How to Color a Tattoo

You've found the perfect tattoo design and a competent tattoo artist to apply your new body art, but you still have another vital decision to make--color. Choosing the wrong color can turn a beautiful design into a nightmare, but there are some steps you can take to ensure your color choices are good ones.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Decide if you want color. Many tattoos are done in black or "gray washed," which means they are colored with varying shades of black. Bold tribal pieces are generally always done in black along with most lettering and portraits are usually done like a black and white photo. On the other hand, many pieces, especially some oriental designs and many feminine designs are completed in full color.
2. Think about your favorite colors. Many people choose to incorporate their favorite color in their design to make it more personal and unique to them. They may choose a design that has been done before, but by using their own individual color scheme, they make the design theirs.
3. Talk to the tattoo artist about what colors look best over time. Many lighter colors, especially yellow, pink and white will fade quicker than darker shades. Darker colors tend to stand out better especially on darker skin tones. Your skin tone will actually affect how some colors will look not only over time, but in some cases immediately. For example, oranges and yellows generally never show well on dark skin, but reds and greens are usually not a problem.
4. Discuss the potential for allergic reaction to certain pigments. Red, which is the second most popular color next to black, is commonly considered the most likely color to cause an allergic reaction followed by yellow. In some cases, the area just itches occasionally and an over-the-counter ointment can be used to counteract the reaction, but in very extreme cases, the tattoo has to be removed. If it's your first tattoo and you want color, it's best to start with something small to see how your skin will react to the various pigments.
5. Make sure you are choosing colors that are coordinating or contrasting to each other. You don't want to choose colors that are so close in pigment that they blend together so much the design is indistinguishable or the combination just doesn't blend well. A good tattoo artist should be able to explain what colors will look good together and which won't.
6. Take the tattoo artist's advice. Although you may have to change your original color scheme, the artist, through her vast experience in combining colors, may offer a very good reason why certain colors should not be used in your design.

Tips & Warnings

• Black is considered the safest color in regards to allergic reaction simply because it has been around the longest and been experimented with the most.
• Tattoos colored all white should be avoided. Although you may think the color is so bright it would make a nice contrast to your complexion, white is one of those colors that rarely stays bright over time and should be used only as a highlight color.