Recommended cover-up tattoo designs and 5 recommended studios in Tokyo

A cover-up tattoo is when you put another tattoo on top of an existing tattoo to create a new design.

For example, instead of just putting a new design on top of a previous tattoo,

This treatment is to make the previous design more vivid.

but,

What kind of designs can I get with a cover-up tattoo?

Where can I get a cover-up tattoo?

Are you worried about things like these?

In this article, we will introduce recommended cover-up tattoo designs and studios in Tokyo where you can get the service done.

If you are thinking about getting a cover-up tattoo, be sure to check this out.

What is a cover-up?

A cover-up is a procedure in which a new tattoo is applied over an existing tattoo design.

in particular,

・I want to cover my old tattoo and get a new design

- I don't like the tattoo design and want to change it a little

・Want to hide scars from cutting or surgery

Recommended for those who have the above concerns.

Talk to your tattoo artist and get a new design.

What are your favorite designs for cover-ups?

Since the main purpose of a cover-up is to hide previous tattoos, there are limitations to the tattoo designs that can be included.

For those who want to cover up but don't know what design to choose, we have three recommended designs.

A design that is larger than the original tattoo

The first is a tattoo design that is larger than the original design.

As mentioned above, a cover-up is a procedure in which a larger design is applied to the original tattoo to hide an existing design.

Even if you get a tattoo that is smaller than the original design, it won't hide the design and it won't be a cover-up.

So make the design bigger than your previous one.

A darker design than the original tattoo

Secondly, we recommend getting a tattoo that is a darker color than the original design.

If you don't get a tattoo that's a darker color than your previous design, the design will show through or the color will mix with the new tattoo, resulting in a beautiful design.

If your previous tattoo is black and the design you want to cover up is white, the new design will not be able to completely cover the previous design.

When doing a cover-up, we recommend choosing a tattoo design that is darker than your existing tattoo.

A design that makes use of the original tattoo

The third is a design that makes use of the original tattoo.

Cover-up also recommends treatments that make use of the original design, such as making a previous design more distinct or changing its appearance slightly.

If the tattoo design you have isn't going as you expected, or if you feel something is wrong with it after getting it, you may want to change the design.

We also recommend cover-up treatments that make use of existing designs.

Recommended points for cover-up

If you want to try a cover-up but are wondering if there are any other ways to cover up other than a new design, we will introduce some points to recommend when choosing a cover-up.

Recoloring faded tattoos

The first recommended point is re-applying a faded tattoo. It is a procedure similar to a touch-up, but with a cover-up, you can change not only the color but also the design.

Tattoos will never disappear, but as the skin turns over, the color may fade in 2-3 years. You can use a cover-up to make the color clearer or darker, or change the design.

Cover-ups are recommended because they allow you to re-apply faded tattoos or make arrangements while making use of the original design.

You can change or modify your tattoo design

The second recommended point is that you can change and modify the tattoo design.

Although the main purpose of a cover-up is to hide the original design, it can also be used to correct previously applied tattoos.

For example, you can make minor changes or corrections to a previous tattoo, such as thinning the lines, without having to make major changes to the design.

A cover-up can make major changes to your design, but it is also recommended because it can also correct minor details of an existing tattoo.

You can continue engraving at another store.

The third recommended point is that you can continue engraving a design that you had engraving at another salon.

There may be times when your tattoo artist quits before the tattoo is completed. In that case, you can ask for a cover-up tattoo at another salon.

If your artist quits, you can ask for the tattoo to continue at another studio, not just the one you went to. It is essential to have a detailed consultation beforehand so that you can get the design you want.

Cover Up is also recommended because you can continue your tattooing at another salon.

You can put a tattoo over a scar from surgery to hide it.

The fourth recommended point is that you can get a tattoo over scars such as surgical scars to hide them.

This is because even if you have a wound, as long as it has healed completely, you can still get a tattoo.

Specifically, the types of scars that can be tattooed include:

・Surgery scars

・Burn scars (keloid-like raised scars)

・Scars from cutting one's wrists, etc.

And so on.

You can get a tattoo over a scar, but

・It is difficult to clearly distinguish the shades of colors, such as gradations.

The design may become distorted or wobbly.

・If you look closely after the treatment is completed, you can see the scars

There are some things to keep in mind, such as the above, so you need to be careful when getting a tattoo over a scar.

Scars from surgery can be made less noticeable with cover-ups. However, as the procedure is difficult, we recommend that you consult with an artist before undergoing the procedure.

