Cover-Up Tattoos – Clean Slate

Q: Free Consultation

Book a free 15-minute consultation — online or in person (we recommend stopping by to say hi!). We’ll go over your idea, size, placement, and pricing — no pressure to commit. Our goal is to understand your vision, answer your questions, and guide you toward a design that looks great now and for years to come. We’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Masterful Cover-Ups

Our artists know how to work with ink density, undertones, and placement to transform old tattoos into clean, lasting art.

Experienced, Trusted Artists

Our studio is home to some of the best talent in the industry. Each artist brings a unique style and a commitment to quality.

Sterile Equipment

Your safety is our top priority. We use advanced, medical-grade sterile equipment for every tattoo.

Starting point

When a Tattoo No Longer Feels Right

Many clients come to us with tattoos they no longer connect with—whether it was rushed, done by an inexperienced artist, or simply doesn’t reflect who they are anymore.

This piece came in with uneven shading, blurred lines, and no longer held any personal meaning for the client. Our first step is always listening: understanding the story, the frustration, and the goals for what comes next.

Strategic Design.

Planning to Make It Disappear

A great cover-up isn’t just painted over. It’s engineered.

We analyze the original tattoo’s shape, density, and placement — and then build a design that uses contrast, negative space, and depth to completely redirect the eye.

What you’re seeing here is the stencil phase — our blueprint for erasing the old while laying the foundation for something new, bold, and beautifully executed.

The finished result

No trace left behind

The final result? A tattoo that doesn’t look like a cover-up.

At 46 Tattoo, our cover-up work is done with the goal of making it disappear entirely. No heavy black boxes. No awkward patches. Just clean, cohesive, expertly inked work that feels like it was always meant to be there.

Our clients don’t walk away hiding something.

They walk away proud.

Starting point

When a Tattoo No Longer Feels Right

Many clients come to us with tattoos they no longer connect with—whether it was rushed, done by an inexperienced artist, or simply doesn’t reflect who they are anymore.

This piece came in with uneven shading, blurred lines, and no longer held any personal meaning for the client. Our first step is always listening: understanding the story, the frustration, and the goals for what comes next.

Strategic Design.

Planning to Make It Disappear

A great cover-up isn’t just painted over. It’s engineered.

We analyze the original tattoo’s shape, density, and placement — and then build a design that uses contrast, negative space, and depth to completely redirect the eye.

What you’re seeing here is the stencil phase — our blueprint for erasing the old while laying the foundation for something new, bold, and beautifully executed.

The finished result

No trace left behind

The final result? A tattoo that doesn’t look like a cover-up.

At 46 Tattoo, our cover-up work is done with the goal of making it disappear entirely. No heavy black boxes. No awkward patches. Just clean, cohesive, expertly inked work that feels like it was always meant to be there.

Our clients don’t walk away hiding something.

They walk away proud.

46 Tattoo did an incredible job on my cover-up! I knew cover-ups were challenging, but they nailed it. The process took three sessions, and the results exceeded my expectations — you’d never know anything was underneath. The studio made me feel comfortable the entire time, and the artists clearly know their craft when it comes to transforming old work into something new. If you’re thinking about a cover-up, this is the place to go.

Not Every Artist Does Cover-Ups.

Meet the Ones Who Do.

Find Your Artist

Geoffrey Wong

Owner - Black and Grey Expert

Spencer Skalko

Artist - American Traditional Expert

Taivas Jättiläinen

Artist - Illustrative Expert

Start to Finish

How Cover-Ups Work

Cover-ups can feel intimidating — especially if you have tattoo you’ve regretted. We get it. From start to ink, we'll guide you through every step to create something you’re proud to wear.

Share Your Idea

Just send us your tattoo idea — even if it’s rough! From there, we’ll follow up to book your free consultation or you can choose a time directly through our calendar.

Not sure what you want? That’s okay too. We’re here to help guide you toward something that fits your vision and looks great long-term.

Free Consultation

Book a free 15-minute consultation— online or in person (we recommend stopping by to say hi!). We’ll go over your idea, size, placement, and pricing — no pressure to commit. Our goal is to understand your vision, answer your questions, and guide you toward a design that looks great now and for years to come.

We’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Lock In Your Appointment

Once everything’s confirmed, we’ll schedule your session and lock it in with a $100 deposit — which goes toward the final cost. No surprises.

Between now and your appointment, your artist will work with you to fine-tune the design and make sure it feels perfect for tattoo day. Whether you have a clear vision or just a rough concept, our artists know what works and can draw anything needed to make it happen.

