Tattoo Fonts: Script, Blackletter & Vintage Sets

This guide to tattoo fonts collects clean scripts for names, readable blackletter, and vintage display that hold up on skin. You’ll also get quick size/spacing tests so your quote stays legible for years.

Editor’s top picks — Tattoo Fonts

Text tools for faster tattoo workflow

• Custom name in script — handmade letterforms with optical kerning and swashes that still read on skin.
• Readable blackletter — refine capitals, choose alternates, trim spikes for legibility.
• Vectorize & clean the sketch — convert to SVG/PDF, expand strokes, and set exact size for stencils.
• Font modification — build ligatures, add diacritics, simplify swashes for tricky names.

How to choose a tattoo font

• Legibility at final size. Print at the exact size for the placement; aim for at least 5–7 mm x-height for small areas. Avoid ultra-thin hairlines.
• Stroke weight that lasts. Prefer solid stems (≈0.5–1.0 mm or thicker depending on placement). Very fine lines can blur over time.
• Open counters & apertures. Choose faces with large a/e/s openings and less cluttered loops.
• Kerning & tracking. Slightly looser spacing improves long-term readability, especially in blackletter and all caps.
• Swashes & ligatures. Use sparingly. Keep descenders clear so letters don’t merge into shapes after healing.
• Language support. Check accents (á, ñ, ç), numerals, ampersands and punctuation for your quote.

Try searches (tattoo-ready sets)

• Clean script for names → subtle contrast, welded connections, no hairlines. Browse scripts
• Readable blackletter → textura/fraktur with open counters and moderate spikes. See blackletter
• Old school flash → bold outlines, simple shapes, classic banner vibes. Old school fonts
• Fine-line quotes → monoline with larger x-height and airy spacing. Fine-line sets
• Vintage display for words → retro serif/sans headlines for single-word pieces. Vintage options

From sketch to stencil: handoff checklist

• Convert text to outlines. Send SVG/PDF or a 300–600 dpi PNG at 100% final size.
• Include spacing notes. Provide tracking value and any custom kern pairs (e.g., “AV −40”).
• Two versions. Solid black on white, and inverted white on black for easy viewing.
• No hairline effects. Expand strokes; avoid faux bold/italic or raster effects.
• Placement mock. Simple photo mockup at scale helps judge size and readability.

Font pairing & layout ideas

• Script name + Small caps helper — Name in clean script, date/location in small caps sans.
• Blackletter word + Sans caption — Keep the word bold; add a tiny geometric sans line below.
• Old school banner — Vintage serif in a ribbon; keep curvature gentle and spacing even.

FAQ

What sizes stay readable?
For small placements, print tests at 5–7 mm x-height and choose tattoo fonts with open shapes and sturdy strokes. Very thin lines may blur as the tattoo ages.

All caps or mixed case?
All-caps blackletter looks dramatic but is harder to read; use title case or small caps for quotes. Scripts rarely work in all caps — prefer capitalized first letters only.

Should I use ligatures/swashes?
Use them sparingly for character. Prioritize clarity: long swashes and dense ligatures can merge after healing.

How do I prepare a file for my artist?
Outline the font, export SVG/PDF or 300–600 dpi PNG at final size, and include spacing notes. Your artist may still adjust for placement and skin.

Curated quick picks

• Script names: Browse
• Blackletter words: Browse
• Old school flash: Browse
• Fine-line quotes: Browse
• Vintage display: Browse