Tattoo Beginners Glossary

100 common terms in the world of tattoos that beginners should know:

1. Aftercare – The process of caring for a new tattoo to ensure proper healing.
2. Apprentice – A person learning the art of tattooing under the guidance of an experienced artist.
3. Autoclave – A machine used to sterilize tattoo equipment using high-pressure steam.
4. Blackwork – A style of tattooing that uses only black ink to create designs.
5. Blowout – A mistake where the ink spreads out beyond the intended lines of the tattoo.
6. Bold Line – Thick, strong lines used in traditional and old-school tattoo styles.
7. Capillary Action – The process by which ink spreads in the skin during tattooing.
8. Cherry Blossom – A popular tattoo motif symbolizing beauty and the transient nature of life.
9. Color Bomb – A tattoo that is vibrant and heavily saturated with color.
10. Cover-Up – A tattoo designed to hide or incorporate a previous tattoo.
11. Dotwork – A style of tattooing that uses dots to create shading and texture.
12. Dragon – A common motif in tattoo art, often symbolizing strength and wisdom.
13. Flash – Pre-drawn tattoo designs displayed in a studio for clients to choose from.
14. Freehand – A technique where the tattoo artist draws the design directly onto the skin without stencils.
15. Gothic – A style of tattooing characterized by dark, mysterious, and often macabre designs.
16. Grey Wash – A technique using diluted black ink to create shades of grey for shading.
17. Haida – A style of tattooing originating from the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, featuring bold, totemic designs.
18. Henna – A temporary form of body art using dye from the henna plant.
19. Ink – The pigmented substance used to create tattoos.
20. Japanese – A traditional style of tattooing featuring intricate, colorful designs often inspired by mythology and nature.
21. Kanji – Japanese characters used in tattooing to represent words or concepts.
22. Koi Fish – A common motif in Japanese tattoos symbolizing perseverance and strength.
23. Laser Removal – A method of removing tattoos using laser technology to break down the ink particles.
24. Liner – A tattoo machine or needle used for creating outlines.
25. Maori – A style of tattooing originating from the Indigenous people of New Zealand, known for its intricate, swirling patterns.
26. Mandala – A geometric design often used in tattoos, symbolizing the universe and spiritual growth.
27. Needle – The tool used to puncture the skin and deposit ink in a tattoo.
28. Neo-Traditional – A modern take on traditional tattooing, featuring bold lines and vibrant colors with a contemporary twist.
29. Old School – A traditional style of tattooing characterized by bold lines, bright colors, and iconic designs like anchors and swallows.
30. Outline – The initial lines of a tattoo, which define the shape and detail of the design.
31. Pain Threshold – The level at which an individual starts to feel pain during tattooing.
32. Peeling – The process of the top layer of skin flaking off during the healing of a tattoo.
33. Piercing – The act of creating a hole in the body for the purpose of inserting jewelry.
34. Polynesian – A style of tattooing originating from the islands of the Pacific Ocean, known for its intricate, geometric patterns.
35. Portrait – A tattoo that replicates a photograph or image of a person or animal with realistic detail.
36. Realism – A style of tattooing that aims to replicate real-life images with precise detail and shading.
37. Red Ink – A color of tattoo ink that some people may be allergic to, causing irritation or swelling.
38. Rotary Machine – A type of tattoo machine that uses a rotating mechanism to move the needle.
39. Sailor Jerry – A famous American tattoo artist known for his traditional, nautical-themed designs.
40. Saniderm – A type of transparent, adhesive bandage used to protect a new tattoo during the initial healing process.
41. Saturated – A term used to describe a tattoo with dense, vibrant color.
42. Scabbing – The formation of a crust over a healing tattoo, which is a normal part of the healing process.
43. Script – A style of tattooing that focuses on lettering and calligraphy.
44. Shading – A technique used to add depth and dimension to a tattoo by varying the density of ink.
45. Single Needle – A tattooing technique using a single needle for fine, detailed work.
46. Sleeve – A tattoo that covers a significant portion of the arm, either partially (half-sleeve) or fully (full sleeve).
47. Stencil – A template used to transfer a tattoo design onto the skin before tattooing.
48. Sterilization – The process of cleaning and disinfecting tattoo equipment to prevent infection.
