Mastering Tattoo Artistry
Tattoo HQ is a go-to resource for tattoo inspiration, meanings, and advice. We cover popular tattoos like minimalist, Samurai, and Viking designs. We also provide guidance on tattoo placement, sizing, 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 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?
What Does a Tattoo Feel Like? First Timer’s Guide to a First Tattoo Sesh and Sensation to Expect
Have you ever just sat in your room and wondered what certain things feel like? For example, how does it feel to parachute, ski down a steep hill, pet a lion, travel around the world on a bike, a so much more. Some things are just universally first-time things for the majority of people, so…
Tattoos and COVID Vaccines: Is It Safe To Get Vaccinated Before or After a Tattoo?
It is safe to say that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made a lot of people change their plans and priorities. Whatever your plans were, we are sure you either had to cancel or postpone them, which sucked and probably still sucks. But, with the discovery of the COVID-19 vaccine, things did start to return…
Can You Be a Model With Tattoos (How Tattoos Can Make or Break Your Modeling Career)
We can all agree that tattoos aren’t really the most desirable feature to have when pursuing a modeling career. Many modeling agencies and designers like to point out that having tattoos can make it pretty difficult for models to succeed and actually land jobs. That is why, even nowadays, we don’t see many models with…
How To Tattoo Yourself: Can Your Really Do That?
One of the most common questions when it comes to tattoos is; can I do it myself? Now, the reason many people have thought about tattooing themselves generally lies in the huge cost of tattoos. At an hourly rate between $50 and $100, the majority of tattoo artists charge between $150 to thousands of dollars…
Top 36 Amazing Ghost Tattoo Design Ideas (And Meanings Behind Them)
Ghost tattoos are not for everyone. They are for those who believe in the afterlife, men or women who like to joke around about this concept, as well as those who like to watch scary movies. Do you fall in any of these categories? If so, you’re going to like this article since you are…
Maori Tattoos: A Detailed Insight Into Cultural Background and Meaning of Maori Tattoos
Getting to know the history of specific tattoos is essential in one’s research for the perfect tattoo design. The origin of a tattoo, its cultural and historic background, as well as meaning can truly affect one’s decision, especially when it comes to cultural appropriation and similar issues regarding cultural tattoos. Maori tattoos are some of…
Tattoo Sizes: Expert Guide With Examples (2023 Updated)
Too many people spend hours agonizing over the design and style of their tattoo. And sure, these are essential aspects you need to decide on before you get inked… but never underestimate the power of size and placement! Deciding on tattoo sizes is such an important thing to do. It can make or break your…
30+ Best-Looking Dagger Tattoos: Symbolists, Designs, And Inspiration Adviser
Dagger tattoos have gained popularity during recent years, and there is no wonder, as this design has such a beautiful predominance on the body. Their unmatched sheen is artfully ornate. If you want to show off your masculinity, dagger tattoos are the right choice. Consider these rebel blades for an epic revival. Dagger tattoos have…
30+ Best Peacock Tattoo Design Ideas: What Is Your Favorite
Have you ever seen a peacock before? These animals live in the wilderness, and they are quite the attraction at the zoo. If you love their beauty, colorful appearance, as well as their meaning, why not consider placing a peacock tattoo somewhere over your body? Wondering what is the spiritual meaning of these birds? Keep…
30+ Best Oni Mask Tattoo: Check These Stunning Design Ideas (2023 Updated)
Have you ever heard of the Oni mask as a concept? Have you ever considered it as a tattoo idea maybe? In this article, we will talk a lot about different tattoo ideas. We will also explain and tell you about the meaning of the Omni mask while emphasizing its deep true spiritual side. Keep…
Henna Vs. Tattoo (Process Of Creating, Duration, Pain Level, Design Possibilities, Skin Impact)
Getting body art done on your skin is a major decision, especially when it comes to making a decision between a temporary or permanent option. Before one makes up their mind, it is always important to do proper research and figure out which option suits their wishes, needs, and even possibilities, which can be a…
Tribal Tattoos: History Insight And 60+ Incredible Design Ideas
Tattooing has historically been a common practice in all indigenous people around the world. For these people, tattooing isn’t just body art, but rather a deep-rooted tradition that is, unfortunately, dying out in the modern-day and age. Traditional tattooing is nowadays boiled down to tribal designs that many people don’t even know the meaning of,…
Do Tattoos Fade Over Time (And How Can You Fight Tattoo Fading?)