The difference between a cover-up and a touch-up

There are two types of treatments to arrange your original tattoo: cover-up and touch-up. Both are treatments to arrange existing tattoos. Here, we will introduce the differences between each treatment.

What is a cover-up?

A cover-up is a completely new design that replaces an existing tattoo.

The main purpose of a cover-up treatment is to hide an existing tattoo design that you don't like.

The design you choose should be larger than your existing tattoo and in a darker color so that it can cover your original tattoo.

What is a touch-up?

A touch-up is a procedure that utilizes and adapts the design of an existing tattoo.

Specifically, you can receive treatment that mainly makes the colors of existing tattoos more vivid or adds lines to make the design clearer.

The main difference between a cover-up and a touch-up is that a cover-up is a treatment that mainly hides the original design, while a touch-up makes use of the original design.

Consult with your tattoo artist to find the treatment that is best for you and then get the treatment.

Note about cover-up

Here are three things to keep in mind when doing a cover-up:

In addition to the issue of the size of the design mentioned above, we will also explain what you should pay attention to when choosing a tattoo artist to perform the procedure.

The design cannot be smaller than the original design.

The first thing to note is that you cannot get a tattoo that is smaller than the original tattoo design.

A cover-up is a procedure in which a new design is applied over an existing tattoo to hide the original tattoo.

If you get a design that is smaller than your original tattoo, the new design will overshadow the original tattoo.

When getting a cover up, choose a design that is larger than your original tattoo to hide your existing tattoo.

Cover-up requires the artist's skill

The second thing to note is that the tattoo artist's skills are essential.

Even if you have a cover-up done, depending on the tattoo artist, you may not like the design even after it's been covered up.

If you are not satisfied with the design after the procedure, you will have to have additional cover-ups done, and you will have to repeat the process until you get a design you like.

Also, as you keep getting cover-ups, the design may get bigger and bigger, or if you keep filling in the previous tattoo to hide it, the design may end up being even more unpleasant.

If you are having a cover up done, make sure to hire an experienced and skilled tattoo artist.

Detailed consultation with the artist is required

The third thing to note is that you should have a thorough consultation with your tattoo artist before getting a cover-up.

If you suddenly ask for a cover-up on the day of the procedure without consulting us beforehand, depending on the original tattoo design and the part of the body where the tattoo is located, the procedure may be difficult and may fail without prior consultation.

By consulting with the artist in advance, you can confirm the size and color of the design after the treatment and be satisfied before undergoing the treatment.

Before getting your cover-up done, talk to your artist in advance so you have an idea of ​​what the finished product will look like.

Book a cover-up consultation

We recommend that you receive a consultation before undergoing a cover-up treatment.

It is better to confirm through consultation that the tattoo artist in charge can cover up the design you have in mind, so that you can have the treatment with peace of mind.

While it is possible to ask the artist who tattooed your existing design to do a cover-up, we recommend hiring an artist with a proven track record and a reputation for their work.

Before deciding on a studio or tattoo artist, be sure to check out the studio's website and the artist's posts on social media such as Instagram.

Before getting a cover-up, be sure to have a thorough consultation with a skilled artist.

5 recommended tattoo studios in Tokyo that offer cover-up services

Here are five studios in Tokyo that offer cover-up treatments. We recommend that you receive counseling at a studio that has a design and price that suits you.

Studio ① KAGEROU

The first recommended studio is "KAGEROU".

At KAGEROU, you can include black designs as well as designs inspired by anime and manga, which are part of Japanese culture.

Another reason we recommend this place is that you can receive treatment in a completely private studio with strict hygiene management.

Why not try a cover-up treatment at a studio where you can feel safe and secure?

Estimated price (excluding tax)

5cm×5cm (one point) ¥12,000~

5cm×10cm (business card) ¥22,000~

2cm×15cm (lettering) ¥26,000~

7cm×14cm (smartphone size) ¥30,000~

10cm×10cm ￥40,000~

10cm×15cm (A6 size) ￥55,000~

20cm×30cm (A4 size) ¥70,000~

For larger items, from ￥14,000/hour

Deposit: 10,000 yen and up

*Reservation is completed after the deposit is paid.

access

103-0003

Nihonbashi 88 Building 6F, 8-5 Yokoyamacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

JR Sobu Line/ Bakurocho 2-minute walk

JR Chuo/Sobu Line/ Asakusabashi Station 7 minutes walk

Toei Asakusa Line/ Higashi-Nihonbashi 2-minute walk

Source: KAGEROU

Studio 2 INSCRIBE TATTOO

The second recommended studio is "INSCRIBE TATOO."

