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Shoulder Tattoo Cover-Up Ideas

Shoulder cover-ups can wrap over the cap and onto the chest or back, giving you room to grow past the old tattoo. Roses, mandalas and animals fit the rounded shape especially well.

Cover my shoulder tattoo →Other body parts
  • TIPS · SHOULDER
  • Wrap the design over the shoulder cap.
  • Easy to connect to a future sleeve.
  • Moderate pain and heals well.

Shoulder cover-ups: before & after

Example cover-ups on the shoulder — drag to compare.

Cover-upBeforeBeforeCover-up
Full cover

Shoulder tribal → blackwork

Try this on my tattoo →

Shoulder cover-up designs

Filter by style, then click a design to generate one like it for your shoulder.

Rose hourglass with clockBlack roseGenerate similar →
Rose hourglass with clock
A geometric design featuring a heartbeat line that transition…Shoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
A geometric design featuring a heartbeat line that transition…
An elephant portrait with the symbolism in chineseShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
An elephant portrait with the symbolism in chinese
Tortoise kind kung fu turtle with staff at peach tree scene i…JapaneseGenerate similar →
Tortoise kind kung fu turtle with staff at peach tree scene i…
Phoenix and feathersBlack & greyGenerate similar →
Phoenix and feathers
Mexican and American flag treeShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Mexican and American flag tree
Rocky mountain ram skull, horns become exaust pipes, tattered…Shoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Rocky mountain ram skull, horns become exaust pipes, tattered…
Beautiful gothic woman profile, eye contactRealismGenerate similar →
Beautiful gothic woman profile, eye contact
Mexican and American flag proudlyShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Mexican and American flag proudly
Wolf and ravenShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Wolf and raven
I ran into love to destroy who I used to beShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
I ran into love to destroy who I used to be
Design a black and white tattoo that encompasses the passing…Shoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Design a black and white tattoo that encompasses the passing…
Yin and yang wolfs around a full moonShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Yin and yang wolfs around a full moon
ReligiousShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Religious
A gentle but fierce Wolverine animal in the wild showing its…Shoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
A gentle but fierce Wolverine animal in the wild showing its…
White daffodil bud bursting through vibrantShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
White daffodil bud bursting through vibrant
Compass and watch mechanism intertwinedShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Compass and watch mechanism intertwined
Mandala asmy sergeant gun twin babyShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Mandala asmy sergeant gun twin baby
Dragon wrapped roundShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Dragon wrapped round
Kings CrownShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Kings Crown
Daisy rose narrisic honeysuckle bouquetShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Daisy rose narrisic honeysuckle bouquet
Usmc dog tags hanging from tenessee cactus flower and a tiger…RealismGenerate similar →
Usmc dog tags hanging from tenessee cactus flower and a tiger…
Lilly Of The ValleyShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Lilly Of The Valley
Star trek insigniaShoulder cover-upsGenerate similar →
Star trek insignia
Showing 24 of 60

What are you covering on the shoulder?

Scars on the shoulder

Scars on the shoulder

Tribal rework on the shoulder

Tribal rework on the shoulder

Birthmarks on the shoulder

Birthmarks on the shoulder

Names & ex-names on the shoulder

Names & ex-names on the shoulder

Burn scars on the shoulder

Burn scars on the shoulder

Styles that work on the shoulder

Black & grey shoulder cover-up

Black & grey shoulder cover-up

Black rose shoulder cover-up

Black rose shoulder cover-up

Japanese shoulder cover-up

Japanese shoulder cover-up

Floral shoulder cover-up

Floral shoulder cover-up

Blackwork shoulder cover-up

Blackwork shoulder cover-up

Old school shoulder cover-up

Old school shoulder cover-up

Geometric shoulder cover-up

Geometric shoulder cover-up

Realism shoulder cover-up

Realism shoulder cover-up

Shoulder cover-up FAQ

Can you cover up a shoulder tattoo?

Yes. Most shoulder tattoos can be covered with a design that's a bit larger and darker than the original. Upload a photo to see realistic options on your own skin.

What's the best style for a shoulder cover-up?

Black & grey, floral and Japanese pieces cover best on most placements because they combine dark shading with organic shapes. Blackwork is the strongest option for very dark old ink.

Does a shoulder cover-up hurt more than a normal tattoo?

It's similar, but cover-ups usually take longer because of the extra ink and size. Bonier and thinner-skinned areas are more sensitive.

Other placements

SleeveForearmChestHandWristStomachTricepsBackSpine