The Best Fonts for Tattoos (And How to Choose Them) — Certified Tattoo Studios (2024)

A tattoo is a big decision. It's something you'll have to live with for the rest of your life, so it's important to choose the right design and font that you won't grow tired of.

In this blog post, we'll give you some tips on how to choose the best fonts for tattoos, as well as some examples of fonts that work well for tattoos.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Font for Your Tattoo?

When it comes to choosing a font for your tattoo, there are several factors to keep in mind.

The Meaning of Your Tattoo

Before you choose a font for your tattoo, it's important to think about what the tattoo will mean to you. What are you trying to communicate with this tattoo? Is it a memorial for a loved one? A reminder of an important event in your life? A declaration of your love for someone?

Are you looking for something more classic and traditional, or something that is more unique and eye-catching? Do you want to use a font that is legible even from a distance? Or do you want something with intricate details that will show up best when viewed up close?

Once you've decided on the meaning of your tattoo, you can start to narrow down your choices for tattoo fonts.

The Placement of Your Tattoo

Where you plan on placing your tattoo is also an important factor to consider when choosing a font. For example, if you're planning on getting a small tattoo on your wrist, you'll want to choose a font that is simple and easy to read. On the other hand, if you're planning on getting a large back piece, you can afford to be more creative with your choice of font.

Aesthetics

It’s important to note that texts used for tattoos tend to be slightly larger than other kinds of text, so it’s worth thinking about how the font will look at different sizes. Some fonts may look great on paper or on screen but don’t translate well onto skin. It can also be useful to experiment with various line weights and spacing, as these can have an impact on the overall aesthetic of your tattoo.

Practical Considerations

Apart from aesthetics, there are practical considerations too. For example, certain fonts may be easier to read than others, making them better suited if your tattoo contains words or phrases that could be misinterpreted.

Similarly, some fonts are designed specifically for body art and have been created so they remain clearly visible over time; these include typefaces such as Sans Serif and Script styles which tend not to blur too much once applied.

Tattoo Color

Consider what kind of coloring or shading you would like for your tattoo – darker colors tend not to last as long as lighter shades so you might want a font which has enough detail (or white space) between characters so that even after fading it remains readable. Your chosen artist may also influence what type of font works best – some artists prefer bolder fonts while others favor delicate designs with thin lines.

Personality

Make sure the style fits with your personality and makes sense in terms of its overall placement on your body – where possible try it out first by drawing it onto your skin using temporary markers so you can get an idea of how it looks before committing!

Ultimately the choice of font is yours but being aware of all these factors should help guide you in making an informed decision when deciding upon a design for your tattoo.

Popular Fonts for Tattoos and Their Meanings

There are a lot of different fonts that people use for tattoos. Some of the most popular fonts include letters in cursive, sans serif, and gothic styles. Each of these fonts has its own unique meaning and symbolism.

For example, letters in cursive for tattoos are often used for tattoos that represent names or words that are important to the person getting the tattoo.

Here are 10 popular fonts that are often used for tattoos, as well as the meanings that they can convey:

1. Old English: This font is often used to create bold and powerful tattoo designs. It can symbolize strength, courage, and honor.

2. Celtic: Celtic tattoos are very popular and often incorporate intricate knot work and symbols. They can represent connection to heritage, strength, and spirituality.

3. Gothic: Gothic fonts tend to be dark and mysterious. They can convey feelings of despair, darkness, and death. However, they can also represent strength, power, and resilience.

4. Japanese: Japanese letters are often used in tattoo designs because they can have multiple meanings depending on the characters used. They can represent love, such as a mother’s love for her child, or they can represent the wearer’s zodiac sign.

5. Script: Script fonts are very popular for tattoos because they are elegant and easy to read. Script fonts can be used to create names, quotes, or other short phrase tattoos.

6. Sans Serif: Sans serif fonts are popular because they are clean and easy to read. They convey a sense of simplicity and sophistication.

7. Floral: Floral fonts often incorporate vines or flowers into the design of the letters. They can represent growth, beauty, and nature.

8. Banner: Banner fonts are designed to look like they were painted or stenciled onto skin. They can be used to create powerful statements or declarations of love. This type of font is also popular for memorial tattoos.

9. Blackletter: Blackletter fonts have a very traditional look. They were commonly used in old documents and manuscripts, and they convey a sense of history and tradition. Blackletter fonts can be used for religious tattoos, as well as non-religious designs.

10. New School: Letters in a new school tattoo are large, blocky, and very readable. This type of font is perfect for those who want a tattoo that makes a bold statement. New school designs often incorporate bright colors and exaggerated details.

No matter what type of font you choose, make sure it is something that you will be happy with for years to come. Tattoos are permanent, so it's important to pick a design and lettering style that you won't grow tired of.