INSCRIBE TATOO has four studios in Tokyo.

You can receive cover-up treatments at a studio that is convenient for you to get to.

Estimated price (excluding tax)

Coin size: from ￥5,000

Cigarette size (5.5×8.5cm) ¥15,000～

Smartphone size (7×14cm) ¥25,000～

CD case size (14×13cm) ¥35,000 and up

A5 size (15×21cm) ¥45,000～

A4 size (21×30cm ¥65,000～

Time engraving 1 hour/14,000

30min/7,000

Reservation Deposit

Coin size - A5 size ￥5,000 and up

A4 size and up, time engraving ¥10,000

access

1. Ueno store

〒110-0005

Tokyo, Taito-ku, Ueno 6-8-19 Onoda Building 4F

5 minutes walk from Ueno Station / 3 minutes walk from Obashirimachi Station

3 minutes walk from ○I○I (Marui City)

2. Ikebukuro store

Somaya Building 4F, 3-25-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

3 minutes walk from Ikebukuro Station

3. Shinjuku store

Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 4-2-7 Nakayama Building 3F

3 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station

4. Harajuku store

AG Jingumae 1F, 4-25-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Source: Tattoo Studio INSCRIBE TATTOO

Studio 3: Tifana Tattoo

Tifana Tattoo is a tattoo shop with five experienced and unique tattooists on staff, and can handle designs of all genres.

The studio, which opened 18 years ago, has earned a lot of popularity and trust from many people, so much so that it is often difficult to get a reservation.

We also recommend getting a cover-up done at a reputable studio.

Estimated price (excluding tax)

One point ¥11,000～

Cigarette box size: from ￥22,000

i-phone5 size ￥33,000～

CD jacket size: from ￥49,500

Fine Line: from ￥33,000

Portrait: ￥82,500～

B5 size: from 71,500 yen

A4 size: from 88,000 yen

Larger sizes: ￥13,200~/hour

Reservation fee (varies depending on size) ¥10,000 and up

access

Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

It is located in a quiet residential area in Shibuya Ward, within walking distance of both Daikanyama Station and Shibuya Station.

*Please contact the store directly for the address.

Source: Tifana Tattoo

Studio 4: Laruche, a tattoo studio in Shinjuku

This is a women-only tattoo studio, so you can receive treatment with peace of mind.

You can choose from 11 different designs, including ultra-fine line work, to suit your taste.

We also recommend that you ask them to help you come up with a cover-up tattoo design that will make you look more beautiful.

Estimated price (excluding tax)

The price varies depending on the treatment.

Estimated charges for LINE WORK

One point (coin/card size) ¥35,000~

Postcard size: from ￥45,000

A4 size: from ￥100,000

A3 size: from ￥200,000

Larger sizes available upon request

access

1F KI Building, 5-9-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022

Approximately 12 minutes from the East Exit of JR Shinjuku Station

Approximately 5 minutes from Metro Shinjuku 3-chome Station C7 exit

Approximately 5 minutes from Toei Subway Shinjuku 3-chome Station C7 exit

Yasukuni-dori, Shinjuku 5-chome East intersection, approx. 3 minutes

Source: Laruche tattoo studio in Shinjuku

Studio 5: TATTOO STUDIO Ray's TOKYO

TATTOO STUDIO Ray's TOKYO is the Tokyo branch of Tattoo Studio Ray's, located in Kyoto.

We handle all types of tattoos, including white tattoos, but we also specialize in cover-ups (remakes) and touch-up tattoos.

Recommended for those who want to receive treatment at a studio that focuses on cover-ups.

Estimated price (tax included)

500 yen coin size ¥16,500~

Cigarette size (5×9cm) ¥33,000~

Smartphone size (7×13cm) ¥49,500~

Postcard size (10×15cm) ¥60,500~

Larger sizes available upon request

deposit

500 yen coin size ¥10,000~

Cigarette size (5×9cm) or larger ¥20,000~

Consumables cost

Each treatment costs 4,400 yen (tax included)

access

〒151-0051

12th FMG Building B1F, 3-26-7 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

3 minutes walk from Kitasando Station on the Fukutoshin Line

8 minutes walk from Sendagaya Station on the Sobu Chuo Line

Source: TATTOO STUDIO Ray's