57 White Ink Tattoos – Ideas, Pictures & Designs
White ink tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a unique alternative to traditional tattoos. White ink tattoos are created using white ink instead of black or colored ink, resulting in a subtle, almost translucent appearance. This effect can make the tattoo look more like a scar or a raised design than a traditional tattoo.
The effectiveness of a white ink tattoo can depend on skin color, with darker skin tones often achieving a more visible result. However, this doesn’t mean that those with lighter skin tones can’t enjoy a white ink tattoo, but the design might appear more subtle.
One of the benefits of white ink tattoos is that they are much less noticeable than traditional tattoos, which makes them a great choice for those who want a tattoo that is discreet and subtle. They’re perfect for areas like the wrist, where the tattoo can be easily hidden, but still visible under close inspection.
Overall, white ink tattoos can be a great way to express your individuality while still maintaining a professional or conservative image in certain settings. So, if you’re considering a tattoo but want to keep it low-key and discreet, a white ink tattoo may be the perfect choice for you.
History of White Ink Tattoos
Traditionally tattoo artists only used white ink to highlight small parts of a traditional tattoo design. The use of white ink for a complete tattoo is a relatively new phenomenon, and it’s probably impossible to place its exact origin. There are many reasons why a person might choose a white ink tattoo over a more colorful design. While many think of tattoos as something to make a bold statement, this isn’t always the case. Tattoos can be deeply personal and hidden.
A white ink tattoo design takes this a step further by being much more subtle and easier to conceal than a colorful tattoo. Perhaps you want a tattoo with a lot of meaning but is only really noticed by yourself and the people close to you that you want to share it. A white ink tattoo design can be a perfect choice.
However, not everyone chooses a white tattoo design for its subtlety.
Many people just like the way a white tattoo looks after it has healed. The result can often resemble an intricate scar. In fact, White ink tattoo designs are often used as a less messy alternative to scarification. Pretty much any tattoo design could be rendered in white ink. However, it is probably best to stick to relatively simple designs as a detailed design might be very hard to see.
Pros & Cons
As a tattoo artist, from time to time, we’ll get clients to come in and ask us the question, can I get a white ink tattoo with no black outlines, no other colors, no nothing, just white ink? It’s a viable question. If someone could get a tattoo that’s only black ink, why wouldn’t you be able to get a tattoo that’s only white ink? But is it a good idea to get a white ink tattoo?
Here, we are going to talk about the pros and cons of white ink tattoos.
Pros
White ink tattoos have many advantages over regular tattoos. Many people have careers that prevent them from having tattoos on the forearms or hands and other highly visible places. A discreet white ink tattoo design can be a great way around this. However, they are far from invisible. Would you spend money on one if they were? They can be subtle enough to get away with somewhere that a more colorful tattoo would drop you in trouble.
Cons
You do need to be quite careful when you choose a White ink tattoo design. Many tattoo artists are pretty wary of white ink tattoo designs, as there are few guarantees on how it will turn out. Everyone has different skin color, which means the results are very hard to predict. White looks different on the skin than it looks on a painting or a white charcoal drawing. The skin can significantly affect the way the white looks. Unfortunately, until you try it, there is no way to know for sure. Against certain skin colors, white ink tattoo designs can look slightly cream or yellow. Upon darker skin, they can go translucent.
Another reason why it’s a bad idea to get a white ink tattoo is their poor longevity. In tattooing, different pigments age differently. Black pigment being carbon-based lasts the longest before you have to get it touched up. Out of all the pigments out there, white is the worst in terms of longevity. Due to their very nature, White ink tattoos also tend to fade much faster than darker and more colorful tattoos. This cannot be very pleasant for both the customer and the artist if you decide to go back and complain. Just remember it’s not his fault. White ink tattoos work differently on everyone, and it’s a pretty safe bet he warned you about this at the start!
Celebrities with White Ink Tattoos
- Model Kate Moss has a white ink tattoo design of stars on the side of her body.
- Model Jasmine Lennard has a white ink tattoo design on her right wrist.
- Actress Lindsey Lohan has a white ink tattoo design on her wrist.
Placement
A White ink tattoo is just another tattoo rendered in white ink, so where you choose to get a white ink tattoo depends on what you are trying to achieve.
Depending on which style you choose, it is possible to place a white ink tattoo anywhere on the body. It is probably best to try and stick to a relatively simple tattoo design, as a very detailed design may not be particularly visible.
Many people choose to have text or writing in white ink placed in a prominent place, where a more colorful tattoo could be a problem.
If you are thinking about getting a white ink tattoo, check out the collection of white ink tattoos below.
White Ink Tattoo Designs and Ideas