Wrap Up!

There is no "right" or "wrong" answer when it comes to choosing a font for your tattoo. The most important thing is that you choose a font that you're happy with and that has personal significance to you. We hope these tips have helped set you on the path to finding the perfect font for your next tattoo!

The Best Fonts for Tattoos (And How to Choose Them) — Certified Tattoo Studios (2024)

FAQs

The Best Fonts for Tattoos (And How to Choose Them) — Certified Tattoo Studios? ›

For example, if you're looking for an edgy tattoo, you might want to consider a sans serif font like Clan Pro Black or Fenix Slab Black. On the other hand, if you're going for something more feminine, a cursive font like Delima Script or Lavanderia might be more up your alley.

What font is the best for a tattoo? ›

15 Best Tattoo Fonts For Your Next Ink Session
  • Black Valentine.
  • Gloria Typeface.
  • Karmila Script.
  • NOIR et Blanc Stylish Serif.
  • Mataö – Elegance Font Serif. Best Font for Tattoo Lettering.
  • Rozex – Bold Decorative Gothic Font.
  • Madison Street – Graffiti Font.
  • PEARL.
Feb 16, 2022

Do tattoo shops have fonts to choose from? ›

Honestly, just ask your artist for guidance.

Tattoo artists are, obviously, pros when it comes to looking at a person's body and designing art around it. And if your artist is experienced, chances are they've got their own arsenal of fonts at the ready to help their clients achieve their ideal result.

Can tattoo artist do any font? ›

Yes you can, and often that's how the artist will decide to do your tattoo. Remember it's your tattoo so ask for what you want.

How do I choose a professional font? ›

Start off by brainstorming a few words to describe your brand identity. If your business is “authoritative” or “educational,” you may want to choose a transitional serif typeface. If you're “quirky” or “whimsical,” a script font might be for you. If you're “innovative” and “modern,” consider choosing a sans-serif font.

Which font look professional? ›

Recommended serif fonts include Cambria, Georgia, and Times New Roman. Sans serif fonts don't have small strokes attached to their letters, giving them a cleaner and more modern style. Some recommended sans serif fonts include Arial, Calibri, and Verdana.

What tattoo font won't fade? ›

Black Brody. Black Brody is a captivating blackletter font, perfect for a bold statement number tattoo. Its aesthetic appeal ensures it stands out on the skin, commanding attention. The elegant serifs of the letterforms enhance the font's beauty, ensuring it won't fade over time.

What is the most stylish language for tattoos? ›

The most popular languages to get tattooed

Japanese tops the list of languages with an impressive 231,240 searches a year. It is closely followed by Chinese with 184,800 searches. This could be due to these languages using symbols in their writing that many may find aesthetically pleasing.

What color scheme for tattoo shop? ›

Choosing the right color scheme for your tattoo shop is essential in creating an inviting and comfortable environment for both artists and customers alike. Be sure to avoid using white, black, or red as they can be quite off-putting. Instead, opt for softer, more calming colors such as light blue, green, or purple.

What are angel number tattoos? ›

“The term 'angel numbers' is used for repeating single, double and longer sequences of numbers that show up around us,” Wilder explains. “Angel number tattoos are simple numeric tattoos like 11:11, 222, 10101010, etc. We call them angel numbers because they signify that you're being helped or guided from on high.”

How do I trust my tattoo artist? ›

Trust Your Tattoo Artist's Input About Your Design

It's also important to remember your artist is a professional and they know what they're doing – especially if they have a good reputation. Trust your artist when they talk to you about fading, size and shape, and where tattoos tend to smudge.

Will tattoo artists use your own design? ›

Why yes, you certainly can! You should have first had a consultation to discuss your ideas, but bringing your own design to the tattoo shop is always an option. This can make your experience more personalized.

Where is the best place to get a word tattoo? ›

Consider the inner wrists and ankles as safe bets for word tattoos. They will also allow you to read them on a daily basis, which is sort of the point.

Can a tattoo artist copy a design? ›

Also, remember that good artists won't copy another artist's design so don't ask. Don't send them a picture of another artist's work and say “I want this tattoo”. Don't be surprised if the artist does not want to tattoo in a style that is not their own. Do share reference images for the subject matter you like.

How do I match a font to a logo? ›

If you have a graphic element, consider how the font can complement it. Look at the line weight of your logo and make sure it matches the line weight of your font. If your graphic element is swirly and curvy, it might pair well with the swashes and loops of a script font.

How do I choose the right font color? ›

Select a font size that is easily readable on various devices, with a balance between too small and too large. Opt for high-contrast color combinations to enhance legibility, and ensure there is sufficient contrast between text and background. Additionally, choose colors that align with your brand or theme.

References

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