Opaque Grey: The Unsung Hero of Tattoo Cover-Ups
When it comes to covering up old tattoos, most people think of bold blackwork or vibrant colour pieces. But there's a quieter, more nuanced approach that’s gaining traction in the tattoo community: the use of opaque grey. This technique offers a refined solution for those looking to transform their existing ink into something more subtle, cohesive, and artistically elevated.
What is Opaque Grey?
Opaque grey is a type of solid pigment that sits somewhere between black ink and grey wash. Unlike grey wash—which is essentially black ink diluted with distilled water—opaque grey has a creamier consistency and is designed to provide stronger, more consistent coverage. It’s particularly useful when you need to mask parts of an old tattoo but still want to maintain a realistic, soft finish.
Not All Greys Are Created Equal
One thing that often surprises clients is that not all opaque grey ink sets look the same. Depending on the brand and formulation, you’ll find that different sets carry different undertones. Some have a cooler, bluish tint to them, which can give the healed tattoo a steely or almost metallic finish. Others lean towards a warmer, more neutral or traditional grey—closer to the kind of tones you see in graphite or charcoal drawings.
This difference in tone matters a lot, especially when it comes to blending with existing tattoos or planning how a piece will age over time. A slightly bluish grey might work beautifully in a cover-up involving cooler tones or abstract design work, while a neutral grey will sit more naturally within a classic black and grey realism piece.
Why Choose Opaque Grey for Cover-Ups?
Above; @Scottjamescampbell @Joelmorleytattoo @Mitchbtattoos @Phattgerman @Glencarlosstattoo @Joshwaatattoo
Versatility: With a range of grey tones available, you can tailor the cover-up to match your vision—whether you're after something soft and subtle or bold and sculpted.
Subtlety: Opaque grey allows for smoother gradients and softer edges, making it ideal for realism or layered work where traditional solid black might be too heavy-handed.
Effective Coverage: Because it’s a solid pigment, opaque grey offers a higher level of opacity than grey wash, making it especially effective for dulling down or disguising older ink underneath.
Layering with Opaque Grey and White: A Modern Approach to Tattoo Cover-Ups
One of the most effective ways to approach a tattoo cover-up—especially when dealing with older, darker, or more complex pieces—is by using opaque grey as a neutralising base layer. Instead of diving straight into a new design, a foundation of opaque grey can be laid down first to dull and soften the existing tattoo. This step helps to "push back" the unwanted lines and tones, reducing contrast and evening out the skin's visual surface. By neutralising harsh blacks or faded colours, you’re left with a cleaner slate that opens up far more possibilities for the next layer of the design. This method allows for greater subtlety and detail in the final piece—something that would be much harder to achieve if trying to cover everything in a single pass.
Below; Before and after, from @Teejtattoo @Cassadybell @Jessimanchester
Below; Original tattoo / after 1 layer of opaque grey ink with the design freehanded over / after second layer of black ink @Jessimanchester
Exploring Black-on-Black and White-on-Black Techniques
Another exciting approach that shares some of the same visual principles is the use of black-on-black and white-on-black tattooing. In black-on-black work, a new design is layered over existing opaque grey or black ink using rich, dense blacks with contrasting linework or patterns, relying on subtle texture, shine, and negative space to bring the design forward. It’s a method that doesn’t try to hide the past tattoo completely, but instead reinterprets it with bold geometry or ornamental work. Similarly, white-on-black can be used to bring a graphic pop to blacked-out areas—whether that’s white linework over a blackout sleeve or fine highlights in a sculpted cover-up. These techniques, when used alongside opaque grey, offer a range of creative possibilities that break away from the usual "hide and replace" mindset of traditional cover-ups.
(A great page for amazing examples of white on black tattoos can be found on Instagram @Whiteonblacktattoo)
How It Works:
White ink is layered over black to create striking contrast—used for linework, dotwork, geometric accents, or stylised highlights. While white won’t stay bright white forever on top of black, it can heal into a silvery or chalky tone that creates a noticeable visual texture, especially in the right lighting. In skilled hands, this method transforms a previously flat or covered area into a bold, modern statement.
Pros’s and con’s for using white ink on top of black -
Pros:
High Visual Impact: White on black can create sharp, bold designs that really stand out—perfect for clients who want something with graphic edge.
Creative Freedom: Artists can incorporate illustrative, ornamental, or abstract elements that feel intentional rather than purely corrective.
Breathes New Life into Blackouts: If you've blacked out a tattoo you regret but still want something there, white ink gives you a second chance to personalise it.
Cons:
Longevity & Fading: White ink over black will fade more quickly than white ink on lighter skin. It may require touch-ups to maintain contrast over time.
Healed Appearance Varies: The final tone often depends on skin type, depth of saturation in the black layer, and how the skin heals. Expect the healed result to be a soft grey-white rather than bright white.
Not Ideal for Fine Detail: Because the black underneath can migrate or show through, very fine linework might lose definition more quickly.
Below - @Rudydziara @Jessimanchester @Bintt @Gmtgigondanmathieu
Is Opaque Grey Right for You?
If you're looking to reinvent an old tattoo with something cleaner and more mature—or if you're just not into the idea of a heavy black cover-up—opaque grey could be the way forward. It’s especially well-suited to people who want:
A more subtle, monochromatic look.
Realism with smoother gradients and softened lines.
A modern take on black and grey that doesn’t rely on harsh outlines.
A multi-layered approach that builds depth and texture gradually.
As always, the best way to find out what’s possible is to come in for a consultation. Every tattoo—and every person—requires a unique approach, and that’s what makes this kind of work so exciting.
