20 Best Books About Tattooing (2023 Update)

Tattoo artist megan massacre presents a beautiful collection of her best work, with instructive how-to and inspiration for both professional tattoo artists as well as tattoo aficionados. with a personal behind-the-scenes peek into the making of a tattoo, from concept to execution, plus fan favorite tattoos and tattoo cover-ups, this approachable, full-color paperback will feature everything massacre has learned over the years. part idea sourcebook, part tattoo opus, this is an art book that tattoo fans will be eager to read and display.

An expanding number of tattoo artists have been mining the past for lost traditions and innovating with new technology. an enormous diversity of styles, genres, and techniques has emerged, ranging from geometric blackwork to vibrant, painterly styles, and from hand-tattooed works to machine-produced designs. with over 700 stunning color illustrations, this volume considers historical and contemporary tattoo practices in europe, the americas, the middle east, north and sub-saharan africa, asia, australia, and the pacific islands. each section, dedicated to a specific geographic region, features fascinating text by tattoo experts that explores the history and traditions native to that area as well as current styles and trends. the world atlas of tattoo also tracks the movement of styles from their indigenous settings to diasporic communities, where they have often been transformed into creative, multicultural, hybrid designs. the work of 100 notable artists from around the globe is showcased in this definitive reference on a widespread and intriguing art practice.

This book contains 25+ years of professional tattooing experience. erick alayon has been tattoo professionally since 1988, no other tattooing instruction author can say that! this new volume contains erick alayon's three previous best selling tattooing books plus a whole lot more! most of erick's famous (or infamous!) typos have been corrected! old info has been updated and new info has been added along with many additional explanations and insights. new topics include: photography, frame geometry, sterilization and more! while no book on tattooing is truly complete, this book has to be the most comprehensive one to date! the complete craft of tattooing will be a great addition to your tattoo library!( notice: the sanitary guidelines explained in this book are in compliance with suffolk county, ny dept. of health procedures at the time of writing. please check with your local and state dept. of health office for guidelines specific to your area.)

The craft of tattooing was written for the beginning student of tattooing. this easy to use and comprehensive guide will show you everything you need to know to get started as a tattoo artist. erick alayon has been tattoo professionally since 1988, no other tattooing instruction author can say that! inside you will learn, how to set up and tune tattoo machines, equipment you will need to get started, how to get started, tips on outlining, shading and coloring, plus lots more! covers advice and technical information to help you get started toward a successful career!

Discover the true meanings behind over 200 popular tattoos with this comprehensive book, illustrated with over 100 tattoo designs. from sailors' swallows and mexican skulls to prisoners' barbed wire and intricate maori patterns, tattoos have been used as a means of communication by cultures all over the world for thousands of years. through meticulous research, the tattoo dictionary uncovers the history of the most popular symbols in tattoo history, revealing their hidden meanings and the long-forgotten stories behind them in this beautifully packaged book.

The world's best, most innovative, creative tattoo art.new works from over forty of the most ground breaking and up-and-coming tattoo designers are featured in this highly curated collection. aimed at profiling the next generation of skin art, the selected artists are at the forefront of where tattoo art is going and display a wide degree of diversity in terms of geographic origin, culture, race, and gender.among the artists and designers included are are scott campbell, sasha unisex, tea leigh, johnny gloom, tati compton (a.k.a. tati fox), georgia grey, lauren winzer, peter aurisch, jon boy, susanne könig, dr. woo, super timor, and many others. most of the tattoo artists included count of tens of millions of followers on social media straddling the spectrum of tattoo fans.tattoos are a mark of personal creativity and individuality, and claquin strikes a careful balance between artistic vision, creative process, and the practical demands of needle and ink.

Frustrated trying to break into the tattoo industry? are you determined to make art for a living? here is everything you need to get started in the exhilarating world of tattooing, all in one full-color, indispensable book. unlike any other tattoo instruction book out there!! professionally designed & a pleasure to read, this is the ultimate tattoo guide– literally a course in a book–giving you the fundamental a – z essentials to become successful at the craft of tattooing.whether you're a student, apprentice or total newbie, this illustrated book is the beginner's tattoo bible. start your exciting career with this leading education right at your fingertips.this textbook is critical for anyone who dreams of being a tattooer or those who wish to learn tattoo in the safest, most convenient way. filled with crucial information, from safety, sanitation, skin and equipment, to color theory, client services and tattoo technique.featuring high quality photos, graphics and the most current information, you need this new tattoo artist training. get your own copy right now. from beginning to end this will cover everything you need to know about tattooing. once you have read this you will have a complete understanding of tattooing, or use it as a companion guide to schooling or apprenticeship." valentin serna, owner all-in-one tattoo "after scouring the web for resources. and finding only scattered videos & tips, the coveted tattoo information available in this easy-to-understand book, makes this the go to for those looking to become a tattooer. along with good hands-on mentoring, this is all you need." james bozeman, tattoo artist shelly dax offers you the benefit of over fourteen years as a tattoo artist, and eight years as director & instructor at garden of ink, a tattoo school licensed by the state of oregon. shelly is a life-long artist, in mediums such as drawing, painting, singing, acting, directing, coaching and writing. truly a feisty renaissance gal, she is an audacious rebel who also intensely loves positive thinking and spreading encouragement! she has worked with over 60+ talented students, and at least 10 of her graduates have gone on to open their own studios.

