Substyles

Micro Realism

Realism executed at small scale with single or very fine needle groupings and a graded ladder of ink dilutions, kept as a substyle because the technique differs, not because the visual language does.

Blackout

Blackwork taken to large solid fields of saturated black, frequently as a cover-up strategy over existing work.

Single Needle

Fine line work executed with a single-needle configuration. Its professional form has a documented origin: East Los Angeles, 1970s, at Good Time Charlie's Tattooland, in response to Chicano clients asking for prison-style work without colour.

Etching

Engraving-family tattoo look derived from acid-bitten intaglio lines rather than burin-cut ones. Held as a substyle because the fetched trade source does not distinguish it from engraving, while the Tier 1 print source shows the processes differ.