Bold will hold!
There’s an industry saying that “bold will hold”, whilst it may encapsulate the essential truth about the longevity of the tattoos, there are more elements to consider beyond “boldness”. The durability of a tattoo isn’t solely dependent on how the artist applies the ink into the skin, but also on the nature of the design and its placement on the body.
Traditionally, the idea of “bold will hold” emphasises the importance of bold lines and solid colours in tattooing. However, this adage doesn’t consider the impact of the design’s size and placement. For e.g. A simple traditional piece with intricate details might not be able to endure the test of time if it is sized too small. Over the years, the lines thicken and will blur causing the details to merge into an indistinguishable blob. However, considering a design sized in a larger scale, is highly likely to withstand the test of time. For e.g. Enlarging a complex design to the size of a back piece, will prevent the risk of small details and fine lines merging.
While these are extreme examples, as a client it is important to note these things, as any reputable tattoo artist will always make recommendations to improve the design to match the size and placement, not just for aesthetics but for the sake of the tattoo’s longevity.