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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.
Masterpiece in Progress
ay, pikachu's drunk from that heineken i don't blame the bad drawing XD
Branching Out Faith
Ironically, it can very well be the opposite. Subjected to worldly suppression.
Load More Replies...From Simple To Stunning
As beautiful as the second tattoo is, it's confusing the heck out of me because I can't see how they're the same tattoo. The bottom arms on the left-hand tattoo seem to have disappeared, and so does the top arm, otherwise it would be showing through her bun. Am I missing something?
I'm not sure if it's actually the same person- totally different skin tone, and I don't think it's the lighting.
Load More Replies...It means 'flat', but when put in context with 'he' (sorry it cannot show the symbol) it says 'he ping' meaning 'peace'
Load More Replies...From Blank Canvas to Mind Maze
Is it just me or do I see patterns beneath the earlier black tattoo? This looks like a tattoo on top of a tattoo on top of a tattoo.
No way. White wouldn't take like that on skin that's already jam packed full of black. I call bs.
whites in a total blackout tattoo .would that hold up in time ??? it would be pitty if it doesn't
My tattoo looks very similar to the first tattoo
Load More Replies...There's a tattoo under the all black one. Looks like some sort of flower? Like a lily type of flower, maybe?
Regrets in Small Print
Feathered Glow-Up
Yeah...Same day..before cover up & after cover up..like the other reply said
Load More Replies...Not the same time, but the same day,, at the tattoo studio. It's a "before and after" picture, tattoo artists take them often when they do cover-ups. This looks like a 1-2 hours work by the size of it.
Load More Replies...From Blah To Bold
The main differences other than the cover-up itself is moisturizer and the clothing is pulled further up. Also, they had to shave some to have a clean 'canvas'.
Permanent Proofreading Problems
That's funny. Although I like the idea of it being a scratch and I really dig the coffee stain, I'd have to say I agree with you.
Load More Replies...Oooooooohhh...! "A Warning to the Curious." So shuddery, I've re-pinned this on Pinterest.
From Basic To Bold
The actual tattoo she wanted covered is the crown. The spade drawn over it in the first picture is done by the tattoo artist, so he'll know where to ink. I don't think it's possible to cover a tattoo with another tattoo and still have the original be visible, so it has to be some sort of a marker-made spade.
Load More Replies...tats will show thru i have a property patch that was covered up and it shows thru if you look at it however they old property patch was done too deep so it is raised a bit and that is why you can see it
Interesting how many people here don't understand the risqué meaning of her original tat.
Portraits Gone Wrong and Right
It's in Polish - "Żabka". It means "little frog" and is used as a pet name for beloved girls (daughters, wifes).
On the first one, the black eyes and upper lip are a bit creepy. The second one is beautiful. Awesome artist and I love the colors, great job. Thank you for showing us the cover-up, it's beautiful.
I dont want to sound mean but the first tattoo looks more like a chewbacca than a girl!
From Tribal Fade to Fine Lines
Stunning!! I love this one. I could probably stare at it for a long time. This one should be further up the list too.
Ink Evolution
Agreed. I see no reason to cover up the first one, but... The artwork on the second is stunning.
Load More Replies...Now you have a huge crow with flowers and a teal colored moon. The tribe one was pretty sick but now you have pretty crappy unflowing tattoo that pops so everyone will notice how not to do a tattoo. Plus it looks like you tried to tinker with the old one before covering it with this monstrosity
From Simple Blooms to Bold Portraits
The scarf in the first picture and the context make it seem like she's wearing a bag over her head :))
how is this a cover up it just looks like they just added to the primary design
From Pretty To Prehistoric
A dinosaur wearing a monocle? I foresee an aging hipster trying to cover THAT up in the coming decades... 9_9
From Mystery Mark to Masterpiece
Ink Glow-Up
Creative cover-ups turn old ink into new masterpieces. See more artistic transformations and fresh ideas in our tattoo design directory.
Skull Ready For Winter
Ah this is Adam Thomas from our studio Marked One Tattoo in Stafford, UK. yay!
Glow-Up Goals
Is it supposed to be the green lantern or?? And it does look like he grew or drew muscles.
Ink Evolution Unleashed
Not my style, but technically it's a piece of art. And I do appreciate art.
see, this is how I wish a lot more people thought about tattoos instead of hating anyone who gets them :o)
Load More Replies...The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, which means “good fortune” or “well-being." The motif (a hooked cross) appears to have first been used in Neolithic Eurasia, perhaps representing the movement of the sun through the sky. To this day it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism.
Load More Replies...Artistic and well done, ... but koi fish are VERY cliche. They're basically the tribal tattoos of the twenty-tens.
