Old School Tattoos

About Old School Tattoos

Old school — American traditional — is the foundational Western style: bold black outlines, a limited palette of bright primaries, solid black shading and a canon of iconic motifs like anchors, swallows, roses and daggers.

• Codified by legends like Sailor Jerry; the rules grew out of hard-won practical wisdom
• Bold outlines and high contrast read from across a room — and age beautifully
• A well-done traditional piece can stay sharp and legible for fifty years
• Judge execution: even outlines, fully solid color, and "black that's black"
• A superb first-tattoo choice precisely because of its durability and clarity

Last updated June 2026