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By body part

Sleeve Tattoo Cover-Up Ideas

A full or half sleeve gives the most room to work, which makes it ideal for covering several old tattoos at once. Artists design the sleeve as one flowing composition, so the old pieces disappear inside it instead of being patched one by one.

  • TIPS · SLEEVE
  • Plan the whole arm, not just the old tattoo.
  • Japanese and black & grey sleeves cover best.
  • Expect several sessions for a full sleeve.

Sleeve cover-up designs

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

Heaven and galaxy filled with starsRealismGenerate similar →
Heaven and galaxy filled with stars
Skull and dragonGeometricGenerate similar →
Skull and dragon
Tree of life with leaves on shoulder, deep vining roots trans…Sleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Tree of life with leaves on shoulder, deep vining roots trans…
A sun flowing into a river that turns into a waterfall with s…Sleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
A sun flowing into a river that turns into a waterfall with s…
Oriental warriorSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Oriental warrior
Buddhist inpired tattoo with scenary of nature, bamboo, water…JapaneseGenerate similar →
Buddhist inpired tattoo with scenary of nature, bamboo, water…
European dragon thats black, red and sliverSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
European dragon thats black, red and sliver
Describe floridaSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Describe florida
Minotaur legend standing guardBlackworkGenerate similar →
Minotaur legend standing guard
Human skeleton with moon and snakeSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Human skeleton with moon and snake
Western style tattoosSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Western style tattoos
Full arm on samurai jack's style tattoo on modern city with a…Sleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Full arm on samurai jack's style tattoo on modern city with a…
Christian angel warriors guarding the gates of heaven from hellSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Christian angel warriors guarding the gates of heaven from hell
Phoenix rising from ashesSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Phoenix rising from ashes
Colour Bunch Hibicus, Tulips, Nt Turkey Bush, Adenium Obesum…Sleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Colour Bunch Hibicus, Tulips, Nt Turkey Bush, Adenium Obesum…
Celtic tree of life with celtic knotsSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Celtic tree of life with celtic knots
Galaxy with a rat scientist conducting experimentsSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Galaxy with a rat scientist conducting experiments
Buddha with katana sword and dragon wrappedSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Buddha with katana sword and dragon wrapped
Jin Jang with the phrase love reciprocallySleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Jin Jang with the phrase love reciprocally
Comic stripSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Comic strip
Elephant And 3 BabiesSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Elephant And 3 Babies
Fishes and evil mermaidSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Fishes and evil mermaid
Wedding, black, dark purple, skulls, love, veteranSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Wedding, black, dark purple, skulls, love, veteran
Thailand single buddha meditation pose lotus flower patternsSleeve cover-upsGenerate similar →
Thailand single buddha meditation pose lotus flower patterns
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What are you covering on the sleeve?

Styles that work on the sleeve

Sleeve cover-up FAQ

Can you cover up a sleeve tattoo?

Yes. Most sleeve 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 sleeve 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 sleeve 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