Research Note: I have two script tattoos—one I love, one I regret. This post draws from both those personal experiences, extensive research into font selection and readability, conversations with artists who specialize in lettering, and the painful lessons I learned from my poorly planned text tattoo. I’m sharing this as a fellow collector who’s made both good and bad choices with script work, not as a tattoo artist or typography expert.
Why Script Tattoos Are Deceptively Difficult
Script and lettering tattoos seem simple at first glance. Pick meaningful words, choose a font, place it somewhere visible. Easy, right?
Wrong.
Text tattoos are among the most regretted tattoo styles because they’re easy to mess up and nearly impossible to fix. Poor font choices, improper sizing, awkward placement, spelling errors, or designs that become illegible as they age—I’ve seen (and made) these mistakes firsthand.
My regret tattoo? A small script piece on my wrist that I thought was clever and minimalist. Three years later, it’s blurred to near-illegibility, and I’m stuck with an unreadable smudge. My good script tattoo? A bold, properly sized quote on my ribs that still looks sharp years later.
The difference? Planning, font selection, and understanding how text ages on skin.
Common Script Tattoo Mistakes (I’ve Made Some of These)
Mistake #1: Too Small or Too Thin
My Experience: My wrist tattoo was maybe 2 inches long with delicate, thin script. Fresh, it looked elegant. Three years later? The thin lines have spread and blurred together, making it almost unreadable.
Why This Happens: According to Chronic Ink’s lettering guide, ink naturally spreads slightly under the skin as it heals and ages. Thin lines placed close together (like script letters) blur into each other over time, especially in small sizes.
The Rule:
- Minimum text height: 1/4 inch per letter for thin fonts
- Minimum text height: 1/8 inch per letter for bold fonts
- Larger is almost always better for legibility over time
Artist Advice I Wish I’d Followed: “If you can’t read it from across the room fresh, you won’t be able to read it up close in five years.”
Mistake #2: Overly Decorative Fonts
The Problem: Elaborate script fonts with lots of flourishes, swashes, and decorative elements look beautiful on paper but terrible on skin.
Why They Fail:
- Fine decorative details blur quickly
- Swashes and loops blur into neighboring letters
- Readability decreases dramatically with age
- Touch-ups are difficult because decorative elements are hard to match
Font Types That Age Poorly:
- Very thin cursive with elaborate swashes
- Fonts with tiny decorative dots or details
- Extremely condensed fonts where letters touch
- Fonts designed for large format (look bad scaled down)
Better Choices:
- Bold, clean script fonts
- Simple serif or sans-serif fonts
- Hand-lettered styles with good spacing
- Traditional tattoo fonts (tested over decades)
Mistake #3: Poor Placement
Common Placement Mistakes:
Curved Text on Curved Body Parts: Wrapping text around arms, wrists, or ankles seems appealing but creates readability issues:
- Text curves when you flex or rotate
- Hard to photograph or show someone
- Often requires awkward positioning to read
Text Too Close to Joints: Skin near joints (wrists, ankles, fingers, elbows) stretches and distorts:
- Text warps when you move
- Accelerated fading and blurring
- May become illegible faster
Upside-Down Text (For Your Own Reading): Some people get wrist or forearm text oriented to read it themselves (upside-down to others):
- Looks upside-down to everyone else
- Many people later regret this choice
- Artists often advise against it
My Recommendation: Text should be oriented for others to read naturally. If you want text you read yourself, get it on your ribs, chest, or thigh where others don’t see it anyway.
Mistake #4: Not Checking Spelling/Grammar
Embarrassing Reality: Misspelled tattoos are shockingly common.
