When it comes to selecting the right style for your next tattoo, people often underestimate the importance of understanding the different tattoo styles. That’s why we’ve rounded up the most popular tattoo styles and written down a perfect beginner’s guide to tattoo styles. Keep reading to learn more!

Traditional Tattoos

Traditional style tattoos have bold lines and bright colors. These tattoos also often feature stereotypical designs such as crosses, skulls, and anchors. Tattoos of this nature have maintained their popularity for a reason: they are strikingly beautiful and timeless.

These tattoos are often referred to as “American traditional tattoos”. It is the style your Grandpa got when he was in the Navy. These designs sometimes make use of bold black or colored outlines.

Neo-Traditional Tattoos

As the name implies Neo-Traditional tattoos take a lot of inspiration from the traditional tattoo style. However, Neo-Traditional tattoos have a twist, finer lines mixed with bold, more nontraditional colors, and more true to life illustrated qualities create tattoos that have the classic feel with a taste of the new.

Realism or Realistic Tattoos

Realism or Realistic tattoos have been popping up since the latter half of the 20th century. Realism brings jaw-dropping color and black and grey portraits, as well as realistic depictions of things found in nature.

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos — i.e. indigenous body art — are the oldest in the world, dating back thousands of years. This style should actually be thought of as multiple styles or more so different traditions of tattooing from aboriginal communities all around the globe. Though these styles are all unique, they are somewhat similar— almost always done in black with elaborate patterns.

At the end of the day, understanding what tattoo style you’re looking for is an important part of the tattoo-artist hunting project. You want to notice that the potential artist has experience in a similar style as what you’re looking for.

Looking for the best tattoo shop in San Jose CA? Contact Pyramid Tattoos today!