Tattoo Styles Explained: Find the Right Style for You

If you know you want a tattoo but have no idea what to call the style you like, you’re definitely not alone.

We hear it all the time at the shop. Someone will have a Pinterest board or camera roll full of tattoo inspiration and know exactly what they like, but they don’t necessarily know whether it’s American traditional, neo traditional, blackwork, fine line, Japanese, illustrative, or something else.

And honestly, you don’t have to know.

Knowing a little about different tattoo styles can make it easier to find the right tattoo artist, explain what you’re looking for, and figure out what direction you want to go with your tattoo.

Here are some of the tattoo styles you’ll see most often at Linden Street Tattoo Company in Fort Collins.

American Traditional Tattoos

American traditional is one of the most recognizable tattoo styles.

Think bold outlines, solid color, and classic designs like roses, eagles, snakes, skulls, daggers, panthers, ships, and other imagery that has been part of tattooing for generations.

One of the reasons traditional tattoos have stayed popular for so long is that they’re designed to be clear, bold, and readable.

At Linden Street, both Adam Fenner and Adam “Kookie” Kooker tattoo American traditional, and you’ll find plenty of traditional flash throughout the shop too.

If you like tattoos that feel classic and timeless, American traditional might be a good place to start.

Neo Traditional Tattoos

Neo traditional tattoos come from the same roots as American traditional but usually allow for more detail, shading, dimension, and a wider range of colors.

You’ll still see strong outlines and bold compositions, but the finished tattoo may feel more detailed or illustrative.

Animals, flowers, portraits, fantasy-inspired designs, and classic tattoo imagery can all work really well in this style.

Kookie and Luke both enjoy working with neo traditional tattoos, so if you like the bold look of traditional tattooing but want a little more detail, their portfolios are a great place to start.

Japanese Tattoos

Japanese tattooing has a long history and a very distinct visual style.

Common subjects include dragons, koi fish, snakes, tigers, peonies, chrysanthemums, waves, masks, and other traditional Japanese imagery.

These designs can work as individual tattoos, but Japanese tattooing is also especially well suited for larger projects because the artwork can be designed to flow with the body.

Sleeves, back pieces, chest panels, and other large-scale tattoos often give the artist more room to create that movement and composition.

Adam Fenner specializes in Japanese tattooing and especially enjoys larger custom projects.

If you’re considering a Japanese tattoo sleeve or another large piece, starting with a consultation can help you plan the overall design before getting started.

Black and Grey Tattoos

Black and grey tattoos use different values of black and grey instead of relying on color.

That can mean anything from soft shading to bold, high-contrast designs, depending on the subject and artist.

Black and grey also isn’t limited to one specific tattoo style. American traditional, Japanese, illustrative, fine line, and many other types of tattoos can all be done in black and grey.

If you know you don’t want color but aren’t sure what style you’re looking for yet, looking through different artists’ black and grey work is a great starting point.

Blackwork and Illustrative Tattoos

Blackwork is a broad term, but generally it uses strong areas of black, linework, contrast, and negative space to create a design.

Illustrative tattoos can pull inspiration from drawing, printmaking, engraving, fantasy artwork, nature, and other forms of illustration.

The two styles can overlap, especially when a tattoo combines detailed linework with heavier areas of black.

At Linden Street, Cullen Puffer specializes in illustrative black and grey, blackwork, gothic, and dark art. His work often pulls from horror, nature, folklore, mythology, and dark fantasy.

If your saved tattoo ideas tend to be darker, moodier, or a little weird in the best way, Cullen’s work is worth checking out.

Fine Line Tattoos

Fine line tattoos use thinner, more delicate lines than many bolder tattoo styles.

They can be simple and minimal or incredibly detailed depending on the design.

Flowers, ornamental designs, small objects, lettering, and delicate illustrations are all common ideas for fine line tattoos.

The important thing is making sure the design works at the size you want. Sometimes adding a little more space or going slightly larger helps the details stay readable.