How This Happens:
- Artist copies your handwritten design without catching errors
- Language barriers (foreign language tattoos with incorrect translation)
- Trusting online translations without verification
- Not having someone else proofread before session
Prevention:
- Type and print your text clearly
- Have multiple people proofread
- For foreign languages, consult a native speaker
- Double-check during stencil application (last chance to catch errors)
Mistake #5: Choosing Trendy Quotes
The Problem: Quotes that feel profound now may feel cringey later:
- Overused phrases (“Not all who wander are lost,” “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”)
- Pop culture references that don’t age well
- Song lyrics from bands you outgrow
- Inside jokes that stop being funny
Better Approach:
- Personal mantras that have stood the test of time for YOU
- Quotes from timeless literature or philosophy
- Original phrases meaningful to your life
- Family sayings or personal philosophies
- Consider whether you’ll still connect with this in 20 years
Font Selection Guide
Font Categories and When to Use Them
Serif Fonts (Traditional, Classic):
- Examples: Times New Roman, Georgia, classic book fonts
- Best for: Formal quotes, literary references, memorial dates
- Aging: Generally ages well if sized properly
- Style: Timeless, professional, readable
Sans-Serif Fonts (Modern, Clean):
- Examples: Helvetica, Arial, modern clean fonts
- Best for: Modern quotes, minimalist aesthetics, single words
- Aging: Excellent—clean lines hold well
- Style: Contemporary, straightforward, geometric
Script/Cursive Fonts (Elegant, Flowing):
- Examples: Copperplate, Edwardian Script, flowing handwriting styles
- Best for: Names, elegant quotes, romantic phrases
- Aging: Depends heavily on weight and spacing—thin scripts blur quickly
- Style: Elegant, feminine, decorative
Hand-Lettered/Brush Fonts (Artistic, Unique):
- Examples: Custom calligraphy, brush lettering, graffiti-style
- Best for: Custom one-of-a-kind pieces, artistic expression
- Aging: Varies—bold strokes age well, thin details blur
- Style: Artistic, personal, expressive
Traditional Tattoo Fonts (Bold, Proven):
- Examples: Classic banner fonts, sailor tattoo lettering
- Best for: Short phrases, traditional American-style pieces
- Aging: Excellent—designed specifically for tattooing
- Style: Bold, timeless, tattoo-specific
Blackletter/Gothic Fonts (Medieval, Ornate):
- Examples: Old English, Gothic text, Germanic scripts
- Best for: Specific aesthetic (medieval, gothic, Germanic themes)
- Aging: Moderate—complex letterforms can blur if too small
- Style: Dramatic, historical, ornate
Choosing Fonts for Readability
Test Your Font:
- Print text at actual tattoo size
- Place it on your body where tattoo will go
- Step back 10 feet
- Can you still read it easily? If not, scale up or choose simpler font
Spacing Matters: According to Wild Tattoo Art’s lettering guide, proper letter spacing (kerning) is crucial:
- Letters shouldn’t touch (will blur together)
- Space between words should be obvious
- Line spacing (for multi-line text) needs breathing room
Placement Considerations
Best Placements for Script Tattoos
Ribs/Side:
- Large, flat canvas
- Hidden under clothing if desired
- Minimal distortion during movement
- Can accommodate longer quotes
Forearm (Inner or Outer):
- Visible and easily shown
- Natural reading orientation
- Room for medium-length text
- Relatively flat surface
Chest/Upper Chest:
- Flat canvas for longer text
- Can be covered or shown depending on clothing
- Good for personally meaningful text (close to heart)
Back (Upper or Full):
- Massive canvas for long quotes or multiple lines
- Minimal distortion
- Easy to cover professionally
Thigh:
- Large, relatively flat area
- Easy to cover
- Room for substantial text
Problematic Placements
Fingers:
- Text blurs quickly (high friction, thin skin)
- Often illegible within 1-2 years
- Touch-ups difficult
Wrists:
- Popular but problematic
- Small area limits text size
- Constant movement and sun exposure
- Professional visibility concerns
Feet:
- Extreme fading due to friction and wear
- Painful placement
- Requires frequent touch-ups
- Often becomes illegible
Neck:
- Highly visible (professional concerns)
- Curved surface makes text readability challenging
- Painful placement
Script Tattoo Dos and Don’ts
DO:
Size It Properly:
- Go larger than you think you need
- Artist recommendation should override your size preference
- Remember: it’s permanent, readability matters
Choose Bold Over Delicate:
- Thicker lines hold better long-term
- “Bold and readable” beats “delicate and illegible” after 5 years
Test Placement First:
- Use temporary transfer or pen to mock up placement
- Live with it for a day before committing
- Check how it looks in mirror, photos, different clothing
Hire a Lettering Specialist:
- Some artists specialize in script and lettering
- They understand font weight, spacing, and aging
- Worth traveling for if local artists don’t specialize
Proofread Multiple Times:
- Have several people check spelling and grammar
- For foreign languages, consult native speakers
- Check stencil carefully before tattooing begins
DON’T:
Don’t Size Down to Fit:
- If text doesn’t fit properly at readable size, change placement or shorten text
- Never sacrifice readability to fit a specific spot
Don’t Use Fonts Not Designed for Tattoos:
- Computer fonts don’t always translate well to skin
- Some fonts only work at large sizes
- Trust artist’s font recommendations
Don’t Add Too Many Words:
- Shorter is almost always better
- Single words or short phrases age best
- Long paragraphs rarely work well
Don’t Trust Google Translate:
- Especially for permanent body art
- Find native speakers to verify translations
- Cultural context matters (some phrases don’t translate literally)
Don’t Get Names of Romantic Partners:
- Classic tattoo mistake
- Relationships end, tattoos are forever
- Even marriages can end—consider deeply
Exception: Children’s names are common and usually not regretted (but still consider placement and styling carefully).