Leading Up to Your Appointment

A little prep can make a big difference. Here are a few simple tips to help you get ready:

Eat well and stay hydrated
Moisturize the area for a few days
Avoid sunburn, alcohol, and blood thinners
Review your appointment details — and reach out with any questions

Want more help? Check out our guides.

The Day of Your Appointment

Show up feeling good — we’ll take it from there.

Bring valid ID (you must be 18+)
Arrive on time — or a little early
Come well-fed, rested, and freshly showered
Bring water, snacks, and a friend if you like
Your artist will walk you through every step — from setup to aftercare

After Your Appointment

You’ll leave with a beautiful tattoo — and everything you need to take care of it properly.

Keep the area clean and moisturized
Avoid sun, soaking, and scratching
Healing takes 2–4 weeks, depending on your skin and placement
Got questions later? Just reach out — we’re always here to help

01 Styles

Bold styles with strong lines and shading help mask old tattoos while still looking clean and intentional. Our artists can adapt almost any look to work.

All Styles

American Traditional

Bold. Clean. Classic.

Traditional Japanese

Timeless and Symbolic

Illustrative

Artistry and Expression

Anime & Video Games

Nostalgia on Skin

Black & Grey Realism

Depth. Detail. Contrast.

Script

Lettering meets Artistry

02 Positions

Common cover-up positions. We can cover up tattoos in any position with the right design approach.

All Positions

Bicep

Tattoo work on the inner or outer bicep.

Ankle

Tattoo work around the ankle, ankle bone, or lower leg transition.

Shoulder

Tattoo work on the shoulder cap or upper shoulder area.

Neck

Tattoo work on the front, side, or back of the neck.

Back

Large tattoo work across the upper, lower, or full back.

Thigh / Upper Leg

Tattoo work across the upper or lower thigh.

03 Subjects

These subjects work exceptionally well for coverups with their bold shapes and detailed designs that effectively mask previous tattoos.

All Subjects

Rose

A symbol of love, beauty, and the balance of thorns and petals.

Snake

A symbol of transformation, rebirth, and primal power.

Samurai Mask

A symbol of honor, discipline, and the warrior's code.

Dragon

A symbol of power, wisdom, and the balance of destruction and creation.

Skull

A symbol of mortality, remembrance, and the cycle of life and death.

Owl

A symbol of wisdom, mystery, and the ability to see through darkness.

Share your cover-up idea

Expert cover-ups made with care, creativity, and zero judgment.

FAQs

See more FAQs

Will the old tattoo still show through?

If a cover-up is done properly, the old tattoo shouldn’t be visible. That said, every tattoo is different. We’ll be honest with you about what we can fully hide and whether a bit of fading is needed first. We’re not here to just “make it work” — we’ll design something that’s built to last and age well.

Can you cover names or script tattoos?

Absolutely. Names and script are among the most common cover-up requests. These can be a bit trickier because of their shape and density, but our artists are skilled at incorporating them into a new design that doesn’t look like a cover-up at all.

What tattoo styles work best for cover-ups?

Styles with strong structure and shading — like black and grey realism, illustrative, or neo-traditional — usually work best because they can mask older ink more effectively. We’ll help you choose a style that works technically and matches your taste.

Will the new tattoo need to be larger?

Usually, yes. A good cover-up needs enough space to redirect the eye and properly mask the old tattoo. That doesn't mean it has to be massive, but expect the new piece to be a bit bigger than the original — it’s part of what makes it successful.

Can I bring in my own design for a cover-up?

You’re welcome to bring ideas or references, but we may need to adapt them. Cover-ups require working around existing ink, so flexibility is key. We’ll always prioritize your vision — and help reshape it into something that works visually and technically.

What payments are accepted at the shop?

You can pay your deposit online or in person.

Online: We accept credit/debit (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and PayPal.
In-Studio: Cash and card are accepted.

The remaining balance will be settled in-studio at the end of each tattoo session.

Financing Available: We offer flexible financing options, just contact us to learn more.

How much will my tattoo cost?

Tattoo pricing depends on your design, size, placement, and level of detail. For simpler pieces, we may quote a flat rate, for larger or more complex work, we usually charge hourly based on the artist’s rate.

Great tattoos aren’t cheap, and you don’t want to be cheap with your body, cover-ups and removals can be expensive (and not always possible). The best way to get an accurate quote is to chat with one of our artists. Share your idea or come by for a walk-in consultation and we’ll walk through your idea, timeline, and pricing together.