Traditional / Old School

Bold, black lines (single weight) and rich, saturated colors are hallmarks of the American Traditional/Old School Tattoo style. Sometimes called “sailor” tattoos thanks to the work of Sailor Jerry, Traditional tattoos are renowned for their bright colors and longevity. 

The Old School color palette of yellow, red, green, and black still holds strong, but modern tattooers will add additional colors such as blues or pinks to fit the client’s desire. Still, full, bold saturation remains a staple of the style. Content is presented in a “flat,” 2-dimensional style which gives the tattoo a drawn, painterly presentation.

Common themes include roses, flowers, anchors, sailboats, big cats (tigers/panthers), knives, swallows, skulls, snakes, women’s faces/pin-up girls, and butterflies.