New to ink culture or leveling up your vocabulary before a big session? This straight-talk guide to tattoo terminology covers the phrases you will hear from artists, the tools they use, the techniques you will see, and the aftercare essentials you will need. Bookmark it, send it to a mate, and roll into the shop sounding clued-in.
Booking and Studio Lingo
Flash
Pre-drawn designs that artists offer as is. Great for quick wins or when you love an artist’s style.
Custom piece
Designed specifically for you based on references and a brief. Expect a consult and a deposit.
Consultation
A chat with your artist to lock style, size, placement, and budget. Bring reference pics and be honest about pain tolerance.
Deposit
A non-refundable payment to secure time and design work. It usually comes off your final price.
Day rate
A flat price for a full day in the chair. Ideal for sleeves or large back pieces.
Minimum
The lowest price a studio will charge for any tattoo. Covers set up, sterilisation, and time.
Walk-in
No booking. First come, first served. Best for small flash.
Machines, Needles, and Inks
Coil machine
Classic, punchy feel. Uses electromagnetic coils to drive the needle.
Rotary machine
Quieter and often lighter. Uses a motor for smooth, consistent motion.
Single needle or fine line
Very thin linework using tiny needle groupings. Heals delicate and subtle.
Needle codes
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RL Round Liner for crisp outlines
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RS Round Shader for small shading or color packing
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M Magnum for shading and color in larger areas
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CM Curved Magnum for smoother blends
Numbers like 3RL or 9M refer to how many needles are grouped.
Bugpins
Thinner needles that can produce ultra fine details.
Grey wash
Diluted black ink in various tones for black and grey realism.
Design, Placement, and Flow
Linework
The backbone of a tattoo. Clean lines equal longevity.
Negative space
Skin left uninked to create contrast and breathability in a design.
Placement and flow
How the tattoo fits the anatomy. Good flow follows muscle lines and movement so the piece looks intentional from every angle.
Blast over
New work laid over an older tattoo, often in bold styles.
Techniques You Will Hear About
Blackwork
Heavy black shapes, patterns, or illustrative designs.
Dotwork
Shading made with tiny dots for a textured gradient.
Whip shading and pepper shading
Flicking motions that create a soft, grainy fade.
Noodling
Dense fill made of short, overlapping squiggly lines. It reads as a matte black texture up close and helps add richness without going full blackout.
Stippling
Evenly spaced dots for subtle shadows, often in geometric or ornamental work.
Handpoke or stick and poke
Tattooing without a machine using a manual tool. Slower, often gentler on skin when done by pros.
Session Talk So You Know What Is Happening
Stencil
The purple or blue transfer applied to skin that guides the artist.
Freehand
Drawn directly on the body with markers before tattooing. Great for perfecting flow on tricky placements.
Pass
A run over the same area for saturation or polish. Multiple passes can be normal.
Tap out
When you need to stop because the pain has caught up. It happens. No shame.
White highlights
Bright pops added at the end. They can boost contrast but may fade faster on certain skin and placements.
Numbing window
The period when your numbing product is at peak effect. Follow directions closely and patch test first.
Healing and Aftercare Terms
Weeping
Clear or slightly colored fluid that appears in the first day. Normal. Pat dry gently.
Scabbing and peeling
Light flaking is standard. Do not pick. Heavy scabs usually mean too much trauma, friction, or dryness.
Silver skin
That shiny new layer once peeling ends. Your tattoo can look slightly dull until it fully settles.
Blowout
Ink spreads under the skin creating a fuzzy halo. Often caused by depth, movement, or thin skin. Different from normal swelling or bruising.
Second skin
A breathable film dressing applied by the artist to protect fresh work for the first days.
Aftercare routine
Clean, hydrate, protect. At Tattoo Numbing Cream Co. we recommend a gentle wash like Heal-Right Soap or Keep It Clean Foam, then a light layer of Easy Heal Balm. Once the tattoo is healed, maintain vibrancy with Tattoo Glow or Tattoo Enhancing Oil, and shield it daily with Tattoo Armour 30+ SPF.
Safety and Hygiene
Cross-contamination
The risk of germs moving between surfaces or clients. Pros use barriers, fresh needles, and strict clean down protocols.
Autoclave
A device that sterilises reusable equipment when applicable. Single-use needles and tubes are opened in front of you.
PPE
Gloves, wraps, and covers that create a clean, safe workstation.
Common Abbreviations You Will See
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B&G Black and grey
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Neo-trad Neo traditional
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Lineweight The thickness of a given line
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Saturation How solidly the ink is packed
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Touch-up A small appointment to sharpen healed lines or fill light spots
FAQs You Were About To Google
How should I prep for my tattoo?
Hydrate, moisturise for a few days, avoid sunburn, get solid sleep, and skip alcohol for at least 24 hours. Eat a real meal before your session.
Should I use numbing cream?
If pain is a blocker, yes. Follow directions, do a patch test 24 hours prior, and tell your artist so timing matches the numbing window. Our Signature Tattoo Numbing Cream and Miracle Numb Spray are formulated for serious sessions. Artists also love our sleeves that replace cling wrap for a clean, easy set after application.
When can I train or swim again?
Avoid pools, spas, ocean, and heavy sweat until the skin closes and peeling finishes. Usually 10 to 14 days. Always follow your artist’s instructions.
Why does my tattoo look dull at week two?
That is silver skin. Once the top layer settles, your tattoo will brighten again. Consistent moisturising and SPF keep it crisp.
Quick Tattoo Terminology Glossary
Flash, custom, consult, deposit, day rate, walk-in, coil machine, rotary machine, round liner, round shader, magnum, bugpin, grey wash, linework, negative space, blast over, blackwork, dotwork, stippling, noodling, whip shading, stencil, freehand, pass, white highlights, numbing window, weeping, blowout, second skin, touch-up, B&G, saturation, lineweight.
