Rework what is already there
Blast Overs / Cover-Ups
A blast over is a new tattoo laid over an existing one. It is not magic — it is strategy. The old ink becomes the background texture, and the new design is built to hide, blend or transform it.
What is a blast over?
A blast over — also called a cover-up or rework — is when a tattoo artist tattoos a new design on top of an old or unwanted piece. Instead of erasing the original, the artist workswith it: using dark lines and saturated shading to draw the eye away from the old image underneath.
Blast overs usually need to be larger and bolder than the tattoo underneath. Soft, light, delicate designs rarely work because the old ink will show through. The best cover-ups use strong contrast, dense blacks and flowing shapes that use the existing tattoo as part of the new artwork.
Dead Doll is currently learning and building experience with blast overs and cover-up work. Simple, faded pieces are the best place to start. Complex or very dark cover-ups may be referred to a more senior artist at Stallion Ink if the result would not be fair to the client.
How a cover-up is assessed
Send a clear photo
Take the photo in natural daylight, not under yellow indoor bulbs. Include the whole area so the size and surrounding skin can be judged. Blurry night-time photos make honest assessment impossible.
Be honest about the history
How old is the tattoo? Was it done professionally or at home? Has it been lasered? Has it scarred? All of this changes what can be done over the top.
Expect a consultation first
Most cover-ups need a short in-person look before a booking is made. The artist needs to feel the skin, see the ink in real light, and tell you straight whether it is ready to be worked on.
Design around the old ink
A good blast over uses the dark parts of the old tattoo as shadow or texture in the new design. The new piece is usually bolder, darker and more saturated than a tattoo on blank skin.
Usually coverable
- · Faded black line work or old greywash
- · Small pieces with room to expand around them
- · Tattoos that have lightened significantly over time
- · Designs with open skin around the edges to blend into
Usually needs fading first
- · Very dense, solid black sleeves or large blackout areas
- · Raised, scarred or heavily keloided skin
- · Fresh tattoos — the skin needs to be fully settled first
- · Tattoos you are not ready to make bigger or darker
Laser fading sessions can turn a "no" into a "yes" by lightening the old ink and giving the artist more room to work. Recommendations for local laser clinics can be given on request.
What a blast over costs
Cover-ups take longer than tattoos on blank skin because the artist is working around existing pigment and often needs to go darker and denser. Sessions are priced by the hour or as a half-day rate depending on size. A firm quote is given after the in-person consultation.
Deposits are the same as standard bookings: $50 for weekdays, $100 for weekends. They come off the final price and are non-refundable.
Or call 0484 392 444 — Stallion Ink, Richlands.