How to Design a Color Tattoo

Can you add color to any tattoo? Does it last? What do you need to know before getting a color tattoo? Wonder no more! We looked into this tattoo genre to give you all the info you need before booking your next appointment. We tell you where to start, what to keep in mind, and what elements are needed to make a killer color tattoo. Read on to find out everything you need to know about color tattoos.

It’s pretty self-explanatory – it’s a tattoo that has color. Tattoos have been around for centuries, but color tattoos may not be quite as old. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when color entered the tattoo scene. Different cultures around the world have been using color pigments for centuries, but some say that the Sailor Jerry tattoo phenomenon brought color tattoos to the Western mainstream. During this time, new color pigments were added to tattoos to create a whole new spectrum of possibilities, largely attributed to tattoo artist Norman Collins, aka Sailor Jerry.

Montreal tattoo artist David Peyote believes that newer technology also played a part in color tattoos becoming the norm, “The fact that pigments are manufactured on a big commercial level allows the quality to stay the same over time. As when it comes to tattoo machines, the arrival of rotaries and new needle types helped a lot in making the job easier when it comes to putting colours in the skin”. There are a lot more options for pigments and application than there were in the Sailor Jerry days, so this could explain the rise in popularity of color inks.

Color tattoos are obvious, and so are the key elements to it. If a tattoo includes color, especially as a main feature of the design, it can be classified as a color tattoo. All color tattoos will overlap with another tattoo style, because color itself isn’t a specific style of tattooing. If you don’t know what the main style of the tattoo you’re looking at is, if it includes color, you at least know that it’s a color tattoo. Aside from that, possibilities include Illustrative, Neo-Traditional, New School, or Fine Art tattoos, just to name a few.

When coming up with an idea for a color tattoo design, David suggests that you don’t overthink it, “Don’t think too much. There isn’t much of a difference between black and grey and colour tattoos. Make sure the artist uses enough black so the tattoo will age well over time”. Tattoos that are done strictly in color don’t have the same longevity as black ink tattoos, because color has a tendency to fade with age. Choose a design idea that can successfully be outlined using black ink, at the very least.

As David said, the options are limitless for a color tattoo, so there’s no way to pinpoint any one popular design over another. Color can be added to just about any tattoo design, so no matter what your tattoo is, it’s going to be unique. That being said, watercolor, specifically, tends to be seen a lot with designs involving birds, animals, and nature.

Color tattoos are an awesome way to express your creativity with body art, but there are some things to keep in mind with these kinds of tattoos. Black needs to be present in the tattoo, or there’s a good chance it will fade quite a bit with age. It’s important to research other tattoo styles if you’re thinking of getting some new ink, and then add color to that, as color tattoos almost always overlap with another style. From there, find an artist who’s skilled in your chosen tattoo style, and especially in using color, before booking your appointment.