A bodysuit is a tattoo that covers most of the body with one coherent composition or a series of connected designs. It can include the back, arms, legs and chest. The best-known example is the Japanese horimono.
How is a bodysuit made?
A project like this is never done in one session. The artist starts with a plan for the whole piece: the main motif, the flow of the composition and how the different parts of the body connect. Sessions are spread out so the skin can heal between stages. The whole process usually takes many months, often years.
What to agree on before you start
- One style for the whole piece, or a clear rule for combining styles.
- The order of work and a budget split into stages.
- Space for existing tattoos and any fillers.
The same principles apply on a smaller scale, for example to a sleeve. We cover them in Planning a tattoo sleeve: a guide. If you are planning a large piece, describe it in our booking form.