Tattoo cover-ups in Longueuil: covering up an old tattoo without regrets
According to data on tattoo removal, nearly one in four adults with tattoos regrets at least one of them. The good news? Laser removal is no longer the only option. Cover-ups—the art of covering an old tattoo with a new one—have become one of our most in-demand specialties at Archipel Tattoo.
At 1644 Chemin de Chambly #120, just a stone’s throw from Old Longueuil, we transform old mistakes into tattoos our clients can finally be proud of— from Brossard to Boucherville and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville.
If you type “South Shore tattoo cover-up” into Google and end up here, you’re probably struggling with a tattoo you’re not happy with. Take a deep breath. Most botched tattoos can be covered up neatly. Here’s exactly how we do it at Archipel—straight up.
What is a cover-up, and when is it the right solution?
A cover-up involves drawing a new tattoo over an old one, blending it into a larger, denser, or darker design. It’s the ideal solution if:
Your old tattoo is black, gray, or made with inks that can be "blended" into black.
Are you ready to accept a significantly larger piece—often 2 to 4 times the original size?
This position remains appropriate (a forearm is part of our daily routine; the neck or a hand is more delicate).
If the old tattoo is very dark and dense, we combine cover-up techniques with a few laser sessions to lighten it. It’s a team effort: we’ll be upfront about this during your consultation.
The Golden Rules of the Cover-Up
Dark colors cover light colors, never the other way around
It's the number one rule of tattooing. If your old tattoo is black and bold, expect your new design to be mostly black, in a realistic or detailed traditional style.
The size is almost always three times as large
A small design that’s 4 cm off rarely turns into another small 4-cm design. The new piece must have enough material to break away from the edges of the old one.
The motif must disrupt the reading of the old
The designs that work best: realistic animals, black-and-gray flowers, intricate traditional patterns, neo-traditional, and Japanese styles. The worst choices: text-only designs, thin lines, and minimalism. If you're unsure, our guide to finding your tattoo style is a good place to start.
Our Process at Archipel
We hate surprises just as much as you do. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens when you bring us in for a cover-up:
Free consultation — simply fill out the consultation form and attach a clear photo of your old tattoo. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours.
Honest assessment — if the cover-up is feasible, we’ll suggest 2 or 3 styling options. If not, we’ll let you know and refer you to a trusted laser clinic.
Custom design — the design is created specifically to cover the darkest areas of the old tattoo.
Session(s) — depending on the size, the procedure is performed in a single long session or in two sessions spaced at least 6 weeks apart to allow for proper healing.
Follow-up — free alterations included for 6 months on most items.
Ready to get started? Let's schedule an appointment.
Which Archipel artists do the best cover-ups?
Not all of our artists specialize in cover-ups. Here are the ones to consider based on the style you're looking for:
Chico — bold black-and-gray designs, intense realism, animals, medium to large sizes. Our go-to choice for transforming an old tribal tattoo into a piece that really catches the eye.
Spacetats — neo-traditional and illustrative, perfect for breaking up sharp outlines with graphic lines.
Chloé Poitras — flowers and nature, to add a feminine touch or soften an old, clunky design.
The hardest rooms to paint
Let's be transparent. Here are the situations in which we will almost always recommend a pre-cover-up laser treatment:
Large black lettering on a small surface (with no room to enlarge it).
Scarring tattoos where the skin has developed keloids.
Rich red inks applied over large areas—they often refuse to be subdued by black.
Old tattoos on the fingers, hands, neck, and face: the skin heals differently, and the final result remains unpredictable.
Aftercare following a cover-up
A cover-up uses more ink than a standard tattoo. Healing therefore takes a little longer, and aftercare is even more rigorous. Our Aftercare page and our comprehensive guide cover everything. Three critical reminders:
Avoid direct sunlight and swimming for at least 4 weeks.
Moisturize 3 to 4 times a day with an unscented cream.
No intense workouts for the first 5 days—sweat on a fresh cover-up is a no-go.
If you're worried about pain during the session, check out our article on pain-relief creams for tattoos.
Reasonable rates and turnaround times
We charge the same hourly rate for cover-ups as we do for custom designs. Depending on the complexity, the process typically takes between 4 and 12 hours. The consultation and design are included. A non-refundable deposit is required to book the session—it will be applied to the final bill.
Regarding scheduling: our cover-up artists are often booked 4 to 8 weeks in advance. The longer you wait, the longer the wait time becomes.
Cover-up or laser: how to decide
Three factors influence the decision. Cost: Complete laser tattoo removal often requires 8 to 12 sessions spread out over 18 months, whereas a cover-up can be completed in just 1 or 2 visits. The final result: Laser treatment (almost) erases the tattoo, while a cover-up replaces it with something else. The skin: certain very saturated designs are better suited to a well-planned cover-up than to 12 laser sessions, which can weaken the skin.
During your consultation, we’ll go over these three areas with you. Whether you’re coming from Montreal, Longueuil, or further down the South Shore, we’ll set aside enough time to answer all your questions.
Three real-life cases we’ve transformed this year
Case 1 — Tribal ankle tattoo, 12 years old. Features a large black-and-gray peony designed by Chloé Poitras. Two sessions, 6 hours total. Client’s verdict: “I should have done this sooner.”
Case 2 — Gothic lettering on the forearm. Too dense to fade on its own. We combined three laser sessions at a partner clinic before Chico re-tattooed a realistic snake over it. Result: it’s impossible to tell what was underneath.
Case 3 — Small marine anchor on the shoulder. Direct cover-up, without laser, by Spacetats: a 15-cm neo-traditional sun design completely covers the old tattoo. A single 4-hour session.
What we expect from you before the session
A cover-up starts long before the machine even kicks in. Get a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a proper meal two hours beforehand, avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, and keep the area well-moisturized the week leading up to it. It’s exactly the same protocol as for your first visit to the tattoo artist—only more rigorous.
Quick FAQ
Can you cover up a tattoo that's less than a year old? Yes, provided that it has fully healed (at least 3 months) and the skin is healthy.
Does a cover-up hurt more than a regular tattoo? Just a little, because we're working on an area that's already tattooed and applying more ink. Nothing you can't handle.
My old tattoo is in color—is that a problem? Not necessarily. Red and yellow are the trickiest colors. We assess each case individually.
Any other questions? Our tattoo FAQ page covers the basics—otherwise, we can discuss them during your consultation.
Do you have a tattoo that no longer reflects who you are? The best time to do something about it was yesterday. The second-best time is now. Book your free consultation at Archipel—the South Shore tattoo studio in Montreal that takes cover-ups seriously.
