10 Popular Tattoo Styles
Like any other art form, tattoos come in a wide variety of styles. They can be minimalistic or intricate, realistic or surreal, bold or delicate — the possibilities are endless. And whatever your aesthetic, there's a tattoo style suited to you. Discover 10 of the most popular options below.
Geometric
In geometric tattoos, familiar shapes — like lines, triangles, squares, and circles — come together to form unique, eye-catching patterns.
Illustrative
Think of "illustrative" as an umbrella term for any designs that resemble drawings you'd find in a sketchbook. You can often sort illustrative tattoos into other — more specific — styles, like fine line, engraving, etching, and abstract expressionism.
Application is Easy
… Like, really easy. Whether you’re totally new to nails, or basically your own nail tech at this point, flawless application takes just a few minutes!
Minimalism
When it comes to minimalist tattoos, less is more. Artists who specialize in the style attempt to keep their designs as simple as possible.
Realism
Realism tattoos are some of the most difficult for artists to execute. The goal is to make the designs look true to life. Think of it as getting a photograph recreated right on your skin.
Lettering
In lettering tattoos (aka text tattoos), the focus of the design is the font being used to spell out whatever word, phrase, or quote you're getting inked. Some artists use pre-existing fonts for their lettering pieces, while others use unique, self-designed fonts.
Tribal (Polynesian)
Thousands of years ago, ancient Polynesian tribes used tattoos to tell ancestral stories and celebrate sacred rituals. The style created by these tribes (now known as "tribal" tattoos) typically consists of bold, black lines that come together to form elaborate geometric patterns.
Single Line
It can be helpful to think of single line tattoos as a combination of minimal and illustrative. Artists who specialize in this style draw complete designs using just one continuous line.
Japanese (Irezumi)
Traditional Japanese tattoos — aka "Irezumi" — originated thousands of years ago (some historians say as far back as 5000 BCE). They often depict meaningful images from Japanese culture and folklore, including dragons, peonies, waves, foo dogs, and koi fish.
Dotwork
Dotwork is a subcategory of illustrative style tattoos. It's a shading technique that creates a sense of movement and depth in designs by layering tiny, individual dots.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
How does Inkbox work?
Unlike most temp tattoos, Inkbox works by sinking into your skin and doesn’t just stick on top. Our tattoos are painless and super easy to apply - there are only a few steps involved! Once applied the ink reacts with the proteins and keratin in your skin, and darkens over 24-36 hours. For more on catalog designs, click here. To see how the Freehand Tattoo Marker works, click here.
How long does an Inkbox tattoo last? What if I want to remove it sooner?
Our tattoos can last up to 10 days. How long it lasts is highly dependent on where you apply your tattoo, your daily activities and skin’s moisture. Our ink gradually fades away as your skin naturally regenerates.
Want to remove it sooner? Lightly scrub your skin with an exfoliant (like warm saltwater or a body scrub). Be gentle with your skin - it may take a few tries to remove the ink entirely.
What color/shade will my tattoo be?
On the tattoo applicator, you’ll notice the ink is a light blue shade. This is how the tattoo will look when first applied to your skin - but don’t worry! Over 24-36 hours, your tattoo will darken into a tattoo-like shade - it’s all part of the Inkbox magic! For more on how our ink develops, click here.
Is Inkbox safe?
Yes, our For Now Ink™ formula has been tested for product safety to ensure it meets cosmetic regulatory requirements. Our tattoos are clinically tested. Check out a full list of ingredients here.
If you’re worried about skin allergies or you’re experiencing discomfort post-application, please send us an email at hi@getinkbox.com!
What tattoo sizes do you offer?
Our tattoos come in the following canvas sizes: 1x1”, 2x2", 3x3", 4x4", 5x2”, 7x2", 6x3", 6.5x6.5", and 5.5x9". Please note that the usable design space for the tattoo design is roughly 0.25” smaller than the canvas itself. More information on this can be found here.
Do Inkbox products expire?
Our For Now Ink™ has a shelf life of 9 months and should be stored in a cool, dry location.
Our Freehand Tattoo Markers have a shelf life of 30 months and a 3 month PAO (Period After Opening). This means the product should be used within 3 months after opening. Make sure to always keep the cap on, keep the marker horizontal, and store at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Where do you ship to?
We ship to most international locations! For a full list of countries, visit our Shipping Page.
US and Canadian customers will never be charged duty fees. International orders may be subject to duties and taxes based on the value of the order and the tax-free threshold of the destination country. For more information, click here.
Can I cancel or return my order?
We can cancel your order as long as it hasn’t been processed or shipped out.
If you want to return your order, our team will need your order number and reason for return.
Send us an email at hi@getinkbox.com and we’ll try our best to help you!
How is Inkbox different from Henna or Jagua?
Inkbox isn’t henna or jagua!
Inkbox tattoos are made from a patented ink formula that uses Genipa Plant Extract to create tattoos that last longer, look real and are water resistant!
More questions? Visit the Help & FAQ Center