Cover up tattoos in Newcastle. Walk away from the old one for good.
Cover ups by John Quinn at Tattoo Zone, Byker. Honest assessments, custom designs and considered work that turns ink you regret into a piece you are proud to wear.
About this style
Cover Ups tattoos at our Newcastle studio
Cover ups are part design, part diagnosis. The new tattoo always has to be bigger and darker than what is underneath, but how much bigger and darker depends on the existing ink, the placement, and the design we agree at consultation. Some cover ups are straightforward. Some need a few laser sessions first to fade the original to a workable level. We will tell you honestly which one yours is, and if a piece needs laser before we can give you the cover you actually want, we will say so. Black and grey realism, dark florals, animal portraits and Chicano figurative all work well as cover ups because they have a wide range of natural blacks and shadows that hide what is underneath. Pastel colour and fine line do not, no matter how clever the composition. Send a clear photo of the existing tattoo on Facebook Messenger or give us a call, with a rough idea of where you want to go with it. We will plan the rest at consultation.
Gallery
2 Cover Ups pieces from the studio
FAQ
Common questions about cover ups in Newcastle
Can any tattoo be covered?
Most can, with the right design at the right size. Solid black or very recent dark work may need laser fading first. We assess in person at consultation, where we can see the piece in good light, not just from a phone photo.
Will the new tattoo be much bigger than the old one?
Almost always, yes. A cover up usually needs to be 1.5 to 2 times the size of the original, with darker areas placed strategically to hide the existing ink. We will sketch the rough proportions at consultation so you know what you are committing to.
Do I need laser before the cover up?
Sometimes. If the original is dark and recent, a few laser sessions first opens up a lot more design options. If the original is older and faded, we can usually go straight in. We will be honest with you about which is realistic.
How long does a cover up take?
Usually one or two more sessions than a fresh piece of the same size. The first session lays the new structure and drops in the heavy blacks. The second adds detail and depth. Larger cover ups follow the same multi-session model as any large custom piece.
How much do cover ups cost in Newcastle?
Cover ups are priced like the equivalent fresh tattoo, plus extra design time, because the artwork has to solve a constraint. We always give an honest written quote at consultation, with laser costs flagged separately if needed.
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Pricing, opening hours, the consultation process and the rest of John Quinn's work.