49. Stick and Poke – A method of tattooing by hand, using a needle and ink without a machine.
50. Stigma – The social disapproval or negative associations that some people have towards tattoos.
51. Symbolism – The use of symbols in tattoo designs to represent ideas, beliefs, or concepts.
52. Tattoo Convention – An event where tattoo artists and enthusiasts gather to showcase their work, share techniques, and get tattooed.
53. Tattoo Gun – A colloquial term for a tattoo machine.
54. Tattooist – A professional who applies tattoos.
55. Tebori – A traditional Japanese hand-tattooing technique.
56. Tegaderm – A brand of transparent film dressing used to protect a new tattoo.
57. Thin Line – A delicate, fine line used in tattooing for detail and precision.
58. Tiger – A common motif in tattoo art, often symbolizing strength and courage.
59. Tribal – A style of tattooing characterized by bold, black, abstract patterns inspired by Indigenous cultures.
60. Tramp Stamp – A derogatory term for a tattoo located on the lower back.
61. UV Ink – A type of tattoo ink that glows under ultraviolet light.
62. Vegan Ink – Tattoo ink made without any animal products.
63. Vibrancy – The brightness and intensity of colors in a tattoo.
64. Vintage – A term used to describe tattoos with a classic, old-fashioned style.
65. Watercolor – A style of tattooing that mimics the look of watercolor paintings, with soft, blended colors.
66. White Ink – A type of tattoo ink used for subtle, light designs or highlights.
67. Wrap – The protective covering applied to a new tattoo to keep it clean and prevent infection.
68. Yakuza – A Japanese criminal organization known for their elaborate, full-body tattoos.
69. Zombie – A popular motif in tattoo art, often representing horror or the macabre.
70. 3D Tattoo – A tattoo that is designed to look three-dimensional.
71. Biomechanical – A style of tattooing that combines elements of biology and machinery.
72. Black and Grey – A style of tattooing using only black ink and shades of grey.
73. Cartoon – A style of tattooing that features characters or designs in a whimsical, animated style.
74. Celtic – A style of tattooing featuring intricate knotwork and patterns from Celtic culture.
75. Cross-Contamination – The transfer of bacteria or other harmful substances between surfaces or objects, a concern in tattoo studios.
76. Dragonfly – A motif in tattoo art symbolizing change, adaptability, and self-realization.
77. Eagle – A common tattoo motif representing freedom, strength, and patriotism.
78. Fading – The gradual loss of color and sharpness in a tattoo over time.
79. Galaxy – A tattoo style featuring cosmic imagery, stars, and celestial bodies.
80. Heart – A classic tattoo symbol representing love, passion, or courage.
81. Illustrative – A style of tattooing that combines elements of traditional illustration and tattoo art.
82. Jellyfish – A tattoo motif symbolizing grace, resilience, and the ability to adapt.
83. Knotwork – A design element in Celtic tattoos consisting of interlacing lines and loops.
84. Lace – A style of tattooing that mimics the delicate patterns of lace fabric.
85. Mermaid – A mythical creature often featured in tattoos, symbolizing mystery and allure.
86. Nautical – A theme in tattooing that includes maritime symbols like anchors, ships, and compasses.
87. Owl – A bird commonly featured in tattoos, symbolizing wisdom and knowledge.
88. Phoenix – A mythical bird that is often used in tattoos to symbolize rebirth and renewal.
89. Quill – A motif in tattoo art representing writing, creativity, and the power of words.
90. Raven – A bird often featured in tattoos, symbolizing mystery, intelligence, and transformation.
91. Skull – A common tattoo motif representing mortality, rebellion, or change.
92. Snake – A symbol in tattoo art that can represent danger, healing, or transformation.
93. Tiger Lily – A flower commonly used in tattoos, symbolizing pride and confidence.
94. Underboob Tattoo – A tattoo placed under the breasts, often featuring intricate designs.
95. Valkyrie – A figure from Norse mythology often depicted in tattoos, representing strength and protection.
96. Wolf – A common tattoo motif symbolizing loyalty, family, and courage.
97. X-Ray – A style of tattooing that depicts the internal structure of plants or animals.
98. Yin Yang – A symbol in Chinese philosophy representing balance and harmony, often used in tattoos.
99. Zen Circle – A motif in tattoo art symbolizing enlightenment, the universe, and the void.
100. Zodiac – Astrological symbols representing the twelve signs of the zodiac, commonly used in tattoos.

These terms cover various styles, techniques, symbols, and practices in the tattoo world, providing a solid foundation for anyone interested in tattoos.