Lettering & Script Tattoo Shops Near You – Top Artists – Page 12

Script lettering tattoo reading Stay True on a forearm

Lettering tattoo guide

What is a lettering tattoo?

Lettering tattoos are made of words: names of children and loved ones, dates, mottos, song lyrics and quotes. Styles range from elegant script and calligraphy to Old English (blackletter), Chicano script, typewriter fonts, hand-drawn brush lettering and bold traditional banners.

Skilled lettering artists draw letters by hand rather than typing a font, adjusting each letter so the words flow and fit the body.

Styles	Script, calligraphy, blackletter, Chicano, block, typewriter
Ink	Usually black; sometimes with shading or color
Best for	Forearms, collarbone, ribs, chest, back, neck
Sessions	Usually one
How it ages	Well if letters are large and spaced generously

Choosing a lettering artist

Look for custom, hand-drawn lettering rather than straight computer fonts.
Check consistency. Letter heights, slant and spacing should be even throughout.
Size for legibility. Small text with tight loops (e, a, o) fills in over time. Your artist should size it to stay readable.
Proofread everything – twice. Check spelling, dates and foreign-language text with a fluent speaker before the stencil goes on.

Cost and sessions

Small names and dates often cost the shop minimum. Larger script pieces are priced by the piece or by the hour, and most lettering is finished in a single session.

Frequently asked questions

How small can a lettering tattoo be?

It depends on the font and placement, but letters smaller than about a quarter inch tall tend to blur over time. Simple, open fonts hold up better when small.