Cover Up Tattoos in Toowoomba

Got a tattoo that no longer feels like you? Maybe it's faded, blurred over time, wasn't done well, or simply belongs to another chapter of your life. You don't have to live with it. At Rose & Thorn Tattoo Studio in Toowoomba, we offer custom cover-up tattoos, and because we also offer laser tattoo removal, we can lighten old ink first when that will give you a better result.

Cover-ups are custom by nature

No two cover-ups are the same. Your artist needs to work with the size, shape, colour and darkness of your existing tattoo, as well as the new design you'd love. That's why every cover-up at Rose & Thorn is custom designed. We never use copy-paste designs.

Our booking form makes this easy. It asks whether you have existing tattoos or scars that need to be worked around or covered up, and lets you upload a clear photo of the area. The more detail you share, the better your artist can plan.

A good cover-up usually means:

Going a little bigger than the original tattoo
Choosing a design with enough darkness, texture or detail to disguise the old lines
Being flexible. Sometimes what you want and where you want it may not work over existing ink. Your artist will explain your options honestly.

Lighten first, cover later: laser fading

Some tattoos are too dark, too bold or in the wrong spot to cover well. That's where laser comes in. Our laser tattoo removal service is perfect for lightening tattoos before a cover-up, as well as for tattoo regret and removing outdated or poor-quality work.

Fading an old tattoo with a few laser sessions before your cover-up can:

Give your artist far more freedom with the new design
Allow lighter, more delicate styles that couldn't otherwise sit over dark ink
Help the cover-up stay smaller than it would otherwise need to be

Laser treatments are carried out by our licensed professional laser specialist. Laser sessions for body tattoos start from $150 for tattoos 5cm or smaller, and we'll quote per session based on the size of your tattoo. Your tattoo needs to be at least two months old, you must be over 18, and you'll need to keep the treated area out of the sun for 48 hours afterwards. We also stock numbing cream, which you can apply 90 minutes before your session.

Not sure whether you need laser first? Send us a photo of your tattoo and we'll let you know whether a straight cover-up or a lighten-then-cover plan will work best.

Covering scars

We can also help with scars. Depending on your needs, that might be an artistic design to cover scarred tissue, or medical scar camouflage using skin-tone pigments. Scar and stretch mark camouflage is a specialised medical tattooing skill performed by Melinda, our owner and senior artist.

Which artist does cover-ups?

Cover-ups are a speciality at Rose & Thorn. The right artist for your cover-up depends on the style you'd like and the tattoo we're working over. Ask us which artist suits. Just mention it's a cover-up on your booking form and upload a clear photo, and we'll point you in the right direction.

How much does a cover-up cost?

Our studio minimum is $250. Each artist operates as a sole trader and sets their own rates. Cover-ups are quoted on the size and detail of the new design, which also determines how long the session will take. Laser fading is quoted separately per session, from $150 for tattoos 5cm or smaller.

A minimum deposit of $200 per day booked secures your tattoo appointment and is deducted from your total at the end.

Cover-up tattoo FAQs

Can any tattoo be covered up? Many tattoos can, but it depends on the size, colour and darkness of the original and the design you'd like. Upload a clear photo with your enquiry and your artist will let you know what's achievable, including whether laser fading first would help.

How many laser sessions will I need before a cover-up? It varies with the tattoo. Fill out our laser enquiry form with the height and width of your tattoo in centimetres and a photo, and we'll quote per session.

Do I need to remove the old tattoo completely? Not usually. For a cover-up, the goal is often to lighten the tattoo, not remove it entirely. Full removal is also available if you'd rather have clear skin.

Can you cover a cosmetic tattoo? Our laser service also removes cosmetic tattoos such as eyebrows and outer lip, from $200. We don't offer eyeliner or eyelid tattoo removal.

I'm embarrassed about my old tattoo. Will I be judged? Never. Our studio is a calm, welcoming and judgement-free space, and we're here to help you love your skin again.

Start your cover-up

Upload a clear photo of your existing tattoo and tell us about the design you'd love. Tick "Yes" for existing tattoos or scars on our booking form, and we'll be in touch with options and potential dates. Have a quick question? Send us a text.

Rose & Thorn Tattoo Studio · 144 Campbell Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350 · By appointment only

Book your cover up