Why lettering is a style in its own right
Lettering looks simple — just letters, just words. In reality, it's one of the hardest styles to execute properly, precisely because there's no compromise solution: every letter is visible, every inter-letter space matters, every line weight changes the reading.
At Funky Tattoo, lettering is our specialty. In 2024 we won 1st place in Best Lettering Tattoo at the Tattoo Expo Convention Bucharest — the most competitive category in the convention, with over 60 participants. Proper execution means:
- Uniform spacing between letters (kerning), adapted to the curvature of the body area
- Consistent line weight — no accidental variations
- Natural flow of the script, following the body's movement
- Legibility at 1m distance — a good tattoo reads effortlessly
We use font types adapted to the body: elegant cursive script, classic serif, modern sans-serif, gothic (fraktur), brush stroke, or hand-drawn custom fonts.
What texts work as tattoos
Lettering is often the gateway into tattooing for many people — it's discreet, relatively affordable, and personal. Most common categories:
- Names and dates: children, partners, parents — the most common lettering type. We recommend clear fonts; avoid gothic fonts on small areas.
- Quotes: short (3-7 words), in your native language or a language that matters to you. Triple-check the spelling!
- Single words: Hope, Strength, Breathe — works across multiple languages.
- GPS coordinates: of a meaningful place — the hospital where a child was born, the place of a first meeting.
- Signatures: reproducing someone's signature (deceased) — use a clear reference.
- Dates in Roman numerals: classic aesthetic, but verify the conversion with the artist.
Warnings:
- Avoid overly long quotes (>15 words) — they become illegible under 5cm height
- Verify spelling with a native speaker of that language (especially for Arabic, Sanskrit, Chinese)
- Don't tattoo a partner's name if the relationship is under 2 years old — our stats show 80% of cover-ups are ex-partner names
Placement and legibility
Lettering is placement-sensitive because the text must be legible from a single direction. Ground rules:
- Orientation: the text should be readable by the person looking at the tattoo, not the wearer. On the forearm, text reads with the head toward the wrist. On the ribs, text reads with the head toward the back.
- Curvature: avoid areas with sharp curvature (fingers, joints) — text distorts
- Minimum size: 1cm letter height — below that, ink will spread in 3-5 years
- Recommended zones: forearm (inner or outer), ribs, back, chest, calf
- Avoid: fingers, wrists (creasing), side of neck
For longer quotes, consider a banner that flows naturally along a linear zone of the body. The artist will draw a flow that follows your anatomical contour.
