Tattoos carry a kind of reputation, a predetermined opinion and a very generic conception. Skulls and roses, stars and hearts, grim reapers and naked fairies: all of these images are popular tattoo designs, timeless and infinite, but bearing often-negative connotations. These tattoos, often drawn from flash, or pre-drawn artwork, are seen as unoriginal, and no matter what personal beliefs or emotions wears attach to these pictures, tattoo enthusiasts will forever look at them as uncreative and boring. But sometimes an individual is able to twist these pre-conceived icons into something beautifully original, something so terribly his or her own that onlookers completely forget the social connotations of the images. Tattoo lettering, like hearts and stars and rainbows, can be transformed into something unique with a little time, effort and imagination.

Writing on the Skin

While most tattoo lettering is available as flash, wearers can present their own personal inscriptions to most tattoo artists. Flash tattoo lettering is usually comprised of popular phrases, sayings, slang terms or quotations in foreign language. When an individual decides to work with an artist on an original piece, he or she can choose from the artist’s portfolio of fonts or attempt to collaborate on a new font. However, tattoo lettering is usually more successful when the font used is a little more scripted; using stencils, the artist will be able to immortalize any personal quote in ink a lot more consistently and neatly than if he or she is attempting to create the font as well. Ideas for original fonts can be gathering from computer programs and graphic design software, as well as from fine art or pop culture; fonts can either be taken directly from advertisements or slogans, or can be twisted into unique, hybrid tattoo lettering.

Still, a lot of what people want to say has already been said before, and will often be included in some set of flash or in an artist’s portfolio. If this is the case, individuals must use caution before selecting flash. If the tattoo lettering is meant to accompany a picture, especially if it is added afterward, the font should match the ambiance of the other tattoo. Usually, tattoo lettering can be built from components of the original tattoo; letters can be drawn as ropes, wires, knots or flames. Foreign language symbols and tattoo lettering must be researched prior to selection, otherwise the terminology used could be improper, and the entire sentence or phrase could read differently in the end. Tattoos are permanent, and such a mistake is embarrassing.

Tattoos fade overtime, becoming less distinct, duller and far less imposing. Pictures and graphics hold up fairly well to time, but tattoo lettering can easily become illegible over time, especially of the font used is small or fine. For this reason, wearers must select their fonts carefully, taking into consideration the future of their tattoos; even lines, well-spaced letters and bolder fonts enjoy longer lives than their more intricate, softer-spoken counterparts. Tattoo artists will offer their expectations concerning tattoo lettering, and many will even set size and space limits on tattoos they design, ensuring that individuals understand the tattoo aging process.