Category: Tattoo Ideas

Here you’ll find lots of tattoo inspiration in different styles, especially for fineline tattoos. All tattoos done by our tattoo artists in Porto.

Posted on

Fineline Tattoos in Porto

fineline tattoos porto

Fineline tattoos Porto: find out more about a specialised tattoo studio

As the name implies, fineline tattoos are tattoos made with fine lines, in contrast to the traditional style, which used bold lines to create designs. This is a style that is very popular with people who want to get a tattoo here in Porto, Portugal.

For those looking for tattoos with subtlety and personality, fineline tattoos are perfect. With light and precise strokes, this technique is ideal for creating detailed, minimalist designs full of meaning, adding a touch of sophistication to the skin.

A reference in fineline tattoos Porto

Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio was the first studio in the city to specialise in fineline tattoos, offering this style since 2018, when it was still common to find only old school tattoos.

Here at the studio, all our tattoo artists in Porto specialise in fine line tattoos. Although each artist has their own style and themes they prefer to tattoo, they all excel at executing fine lines.

In our fine line art, every line counts. Whether drawing geometric shapes, delicate florals or small phrases, the style values detail and creates a discreet and elegant result. It is also a great option for those looking for timeless tattoos that are easy to combine.

And beyond aesthetics, fineline tattoos tend to cause less pain during the session, as tattoo artists use finer needles and more delicacy in the execution of the lines. In general, colour fills and thicker lines tend to be slightly more painful techniques compared to fine lines.

But although they look like simple tattoos, it takes a very refined technique to execute the finest lines with precision, not to mention experience. That’s why it’s essential to find a tattoo artist who specialises in this style if you want a perfect tattoo. It’s really important to do your research because not all tattoo artists work with fineline tattoos.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, how about trying the power of the fine line? Send us a message to receive your personalised quote for fineline tattoos Porto!

BOOK A TATTOO

Posted on

Tribal Tattoo: a timeless style

tribal tattoos

Discover the history, meanings and styles of tribal tattoos. Be inspired by this timeless symbol of identity and strength.

Tribal tattoos are one of the oldest and most emblematic styles of body art. Originating in ancient cultures around the world, they symbolise identity, connection with nature, strength and spirituality. In this post, we will explore more of the tribal style, as it continues to gain ground in the world of modern tattoos.

What is a tribal tattoo?

Tribal tattoos have roots in ancient traditions and are used by indigenous peoples from various regions, such as Polynesia, Africa, America, and Southeast Asia. They carry deep meanings, representing rites of passage, spiritual protection, social status, or connection with the gods.

Each culture developed its own patterns and techniques, resulting in an impressive diversity of tribal styles: Polynesian, Maori, Hawaiian, Borneo, African, among others. Today, the main and most commonly used in tattoos are:

  • Polynesian: Includes geometric patterns and symbols such as the sun, waves and shark teeth, each with a specific meaning.
  • Maori: Known as ‘ta moko’, it is characterised by spirals and lines that tell life stories.
  • Hawaiian: Focused on elements of nature, such as plants and animals, representing harmony and strength.

Meanings behind tribal tattoos

Although meanings vary across cultures, some universal themes of tribal tattoos include:

  • Strength and courage: tribal patterns often symbolise warrior power
  • Spiritual protection: many tattoos were considered amulets against evil spirits
  • Connection to nature: animals, plants, and natural elements are common representations
  • Identity and belonging: each tattoo told the unique story of a person or group

Why choose a tribal tattoo?

  1. Striking aesthetics: the contrast of solid black with geometric patterns creates a powerful and timeless look
  2. Symbolic connection: many people choose tribal tattoos to express strength, protection or cultural roots
  3. Versatility: tribal designs can be adapted to different parts of the body, creating unique and personalised pieces
  4. Enhancing curves: the lines and curves of tribal tattoos enhance and reinforce the body’s natural curves and muscle contours.

 

Tribal tattoo artist

Although they may appear to be simple tattoos, as they are only black and do not use shading, tribal-style tattoos are difficult to execute perfectly. This is especially true because they need to be well adjusted to the body. To ensure a flawless end result, it is essential to choose an experienced tattoo artist who specialises in tribal style.

Today, tribal tattoos have evolved to include both traditional designs and modern interpretations. Working with an experienced tattoo artist is essential to capture the essence of the style and ensure an authentic result.

Here at Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio, we have an artist who is fully dedicated to the study and creation of tribal tattoos, especially Polynesian and Maori styles. Find out more about tattoo artist Antonio Oliveira, creator of all the tribal tattoos that illustrate this article.

We are ready to help you create a unique tribal tattoo, with authenticity and respect for traditions!

