Let’s be honest—every tattoo has a story. But sometimes that story involves an ex’s name, a drunk dare, or a piece that just didn’t age gracefully.
Want to hear the good news, Amigo? You don’t have to live with shame and regret any longer.
When Old Ink Goes Under Cover
Cover-up tattoos have become an art form of their own, and when done right, they can completely transform your old ink into something you actually want to show off.
I’ve been doing cover-ups for over the 31 years here in Columbus, and I can tell you that for me personally—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of tattooing. There’s something pretty special about helping someone reclaim a piece of their body and turn a “what was I thinking?” moment into a personal masterpiece.
Understanding the Art of a Good Cover-Up Tattoo
Cover-up tattoos aren’t just about slapping a darker image over something old. They’re a delicate balance of design, technique, and creativity. You’re working with what’s already there—fading lines, saturated colors, and the shape of the original piece—all of which affect what can and can’t be done.
Here’s what makes a successful cover-up tattoo possible:
-
Strategic Design: The new tattoo needs to redirect the eye and use shapes, shading, and flow to disguise what’s beneath. Think of it like visual misdirection.
-
Color Knowledge: Dark pigments are useful, but layering with texture, gradients, and contrast is what truly hides the old design.
-
Patience & Planning: Sometimes, a laser lightening session before your cover-up can make a huge difference. A lighter canvas gives your artist more freedom to design something fresh.
If you’re serious about a cover-up, find an artist who not only can do them—but actually enjoys doing them. It’s a very specific skill set that not every tattooer is wired for.
5 Other Columbus Artists Who Excel at Cover-Up Tattoos
Columbus has a killer tattoo scene, and while I take a lot of pride in my own tattoo work at TatsByWes, there are a few other artists around town who deserve a shoutout for their mastery in cover-up tattoos:
John James — Tattoo 62 (Grove City / Columbus area)
John James works out of Tattoo 62 and has built a reputation for caring deeply about custom work, including cover-ups. You’ll find posts like “made this cover up this week!” on his Instagram feed, showing that he’s actively doing cover-ups and is comfortable re-working old pieces. One client comment notes he “does everything from semi-realism to cover ups to full color,” highlighting his versatility. His approach tends to lean toward thoughtful design rather than simply slapping something on top — meaning you’re likely to get a piece that flows with your body and reworks the old tattoo into something intentionally new
Based at Thrill Vulture Tattooing, Matt Brown is consistently described as a cover up master.
Burned Hearts Tattoo — Multiple Artists, especially “Coyote” for cover-ups
Burned Hearts advertises specific “cover-ups” services: “Refresh old or unwanted tattoos with our expert cover-up services… we create stunning new designs that seamlessly integrate with your existing ink.” Among their roster, the artist known as Coyote stands out. He’s described as the shop’s “human printer” for his realism work, and while much of his known portfolio is black & grey realism, the shop’s cover-up angle makes him a strong pick for transforming older ink. If your old tattoo is large or complex, a studio like Burned Hearts with a dedicated cover-up angle is worth considering.
Joey Knuckles — Sacred Hand Tattoo Society (Columbus)
Joey Knuckles, working at Sacred Hand Tattoo Society, has more than 20 years of experience and is frequently recommended for cover-up work. His site includes images captioned “Finished this big cover up last week” and notes that the cover up is the start of a much larger tattoo. The shop also explicitly states “Tattoo Cover Up in Columbus, Ohio” among their services. If your project is large scale (sleeves, backs, big areas) Joey is equipped for it.
Mad‑e Zwiebel aka “Shabby Beatnik” — Redtree Tattoo (Columbus)
Known under the handle “Shabby Beatnik,” Mad-e works at Redtree Tattoo Gallery and is highlighted for her colorful, free-consultation approach to cover-ups. One post on Instagram shows a “free hand coverup for my lovely friend” by her, indicating she’s comfortable with creative, organic cover-up work. Recommended especially if you want a vibrant, colorful cover-up rather than a purely dark or black-heavy design.
These artists and their shops represent strong options across the Columbus and Central Ohio area. Each brings a slightly different angle — traditional vs. realism vs. color-heavy — so pick the style that best matches your vision.
And as always: treat your consultation like an interview. Check past cover-up examples, ask about how they approach the old ink, talk about whether laser prep is needed, and get a feel for the artist’s design flow. Your next piece should not just cover the old one—it should become something you’re super stoked to wear.
Choosing the Right Design for Your Cover-Up
This is where creativity and collaboration come in. When clients come to me for a cover-up, we start with an honest conversation about what’s possible and what’s not. A good cover-up is a partnership between the artist’s technical eye and the client’s personal story.
A few tips I always give clients:
-
Be open-minded. The best cover-ups often involve designs you wouldn’t have originally considered.
-
Trust the process. Your artist knows how color, contrast, and flow work together to mask old ink.
-
Think bigger. Expanding the tattoo beyond the original area gives more room for blending and visual balance.
Sometimes it’s not about completely hiding the past—it’s about transforming it. I’ve seen old tribal bands become intricate florals, and faded names evolve into detailed portraits or geometric designs. The trick is in seeing the potential, not just the problem.
The Right Way to Transform Old Ink into New Art
A lot of people rush into cover-ups because they’re desperate to get rid of something fast. But the right way takes planning and patience. Your skin is the canvas, and it deserves respect.
Here’s how to make sure your cover-up turns out the way you want it:
-
Do your research. Look for experienced artists in Columbus who show actual cover-up examples in their portfolios.
-
Consult in person. Photos don’t always show how a tattoo will translate to your skin tone or texture.
-
Listen to professional advice. Sometimes your artist will suggest color adjustments, size increases, or laser prep to make the design work better long-term.
When you trust the process—and the person holding the machine—you give yourself the best shot at ending up with a tattoo you’ll be proud of for years to come.
Final Thoughts on Cover Up Tattoos
Cover-up tattoos are redemption stories written in ink.
They take something that once made you cringe and turn it into a reminder of how far you’ve come. Whether you’re covering a name, a symbol, or just a bad decision from 2008, there’s no reason you can’t love your skin again.
Like I said, I have done so many cover ups over the last 31 years of tattooing that I'm really passionate about making sure they are absolutely right. If you’re ready to start the process for yours, check out my portfolio or set up a consultation. We’ll figure out how to turn your old ink into new art—done the right way, Columbus style
