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82 Creative Cover-Up Tattoo Ideas That Show A Bad Tattoo Is Not The End Of Life
Some people go through life carrying the invisible weight of their mistakes on their shoulders.
Others, however, choose to carry their mistakes on their bodies, physically etched into their skin forever to remind them of their respective momentary lapses in judgment.
Take a look at these tattoos, for example. As you can see, however, their hapless owners were spared a lifetime of shame and ridicule thanks to the skills and imagination of some incredible tattoo artists who proved that when time can't heal something, good old-fashioned creativity can.
Do you have your tattoo fails and cover-ups you’d like to share? Then add them to the list compiled by Bored Panda below.
This post may include affiliate links.
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#3
From Simple To Stunning
#4
From Blank Canvas to Mind Maze
#7
From Blah To Bold
#8
Permanent Proofreading Problems
#9
From Basic To Bold
#10
Portraits Gone Wrong and Right
Marta Nejfelt 9 years ago
It's in Polish - "Żabka". It means "little frog" and is used as a pet name for beloved girls (daughters, wifes).
#11
From Tribal Fade to Fine Lines
#12
Ink Evolution
#13
From Simple Blooms to Bold Portraits
#14
From Pretty To Prehistoric
#15
From Mystery Mark to Masterpiece
#16
Ink Glow-Up
Creative cover-ups turn old ink into new masterpieces. See more artistic transformations and fresh ideas in our tattoo design directory.
#17
Skull Ready For Winter
#18
Glow-Up Goals
#19
Ink Evolution Unleashed
Evelien van der Ham 9 years ago
Not my style, but technically it's a piece of art. And I do appreciate art.
#20
From Blur to Bold Bloom
#21
From Sketch To Masterpiece
Petra Steenput 9 years ago
Honestly who are those people who draw some of these left tatoos? (I thought the ones getting the tatoo are supposed to be drunk, not the one drawing it! ;))
#22
From Faded to Fabulous
Katrina Green 9 years ago
Wow...Love how vibrant the colors are!! I don't even know what the before was supposed to be :O
#23
From Sketch To Celebration
#24
From Barely There to Bold Bloom
Two Replies 9 years ago
Tattoo: "Tramp-stamp!" *no one pays attention* Tattoo: "TRAMP-STAMP!!"
#25
Tattoo Glow-Up
Ronja Rövardotter 9 years ago
I think it is very well repaired. The first one's face is scary. The second one is like pin-up girl. Good job tattooer! :-)
#26
Prism Glow-Up
#28
From Meh To Marvelous
Robert Banning 9 years ago
At first glance, I thought it was a monster flexing his arm muscles!
#29
Body Art Before And After
#30
From Blah to Bold
#31
From Simple To Statement
Final score:
60points
Jessica Barnes 9 years ago
I actually quite liked the first, and thing they could have easily had a smaller version of the same cover-up
#32
Burned Out And Faded
Ms. Demeanor 9 years ago
Curious as to why someone would get that in the first place... But the owl is amazing!
#33
Hidden Messages, Bold Statements
#34
Bloom Glow-Up
#35
From Blurry to Badass
Final score:
55points
#36
Ink glow-up in progress
#37
From Sketch to Splash of Color
#38
From Sketch To Showstopper
#39
From Basic to Bold
#40
From Masterpiece To DIY Fail
#41
Fresh Ink, Fresh Time
#42
Cosmic Ink Adventure
#43
Ink Glow-Up
Celine Bauduin 9 years ago
It's aum, Hindus and Buddhists believe it represents the start of the universe. It's a powerful sign
#44
From Sassy to Regal
#45
From Simple to Statement
#46
From Sketch To Legend
#49
From Scribble To Roar
#50
Tattoo Glow-Up
Catharina Geerts 6 months ago
The first butterfly was nice enough and could easily have been coloured, if you just wanted colour. But the other one is very beautiful too
#51
From Sketch To Shade
#52
From Simple to Stunning
#53
From Mini to Masterpiece
#54
Floral Fixer-Upper
Final score:
23points
#55
From Old Ink To Bold Art
#57
From Motto To Mountains
Final score:
19points
#58
Tattoo Glow-Up Goals
Two Replies 9 years ago
"Hi. I have a robot coming out of my pants." ... Yep... that's not going to be another regret...
#59
From Blank To Bold
#60
Directional Dilemmas
#61
From Zen to Edgy
Jessica Barnes 9 years ago
I actually think the cover-up is much worse and doesn't even cover all of it.
#62
Inked Transformations
#63
Matching Ink, Different Vibes
#64
From Swipe Left to Mic Drop
#66
From Blurry To Bold
Michaela Mužíková 9 years ago
I like the unicorn more actually. The face of death-lady is awful.
#67
Ink Redemption
Pobin Rice 8 years ago
1 laser session would have taken the old one off in ONE SITTING..... a good tattooist would've told them that.
#68
Fading Into The Night
Final score:
9points
#69
Font Fail Forever
Sherrie Johnson 9 years ago
dude could of covered that name up with literally anything else. now he's going to have to explain this thing.
#71
Two Sides of the Story
#73
Ink In Progress
#75
Perfectly Paired Ink
Final score:
2points
#77
From Drab to Dab Hand Art
Meli Tanaka 9 years ago
No Sherrie I'm starting to think two replies doesn't like tatts at all and is just trolling.
#78
Inked Identity
#79
Celestial Ink Vibes
Final score:
1point
#80
Faded Ink Chronicles
Final score:
1point
#81
From Tiny Dot to Bold Statement
Final score:
0points
#82
From Sketch to Stunning
Final score:
-3points
When we take a closer look at tattoos, they often symbolize something deeply personal, sometimes representing mistakes or lessons learned. In these moments, creativity becomes an essential tool, helping revitalize past decisions and transform them into something meaningful.
A great example of this is how some individuals opt for infinity tattoos, which elegantly express endless possibilities and are perfect for showcasing creative transformations. Consider exploring these enlightening examples of timeless symbolism to inspire a new beginning.
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What do you think ?
Csipai Betti 9 years ago
I find it interesting that only a few has been transitioned to a more positive or "softer" theme. I think that's because I'm not a tattoo person (I LOVE the beautiful masterpieces on others) and if I would woke up and see a horrible tattoo on myself I would turn it into a small sized piece of art with a better meaning. THAT's why this post isn't about me and I should shut up right now :)
Claudia Ferreira 9 years ago
it will be great to know the names of the tattoo artists that made the cover up
Krystal Bethany 9 years ago
A lot of these were coverups on a show called Tattoo Nightmares. The three tattoo artists who work there are, Big Gus Demented, Tommy Helm, and Jasmine Rodriguez
Load More Replies... Csipai Betti 9 years ago
I find it interesting that only a few has been transitioned to a more positive or "softer" theme. I think that's because I'm not a tattoo person (I LOVE the beautiful masterpieces on others) and if I would woke up and see a horrible tattoo on myself I would turn it into a small sized piece of art with a better meaning. THAT's why this post isn't about me and I should shut up right now :)
Claudia Ferreira 9 years ago
it will be great to know the names of the tattoo artists that made the cover up
Krystal Bethany 9 years ago
A lot of these were coverups on a show called Tattoo Nightmares. The three tattoo artists who work there are, Big Gus Demented, Tommy Helm, and Jasmine Rodriguez
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