Blackout Tattoos vs Regular Tattoos: What's Actually Different
A blackout tattoo is a large area fully saturated with solid black, with no design or a very minimal one. That sounds simple, and that's exactly the problem. People assume that because it's "just black," any tattoo artist can do it. That's why most of the blackouts I do are actually fixing or completely redoing someone else's work.
This is how blackout differs from a regular tattoo, how I do it, and what you should know before you get one.
What Is a Blackout Tattoo?
A blackout covers a large area (a half arm, a full arm, a leg, a chest panel) with solid, even black. There's no linework or shading to hide behind. The whole area has to heal as one smooth, opaque black.
A coin-sized black patch in a regular tattoo is not a blackout. The difference isn't only size. The way you pack black into a small area is completely different from how you saturate a large one.
Why Blackout Isn't Just "More Black"
A lot of experienced artists think: "I can saturate black, I've been tattooing for years, so I can do a blackout." I wish that were true. Blackout requires different tools and a different technique. Packing a large area the way you'd fill a small one leads to overworked skin, a painful and difficult healing, and a patchy result.
How I Do a Blackout
There are many ways to do a blackout. This is the one I use. If you're an artist and a different technique works for you, great. In the end, the only things that matter are a smooth, solid black, minimal trauma for the client, and a smooth healing.
I started my blackout journey learning from Manu (Dekalcomanu), and I owe him most of what I know on this subject. His approach is built on large needle groupings, a very fast and powerful machine, and an opaque black ink with no green or blue hues. I started with his high-voltage coil machines (20 to 30 volts) and 49 magnums on a bar. Out of respect for him, I won't go into his specific technique. If you're an artist and you're curious about it, take one of his workshops. I highly recommend it.
After years on coils, I switched to a wireless pen machine. It has almost no vibration and weighs a lot less, which made a big difference to my wrist health.
This is how I work now.
A machine that hits hard and runs fast
I use a machine that hits very hard and runs very fast at high voltage, although not as high as the coils. The idea is to saturate the skin as fast as possible and move on to the next area. Saturating slowly is the number one cause of overworking: either you're not applying enough force, or the machine is too slow or not powerful enough.
Large needle groupings
I currently use 56 magnum cartridges. I find Cheyenne very consistent and high quality. On bony areas like the elbow or the wrist bone, I switch to a smaller magnum, around a 25. The wrist bone needs very delicate pressure, because the skin cuts easily. The elbow is the opposite: the skin is tough and stretchy, so it needs more force.
Opaque black ink
I only use Panthera XXX Tribal Black. It has no blue hues, and it heals black and opaque.
Random, chaotic movement
No small circles and no tiny repetitive movements. Those overwork the edges and leave visible patterns of different saturation once it heals, which is what makes a blackout look patchy.
Working with the direction of the skin
Skin has a natural direction, a bit like an animal's fur. You wouldn't pet a cat or a dog against the fur, and in the same way you want to pack in the direction the skin wants to go. The tricky part is that the direction changes drastically from area to area. Even on one arm, different sections pack easily in different, sometimes opposite, directions.
The water check
I clean the excess ink off the skin, run clear water over it, and look at it against the light. An area that looks perfectly black can turn out to be very patchy once water runs over it. The water reveals every patch so I can fix it before you leave.
Riding the tube
I set the needle depth correctly once and ride the tube. That shortens the distance the ink travels from the cartridge to the skin, and I don't have to think about holding the right height for the rest of the session.
Why Speed Matters
Packing fast isn't only about efficiency. It shortens your exposure to the most intense pain a tattoo client can experience, and it reduces the risk of overworking the skin.
Is a Blackout Tattoo Painful?
Yes. It's the most painful tattoo you can get. For the mental side, read my guide on how to handle tattoo pain. If you're thinking about numbing cream, read my guide on how to use numbing cream for a blackout tattoo.
Can You Heal a Blackout Like a Regular Tattoo?