Fine line tattoos are something all of our artists at Linden Street work with, so the best artist for your tattoo will usually come down to the subject, overall style, and the look you’re going for.

Anime and Gaming Tattoos

Anime and gaming tattoos have become a huge part of modern tattooing, and there are a lot of directions you can take them.

Some people want an exact moment or character from a favorite series. Others want something inspired by that world without recreating one specific image.

They can be full color, black and grey, bold, detailed, simple, or mixed with other tattoo styles.

Luke specializes in anime and gaming tattoos and does a lot of Pokémon, fantasy, and pop-culture-inspired work here at the shop.

He even has a Pokémon Get What You Get machine if you’d rather leave the decision up to chance.

Ornamental Tattoos

Ornamental tattoos focus more on shape, pattern, balance, and how the design fits the body.

They can include decorative linework, symmetrical elements, geometric influences, repeating patterns, and designs that follow the natural shape of an arm, leg, chest, back, or other placement.

This style can stand on its own or be incorporated into a larger tattoo project.

Luke also works with ornamental designs, along with fine line and blackout tattooing.

Blackout Tattoos

Blackout tattoos use large areas of solid black and can range from bold standalone designs to larger pieces that cover or connect areas of the body.

They can also incorporate negative space, patterns, or ornamental elements instead of being completely solid.

Luke works with blackout tattooing and can help figure out how the design will flow with the placement and any existing tattoos.

Color or Black and Grey?

This is another question we get a lot, and there really isn’t one right answer.

Some designs naturally lend themselves to bright color. Others can look just as strong — or stronger — in black and grey.

You also don’t necessarily have to commit your entire tattoo collection to one or the other.

Plenty of people mix color tattoos and black and grey tattoos, especially when building a patchwork sleeve or collecting work from different artists over time.

The best choice usually comes down to the design, the artist, and what you personally like.

Do All of Your Tattoos Have to Be the Same Style?

No.

Your tattoos don’t need to perfectly match each other.

Some people love having one really consistent style throughout their collection. Other people collect tattoos from different artists, mix styles, combine color and black and grey, or just get whatever they love at the time.

Both are completely fine.

If you’re building a sleeve or filling a larger area, an artist can also help you think about placement and spacing so different tattoos still work well together.

How Do I Know What Tattoo Style I Like?

Start saving tattoos you’re naturally drawn to.

Don’t worry about labeling them at first. After you have a handful of references, look at what they have in common.

Are the lines bold or delicate? Lots of color or mostly black and grey? Simple or detailed? Dark and illustrative or bright and traditional?

Usually a pattern starts to show up.

You can also bring those references to us!

You don’t need to walk into a tattoo shop already knowing the exact terminology. Part of our job is helping you figure out what you’re looking for and which artist makes the most sense for your idea.

Finding the Right Tattoo Artist in Fort Collins

Once you have an idea of the tattoo style you like, take some time to look through artist portfolios.

Finding an artist who already does the type of work you’re looking for is much more important than simply finding someone who has an opening.

Here at Linden Street Tattoo Company in Old Town Fort Collins, our artists all have different strengths:

Adam Fenner — American traditional, Japanese, black and grey, and large-scale tattoos.

Adam “Kookie” Kooker — American traditional, neo traditional, and color work.

Cullen Puffer — illustrative, blackwork, gothic, and dark art.

Luke Ahonen — anime, gaming, neo traditional, ornamental, blackout, and fine line tattoos.

Not sure who fits your idea?

Send us your tattoo idea, approximate size, placement, and any reference photos you have. We’re always happy to help point you toward the artist who makes the most sense.

You can also stop by the shop and look through portfolios and flash in person.

Looking for a Tattoo in Fort Collins?

Linden Street Tattoo Company is located in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado.

We offer custom tattoos, flash tattoos, walk-in tattoos, appointments, and free consultations.

Whether you already know exactly what tattoo style you want or you’re still trying to figure it out, come talk to us.

Sometimes all you need is an idea and a few reference photos. We can help with the rest.

We’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 12–8 PM, and walk-ins are always welcome based on artist availability.