Once tattooing grew beyond those first shops, different styles began to emerge.Īs this happened, it was necessary to have terms like “Old School” and “flash.”

What’s more, you likely only paid $3 for the whole experience. You would walk into a tattoo shop, pick a design, and then go on your merry way with a new piece of ink. They tie you to the history of tattoos in America.įor the longest time, standard Old School flash art didn’t have a name. Modern tattoos are more about customization, and to copy a special piece is a big no-no in the world of tattoos.įlash art is cool because you can reach back in time and get the very same tattoo as one of your relatives. When a tattoo artist talks about “flash” designs, they’re referring to a wall of available artwork. It was during this time that the symbols in American Traditional tattoos were popularized and refined. Visually, each tattoo artist will put their own stamp on an American Traditional piece.īut there are some important guidelines to follow. Black & Grey American Traditional TattoosĪmerican traditional tattoo style, also called Old School, is the easiest tattoo style to identify.What Should I Look For in an Old School Tattoo Artist?.American Traditional Zoomorphic Tattoos.Main Themes & Meanings in Old School Tattoos.Traditional Flash for Old School Tattoos.

The History of American Traditional Tattoos.

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