That tattoo you regret is probably fixable. The studio in Kuta lists both cover up and reworking of old or faded tattoos as dedicated services, and a free consultation is the fastest way to find out what is actually achievable for your specific piece.
What makes a tattoo a good candidate for a cover up?
Artists look at three things first: how dark the existing ink is, how large the piece is, and how much clear skin surrounds it. A faded tattoo on a flat area like the forearm or upper arm gives the artist the most flexibility. Heavy saturation and large solid blocks of old ink narrow the options, because the new design has to be dark and dense enough to overpower what sits underneath.
Colour adds another layer of complexity. Certain older shades can bleed through lighter pigments in a new design, which is why artists frequently recommend bold, densely worked styles for cover up situations rather than delicate or light toned approaches.
Can a very dark or solid tattoo still be covered?
Yes, but the design options are narrower, and the new tattoo will almost always need to be larger than the original. Heavy saturation is not a reason to abandon the idea; it is a reason to plan the design carefully with an artist who has genuine cover up experience.
Styles with strong outlines and dense shading, such as blackwork, realism, dotwork and certain oriental compositions, can sit over solid old ink without the original bleeding through, provided placement and sizing are right. The studio lists all of these styles as part of its regular service offering, alongside reworking of old or faded tattoos as a separate option for pieces that simply need refreshing rather than a full cover up.
How much bigger does a cover up design need to be?
The new design has to reach far enough past the edges of the original that no outline of the old piece shows at the border. How far that is depends on the ink density at the edges and the style chosen, and an artist sizes it during the consultation rather than applying a fixed rule.
This is one reason cover ups often develop into larger compositions. If your existing tattoo sits on your upper arm, a cover up consultation is also a natural starting point for discussing a half sleeve or full sleeve, both of which are listed services at the studio and can be planned across multiple sessions if your trip allows it.
What styles work best for covering an unwanted tattoo?
Bold styles with strong outlines and dense shading are the most reliable tools for a cover up. Traditional, neo traditional, blackwork, oriental, skull theme and realism are all on the studio's style list and each can be adapted to suit a cover up situation. Fine line work is generally not the right call over heavy old ink, because the delicate lines do not carry enough density to suppress what sits underneath.
Custom design is part of the service. Artists work from your own pictures and ideas to build something that fits your taste while still solving the technical problem the old tattoo creates, so you are not locked into a generic design just because the job is a cover up.
Is a consultation really necessary, or can I just book a session?
For a cover up, the consultation is the step that determines whether the session goes well. The artist needs to see the existing tattoo, assess the ink density and skin condition, and talk through which styles and sizes will actually work before any design is started.
Consultations at the studio are free and walk ins are welcome, so you can drop in during your stay without planning it down to the minute. The studio runs every day from 10am to 10pm, a twelve hour window that fits around beach time, day trips and other holiday plans. If you prefer to lock in a time before you fly, the booking and appointment pages on the site let you request a quote as well.
Should I get a cover up done while I am on holiday?
Timing matters more for a cover up than for a straightforward new tattoo. As a general rule, a cover up can take longer than a fresh piece of the same size, because new pigment has to be built up over the existing ink. If you are planning a cover up rather than a simple rework, book it early in your trip and follow your artist's aftercare instructions afterwards.
Downunder Tattoo Bali is on Jl. Bakung Sari in Kuta, and the site lists Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Jimbaran and Uluwatu among the nearby areas it serves. It is open every day from 10am to 10pm, so a consultation can fit around the rest of your plans.
The studio uses fresh needles and cartridges, and its furniture is adjustable for client comfort. That matters for a cover up in particular, because the skin is worked more thoroughly than in a simple new piece.
How do I assess a studio's cover up work before I commit?
Look at finished cover up examples in the portfolio rather than new tattoos on clean skin. What you want to see is clean edges on the new design with no ghost of the original showing through, and consistent density across the covered area rather than patches of lighter saturation where old ink resisted. The tattoo portfolio on the site shows recent work across styles and is worth reviewing before you arrive in Kuta.
When you are at the studio, ask the artist directly whether a full cover up or a rework better suits your piece. A rework refreshes and adds to an existing tattoo without trying to obliterate it, and for some faded or blurry designs it produces a cleaner result than a full cover. Both are listed services, and knowing which one applies to your situation is exactly what the free consultation is designed to establish.
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This article draws on the following pages.