design used to guide the tattoo artist.
Sterilization
The process of eliminating bacteria and viruses.
Sun Protection
Using sunscreen to prevent tattoo fading.
Symmetry
Balance and proportion in a tattoo’s layout.
Tattoo
A permanent design made on the skin using ink and needles.
Tattoo Artist
A professional who applies tattoos.
Tattoo Convention
An event where artists and enthusiasts gather.
Tattoo Culture
The lifestyle and community around tattoos.
Tattoo Gun
A colloquial term for a tattoo machine.
Tattoo Machine
A device used to drive the needle and insert ink into the skin.
Tattoo Removal
The process of erasing tattoos, often with lasers.
Tattoo Studio
A business where tattoos are applied.
Tattoo Trend
A popular or emerging tattoo style.
Touch-up
A follow-up tattoo session to correct or enhance a tattoo.
Traditional
A classic tattoo style with bold lines and limited color palette.
Tribal
A style of tattoo originating from indigenous cultures.
UV Tattoo
A tattoo made with ultraviolet ink, visible under blacklight.
Waitlist
A list of clients waiting for a tattoo appointment.
Walk-in
Getting a tattoo without a prior appointment.
Watercolor
A tattoo style that mimics the look of watercolor paintings.
Whip Shading
A shading technique using a flicking motion.