Frustrated trying to break into the tattoo industry? are you determined to make art for a living? here is everything you need to get started in the exhilarating world of tattooing, all in one full-color, indispensable book. unlike any other tattoo instruction book out there!! professionally designed & a pleasure to read, this is the ultimate tattoo guide– literally a course in a book–giving you the fundamental a – z essentials to become successful at the craft of tattooing.whether you're a student, apprentice or total newbie, this illustrated book is the beginner's tattoo bible. start your exciting career with this leading education right at your fingertips.this textbook is critical for anyone who dreams of being a tattooer or those who wish to learn tattoo in the safest, most convenient way. filled with crucial information, from safety, sanitation, skin and equipment, to color theory, client services and tattoo technique.featuring high quality photos, graphics and the most current information, you need this new tattoo artist training. get your own copy right now. from beginning to end this will cover everything you need to know about tattooing. once you have read this you will have a complete understanding of tattooing, or use it as a companion guide to schooling or apprenticeship." valentin serna, owner all-in-one tattoo "after scouring the web for resources. and finding only scattered videos & tips, the coveted tattoo information available in this easy-to-understand book, makes this the go to for those looking to become a tattooer. along with good hands-on mentoring, this is all you need." james bozeman, tattoo artist shelly dax offers you the benefit of over fourteen years as a tattoo artist, and eight years as director & instructor at garden of ink, a tattoo school licensed by the state of oregon. shelly is a life-long artist, in mediums such as drawing, painting, singing, acting, directing, coaching and writing. truly a feisty renaissance gal, she is an audacious rebel who also intensely loves positive thinking and spreading encouragement! she has worked with over 60+ talented students, and at least 10 of her graduates have gone on to open their own studios.

Over the past decade, tattoos have become one of the most popular forms of visual culture in the world. ttt: tattoo is a survey of over 300 of the best international tattooers working today, including duncan x, tomas tomas, scott campbell, the leu family and stephanie tamez. exploring the connections between tattoo culture today and seminal figures and developments in the recent past, the book examines how the historical styles of this most enduring art form blend into new ones.

Stizzo, the proud owner of best of times tattoo, presents the best work to come out of his famous parlor in milan, italy, in the form of beautiful flash, and provides an intimate look into the house artists in action. at turns exotic, religious, and cryptic, but always classy, highly detailed, and distinct, their work and their legacy could spark a new generation of artists who care about tradition and aren't afraid to push their skills to the limit. showcased on textured paper, the vibrant, iconographic art and bold designs look just as outstanding on artificial surfaces as they would on skin. enthusiasts and ambitious tattoo artists who hope to imitate these remarkable samples will appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into stizzo, max brain, and pellico's craft, which they can catch a glimpse of–at the drawing board and in the studio–in arresting black and white and color photography.

The science of tattooing, a comprehensive guide to material science in tattooing exploring elements of physiology and chemistry involved in the tattoo process. have you ever wondered what is in tattoo ink? what happens to ink when it is in the body? what is pain? this book can answer some complicated questions from a fundamental standpoint.

Whether you're tattoo-curious or tattoo-crazy, this title has everything you need to pick and choose the perfect design for you. browse the nearly 2000 designs included – everything from celtic and tribal to butterflies and fairies.

Vintage tattoo flash is a one-of-a-kind visual explorationof the history and evolution of tattooing in america. aluscious, offset-printed, hardcover tome-a beautiful andserious addition to the understanding of one of the world'soldest and most popular art forms. – new york city at the turn of the 19th century. in the firstdays of american tattooing, tattoos were primarily wornby sailors and soldiers, outlaws and outsiders. the visuallanguage of what came to be known as "traditional tattooing"was developed in those early days on the boweryand catered to the interests of the clientele. the first tattooists also figured out that usingbold outlines, complimented by solid color and smoothshading, was the proper technique for creating art on abody that would stand the test of time. in the over 100years since then, techniques and styles have evolved, andthe customer base has expanded, but the core subjectmatter and philosophy developed at the dawn of electrictattooing has persisted as perennial favorites through themodern era. painted and repainted, stolen, traded, bought andsold, these sheets are passed between artists through onechannel or another, often having multiple useful lives in avariety of shops scattered across time and geography. theutility of these original pieces of painted art has made itso that original examples can still be found in use or up forgrabs if you know where to look. – vintage tattoo flash draws from the personal collectionof jonathan shaw-renowned outlaw tattooist andauthor-and represents a selection of over 300 pieces offlash from one of the largest private collections in existence. – vintage tattoo flash spans the first roughly 75years of american tattooing from the 1900s bowery, to50s texas, through the pike in the 60s and the developmentof the first black and grey, single-needle tattooingin la in the 70s. the book lovingly reproduces entirelyunpublished sheets of original flash from the likes of bob – shaw, zeke owen, tex rowe, ted inman, ace harlyn, ed – smith, paul rogers, the moskowitz brothers, and many,many others relatively known and unknown.

