Collection: Negative Space Tattoo Ideas

A negative space tattoo uses your bare skin as part of the design. Instead of inking the subject, the artist inks around it, leaving shapes, lines, or highlights uninked so the skin creates the image—like a stencil or cutout. It is common in blackwork, geometric, floral, and lettering, and can add strong contrast and clear highlights. Good planning and clean edges are key. It ages best with solid black and simple shapes. Protect from sun so the contrast stays sharp.