Tattoo Cover Up Ideas: What Works, What Doesn't and How to Plan One

An ex's name, a faded tribal band, a rushed holiday tattoo or a design that just never felt right. Millions of people have a tattoo they wish looked different, and a cover up is often the fastest and most affordable way to change it. These tattoo cover up ideas show what works, and what does not.

But cover ups are not magic. There are real limits to what ink can hide. Here is how cover up tattoos work, the ideas that work best, what does not, and how to get a result you will love.

How cover up tattoos work

Tattoo ink does not mix like paint. A new tattoo is layered into the skin over the old one, so the new design has to be darker, denser and usually larger than what is underneath to hide it. Skilled cover up artists use this to their advantage, placing the darkest parts of the new design over the heaviest parts of the old tattoo and using texture and detail to distract the eye.

Cover up ideas that work well

Florals and foliage

Roses, peonies, leaves and vines are among the most popular cover ups. Layered petals, dark centres and shadows can absorb old linework, and flowers can grow in any direction to fit awkward shapes.

Animals with texture

Feathers, fur and scales are brilliant at disguising old lines. Birds, wolves, lions, panthers and snakes are all common choices.

Japanese designs

Koi, dragons, waves, clouds and wind bars combine dark backgrounds with bold imagery, making Japanese style work ideal for covering larger areas. See our guide to dragon tattoo meaning for inspiration.

Mandalas and ornamental work

Dense patterns and dotwork can hide old tattoos while creating something completely new.

Blackwork

Solid black bands, geometric shapes or large blacked-out areas are the most powerful cover up option of all. Blackout tattoos can hide almost anything, although they are a very bold look and a big commitment. Lionel Messi's blacked-out leg, covered in our guide to his tattoos, is a famous example.

Reworking instead of hiding

Sometimes the best cover up is not a cover up at all. A good artist may be able to rework an old tattoo, adding shading, colour and new elements to turn it into something better while keeping parts of the original.

What makes a cover up difficult

• Very dark or dense black ink is the hardest to cover. Few colours can go over solid black.
• Large, bold lettering often needs a much bigger new design.
• Scarring or blown-out lines, where ink has spread under the skin, can show through.
• Wanting a small, delicate replacement. A tiny fine line design cannot hide a large dark tattoo. Our guide to how fine line tattoos age explains why light work needs space.
• Wanting light colours, such as pale pink or yellow, over dark ink.

When laser removal helps

If an old tattoo is very dark, a few sessions of laser fading before the cover up can lighten it enough to give the artist far more design freedom. You do not always need full removal. Many cover up artists will recommend fading first for difficult pieces. Avoid do-it-yourself removal methods, for reasons we explain in our piece on at-home tattoo removal.

How to get a great cover up

• Find a cover up specialist. Covering tattoos is its own skill. Look for before and after photos, ideally healed.
• Book a consultation. Bring clear photos of the old tattoo and be open to the artist's suggestions on size and design.
• Be flexible. The best cover ups are designed around the old tattoo, not forced over it.
• Expect it to be bigger than the original, and possibly to take more than one session.
• Budget realistically. Cover ups often take longer than a fresh tattoo, and are usually priced hourly. See our tattoo price guide.
• Heal it carefully. Follow aftercare closely so the new work settles evenly. Our tattoo healing timeline explains what to expect.

Avoid needing another cover up

The best way to avoid regret next time is to choose a design with lasting meaning, avoid partners' names, and take your time. Our breakdown of what people regret most about their tattoos shows the choices that most often lead to cover ups.