Absolutely not. A blackout is a large, massive open wound, and you need to be incredibly careful with it. I now recommend the second skin method, because it limits human error. If you prefer traditional dry healing, follow my dry healing aftercare guide.
How Much Does a Blackout Tattoo Cost?
I price blackouts in two ways only:
Flat rate: for straight arm blackouts, half arm or full arm. This is solid black only, with no designs and no working around or preserving existing tattoos.
Hourly: for any other area, or any blackout that works around old tattoos.
I don't publish prices online. Contact me for a quote.
Can You Do a Full Arm Blackout in One Session?
You can, but I don't recommend it anymore. I recommend splitting a full arm into two half-arm sessions. It's easier on your body and it heals better. If you're not in a rush, four quarter sessions are even better.
What Can You Tattoo Over a Blackout?
A blackout is a fresh start. It can be the finished look, or the base for white, black or even color work on top.
White over black
Yes, you absolutely can. I recommend at least two passes, because the first pass of white over black tends to look very gray. Two passes are usually enough to get it white. Depending on your skin tone you might need three, but in my experience two is enough. The timeline:
Get the blackout done.
Wait 3 months so it settles properly.
First white pass.
Wait another 2 months.
Second white pass.
Black over black
Yes, and it looks great. The contrast is obviously more subtle than white on black, but it creates a cool effect. The older the blackout, the more contrast new black over it will have.
Color over black
A blackout can also be a base for color work on top.
The Number One Enemy of a Blackout: Sun
Sun exposure. Keep your blackout covered. Honestly, I wouldn't even rely on sunscreen. Just cover it with long sleeves.
Can Any Tattoo Artist Do a Blackout?
No. A lot of artists think they can, and you end up with a patchy arm or a very difficult, painful healing. Find a specialist.
I'm based in Oakland and serve the Bay Area and Northern California, and I have blackout clients who come from all over the United States. There are other very talented blackout artists around the country too. Just make sure the one you choose actually specializes in blackout. You can see my work on my blackout tattoo page.
Why Do People Get Blackout Tattoos?
From years of doing blackouts 4 to 5 days a week, I can tell you that most of the time it's to cover old tattoos. Clients who black out fresh, untattooed skin are rare, but they get the best results, because there's no scarring from old linework underneath. I've even had a couple of clients whose first tattoo ever was a blackout.
Does a blackout have a meaning? Honestly, I think that's the wrong question. It might mean something to the person or it might not, and either way it's nobody's business to judge why someone gets one. Personally, I love how minimal, smooth and futuristic it looks, almost like a modern-day, futuristic tribal.
When in Doubt, Black It Out
A blackout is a fresh start: a new minimal look on its own, or a base for white, black or color work on top. If you're thinking about one, the most important decision is who does it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a blackout tattoo and a regular tattoo? A blackout saturates a large area with solid, even black, with no design or a minimal one. It needs different tools and technique: large needle groupings, a fast and powerful machine, and opaque black ink. It's also more painful and needs more careful healing than a regular tattoo.
Is a blackout tattoo more painful than a regular tattoo? Yes. It's the most painful tattoo you can get. Working fast shortens how long you're exposed to that pain, and many clients use numbing cream.
How long does a full arm blackout take? I recommend splitting a full arm into two half-arm sessions, or four quarter sessions if you're not in a rush. It can be done in one session, but I don't recommend it.
How much does a blackout tattoo cost? I charge a flat rate for straight half-arm and full-arm blackouts with no design, and an hourly rate for other areas or for working around existing tattoos. Contact me for a quote.
Can you tattoo white ink over a blackout? Yes. Wait 3 months after the blackout, do a first white pass, wait another 2 months, then do a second pass. Two passes are usually enough; some skin tones need three.
Can any tattoo artist do a blackout? No. Blackout needs specific tools and technique. Artists without that experience often leave patchy results and a difficult healing. Find an artist who specializes in blackout.
How do you protect a blackout tattoo? Keep it out of the sun. Sun exposure is a blackout's number one enemy, so cover it with long sleeves.
Planning a blackout? Book a consultation or see my blackout tattoo portfolio.
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