To get a tattoo means getting a permanent work of art on your body. But, being aware that as time goes by your body changes, you cannot help but wonder what will your tattoo look like in 20 or 30 years. Will the tattoo fade or stay the same? In the following paragraphs, we’ll take…
Supernatural Tattoo: Ultimate Guide And 80+ Best Design Ideas
A fan of everything spooky and supernatural? Perhaps you have a deep connection with the other side that you want to celebrate? Get a supernatural tattoo to represent your struggles, to embrace your power or to show you appreciation for a certain film or TV show. Supernatural Tattoo: Ultimate Guide and 80+ Design Ideas Here…
40 Best Name Cover Up Tattoo Design Ideas (2023 Updated)
When you’re madly in love and committed to someone, it seems like the perfect idea to consecrate that love by getting their name permanently inked on your skin. However romantic this may seem in the moment, however, it naturally becomes a little unfortunate in the event that you break up. If you’re reading this article,…
Best Realistic Tattoo Artists On Instagram
Choosing what symbol you want on your tattoo can be quite difficult, especially when you have a lot of things to choose from. Some people are fans of a cartoonish and more abstract symbolism in the ink, while others prefer some realism, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want to make a serious…
Best Tattoo Shops in Philadelphia: Where To Get Inked In Philly?
If you’re thinking of getting a new tattoo in Philly, chances are you’re browsing the Internet, looking for the best tattoo shops to check out. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered the creme de la creme of Philly tattoo parlors, all in one place. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find a list of our top picks…
Do Tattoo Artists Use Numbing Cream: Why Dont Tattoo Artists Use Numbing Cream?
Remember the first time you seriously thought about getting a tattoo? You were probably super excited about the idea and started immediately searching for the perfect tattoo design. But, there was one thing you realized a bit later; tattoos hurt. And yes, generally speaking, tattoos do hurt to a certain extent. Usually, people experience discomfort,…
14 Best Dragon Tattoo Designs: Mesopotamian, East Asia Or Europe?
Somewhere, dragons are the signs of terror, chaos, fear, and death, but not in all cultures. In other places, dragon tattoos can manifest power, courage, and confidence, and a lot of people want them as their tattoo, sometimes even when they’re getting a tattoo for the first time. That’s why dragon tattoo is quite popular…
8 Best Tattoo Aftercare Products Based On Experience (2023 Updated)
The chances are that your experience with getting your first tattoo was a bit more complicated than you expected. Most newbies will, albeit wrongfully, assume that all it takes to complete their first tattoo is braving the discomfort of going under the needle. However, they are quickly jolted back to reality by their tattooist. Most…
30+ Taurus Tattoo Designs And Meanings (2023 Updated)
Getting a Taurus tattoo is pretty uncommon, mostly for the believers of horoscope and zodiac where Taurus is one of the most popular Earth signs. Alternatively, those interested in astronomy and constellations must’ve heard about the Taurus constellation, again named after the belief of astrology and horoscope. Besides that, there are also many different designs…
17 Tattoos Which Symbolize Hope (2023 Updated)
Hope is one of the most powerful things on the planet. Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain event, thing or sentiment to happen. Hope can be applied to so many different life events from love and friendship, to going on vacation or career goals. Hope means something different to each…
Can I Tan After Getting a Tattoo? How Long to Wait
With the hot summer sizzling away, we cannot help but be torn between enjoying the warmth and also worrying about the safety of our skin. Despite being one of the most wonderful things, the sunlight and the warmth can actually be super harmful to the skin, especially if the skin is sensitive or damaged in…
Best Tattoo Ink Mixer: Everything You Need, In One Place (2023 Updated)
Tattoo artists require a lot of high-quality tattoo paraphernalia to create a tattoo in the easiest, quickest way. Apart from the obvious tools, like the tattoo gun and needle, tattoo ink, and gloves, every tattooist needs a good ink mixer. Why do tattoo artists need a tattoo ink mixer, you may ask? Well, tattoo ink…
Golden Tattoo Ink: A Real Deal or a False Claim?