One part history book, one part art book, and one part fascinating memoir, this book is an overview of more than two centuries of tattoo history intermixed with an intimate look at the lives of tattoo artists, and the personal struggles and triumphs, occupational hazards, and artistic courage that have defined so much of this history.for the last forty years, henk schiffmacher has poured his heart and soul into his collection, amassing tattoo drawings, designs, photographs, and artifacts from around the world. the vastness and variety of tattooing around the world is chronicled in the book's 700+ images, including the indigenous tattooing of the māori and south pacific islanders, the ancient traditions of asia, and the origins of old-school western tattooing in europe and the united states. the book also features a dozen original illustrations by schiffmacher in his inimitable style, as well as a personal introduction describing schiffmacher's own journey as both an artist and a collector that has shaped his view of the art's journey from the underground to the mainstream.schiffmacher brings a fascinating perspective to tattoo history through his personal reflections and wild tales of adventure.

Secrets of tattooing is a breakthrough in the tattooing industry. erick alayon has been tattoo professionally since 1988, no other tattooing instruction author can say that! the information contained in this book has never been available before. rediscover the 'lost secrets' of tattooing. learn how and why a tattoo machine runs the way it does, and how to make it run the way you want it to. with secrets of tattooing you will also learn about machine frames, frame geometry, tattoo needles, ink mixing and more! secrets of tattooing will help you bring your tattooing to the next level!

Secrets of tattooing is a breakthrough in the tattooing industry. erick alayon has been tattoo professionally since 1988, no other tattooing instruction author can say that! the information contained in this book has never been available before. rediscover the 'lost secrets' of tattooing. learn how and why a tattoo machine runs the way it does, and how to make it run the way you want it to. with secrets of tattooing you will also learn about machine frames, frame geometry, tattoo needles, ink mixing and more! secrets of tattooing will help you bring your tattooing to the next level!

This 1925 survey constitutes one of the most complete histories of world tattoo practices. it was written at the end of a significant era in anthropological fieldwork, when the efforts of missionaries and the impact of european imperialism had suppressed all but the final vestiges of indigenous native tattoo traditions. subsequent opportunities for original fieldwork related to tattooing were rare, making this book a valuable link to vanishing cultures.in addition to 80 photographs and illustrations–many of them new to this edition–this fascinating study discusses the significance of tattoos and other forms of body marking in terms of religious beliefs and social purposes. author wilfrid dyson hambly offers a wealth of examples from fieldwork conducted around the world. hambly discusses the religious and magical uses of tattooing, which range from the prevention of pain, protection against witchcraft, and attraction of good luck to the preservation of youth and insurance of the survival of the soul after death.

"an upscale notebook to hold tattoo inspiration in the form of sketches, quotes, ideas, memories, images, color swatches or notes, lists of potential artists, and any other info that might inform the conception of a tattoo"–

Thinking of getting a japanese-style tattoo? want to avoid a permanent mistake? japanese tattoos is an insider's look at the world of japanese irezumi (tattoos). japanese tattoos explains the imagery featured in japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. this photo-heavy book also traces the history of japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbols in their proper context so readers will be better informed as to what they mean and have a deeper understanding of irezumi. featured tattoos range from traditional tebori (hand-poked) and kanji tattoos to anime-inspired and modern works—as well as everything in between. for the first time, japanese tattooing is put together in a visually attractive, informative, and authoritative way. along with the 350+ photos of tattoos, japanese tattoos also features interviews with japanese tattoo artists on a variety of topics. what's more, it contains interviews with clients, who are typically overlooked in similar books, allowing them to discuss what their japanese tattoos mean to them. those who read this informative tattoo guide will be more knowledgeable about japanese tattoos should they want to get inked or if they are merely interested in japanese art and culture.

This beautifully illustrated guide delves deep into the meaning and significance of different tattoo symbols, exploring the rich cultural history around the world of this widespread form of body art. tattoos are everywhere: one in three of us has at least one. body art is one of the most popular ways of expressing our identity and beliefs. a lotus flower, koi carp swimming upstream or a dragon rising towards the sun: in the language of tattoos these are all symbols of strength and overcoming adversity. this book uncovers the meanings behind tattoo symbols, delving into the history of the most popular motifs that recur in many different tattoo styles, including tribal, traditional, japanese, and realistic. over 130 symbols are grouped according to their meanings, whether it’s good luck, freedom, wisdom, power, spirituality, or love. each symbol is illustrated with stunning, specially drawn visuals by acclaimed artist and tattooist oliver munden, and accompanied by an explanation by tattoo expert nick schonberger which delves into its history, significance, and application in tattooing. both a visual delight and a fascinating insight into the rich cultural heritage of tattooing, this is the perfect book for anyone wanting to learn more about tattoo symbolism, in need of inspiration for their next tattoo, or who just loves tattoo art.