Cover Up On Text/Script ( Tattoo Becoming Blurry )

[MakaveliX]

I have a small tattoo from 2 years ago in writing, it's about 2 inchs in length and it looks slightly blurrier than when I first had it. It's legible now but... I'd assume over the next few years it will become more blurry. Is it difficult to get a cover-up on black and grey script/text ?

It looks slightly lighter in real. 

Got a before and after picture too.

Just after it was done.

 

 

I did have a touch-up on it a few weeks after it was done. That may be why the original picture looks slightly different

 

Now

Edited July 24, 2021 by MakaveliX

[MakaveliX]

Anyone had a cover up on text before ?  Or would it be best to ask a tattooist in future if it gets more blurry ?

Edited July 26, 2021 by MakaveliX

[oboogie]

Text always does that over time.

[Hogrider]

Another great reason not to get text.

[MakaveliX]

9 hours ago, Hogrider said:

Another great reason not to get text.

It was my first tattoo so I didn't know. I've got other text which is bigger and wider and looks 100% fine after 2 years. So the size of it must play a part too.

 

I have seen some cover ups of black text on the internet so shouldn't be a problem.

[oboogie]

18 hours ago, Hogrider said:

Another great reason not to get text.

I have some text (a couple of lines of Johnny Cash lyrics), but my artist spaced it accordingly so it didn't bleed all together. Still looks good. 🤷‍♀️

[Hogrider]

10 hours ago, MakaveliX said:

It was my first tattoo so I didn't know. I've got other text which is bigger and wider and looks 100% fine after 2 years. So the size of it must play a part too.

That's why you do research BEFORE you get a tattoo. 😉

[Hogrider]

2 hours ago, oboogie said:

I have some text (a couple of lines of Johnny Cash lyrics), but my artist spaced it accordingly so it didn't bleed all together. Still looks good. 🤷‍♀️

Yea, the problem is most people figure, well it's just script so anybody can do that. Then they get a shit tattoo and can't figure out why it looks so bad.

[SStu]

To answer your question - that all depends on what you want to cover it with. 

[suburbanxcore]

To give an older LST answer, "put a panther over it."

[MakaveliX]

If the artist uses good quality ink and I moisturise every day, will this reduce the blurring over time ?

Edited August 22, 2021 by MakaveliX

[suburbanxcore]

I’d assume your artist is using a “good quality ink.” If they’re not, we have much bigger issues to discuss. 
 

Beyond that, you can do whatever you want to it, but your tattoo is going to spread and fade somewhat over time. Also, once that happens you can’t “reduce” it. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by suburbanxcore

[MakaveliX]

On 8/23/2021 at 2:12 AM, suburbanxcore said:

I’d assume your artist is using a “good quality ink.” If they’re not, we have much bigger issues to discuss. 
 

Beyond that, you can do whatever you want to it, but your tattoo is going to spread and fade somewhat over time. Also, once that happens you can’t “reduce” it. 

Well it's dynamic triple black which is supposed to be the best. On the web it does say it does not fade but i'd assume it will fade but not as much as other inks ?

 

The fact that it's not fixable is pretty depressing as i've just got some more negative space tattoos now and once the gaps close a bit it may be less legible. 😞

Surely with negative space though you can fill the negative space with colour to counteract the blurring a bit ?

Lets say the gap I shown closes up a bit, can I not just colour the whole lot in with a colour such as red or white instead of having negative space ?

 

 

Edited August 23, 2021 by MakaveliX

[SStu]

Personally, I wouldn't let that particular artist try to fix anything. 

Where are you located? If you're hell-bent on cleaning it up you're going to need the opinion of someone who is top notch. 

[oboogie]

You're going to end up with a mess if you choose to futz around with your tattoo. Listen to what people are telling you.

[MakaveliX]

On 8/23/2021 at 3:04 PM, SStu said:

Personally, I wouldn't let that particular artist try to fix anything. 

Where are you located? If you're hell-bent on cleaning it up you're going to need the opinion of someone who is top notch. 

 

Their work is excellent but I don't think they specialise in text. I'm not in the USA so unlikely anyone could suggest someone

[Hogrider]

On 8/23/2021 at 2:29 AM, MakaveliX said:

Well it's dynamic triple black which is supposed to be the best. On the web it does say it does not fade but i'd assume it will fade but not as much as other inks ?

 

The fact that it's not fixable is pretty depressing as i've just got some more negative space tattoos now and once the gaps close a bit it may be less legible. 😞

Surely with negative space though you can fill the negative space with colour to counteract the blurring a bit ?

Lets say the gap I shown closes up a bit, can I not just colour the whole lot in with a colour such as red or white instead of having negative space ?

 

 

No matter how you ask or phase your question, the answer is always the same - in trying to fix it, you'll almost certainly make it worse.

[oboogie]

On 8/23/2021 at 10:12 AM, MakaveliX said:

 

Their work is excellent but I don't think they specialise in text. I'm not in the USA so unlikely anyone could suggest someone

Leave. It. Alone. Unless you want a hideously ugly tattoo that you obsess over even more. It will not look better. It will look worse. That's it. That's the answer.

[suburbanxcore]

Multiple people are telling you the same thing and you’re not getting it. I’m sorry to be blunt, but let’s clear up a few things. 
 

1. Tattoos are an imperfect artform

2. Skin is an imperfect medium

3. Tattooing is a wound that has to heal. Without letting it heal, nothing can be done. 

4. Overworking a tattoo (and inflicting more trauma to the area) will rarely help a situation. 

5. Stop worrying about what inks your artist use. If you are at a reputable shop and artist, they know more than you do. They also know more than most people here  

6. Do more research on who you choose to tattoo you before you let them stick needles into your skin with ink that will be there forever.

7. The answer to further questions is probably “let it heal and wait a few weeks” or “no, you can’t fix it that way.”
 

 

 

[MakaveliX]

On 8/24/2021 at 2:17 AM, suburbanxcore said:

Multiple people are telling you the same thing and you’re not getting it. I’m sorry to be blunt, but let’s clear up a few things. 
 

1. Tattoos are an imperfect artform

2. Skin is an imperfect medium

3. Tattooing is a wound that has to heal. Without letting it heal, nothing can be done. 

4. Overworking a tattoo (and inflicting more trauma to the area) will rarely help a situation. 

5. Stop worrying about what inks your artist use. If you are at a reputable shop and artist, they know more than you do. They also know more than most people here  

6. Do more research on who you choose to tattoo you before you let them stick needles into your skin with ink that will be there forever.

7. The answer to further questions is probably “let it heal and wait a few weeks” or “no, you can’t fix it that way.”
 

 

 

 

Understood, thanks 🙂

[MakaveliX]

As far as minor touch-ups on parts which fade after healing. Should I find someone else ? I wouldn't want to make it any worse.

[Hogrider]

On 8/24/2021 at 2:38 AM, MakaveliX said:

As far as minor touch-ups on parts which fade after healing. Should I find someone else ? I wouldn't want to make it any worse.

Find someone that knows what they are doing.