A short guide on how to choose the right text for a tattoo, where lettering looks best, and why it is important to think carefully about the words you choose.
Very often people come to our studio asking for small lettering tattoos. In fact, text tattoos are one of the most popular requests. To help save your time during your trip to Prague, we prepared a simple way for you to choose a font in advance.
How to choose a font
Go to the website:
There you can:
• enter your text
• try different fonts
• choose a style
• take a screenshot and show it to your tattoo artist
(Nothing needs to be downloaded.)
Most popular styles for lettering
Typewriter
A typewriter style font. Very readable and works well for small tattoos.
Handwritten
A handwritten text style. Works well for thin and light lines (fine line).
Calligraphy
Calligraphic fonts. Usually better suited for larger lettering.
All of these styles can be found on the dafont website.
Important to remember
Very long phrases cannot be made in a size of 3–5 cm.
Text tattoos need:
• more space
• a flatter area of the body
• the correct letter size
This is important so the tattoo remains readable over time.
If you cannot choose a design
We can always help you personally in the studio.
If you want a hand drawn lettering style, for example Chicano style, we can design it specifically for your placement on the body. You can also choose a similar style from our portfolio.
I have been working as a tattoo artist in Prague for many years, and the most common mistake I see is the same one: people choose text that is too small or a font that is too complicated. Over time, tattoos like this become less readable, so I always recommend choosing simple fonts and a sufficient letter size.
- What font is best for a text tattoo?
The most popular and reliable styles for text tattoos are handwritten (handwriting style), typewriter, and chicano lettering. These fonts are easy to read, look natural on the skin, and tend to hold their shape better over time than overly decorative or complex fonts.
2. What is the minimum letter size so the tattoo remains readable for many years?
It is better to choose fonts where the letters are not placed too close to each other. Over time, tattoos naturally spread slightly, so the spacing between letters needs to be sufficient.
For fine line lettering, a simple guideline can be used: a five letter word should usually be at least about 4 cm long so the tattoo remains readable over time.
3. Is it possible to do very thin lettering (fine line)?
Yes, of course. We have been specializing in fine line tattoos for many years. You can look at our work and see it for yourself. Only a small part of our portfolio is shown on the website.
4. Where is the best place to put a text tattoo on the body?
A text tattoo can be placed on almost any part of the body. The exceptions are areas with strong curves or very mobile skin, such as knees, elbows, finger knuckles, heels, and lips. Ideally, the surface should be relatively flat so the lettering does not distort and remains easy to read.
5. What mistakes do people most often make when choosing a text for a tattoo?
Most often, people do not check the spelling or choose tattoos with characters from languages they do not understand, without knowing the exact meaning. That is why before starting the tattoo, we always show the client the final design and ask them to carefully check the text. This is important because correcting a mistake after the tattoo is done is much more difficult.
6. How can you check the accuracy of a translation before getting a tattoo?
It is best to check the translation using several sources. For example, you can ask a native speaker or a language teacher, look it up in reliable books or dictionaries, and also use modern tools such as ChatGPT. When several sources confirm the same translation, you can be much more confident that the text is correct.
7. What languages are most often chosen for text tattoos?
The most common languages for text tattoos are English, Latin, and Spanish. In the Czech Republic, Czech lettering is also popular because many people choose tattoos with words that have personal meaning. Roman numerals have also been popular for many years, especially for important dates.
8. Is it possible to make a tattoo using your own handwriting?
Yes, of course. We often create tattoos based on a client’s handwriting. These can be children’s notes, signatures of famous people, or handwriting from friends or loved ones. This makes the tattoo especially personal and unique.
9. What lettering style is the most popular right now?
Short Latin phrases are very popular at the moment. One of the most well known and frequently chosen phrases is memento mori. These kinds of inscriptions look minimal, carry a deep meaning, and work very well for text tattoos.
10. Can a text tattoo be fixed if it was done poorly?
It depends on the contrast and depth of the old tattoo. In many cases it can be corrected or covered with a new design. However, sometimes we recommend laser removal first to reduce the old tattoo, and after it has fully healed, the tattoo can be corrected or redesigned.
If you have already chosen your text, send it to us on Instagram @tattooprague or through the form on our website, and we will help you choose the right size, font, and placement.