Tattoo Talk-Exploring the Lingo of the Tattoo World

I had the blessing and unique opportunity to live in The Czech Republic with my husband for four months over the summer of 2011. It was filled with adventure, exploration, excitement, friendships, and wonder.

I was also filled with insecurity. Mostly, because I didn’t speak the language.

I don’t know about you, but there are many places I have felt insecure, specifically when I felt like I didn’t know the language. Whether that is another country or a sport or a CrossFit gym or insert your group/community here.

No matter where you are, each group has a specific “language” with words, lingo, definitions, and slang that are unique to that group. If you don’t know the language, not only do you feel left out, but you can also feel lost and insecure. The tattoo world has its own language and lingo that can have you feeling like a fish out of water!

I don’t want you feeling insecure in my shop, or in any other shop for that matter, so here is a guide to some words and definitions that you should know if you are going to be hanging out with tattooed professionals

Aftercare

Instructions that are given to you after a tattoo session on how to care for your tattoo during the healing process.

Blowout

A tattoo blowout happens when an artist pushes to hard while tattooing and the ink is injected past the top layer of skin, into the fatty layer beneath. This cause tattoos to appear blurry and faded.

Body Suit

An extensive tattoo that covers the entire body. This style of tattoo usually follows a style or theme than makes the entire tattoo cohesive and appearing as one design.

Canvas

In short, your skin is the canvas. Your body is the canvas that a tattoo artist uses to create unique, one of a kind masterpieces.

Color Saturation

How intense and vibrant the colors in the tattoo are.

Consultation

An appointment with your tattoo artist where you take time to discuss and brainstorm your tattoo design ideas, placement, and details. This should be an appointment that you leave feeling over the moon excited…if you don’t, it may be a sign that you need to work with a different artist.

Cover up

A tattoo that is meant to cover up a previous tattoo or scar.

Custom

A tattoo design that is created specifically for you by the artist. (This is typically the opposite of pinterest tattoos)

Flash

Pre-drawn original tattoo designs that you can choose from. In the past, artists would have books filled with flash tattoos that you could walk in and choose from. In modern tattooing, artists tend to “discontinue” flash designs that are chosen by customers, they do this so that each tattoo is a custom one-of-a-kind piece.

Flash Sheet

A collection of tattoo designs displayed on a poster, sheet or in a book.

Freehand

When an artist stencils or tattoos on your body without a guide.

Green Soap

A high-grade skin disinfectant that is used by tattooers, piercers, and even healthcare professionals; It is “the good stuff”.

Grey Wash

A tattooing style that utilizes different shades of black and grey ink.

Healing Process

The period of time after getting a tattoo when the skin recovers and the tattoo fully heals.

Ink

The colored pigment used in tattoos.

Linework

The outline of the tattoo design.

Magnum Shaders

Magnum Shaders are needles stacked in two flat rows of and have a flat appearance. They are typically used for blending.

Round Liner

A needle set in a round pattern meant to create tight, clean linework.

Round Shader

Round shaders similar to round liners, but the configurations are often looser. These are used for thicker linework, shading, and color. 

Shading

The technique of adding depth to the tattoo with varying degrees of ink density.

Sharps Container

A puncture-resistant waste container used to safely dispose of sharp medical instruments, such as needles, scalpels, and razors, that are used in tattooing.

Sleeve

A tattoo that covers the arm from shoulder to wrist or leg from ankle to hip.

Stencil

The outline of the tattoo transferred onto your skin before tattooing.

Touch-up

A minor adjustment or enhancement to a healed tattoo.

Now I have some other definitions that I believe will be necessary for you to know if you decide on booking an appointment with me. Here are some words and phrases that my family calls “mindish”. I hope that these definitions help us communicate better at our next appointment, and if you like one, feel free to incorporate them into your own vocabulary!

Dirty Hippies!

An expression that can be shouted to communicated anger, frustration, annoyance, or disgust.

Crispy

A word meant to express happiness and joy at how good the line work on your tattoo looks.

Spicy

A word meant to represent the pain level you can expect from the area being tattooed. (Less spicy = less pain, More Spicy = more pain)

Aye-To-Yay or Mylanta

Another way to say “oh my gosh, I can’t believe that happened!”

Zut alors (Zoot-a-lor)

A stolen french phrase that is similar to: darn! dang! damn! (used to express mild surprise)

Thunder Nuggets

An affectionate term to describe corgis, a breed of dog.

Zappies

The electronic collars put on dogs to keep them within the boundaries of their owner’s property.