Styles of tattoo lettering has seen a huge transformation over time. There are scores of different writing styles and designs that can be used to make a tattoo look different and original.
For many people, the art of tattooing is not always synonymous with images. Font tattoos are gaining popularity as they allow people to express their thoughts, attitude towards life, or something that is important to them. This makes a tattoo as unique as that person. After deciding what you want your tattoo to say, the most important decision to make is to choose the tattoo lettering style perhaps. The right lettering depends on your taste and the length of the word.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes one word is all you need to say everything. For example, memorial tattoos that are often inked in remembrance of a loved one or as a tribute to someone who died in a war. So for such tattoos, the best option is a name or a date.
No image can be as specific or more meaningful than the name of the person. Or if your tattoo is a dedication to someone important to you, like your mom, spouse or child, a font tattoo is the perfect choice. Not only that, even slogans that represent your attitude in life can be etched as tattoos. In this ThoughtfulTattoos article, we give you a few ideas that you can choose from, when you are planning to make words a permanent fixture on your body.
Various Designs and Styles
The lettering patterns are characterized by bold black lines, sharp points and dense curves. There is a wide variety of tattoo script styles to choose from, like Celtic, Japanese, Old English, Tribal, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, etc. But the most popular choices are the Old English, Blackletter and Chinese scripts.
Old English style has letters that are boxy and is always written in black ink which gives it a Gothic effect. The inspiration behind this style is the old practice of copying important texts by hand in calligraphy. If you do not wish to go the conventional way by opting for black ink, you can choose white ink for your tattoo.
Many people prefer to get a tattoo done in a foreign language, as it has a special meaning behind it. The Chinese script is very popular because of the variation in the fonts and sizes of the letters and the meaning behind the words.
Sanskrit and Japanese Kanji scripts are in vogue when it comes to lettering styles. These scripts have characters which are very intricate, and tattoos that sport them are a great way of giving the person a mysterious look.
Tribal and the Arabian writing styles will increase the style quotient of your tattoos. Letters of tribal font are exquisitely beautiful and convey a hidden meaning. A tattoo in Arabic language, which looks very elegant, also has the same benefits. If you do not wish to get inked in Arabic, you can even use English alphabets and give it an Arabic effect. Add images along with the letters for a more unique style.
The font in which a tattoo is inked plays a crucial role in making the tattoo look visually pleasing (and legible!) While considering the font, pay special attention to the text that is to be written, the number of words, and the body part where it is to be etched. You should take into consideration the advice of the tattoo artist while choosing the font. Usually, tattoos lettering does not look good in a small font, because with age, the tattoo’s legibility goes down. Hence, most tattoo artists advise against using a small font.
Tattoo Lettering Ideas
Even though it is important to ponder over the available lettering styles and fonts, what is more important is to consider the text to be written. Besides etching the names of people who mean a lot to you on your body, the following are some other ideas that you may consider:
~ Most of us have that special song that reminds us of someone, or certain memories. We never get tired of listening to that song because the lyrics are something that we can relate to. A good line from such a song is the perfect choice for a tattoo.
~ A quote that can basically sum up your life or your attitude and outlook towards life is another great idea. The tattoo can represent a set of principles or ideals that are important to you. It can inspire you for the rest of your life and is definitely worth getting inked in.
~ Another option is selecting a group tattoo i.e. if you belong to a certain group, then all the members can have the name of the group inked on their body, as a symbol of their undying loyalty.
There are a myriad of options for tattoo designs. But ultimately, the tattoo you choose should reflect your personality to make it as unique and special as you. The styles which are mentioned above are highly sought after because they are the ultimate forms of self-expression and individuality.