Mastering Tattoo Artistry

Tattoo HQ is a go-to resource for tattoo inspiration, meanings, and advice. We cover popular tattoos like minimalistSamurai, and Viking designs. We also provide guidance on tattoo placementsizing, costs, aftercare, and cover-ups.

Design Matters

Find Your Next Great Tattoo

Meet your instructor

Tattoo HQ was founded in 2018 by Bella Jiang.

After graduating in 2010 from Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, one of the top art colleges in China, Bella worked as a designer at a game company until 2014. She started her tattooing career in 2015 and opened her private studio in Hangzhou 3 years later.

The journey has been challenging. In this country, tattoo artists are often seen as a marginalized group and their work is misunderstood. Most of Bella’s college classmates settled into .com jobs or civil service roles. Bella instead opted to take the more difficult path of tattooing, not for money or fame, but to deliver on a promise she made to herself as a little girl.

Common Questions

Our tattoo library showcases stunning designs across many styles – from small minimalist tattoos to full sleeves, traditional motifs to hyper realistic portraiture, sacred geometry mandalas to vibrant botanical tattoos, and much more. Browse for ideas or use our guided searches for your perfect custom piece.

While we do not currently take direct requests, our experienced tattoo artists regularly contribute portfolio samples as well as share tips for how to best communicate your vision to a local professional tattoo shop. From recommended questions to ask to key elements for a custom brief, we cover everything you need to get amazing bespoke body art.

Our co-founders have over 40 years of combined tattoo industry experience as award-winning artists as well as shop owners. The collective knowledge from their impressive careers is directly shared through the skills guidance, aftercare recommendations, apprenticeship advice, and industry best practices across the site. Learn from the masters through our transparent, honest content.

We love seeing our readers’ tattoo sketches and works-in-progress! While we cannot currently provide individual feedback, submitting your designs helps our team generate new inspiration and areas to potentially cover in skills tutorials. And you may see your art featured in our community showcase gallery!

Yes, we have cultivated official partnerships with many influential shops globally – from LA to Berlin to Seoul and beyond. Our connections provide insider access to diverse world-class talent, techniques, and tattoo conventions to inform our ever-growing knowledge base straight from the source.

Our Most Popular Tattoo Inspiration

Explore the top-read galleries and trending designs from our community. See what tattoos our fans can’t get enough of and let the stunning artistry spark your next great tattoo idea. Whether it’s realistic portraits, sacred geometry, floral motifs, or classic styles reimagined, dive into the dynamic showcases that have our readers obsessed. With thousands of designs to marvel at, find a popular style that speaks to your creative spirit and pursuits. What will capture your imagination today?

Can a Tattoo Be Removed Naturally

Can a Tattoo Be Removed Naturally?

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Getting a tattoo and regretting it later is a thing many people have experienced. Luckily there are numerous ways your tattoo can be removed. However, laser removal and other similar removal options often cost more than the tattoo itself, so that can add to the stress of having a tattoo you don’t like. But, there…
How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make

How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make?

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Starting a career as a professional and licensed tattoo artist can be pretty difficult. A lot is required in terms of education and practice, and the road to getting a license might not only be difficult, but it is also pretty expensive. However, building a client base and providing exceptional service can put any tattoo…
How To Hide My Tattoo

How To Hide My Tattoo: 7 Clever Ways To Cover the Ink

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So, you have a big event coming up, or you’re waiting for a tattoo removal appointment? Either way, there are some moments in our lives when we want to keep the ink well hidden. Sometimes, we do not want the attention, or we simply do not want to display our bodies all the time. There…
Ankle Tattoos For Women

35 Best Ankle Tattoos For Women (2023 Updated)

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Have you ever gotten a tattoo before? Are you a fan of feminine placements? If so, ankle tattoos are the perfect go-to idea for you! Ankle placements are quite playful & sensual, and these tattoos look great with time and as they age. Find your perfect & next go-to tattoo design down below! Do Ankle…
Calf Tattoo

Top 30 Calf Tattoo Design Ideas (And The Meanings Behind Them)

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Calf tattoos can be anything and everything that you imagine! How creative are you and what is your imagination like? If you’re someone who appreciates subtle art and you don’t want overpowering tattoos you will appreciate calf designs. Here, we will list 30 different tattoos and we will talk about each meaning and different options…
Aztec Tattoo

40+ Aztec Tattoo Meaning & Design Ideas (2023 Updated)

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As European raiders and explorers entered the American land, Aztec civilization started to decay, especially when smallpox brought from Europe spread across the New World. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop the rich Aztec culture and mythology to persevere, with the famous monuments of the ancient civilization being one of the most popular attractions in Central America….
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8 Best Tattoo Ink in 2023: Intenze Tattoo Ink Is The Best

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Irrespective of how elaborate your technical setup is, one crucial element that can make or break any tattoo is the ink: the magic potion that brings all the color. Tattoo inks can influence everything from the vibrancy of the artwork, the quality of the finish, how long the tattoos maintain their consistency and how quickly…
Small & Unique Arm Tattoos For Men

32 Small & Unique Tattoos For Men (and What They Mean)

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If you are not a fan of larger tattoos and you’re trying to go for something delicate you will enjoy this article! Here, we will talk about different kinds, colors, as well as prints that can suit guys who dislike the tattooing process (which can get pretty painful when working with larger tattoos). Find something…
Best Tattoo Shops in Miami

The 9 Best Tattoo Shops in Miami 2023: Detailed Reviews

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Miami is a city of extravagance, parties, breathtaking sunsets, and, of course, tattoos. Even though it may not be the first thing to pop into your mind when you think of Miami, but here, the tattooing culture and community are ever-expanding and surely world-class. For decades, tattoos have been the main medium people in Miami…
Top 10 Tattoo Magazines and Websites You Will Never Read

Top 10 Tattoo Magazines and Websites You Will Never Read

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Did you know that 30 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo? According to the data supplier, Ipsos, the proportion of Americans who have at least one tattoo grew 9 percent between 2012 and 2019. We often hear that every tattoo tells a story. If this is indeed the case, we could say that…
tattoo peeling no ink underneath

Tattoo Peeling with No Ink Underneath: Should I Be Worried?

