The Basics of Tattoo Lettering.

Tattoo Lettering Fonts

A font is a style that a letter can be written in. If you have a word processor on your computer open it up and take a look at the fonts it can type. There are really fancy fonts like Script and Vivaldi and there are bouncy, fun looking fonts like Comic Sans and Curlz. On your word processor you can pick a font to match your mood when you are writing. It works the same way with tattoo lettering. Choosing the right font starts with choosing a mood, then going from there.

Asymmetrical Ambigrams and Symmetrical Ambigrams

Ambigrams are made by adding extra curves in the letters to create sort-of an optical illusion. When flipped upside down these extra curves form letters with the original upside down curves of the letter.

Asymmetrical ambigrams are tattoo lettering that says something different when turned upside down. A popular version of this is a tattoo that says Angel when viewed one way, then Devil on the flipside. Toryn Green, lead singer of the band Fuel, has this tattoo. Some people get their name made into an asymmetrical ambigrams with their loved ones name as the upside down word. For example, Michelle on one side and Michael on the other.

Symmetrical ambigrams are tattoo lettering that says the same thing when turned upside down. These kind of lettering tattoos are nice on areas of the body that dont really have an up or a down, like the back of a hand, the tops of the feet, or the back of the forearms. The person with the tattoo never has to look at it upside down while showing it to a friend, either.

Tribal Lettering

Tribal lettering is a font with very sharp, almost torn looking lettering. It can also resemble lightning streaks. This type of font is very popular with males.

Celtic Lettering

Celts often used endless knots in their artwork. These knots had no end and no beginning to symbolize never-ending love, faith, or life. Often they would use the knots in lettering and this lettering is what is used today in Celtic tattoos. Celtic lettering often also often incorporates animals into the knots of the lettering.