Tattoo lettering designs are the most sought after motifs today. This is primarily because despite the boom in new image designs, word tattoos still remain the most popular among tattoo enthusiasts and the most frequently picked by newbies for their first tattoo.Tattoo lettering designs are very personal. They can be easily understood - there is no need to ask the bearer what the design means because you can read it and decipher its significance by yourself.

Because tattoo lettering is much, much more personal than any of the existing designs today, coming up with your own word or phrase is almost always the way to go about getting this kind of tattoo. You would be hardpressed to find anyone getting a word tattoo using a tattoo parlor's stock design.So before you walk in a studio to get your tattoo, it is very important to know what you really want.

So how do you choose your tattoo lettering design?

It is always helpful to begin with the things you like the most, things that you identify yourself the most with. Here are some sources of inspiration in geting the tattoo lettering design for you:

Song Lyrics

We all have our own favorite songs, the kind that we never tire of hearing over the passing years, the albums we refuse to chuck out even when they're old and scratched. These songs may have lyrics that have a deep meaning to you.

Movie Dialogue

How many movie lines have been so great and popular that they're now immortalized into everyday jargon? Movies are fantastic sources of inspiration for your tattoo lettering design. Just be sure to phrase your favorite movie quote correctly. If you’ve forgotten the exact words, do an online search of the movie’s screenplay. Take it from there; you can discuss how it would best translate into a tattoo with your tattoo artist. For instance, your tattooist may suggest to scratch out the nonessential words of the movie line for brevity. Stay open and listen to his / her professional advice.

Poetry & Quotable Quotes

Poems have beautiful lines that are symbolic and often cathartic. The same is true for quotable quotes. Inspirational lines from a dignitary, a celebrity, and even an anonymous person can be great tattoos.

Books

Books are arguably the best sources for tattoo lettering ideas. Take for instance J.R.R. Tolkien’s book trilogy “The Lord of the Rings.” This book series has a lot of tattoo-worthy lines, and it also boasts of an all-original Elvish language and lettering style that has been gaining popularity since the first movie's launch. This could be your tattoo lettering style. It’s a one-stop shop for your entire tattoo!

So you've finally chosen a word or phrase for your tattoo. That's the meat of your body art. Now, the next thing to decide on is how best to flaunt it by coming up with the right style.

Inking a tattoo lettering design is by no means an easy task. A common misconception among casual tattoo admirers is that a tattoo lettering design is a lot easier to do than image tattoos. In fact, doing a tattoo lettering designs needs expert skills of a professional tattoo artist. It requires precision and knowledge about different styles and language. So make sure you choose a professional and credible tattoo artist and check his credentials. Remember, you are putting yourself and your tattoo in his / her capable hands.

Another thing to do to ascertain that you’d get the right tattoo lettering design is research. There are literally thousands of tattoo designs available online. There are also a number of informative articles explaining cultural symbolisms that may be inherent in the designs. While you may still not find what you want, research gives you an idea of what appeals to you.

For the design itself, always check the spelling, especially if your design is in a foreign language. Make the letters moderate or big, and have it inked thickly. The words should be well-spaced to avoid the inevitable “bleeding.” All tattoos slowly lose their color in time. Because of this, a letter tattoo can become unreadable over time especially if it has small letters or fine lines. Lastly, black ink is more advisable in tattoo lettering designs because it fades more slowly than other colors of ink. But bear in mind that black isn’t the only choice. Some colors could still be easily read. Always consider your skin tone when making the choice.