From Blur to Bold Bloom
From Sketch To Masterpiece
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! ;))
A lot of the ones on the left are homemade, prison or a artist that is just starting out
Load More Replies...WOW!!! The cover-up is stunning. Really, really cool. Should be higher up on the list.
I really like the covers that keep the concept of the original while improving/adding on to it. Wonderful work!
From Faded to Fabulous
Wow...Love how vibrant the colors are!! I don't even know what the before was supposed to be :O
I love the right one! Love the colors! I wonder what the left one should have represented, it looks a bit like 3 potatoes on a flat plate
So colorful (sp??) and pretty. I like it. Much better than looking like you were branded with a 666.
From Sketch To Celebration
From Barely There to Bold Bloom
Tattoo: "Tramp-stamp!" *no one pays attention* Tattoo: "TRAMP-STAMP!!"
Tattoo Glow-Up
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! :-)
The second one looks really good, except what's supposed to be a shoe, or so I guess. Doesn't look like one
Prism Glow-Up
Tattoo Glow-Up Goals
From Meh To Marvelous
At first glance, I thought it was a monster flexing his arm muscles!
I love everything about the cover-up, except for the peacock's faces. Compared to the rich detail of everything else in the tattoo, the faces look poorly drawn/half finished in comparison. Almost like the artist got bored/tired and rushed through that part. If I were this woman, I'd get that part or it re-worked, but otherwise it's a striking piece and the colors are gorgeous.
Body Art Before And After
Having the tattoo removed would've been easier I think.
I've said that a couple times in my life, knowing that I'm going to be single forever. So I figure, meh, screw it, why should I even bother?
i would have only added a "me" in the middle and a comma before love
From Blah to Bold
The ink quality was also sub par, if you want a little black tattoo with little detail and lots of line art you need to really hammer that black in.
Load More Replies...From Simple To Statement
I actually quite liked the first, and thing they could have easily had a smaller version of the same cover-up
I love the bunny, and the minimal outline style. But, to each their own.
Burned Out And Faded
Curious as to why someone would get that in the first place... But the owl is amazing!
Is saw this guy on Cover up TV Show.... He was just a nerd who tryed to be accepted. He cried cause now he can go to the beach with his daughter
Load More Replies...Hidden Messages, Bold Statements
I'm curious why you think it falls short. Isn't the goal to cover up the tattoo you don't like anymore? There is no hint of the previous underwhelming tattoo.
Load More Replies...Bloom Glow-Up
From Blurry to Badass
Yeah skulls still there, just detailed a bit
Load More Replies...you do have a point this is more of an add on than a cover up
Load More Replies...Ink glow-up in progress
I think you will find that very little is 'original' nowadays
Load More Replies...From Sketch to Splash of Color
From Sketch To Showstopper
From Basic to Bold
never seen a bird with scales before the body of the second one looks like scales instead of cover feathers
From Masterpiece To DIY Fail
Fresh Ink, Fresh Time
The template is straight though... Maybe just skew because of muscle movement? I like the template better.
Load More Replies...That was a large tattoo to cover up the first one. The flower would be enough
Ever considered this is exactly what the customer wanted?
Load More Replies...Cosmic Ink Adventure
I''m wondering...is this on his leg? On his arm? Where do you place this first tattoo?
I had to look at the first time a few times to make sure I was seeing it correctly. Funny pun, but a very bad choice for a tattoo. Loving the airplane cover up!
Ink Glow-Up
It's aum, Hindus and Buddhists believe it represents the start of the universe. It's a powerful sign
Why get this if you didn't believe init.....and what changed!!! Bizarre
From Sassy to Regal
From Simple to Statement
The first means tranquility if anyone wants to know. I like both of them
It's the ship from Firefly. It was called Serenity and this kanji was on it. (My husband has the same kanji on his arm)
Load More Replies...She went from being an average teenage girl to a woman in her min 20's
From Sketch To Legend
knuckleduster on a scroll with room to add a name. I've seen one just like it. you can add more scrolls as you become more violent and less human.
Load More Replies...I understand why he'd want to cover the original up,... but was this coverup chosen SOLELY to cover it up, or is he also a HUGE Goonies fan?
Ink Glow-Up
Inked in Bloom
They covered up that hideous blue star with a blue rose
Load More Replies...From Scribble To Roar
Thank you captain obvious, how could we live without you..
Load More Replies...Tattoo Glow-Up
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
those are panty lines, not stretch marks, these will fade with an hour or so
Load More Replies...From Sketch To Shade
Maybe they accidentally got it on their right hand instead of their left? ;o)
Load More Replies...While covering the triforce does seem like a crime, the coverup itself is stunningly beautiful
Why do you always add blood to flowers? This is so freaking cheesy!
