The most popular tattoo styles can be counted on one hand. Although there are countless techniques for creating any type of design on the human body, since the art of tattooing modernized and spread to every corner of the world, several styles have always prevailed and remain the preferred choice among tattoo enthusiasts to this day.
From Old School style to the much more modern and current watercolor tattoos , each has earned a place at the top of the list of most popular tattoo styles . Throughout this article, we'll take a quick look at each of the most well-known techniques among tattoo artists and tattoo art enthusiasts.

Most popular tattoo styles
- Old School. Also called "Old School" or "Traditional" it has its roots in North America. Many of his designs are based on sailors and their travels.
- Neotraditional. It's a new approach to 'Old School' designs, with a wider color gamut, and a combination of thick and thin lines.
- Trash polka. Originally from Germany, the creation of this style is associated with Simone Plaff and Volko Merschky. It is a mix between Realism and "Trash".
- Watercolor. Also called "Watercolor", it is a technique that imitates pictures painted with watercolors but adapted to the world of tattoos. The tattoo artist simulates the transparent effect of color on the skin.
- Oriental. The oriental tattoo style goes back to the roots of Asian skin art. Irezumi means "Ink under the skin" while "Tebori" is a tattoo technique. They are considered decorative, spiritual and protective.
- New School. The "New School" style is characterized by bright, electric colors. The designs come from comics and graffiti.
- Maori. Originally from Polynesia, their meanings come from religious, philosophical and cultural beliefs.
- Geometric. These tattoos are made up of points, lines, and angles to create all kinds of geometric shapes and objects.
- Blackwork. This style of tattoos is characterized by being made using only solid black ink.
- dotwork. Also known as "Pointillism" the designs are made using small or large points.
Source - Colombiaink