Expert Fix-Ups

Our artists understand skin, aging ink, and how to restore contrast, depth, and clarity — without overworking the piece.

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 Starts to Fade

Tattoos change over time — lines soften, shading blurs, and color loses its pop. Sometimes it’s a result of sun exposure, improper healing, or rushed application.

We start by evaluating what’s there: the structure, saturation, and potential. Most importantly, we listen. What do you want to keep, fix, or enhance? From there, we build a plan.

Strategic Design.

More Than Just a Trace-Over

Fix-ups aren’t just about going over the same lines. They’re about balance.

We assess how to bring back contrast, rebuild shape, and make the tattoo feel new again — while preserving its original feel or improving on it.

What you’re seeing here is a refreshed stencil: carefully adjusted to enhance what’s already there and lay the groundwork for a clean, lasting result.

The finished result

Refreshed. Restored. Respected.

The final result doesn’t look fixed-up — it looks right.

At 46 Tattoo, we approach every refresh with care, skill, and respect for the original piece. Whether we’re fixing faded lines, boosting color, or correcting technical flaws, the goal is the same: clean work that holds up.

Our clients don’t walk away with “fixed” tattoos.

They walk away with tattoos they love again.

My tattoo had faded a lot over the years, and I was nervous to mess with it. But the artist brought it back to life — it looks sharper than ever without losing the original feel. I wish I’d done it sooner.

This was my first custom tattoo, and I was nervous at first — but the team made it easy. They walked me through the whole process, helped refine my idea, and nailed the execution. It feels like it was made just for me.

The Artists Who Get It Right

Choose Your Artist

Find Your Artist

Start to Finish

How Fix-Ups Work

Fix-ups can be just as technical as new tattoos — especially if the piece is older or already overworked. We’ll walk you through the process step by step, from evaluation to execution, so you know exactly what to expect.

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

Common Fix-Up Scenarios

Faded Black or Color Tattoos

Ink loses intensity over time. We restore boldness, depth, and clarity while keeping your original design intact.

Blurred or Broken Lines

Lines that once looked crisp can spread or fade. We rework the details to bring back sharpness and definition.

Patchy Shading

Uneven tones or unfinished areas? We smooth things out with expert shading to create a more polished, cohesive look.

Poorly Healed Pieces

Bad healing can leave scars, gaps, or cloudy ink. We assess the damage and carefully rebuild the tattoo’s structure.

Aging, Sun or Skin Changes

Time and sun exposure break down ink. We adjust contrast and tone to help your tattoo look fresh again.

Just Not Happy With It

Sometimes a tattoo just doesn’t feel right — whether it’s the style, detail, or overall vibe. We’ll work with you to refine and elevate it, so it finally feels like yours.

Give Your Tattoo a Second Life

Fix-ups done right — clean, precise, and true to the spirit of your original tattoo.

How do I know if my tattoo needs a touch-up?

If your lines are fading, color looks dull, or the design no longer feels clean or readable, it may be time. OSend us a photo — we’ll give you honest advice.

Can you fix poor linework or patchy shading?

Often, yes. It depends on the condition of the tattoo and skin. We’ll assess what’s possible and let you know what kind of results to expect.

Can you touch up work from another studio?

Yes. We often help refresh tattoos done elsewhere. As long as the skin isn’t overworked, we can usually bring it back to life.

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.

Looking for something else?

Explore our other services below to see how they works and what to expect.