From Simple to Stunning
I feel like if there was color applied it would look decent
Load More Replies...What's with all the lace in the tattoos? It also dates, and how are you covering that up in 10 years?
I can see almost the whole original figure in the cover up, So it's not covered imo
From Mini to Masterpiece
Ow you know how much that hurts?! (Yes they probably shouldn't have gotten it in the first place but still)
Load More Replies...Floral Fixer-Upper
From Old Ink To Bold Art
Ink In Progress
From Motto To Mountains
It's an Ironman logo. A very common tattoo to get when completing an ironman triathlon
Load More Replies...Yep. Just looked it up: I came, I saw, I conquered
Load More Replies...Tattoo Glow-Up Goals
"Hi. I have a robot coming out of my pants." ... Yep... that's not going to be another regret...
Keep in mind that this is the same person that got “thank you come again” with flames coming out of their crotch.... wouldn’t expect the second one to be fantastic unless influenced by others.
Load More Replies...From Blank To Bold
Directional Dilemmas
Train is probably derailed, just like the tattooed guy.
The Chinese/Japanese symbol is additionally added I think. It means kindness for anyone interested
Load More Replies...From Zen to Edgy
I actually think the cover-up is much worse and doesn't even cover all of it.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies..."My ying yang is too cliche.... Lets cover it up with a .... hmm.... ROSE and SKULL! Yeah!!"
Covering up spirituality with DEATH!!!... wtf happened this this person
I like the original. Fairly simple, and was holding up pretty well. *shrug* I'm not the one wearing it, though.
Inked Transformations
Matching Ink, Different Vibes
From Swipe Left to Mic Drop
Why get tattooed on nipples when you can actually pierce your nipples
This was on a tv show cant remember what it was called but i remember the guy wanted old fashioned microphone and the one we know today.
At that point, he should have just gotten laser surgery to remove them. Seriously. Anyone THAT seriously into music would look at those poorly drawn plugs and CRINGE.
From Blah to Bold
From Blurry To Bold
I like the unicorn more actually. The face of death-lady is awful.
Ink Redemption
1 laser session would have taken the old one off in ONE SITTING..... a good tattooist would've told them that.
Why do that when you could cover it with something else?
Load More Replies...Fading Into The Night
Font Fail Forever
dude could of covered that name up with literally anything else. now he's going to have to explain this thing.
And now he has to wear RL clothes to prove he's a fan...
Load More Replies...They made it look worse. I kept looking for the cover-up. I thought this was the before picture :(
Yeah, The name of a brand is clearly better than your ex name on your arm!
Lol now if he posts any YouTube videos he's gonna have to censor that to avoid copyright issues
And this is why, boys and girls, you NEVEREVEREVER get your s.o.'s name tattooed on your body in a way for the average person to read it.
Ink Glow Up
Two Sides of the Story
What if some how he marry her ultimately?
Load More Replies...Ink Evolution Chronicles
Ink In Progress
Two replies ypu have literally wasted your time complaining about almost every tatt and their cover up. Someone is just a negative nancy.
Inked And Unexpected
Perfectly Paired Ink
Feathered Fresh Start
From Drab to Dab Hand Art
No Sherrie I'm starting to think two replies doesn't like tatts at all and is just trolling.
Well, actually he (or she) is right in this case. It would've been easier to remove the first tattoo. But maybe she wanted the new one anyway.
but to remove the tiny tattoo would have been a lot more expensive or at least so where i live
Load More Replies...A small tattoo that's easily removed. LETS COVER IT WITH A HUGE HARD TO REMOVED ONE! 9_9
Inked Identity
Celestial Ink Vibes
Faded Ink Chronicles
From Tiny Dot to Bold Statement
From Sketch to Stunning
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.
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 :)
it will be great to know the names of the tattoo artists that made the cover up
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...Wow, makes you realize how many substandard and frankly terrible tattoo artists are out there. Thank god, there are those with superior talent to fix the hacks
Thankfully, a lot of tat artists either get more skillful or get out of the biz.
Load More Replies...A lot of the "before" tattoos look like they were done in sharpie by a regular person
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 :)
it will be great to know the names of the tattoo artists that made the cover up
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...Wow, makes you realize how many substandard and frankly terrible tattoo artists are out there. Thank god, there are those with superior talent to fix the hacks
Thankfully, a lot of tat artists either get more skillful or get out of the biz.
Load More Replies...A lot of the "before" tattoos look like they were done in sharpie by a regular person
