One of
the most crucial questions to ask yourself when trying to come up with an idea
for your next tattoo is whether you are wanting your new piece to be in black
and grey or full color. Both styles certainly have advantages and disadvantages
when it comes to healing, longevity, contrast, and other factors. We often get
asked the pros and cons between the two different design choices so we figured
it would be an important topic to address.
Black
and grey tattoos are certainly the more popular option when it comes to the two
styles as they have been around longer and is a classic design choice. One of
the biggest pros of this design option is its longevity. The shades of black
and grey generally have a less chance of fading and are less susceptible to the
damages of sun exposure because of their chemical make-up. One key
component to consider for black and grey tattoos is the tattoo style you are
looking for in your piece. Traditional, Japanese, lettering, realism,
geometrical; it is all on the table with black and grey. Realism, however, can
get a little tricky when it comes to black and grey because it requires an eye
for depth, shading, size, etc. So, if this is the style you are looking for, be
sure to research your artist carefully to ensure you get the multi-dimensional
look you are going for. The final component in the pros column for black and
grey is that they generally take less time than full-color tattoos depending on
the style you choose. Working with two shades cuts down on time so, if you are
worried about sitting through the pain of a tattoo, black and grey may be the
right option for you.
Full-color tattoos may not have been around for as long as black and grey tattoos
but, over the years, they have become a staple in the tattoo community. Using
bright colors in a tattoo is a great way to convey the overall tone of the design
and, for many people, they add more expression to the overall piece. Depending
on the colors you select, color tattoos can offer an eye-popping contrast to
light and medium skin tones, and certain artists are trained to make color pop
on any skin tone. Something important to remember when looking at
tattoo designs or the work of the artist you are interested in is you will
want to be sure to look at the before photos of the piece and what the color
looks like after the healing process. This will ensure that you know what you
are getting into when selecting full-color for your newest addition.
We hope that this information will help you to select which way to go for a tattoo that is uniquely yours. Overall, both tattoo styles are great for different reasons and, if you make sure to do your research beforehand, you should be happy with your newest piece no matter which style you select.