Posted on

Tattoo Porto: art and style in every stroke

tattoo porto: Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio

If you are looking to get a tattoo in Porto, Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio is the ideal place to transform your idea into art. Located in the heart of the city, we offer a safe, welcoming and creative space, designed to give each customer a unique experience.

Specialists in fine line tattoos

Our studio specialises in fine line tattoos, perfect for those looking for elegant, delicate and timeless pieces. Each piece is developed with attention to detail, always adapted to the style and history of each client.

Why get your tattoo in Porto?

Porto is known for its authenticity and creativity. When it comes to tattoos, it’s no different: here you’ll find some of the best tattoo studios in the country, combining art, technique and safety. In addition, the city welcomes people from all over the world, making the tattoo scene increasingly rich and diverse.

Main tattoo styles

The world of tattooing is vast and full of possibilities. Among the most sought-after styles at our tattoo studio in Porto are:

Fineline – delicate and minimalist, ideal for those seeking elegance.

Tribal – strong and striking lines, inspired by ancient cultures.

Blackwork – intense designs, created using only black ink.

Watercolour – vibrant colours that mimic brushstrokes.

Floral – inspired by nature with a touch of femininity.

Ornamental – detailed and symmetrical patterns reminiscent of jewellery, with an emphasis on Portuguese tile tattoos.

Geek tattoos – perfect for fans of cinema, series, games and pop culture.

Script tattoos – super delicate tattoos of phrases, words, or names for those who want to collect stories on their skin.

Cover-up tattoos – custom designs to cover old tattoos that no longer make sense.

Whatever style you’re looking for, we’ll help you adapt the idea to your body and make it unique. For more inspiration, visit our Instagram page.

 

How to choose the best tattoo artist in Porto

Choosing the best tattoo artist for your project makes all the difference to the final result of your tattoo. Some tattoo artists specialise in certain styles. Here are some points to consider:

Look at their portfolio – each artist has a unique style; choose the one that is closest to your idea.

Talk to them before booking – good communication ensures that the result will be exactly what you imagine.

Assess the hygiene of the studio – safety is essential for a peaceful experience.

Trust in experience – a professional tattoo artist knows how to advise you on size, positioning and aftercare.

At our studio, all our artists specialise in fineline tattoos, but each tattoo artist has their own signature style that blends other tattoo styles. Meet all our tattoo artists in Porto here.

Book your session now

If you are looking for a tattoo studio in Porto that combines quality, creativity and safety, you have come to the right place. Let’s create a tattoo that tells your story together!

BOOK A TATTOO

Posted on

Portuguese tile tattoos: true work of art

azulejos portugueses inspiram tatuagens

Portuguese tile tattoos have won over more and more body art lovers who want to carry with them a strong symbol of Portuguese culture. With their intricate patterns, vibrant colors and historical value, tiles are a true work of art – and now also a charming inspiration for tattoos.

Portuguese Tiles in Tattoo

More than decorative elements, tiles tell stories. They appeared in Portugal in the 15th century and became part of the country’s architectural identity. Present in churches, houses, train stations and monuments, tiles depict religious themes, landscapes, scenes from everyday life and geometric patterns that have become icons of the Portuguese aesthetic.

When choosing a tattoo inspired by azulejos, many people seek to pay homage to their roots, celebrate their cultural heritage or simply eternalize an image that refers to the beauty and tradition of Portugal.

The History of Portuguese Tiles

The history of Portuguese tiles dates back to the 15th century, when they were introduced to Portugal by the Moors. The word “azulejo” itself comes from the Arabic al-zulayj, which means “small polished stone”. At first, azulejos were used mainly as decorative and functional elements on walls and floors, helping to keep rooms cool in hot climates.

Over time, the Portuguese developed their own style, influenced by different cultures. During the 16th century, azulejos were widely used to decorate palaces and churches. It was also at this time that tiles began to be produced in Portugal, especially in Lisbon and Coimbra.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, tiles became real storytelling canvases: they depicted religious, mythological and rural scenes and even historical events. These tile panels can still be seen today in churches, train stations, house façades and public buildings. In Porto, some of the most famous are in São Bento station, in the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) and in churches such as Capela das Almas and Igreja do Carmo.

Over the centuries, blue and white tiles have become one of Portugal’s greatest visual symbols, associated with the country’s national identity, urban architecture and artistic expression.

Style and Techniques in Tile Tattoos

Tile tattoos are usually done with fine lines and great attention to detail, requiring a tattoo artist with experience in delicate work. The most common colors are done with blue ink, in reference to traditional tiles, but you can also opt for black and gray versions or incorporate other colors for a more modern touch.

Some popular ideas include:

  • Tattoos with floral or geometric patterns typical of 18th century tiles;
  • Combining tiles with natural elements such as flowers or animals;
  • Personalized designs that combine the style of the tiles with personal symbols.

