Cover-Up Specialist · Honolulu & Waikīkī

Tattoo Cover-Ups
Done Right

A bad tattoo doesn't have to be permanent. Spade has spent 20+ years turning regretted, faded, and botched work into fine art. Cover-ups require a different level of technical skill — understanding how ink layers, how light interacts with scar tissue, and how to design something that completely hides what was there before.

Book a Cover-Up Consultation →

What Makes a Good Cover-Up

It Has to Be Designed to Cover — Not Just Placed Over

Most failed cover-ups happen because the artist placed a new design on top without accounting for how dark ink reads through layers. Spade designs cover-ups from the ground up — the new piece is built to eliminate what was there.

Realism Works Best

Black & grey realism is one of the most effective styles for cover-ups. Dense ink placement, careful shading, and the ability to control value ranges means old work disappears completely.

No Judgment

Whether it's an ex's name, a tribal you got at 19, or a shop's flash that looked better in the photo — Spade has seen it all. The consultation is about solutions, not regret.

Send a Photo. Get a Plan.

DM a photo of your current tattoo to @tattoosbyspade on Instagram. Spade will review it and tell you exactly what's possible.