Book Tattoo
Solid black with two flower medallions and dot borders

Blackwork Floral Tattoo

Built this wrap-around band tattoo out of heavy black bands, two rosette medallions and stacked dotwork borders. I lined the geometry up so it meets cleanly where the linework closes, which means the band reads as one ornament from every angle instead of a tattoo with a visible seam. A small swallow above it had been done previously, so I matched the weights to keep the surrounding work consistent.

For a high-movement placement I lean on heavy black fills and clean borders rather than delicate fine line. They age more reliably. A blackwork band like this also dodges the awkward break you get with a typical ring tattoo, because I can carry the design all the way through as a single ornament. If you want a custom band like this in Wellington, get in touch at the studio.

Book Similar PieceSee All Blackwork

By Rhys Thomas at Whitetail Tattoo, Level 3, 41–47 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand

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Common Questions About Blackwork in Wellington

Does blackwork hold up better than colour?
Generally yes. Solid black ink stays denser and more legible over decades than colour, which can soften and shift. If you want something that still reads clearly in twenty years, blackwork is the safest long-term bet.
How long does a blackwork piece take?
Small blackwork pieces run one to two hours. A palm-sized graphic piece is usually a single sitting of two to three hours. Larger panels (forearm, calf, back placements) are typically booked across multiple sessions.
Can blackwork cover an old tattoo?
Often yes. Bold blackwork is one of the strongest cover-up languages going, especially over faded line work. Send me a clear photo of the existing piece in your DM and I can plan around it.