Often, yes. Many old tattoos can be covered, fixed or refreshed, but not every one. How much is possible depends on the old tattoo, and an artist can only judge it by looking. Here is how that works at Ink’side.
Three different jobs
People say cover-up, but there are three separate things:
- Cover. A new design hides the old one.
- Fix. The old tattoo stays, and the lines or details are corrected.
- Refresh. An old tattoo that has faded gets a new pass.
When you send a photo we tell you which one fits.
What decides it
An artist looks at the old tattoo, not only at what you want to put over it:
- how dark and how large the old tattoo is
- where it sits on the body
- the new design you have in mind
Light ink can’t hide dark ink, so cover-ups tend to be darker and larger than people expect. A good artist will tell you if the idea won’t work and suggest something that does.
How to get a quote
Send us a photo of the tattoo you want to cover, on WhatsApp, in good light. Add a sketch or a reference photo of what you have in mind. We tell you what is possible and quote for free. You don’t have to wait until you land. A cover-up is quoted from the photo.
Anything bigger or more custom than a small fine-line piece needs a plan. To hold a date you pay a deposit from 50 €, and it comes off the final price. For how prices work, see how much a tattoo costs in Spain.
Plan the timing
Treat a cover-up as planned work, not a walk-in. Send the photo before you arrive, so the artist has time to prepare the design. That helps most if you are only in Málaga for a short time. The tattoo on holiday guide covers timing, flying home and booking ahead. Remember that a new tattoo stays out of the sea, pools and strong sun for a month: how long after a tattoo can you swim.
Before you decide
- Tell us everything about your health that could affect healing.
- You need to be 18 or older, with a photo ID.
- Check the studio first. How to choose a tattoo studio abroad has the list.
Questions people ask
Can any tattoo be covered?
Not any. That is why we ask for a photo first, and why we say so when an idea won’t work.
Is the quote really free?
Yes. A cover-up from a photo is a free quote.
Will the new tattoo be bigger?
Often it needs to be, and often darker. We tell you the size with the quote.
Do you touch up a tattoo from another studio?
Send us a photo and we tell you what can be fixed or refreshed. We say what is possible before you commit to anything.
How long does it take?
It depends on the design. For larger work we plan one or more sessions and tell you how long when we quote.