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Getting a new tattoo is one of the most exciting feelings, whether it is your first tattoo or tenth. However, one of the trickiest parts of getting a tattoo is a part that comes after the initial excitement calms down; tattoo aftercare can either make or break your tattoo adventure. So, when some discrepancies in…
Koi Fish Tattoo

30+ Koi Fish Tattoo Designs (And The Meaning Behind Them)

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Koi fish represents one of the most iconic symbols of Asian tradition and traditional Asian tattoos. This wonderful symbol carries many incredible meanings and can be adjusted for breathtaking tattoo design. If you want to get a Koi fish tattoo, we recommend you continue reading for a better understanding of the symbolism and how the…
What Should You Not Do Before Getting A Tattoo

What Should You Not Do Before Getting A Tattoo?

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To get a tattoo means to permanently commit to a work of art on your body. So, in order for that work of art to be perfect and worthy of its permanence, one has to be well prepared and choose wisely. It is essential for a tattoo to be a well-thought-out decision, rather than something…
Can You Use Neosporin On a Tattoo

Can You Use Neosporin On a Tattoo: Avoid an Ugly Mess

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To get a good tattoo and have an overall pleasant tattoo experience you need to find a reputable tattoo artist, right? However, many seem to forget about an equally important aspect of getting a good tattoo, which is tattoo aftercare. Without proper after-tattoo care, one is risking improper tattoo healing, prolonged healing time, and even…
Can You Use a Regular Printer For Tattoo Stencils

Can You Use a Regular Printer For Tattoo Stencils?

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Tattoo stencils are used to help a tattoo artist transfer a tattoo design onto the skin and continue tattooing without making mistakes. The stencils are super useful, especially if a tattoo artist is gaining experience and building their skills. When tattoo artists start working at a professional level, freehanding a tattoo is a no-go, that…
Chakra Tattoo

Top 30 Gorgeous Chakra Tattoo Design IDeas (2023 Updated)

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Looking for some creative tattoo ideas? Trying to get in tune and in touch with your emotions? If so, you’re going to like this article. Here, we are going to talk about loads of different chakra designs and prints that will express your deep inner feelings. Find your perfect chakra and release it by reading…
What Happens To Your Tattoo As You Get Older

What Happens To Your Tattoo As You Get Older?

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It is well-known that as we grow older our bodies, skin, and mind change. So, when we turn to body modification at our younger age, some can’t help but wonder what the works of art on their bodies will look like in 20 or 30 years. For starters, we can say that even with the…
Ink Poisoning

Ink Poisoning: Is It Possible and How Do I Know If I Have It?

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Tattoos have become so widespread that many people don’t really think about how they affect our skin and body. As you may know, no tattoo would be possible without ink, and no ink could be created without a concoction of different chemical substances and compounds. So, why is it that we take tattoos so lightly…
Bad Luck Tattoos

50+ Bad Luck Tattoos and Their Meanings

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Every tattoo has a meaning, and not all of them are positive. If you’re someone who is superstitious or spiritual, then you may want to avoid these tattoo designs as they are considered bad luck. Some tattoos have a universal negative meaning, others it depends on the culture and location. Read on to learn more…
Sun Tattoo Ideas and Meaning

72 Best Sun Tattoo Design Ideas and Meaning (2023 Updated)

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Sun tattoos are a popular choice of body art. They can be simple, complex, meaningful, aesthetic and gender neutral. They are also easily adaptable to an individual’s style and taste. The sun is also rife with symbolism. It sustains the earth and mankind and so many draw on this connection through getting inked. There are…
Best Tattoo Shops In Chicago

12 Best Tattoo Shops In Chicago (2023 Updated)

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Tattooing is growing as a culture and in 2023, it’s made to be super-safe and trustworthy. Most tattoo artists built wide and reliable networks on the internet and social media. With various regulations and happy customers that share the joy of visiting a particular tattoo studio, nearly everyone is encouraged to come and get their…
Tattoo Shops in Phoenix Arizona

9 Best Tattoo Shops in Phoenix Arizona (2023 Updated)

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Arizona is the modernization of the Wild West and it’s also known for many things. Various attractions attract many tourists annually, but the locals also enjoy sightseeing in this city. One of the popular attractions in Arizona is also tattoo shops and studios and we wanted to take a look at them and give our…
Are Tattoos Illegal in Korea

Are Tattoos Illegal in Korea, The Answer May Surprise You

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As a tattoo lover who’s planning a trip to Korea or is already living there, you’re probably wondering what’s up with the legal status of this type of body art. Some people say tattoos are illegal, others say they’re not, and you take a stroll through busy streets and see tattoo studios. So, is it…