Tattoo Removal

15 Great Cover Up Ideas for Your Ex’s Name Tattoo

Getting rid of your ex’s name tattoo is a crucial step in truly moving on with your life. You might have recently broken up, or maybe you’ve allowed the tattoo to linger because you weren’t sure what to do about it–and now that you’re dating again, it has to go. Either way, covering up a tattoo of your ex’s name is possible with the help of a skilled tattoo artist or laser tattoo removal.

At the time, a relationship tattoo can seem like a romantic way to profess your undying love to someone. However, things may not always work out and that tattoo could be a painful reminder of that. With advancements in tattooing and tattoo removal, relationship tattoos no longer have to be permanent. You can replace your tattoo with a brand new coverup piece, or even get the tattoo fully removed from your skin with laser tattoo removal.

Can a Name Tattoo Be Covered Up?

Like your old relationship, the tattoo of your ex’s name does not have to last forever. Name tattoos can be covered up just like any other tattoo style, typically using existing linework for the new design. In some cases though, tattoo fading is needed to lighten the current tattoo before a coverup. Tattoo fading makes the design process easier, opening up new possibilities for your coverup through the discarding of old ink. It might not be a requirement for your coverup idea, but you should always consult a tattoo artist to see what is possible for your tattoo specifically.

How Much Does It Cost to Cover a Name Tattoo?

The cost of laser tattoo removal ranges between $200 to $500 per treatment across the United States.

Check out Removery’s Resource for cost breakdown:Laser Tattoo Removal Cost Guide

At Removery, the tattoo removal cost for a name tattoo depends solely on the size of your tattoo. We offer a 3-pack of treatments specifically for tattoo fading, which can get you the proper results needed for your coverup piece for a cheaper price than paying per session.

To make tattoo removal more accessible, we offer payment plans that span between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your financial needs.

See Financial Options at Removery for Your Tattoo Removal

Ex Name Tattoo Removal with Removery

We recognize that some tattoos are unable to be covered up in their natural state, making tattoo removal a necessity for successful tattoo coverups or clear skin. Our top-of-the-line Picoway laser can safely remove and fade tattoos on all skin types, regardless of ink color(s), size, and the tattoo’s freshness. To ensure every client has a successful fade-to-cover up journey, Removery partners with artists who specialize in tattoo coverups to produce a beautiful piece once your tattoo has faded enough.

Ready to remove your ex’s name? Book a free consultation with Removery to learn more about tattoo removal and fading.

15 Name Tattoo Cover Up Ideas

Some script tattoos can be easily covered by new pieces without any tattoo fading beforehand. Smaller name tattoos can often be incorporated into the new design, especially if the new ink has fluid lines or lighter shading. However, you will never really know what is possible until you consult with a skilled, coverup tattoo artist. A coverup might not be possible with your tattoo currently, but tattoo removal can offer a solution to those more severe cases.

Here are 15 clever ideas to cover up an ex’s name tattoo.

Idea #1: Get the Blues

A watercolor-style tattoo so captivating, no one will ever realize it’s hiding an ex’s name. This skilled tattoo artist blended the letters into the featherwork of this vibrant design.

Get the Blues

Idea #2: Sometimes You Need Some Space

Maybe you didn’t have a cosmic connection with your ex after all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see stars. Here, the old tattoo forms the top of a window into a colorful galaxy.

Need Some Space

Idea #3: When the Prince Turns Into a Frog

Here, you can see how the “G” in “Gene” becomes part of the new tattoo’s outline, turning into wisps of smoke floating away as quickly as the former lover’s memory.

Price to Frog

Idea #4: Find a Feathered Friend

Here, “Laura” becomes nothing more than some owl feathers on this cute bird design, while the star forms the dark spot between the eyes.

Feathered Friend

Idea #5: Replace It With a Love That’s Sure to Last

For Valentine’s day last year, DoorDash offered to cover up ex name tattoos with people’s favorite foods. Now there’s a love that will never die!

Love that's Sure to Last

Idea #6: Along Came a Spider

For many people, having a 3D tattoo of a spider feels less creepy than sporting a tattoo of their ex. We can’t blame them! The old name script easily becomes part of the spider’s legs and body in this ex name tattoo cover up.

Along Came a Spider

Idea #7: You’ll Bee Alright

Here, one woman had the name of her ex-boyfriend’s band covered up by an adorable bee. The bold lines of the new tattoo follow the curvature of the old one, which is now completely invisible.

You'll Bee Alright

Idea #8: Batman Saves the Day

Kayleigh didn’t last, but Batman is forever. The bold, blocky design of the new tattoo easily swallows up every trace of this former lover.

Batman Saves the Day

Idea #9: Put a (New) Ring on It

A small ring tattoo name is easily covered here with an ornate ring design. Tattoos on the fingers often fade almost as quickly as a former love anyway, which can help make a cover up of an ex name tattoo much easier.

Put a New Ring on it

Idea #10: Call In the Dragons

This stylized three-headed dragon image neatly covers up Wendy’s name, absorbing it into the gray tones of this cover up tattoo. The ex’s name has completely vanished!

Call in the Dragons

Idea #11: Embrace the Kiss of Death

You can always express your sentiments about a past relationship with a grotesque design like a stylish skull. If you look closely, you can see how the letters help to form the intricate curvatures.

Embrace the Kiss of Death

Idea #12: Try a Modified Tribal Design

Here, the artist worked the name “Christopher” into a new segment added onto an existing tribal tattoo. Simply expanding the tattoo allowed the name to be absorbed into the elegant design.

Modified Tribal Design

Idea #13: Opt for a Moonlit Forest

As you can see, if you’re looking for an ex name tattoo cover up, you’re not alone. Even celebs end up in this situation! Check out this coverup that Pete Davidson had done after a breakup. The bold textures of the forest scene easily cover the lines of the original—except for the moon, which fits perfectly!

Moonlit Forest

Idea #14: Wow Them with Bold Colors

Or maybe, like Cardi B, you don’t really care about covering every hint of the old tattoo as long as you can’t read the name. After all, colorful body art like this butterfly will steal all the attention!

Bold Colors

Idea #15: Hindsight Is 20/20

One Bollywood star covered up his ex’s name tattoo with this startlingly realistic eye. The “A” helps to form the eyelashes, while any remaining traces of the original in the white area blend with the tiny veins in the eye.

Hindsight is 20/20

Get your free estimate

We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colours, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.

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