Here’s an inspiration gallery of tattoos done by our tattoo artists:

Tatuagens inspiradas em azulejos feitas no Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio

Would you like to get a tattoo inspired by tiles?

Choosing a tattoo inspired by Portuguese tiles is a way of carrying a piece of the country on your skin, wherever you are in the world.

At our studio in Porto, we specialize in fine line tattoos and custom designs. If you want to turn a tile pattern into an exclusive design for your skin, get in touch and make an appointment.

Posted on

Pet tattoo: turn your dog or cat into a tattoo

Beloved dogs and kittens can be transformed into beautiful pet tattoos. Get to know the style!

It could be your best friend or, perhaps, your furry child. It doesn’t matter what you call your pet, we know it’s family. That’s why it deserves a special tribute. How about turning your dog or cat into a tattoo?

This is a very common request around here and our artists simply LOVE doing pet tattoos. So let’s talk in a little more detail about this much-loved type of tattoo.

How to turn a pet into a tattoo

The first step for this kind of tattoo is to select good photographs of your pet. It’s very important to choose high-quality photos with good lighting, even if they were taken with a cell phone. Select 3 to 5 photos from different angles and poses so that the tattoo artist can get to know the main characteristics that make it unique.

You then choose the style of tattoo you like best to feature your dog or cat. There are many different styles of pet tattoo and here are our favorites:

1. Minimalist

In the minimalist style, we only reproduce the outline of the complete silhouette, head or ears. It’s done only in fine lines, without adding shadows or textures.

 

2. Minimalist with details

A variation on the minimalist style, here we include some small details in the drawing, such as eyes, muzzle and collar.

3. Single line

This style of tattoo reproduces the outline of a photograph in just one line. The drawing is all sketched out without lifting the pen from the paper, producing a minimalist tattoo full of personality.

Zero21 Porto

4. Fineline

For a fineline pet tattoo, we created a personalized drawing with fine lines and very light shadows to represent your puppy or kitten in a very delicate way. It’s a drawing styled by the artist and isn’t a realistic reproduction, as it’s done with less detail and can also include elements that weren’t originally in the photo.

fineline tattoo studio Zero21 Porto

BOOK MY TATTOO

5. Blackwork

In the blackwork style, we use lines in different thicknesses, textures and lots of shadows to create a totally personalized design. To complement the tattoo, we can also include elements of adornment, such as florals and frames.

Zero21 Porto blackwork tattoos

6. Realistic

For a realistic tattoo, we work with the most faithful reproduction possible of a photograph. That’s why, for this style, the selection of the photo is the most important decision. The pet can be portrayed with its whole body or just its head, including details such as a collar, bow, name tag, etc. Because of the amount of detail applied, this type of tattoo requires a minimum size of around 7cm.

Zero21 Porto pet tattoos

7. Mini realistic

In this style, we do a realistic reproduction of a photo of the pet on a small scale. This type of tattoo includes a little less detail than the realistic style, so it’s not possible to add elements. Usually only the head is done.

8. Paws

Another way of paying tribute to your pet is to use its paw prints to create a tattoo. To do this, we need the paw prints already on paper. You can get the paw prints by dipping the paws in ink and pressing them lightly onto the paper (wait for them to dry well so they don’t stain). The tattoo can be done in black ink or with spots of color, watercolor style.

 

Now that you know all the pet tattoo styles, how about booking your session? Send us a message to ask for your personalized quote or, if you have any questions, we can chat via WhatsApp.

Posted on

5 ideas for souvenir tattoos of Porto

If you are traveling throughout Portugal you should definitely take souvenir tattoos before going back home. Traveling is more than just exploring new destinations; it’s a transformative experience that shapes our souls and leaves unforgettable memories in our hearts.

Souvenir tattoos, or travel tattoos, serve as lifelong reminders of the places we’ve been, the cultures we’ve encountered, and the journeys we’ve embarked upon.

At Zero21 Porto Tattoo Studio, we are excited to embark on this artistic journey with you, translating your love for Portugal into an incredible travel tattoo that will forever remind you of the adventures, culture, and beauty you experienced here.

Check out our Porto souvenir tattoo ideas:

  1. Porto Dom Luís Brigde or Ribeira tattoos

travel tattoo ideas for Portugal trips

 

2. Porto wine tattoos

porto wine tattoo ideas

 

3. Portuguese tiles (azulejos)

azulejo tattoo

 

4. Sardines tattoos

sardines tattoo ideas

 

5. Words or sentences written in Portuguese

portuguese words for tattoos

 

BONUS: The traveler tattoo

the traveller tattoo ideas

 

If you liked our ideas and want to get your souvenir tattoo from Portugal, just contact us to book your tattoo session!