We can all agree that the golden tattoos we see on social media look amazing. And, they seem to be the perfect summer accessory as well. If you’re reading this, chances are you want a golden tattoo yourself, and who wouldn’t? These look exceptional. But, are they too good to be true? In the following…
Top 30 Beautiful Aster Flower Tattoo Design Ideas (2023 Updated)
Have you ever thought about getting an aster flower tattoo? If not, now is the right time to consider this design! In this article, we will talk about loads of different ideas that can suit guys and girls, although being a common tattoo for women – we have gathered pictures for both genders! Keep on…
40+ Black And Grey Tattoo Designs To Enhance Body Art
Uni-color tattoos have dominated this industry; no wonder single-color designs are still a classical yet trendy choice. Well, in the first instance, this simple state of style was an immediate result of necessity; a long, long time ago, people couldn’t have colorful watercolor tattoos, so they had to choose single-color ones. Of course, the times…
How Many Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments Do I Need To Get Rid Of My Tattoo?
Laser tattoo removal is the best tattoo removal option out there. It is the safest, most effective tattoo removal treatment that ensures the tattoo disappears in the shortest possible time (now, take this with a grain of salt). However, even as such, laser tattoo removal takes time. How much time, you may ask. Well, it…
Aries Tattoo: 60+ Fabulous Design Ideas and Top Picks (2023 Updated)
Aries is a fire sign, and one of the most interesting signs in astrology overall. An Aries is a confidante, passionate person, that has a rather specific view of the world and the people in it. There can also be some exhaustive determination, an eye for success, and the ability to pursue and achieve goals…
Fastest Way To Heal a Tattoo: Some Things You Can Do to Speed Up the Healing Process
Isn’t it such a drag that you can’t just get a tattoo and be done with it in a few hours? Instead, you have to wait for the tattoo to heal, take care of it, and basically dedicate the next several weeks of your life to ensuring the tattoo doesn’t get infected or ruined. If…
Can I Wax Over a Tattoo: The Dos and Don’ts of Hair Removal Over Tattoos
So, summer is truly around the corner, and the preparations for your favorite summer outfits are going smoothly, but…there’s one thing that all of us, dear inked friends, tend to forget; we can’t really wax everything except the hair on our tattoos, right? Hair removal and tattoos have always been an interesting topic, and waxing…
Painless Tattoo: Is It Possible To Get a Tattoo Pain Free?
If there’s one thing stopping you from getting a tattoo (alongside money), it must be the pain issue. Tattoos are notoriously known for being rather painful. The pain is, however, not the same for every tattoo. How much your tattoo is going to hurt heavily depends on the location of the tattoo, the style of…
Crescent Moon Tattoo Meaning: Tattoo Ideas and Symbolism Explained
For hundreds, even thousands of years, the moon has been and still is one of the main mysteries of human beings. With the wide symbolic range, we’ve assigned to this astronomical object, it is not a big surprise that to this day we’re inspired by the moon, whether spiritually, artistically, or in any other way…
50+ Best Japanese Flower Tattoo Design Ideas and Their Meanings
Japanese tattoos are among the most recognizable tattoos in the world and they’re incredibly popular. Distinct imagery with a blend of detailed lined work and cultural significance is the main characteristic of Japanese tattoos. Colorful is one way to describe this type of ink. While it’s possible to come across black and grey designs, Japanese…
Getting A Face Tattoo: Is It A Good Idea? (2023 Updated)
Getting A Face Tattoo – Good Idea? Okay, so if you ever bring up the idea of a face tattoo with your friends, at least one of them is gonna try to convince you it’s a bad idea. Because, let’s be honest, it could be. Your face is your identity, it’s public, it’s on display,…
White Ink Tattoos: 6 Pros And 4 Cons
White ink tattoos are less popular than black ones, but they are unique and they certainly have an elegant touch to them. However, they also have their fair share of inconveniences. For this reason, we’ll guide you through the most significant pros and cons of white ink tattoos. If you love white tattoos and are…