Tattoo Letters

Tattoo letters are as varied as tattoo pictures. The meaning of a lettered tattoo comes not just from the words, but also from the style of the script.

A gorgeous pictorial tat can speak for itself. Shapes and symbols, from biker images to zodiac signs, convey the wearer's personal style. But sometimes there is more to say. And sometimes, a word is even more important than a picture.

People choose to include words for many reasons.

• Memorials. A tat that symbolizes a lost friend or family member may be more meaningful with a name or a date.
• Dedications. From hearts with "Mom" banners to names of lovers, friends, or children, lettered tattoos can be symbols of love.
• Religious tats. The numbers of a Bible verse or a word with spiritual meaning let others know of the wearer's devotion.
• Personal style. From T-shirt-type slogans ("Bad Girl," "Forbidden Fruit") to personal mantras, lettered tats tell the world what's on the wearer's mind.
• Dares and jokes. A tat can be a challenge or just make other people smile.
• Gang tattoos. Old English letters spelling out a name or representing a gang affiliation are a sign of belonging and a promise to remain true to the gang. Unfortunately, these tattoos are also symbols of violence.

Good tattoo artists know that lettering must be done with skill and care. Over time, natural processes in the skin cause tattoo ink to spread out or "migrate." Well-inked tattoos will look good for years or even a lifetime, but all tattoos do blur at least a little. Lines widen and colors soften.

If letters are drawn too small, they will eventually become unreadable. Very fine lines placed close together will blur into each other, making the letters look like nothing but smudges. If the ink is placed too deep, migration will happen more quickly and scars may mar the letters. Even well-inked letters, sized appropriately, may become unreadable if they're placed too close together.

Tattoo letters should contain evenly drawn lines and have sharp edges. If done correctly, simple bold fonts tend to hold up well.

The font, or letter design, is what gives lettering its style. Take a look at the different fonts on a word processing program. You'll notice that some of them have bold lines and some are finely drawn. In some, all the lines making up the letters are the same widths. In others, line widths differ. Fonts without serifs (those tiny lines added to the tops and bottoms of certain letters) tend to look cleaner and more modern than fonts with them. Some styles, like Old English, add extra lines and details for decoration.

Tattoo flash web sites offer dozens or even hundreds of fonts. Tattoo shops have examples on hand for clients to choose from. You can have your lettering done directly from a font, or you can talk with the artist about custom designs. Just like pictures, your tattoo letters can be a unique work of art.

Different artists have different comfort levels with lettering, so don't be disappointed if the first tattooist you approach can't do custom fonts or isn't comfortable with your ideas. Then again, if several artists warn you that a certain lettering style won't look good or won't hold up well, it's time to rethink your plan.

If you choose tattoo letters in a foreign language, take the time to get it right. Check with a native speaker to make sure you're not getting a mistranslation permanently inked on your skin.

Many tattoo shops have templates for Chinese or Japanese characters that are incorrect or even wildly wrong. One popular flash sheet shows the "Asian" characters for each letter of the English alphabet, so that people can "translate" their names or favorite sayings. But there is no direct equivalent for the English alphabet in either Chinese or Japanese. Some of the characters on these flash sheets aren't even real.

A product called "Bodytalk" offers the temporary tattoo version of those poetry fridge magnets. Each kit comes with 800 words or a selection of phrases that you can combine and arrange to make customized sayings. There's an all-purpose original version and two sets designed especially for the bedroom.

Sports fanatics and cheerleaders can find tattoo letters resembling represent their favorite teams' logos. Gamefaces has a large selection of letters college sports fans will recognize.

For people who are more serious about their ink, temporary letters in common tattoo styles are available. These letters let you try out your ideas before you commit to a permanent tat. Several web sites sell temporary tattoo letters.

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• Category:Tattoo Designs