Language Considerations
Foreign Language Tattoos
Popular Choices:
- Latin (philosophical phrases, literary quotes)
- Sanskrit (spiritual/yoga community)
- Arabic (calligraphic beauty, spiritual meaning)
- Japanese/Chinese characters (cultural significance, aesthetics)
- Hebrew (religious significance)
Essential Precautions:
1. Verify Translation Accuracy:
- Consult multiple native speakers
- Professional translator (not Google Translate)
- Understand cultural context and connotations
2. Check Cultural Appropriateness:
- Some words/phrases are sacred in their cultures
- Research whether it’s appropriate for non-native speakers to wear
- Respect the culture you’re borrowing from
3. Understand Direction and Orientation:
- Some languages read right-to-left (Arabic, Hebrew)
- Character orientation matters (Asian languages)
- Ask native speaker to verify correct placement/direction
4. Beware of Kanji/Chinese Character Mistakes: According to Tofugu’s article on Kanji tattoos, many Westerners end up with incorrect, nonsensical, or unintentionally funny Chinese/Japanese character tattoos:
- Characters may not mean what you think
- Combinations can create different meanings
- Some tattoos accidentally say gibberish
- Solution: Hire native-speaking calligrapher or consultant
Script Tattoo Aftercare
Standard aftercare with emphasis on sun protection:
Standard Aftercare (per Association of Professional Piercers):
- Wash gently 2-3 times daily with fragrance-free antibacterial soap
- Pat dry with clean paper towel
- Apply thin layer of fragrance-free aftercare product
- Avoid soaking, swimming, and direct sun for 2-3 weeks
Script-Specific Care:
- Sun protection is critical: UV fades text faster than images
- Use SPF 50+ on healed text tattoos: Especially on exposed areas
- Watch for blow-outs: Closely spaced letters may blur if ink spreads
- Touch-ups likely: Fine text often needs enhancement after healing
Examples of Script Tattoos That Age Well
Single Bold Words:
- “Strength,” “Hope,” “Family,” “Breathe”
- Bold sans-serif or simple serif fonts
- 2-3 inches tall minimum
- Placed on forearm, ribs, or chest
Short Phrases (3-5 Words):
- “This too shall pass”
- “Not all who wander”
- “Nevertheless, she persisted”
- Bold script or traditional fonts
- Sized large enough for readability
Dates in Simple Numerals:
- Roman numerals (classic, timeless)
- Clean number fonts
- Birth dates, memorial dates, significant dates
- Often paired with names or short phrases
Single Names:
- Children’s names
- Lost loved ones
- Bold, classic fonts
- Sized appropriately (minimum 1 inch tall)
My Personal Lessons Learned
From My Regret Tattoo:
- Don’t go too small, ever
- Thin, delicate fonts blur quickly
- Wrist placement accelerates aging
- Should have listened to artist’s size recommendation
From My Good Script Tattoo:
- Bold fonts hold incredibly well
- Proper sizing preserves readability
- Placement on ribs = minimal distortion and fading
- Spent time choosing meaningful text I still connect with
If I Get Another Script Tattoo:
- Will be significantly larger than I think necessary
- Bold, proven font only
- Run final design by multiple people for proofing
- Place on flat, protected area
- Accept that even perfect text tattoos fade and blur eventually
Script tattoos can be beautiful, meaningful, and timeless—but they require more planning and careful decision-making than almost any other tattoo style. Do your homework, size appropriately, and choose words that will resonate for decades.
Do you have a script tattoo? Has it aged well or do you have regrets? Share your experiences in the comments!
Resources
Lettering and Font Guides:
Foreign Language Verification:
- Tofugu - Kanji Tattoo Guide
- Consult native speakers on Reddit language communities
- Hire professional translators for permanent text
Aftercare:
Typography Resources:
- Study font design and kerning basics
- Understand how fonts scale
- Test fonts at actual tattoo size before committing
InkedWith is written by tattoo collectors for tattoo collectors. We share real experiences—including our mistakes—to help you avoid the pitfalls we learned the hard way.