Best Apps to Design Tattoos

Designing tattoos has become an art form in itself, with many tattoo artists and enthusiasts looking for ways to create stunning, personalized designs before ever touching a needle to skin. Whether you’re a professional tattoo artist or just someone looking to explore creative tattoo ideas, there are plenty of apps available that make the design process easier, more accessible, and incredibly fun. This article explores some of the best apps available today for designing tattoos, breaking down their unique features, pros, and cons to help you find the perfect tool for your tattoo design needs.

1. Procreate

Procreate is one of the most powerful and versatile design apps available, not just for tattoo artists but for all kinds of digital illustrators. Originally designed for iPad users, Procreate has quickly become a go-to app for many tattoo artists due to its intuitive interface and vast range of tools.

Key Features:

• Customizable Brushes: With hundreds of built-in brushes and the ability to create your own, Procreate allows artists to mimic the look and feel of tattoo needles on paper.
• High Resolution: Procreate supports high-resolution canvas settings, perfect for creating detailed designs that can be scaled without losing quality.
• Layer System: The layer functionality lets you build designs with depth, allowing for easier adjustments and modifications.
• Export Options: Export designs in various formats, making it easy to transfer designs to clients or for printing stencils.

Pros:

• Intuitive user interface.
• Excellent for sketching and fine detailing.
• Powerful toolset for professional artists.

Cons:

• Only available on iOS devices.
• Steep learning curve for beginners.

2. Adobe Illustrator Draw

Adobe Illustrator Draw is a top choice for vector-based tattoo design. It provides artists with the precision of vector graphics, allowing designs to be resized without losing detail or clarity.

Key Features:

• Vector Tools: Draw crisp lines and shapes with vector brushes, making it ideal for designing intricate tattoos.
• Integration with Adobe Suite: Sync your designs with Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing seamless movement between Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other Adobe apps.
• Zoom Up to 64x: This allows artists to refine every detail, ensuring no imperfections in the final design.

Pros:

• High precision with vector graphics.
• Seamless integration with other Adobe products.
• Ideal for professional-grade designs.

Cons:

• Subscription required for full Adobe suite access.
• May not be ideal for raster-based designs.

3. InkHunter – Try Tattoo Designs

InkHunter is a unique tattoo design app that uses augmented reality (AR) to help you visualize how a tattoo would look on your body before committing. This app is especially great for tattoo enthusiasts who want to see what their chosen designs will look like in real time.

Key Features:

• Augmented Reality Preview: The standout feature of InkHunter is its AR capability, allowing users to place a virtual tattoo on their skin using their device's camera.
• Extensive Design Library: Browse through a wide selection of pre-made designs or upload your own.
• Editing Tools: Add text, change colors, and modify designs directly within the app.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use AR functionality for real-world previews.
• Large library of tattoo designs.
• Free to download with optional in-app purchases.

Cons:

• Limited editing capabilities compared to full design apps.
• Not ideal for professional artists looking to create complex designs from scratch.

4. Tattoo Design Apps – MediBang Paint

MediBang Paint is a versatile and lightweight digital painting app that's perfect for tattoo design. It offers a balance of powerful tools and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned artists.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, making it highly accessible.
• Cloud Storage: Save your work on the cloud and access it from any device.
• Variety of Brushes: Offers a large selection of brushes, customizable to fit the needs of tattoo design.

Pros:

• Cross-device functionality.
• Intuitive interface with a variety of tools.
• Free version available with most essential features.

Cons:

• May require a subscription for advanced features.
• Interface can feel cluttered on smaller screens.

5. SketchBook by Autodesk

SketchBook is a highly regarded app for drawing and design, offering a robust set of tools that appeal to tattoo artists. Known for its fluid and natural drawing experience, SketchBook is favored by many artists who prefer a traditional sketching feel with the benefits of digital capabilities.

Key Features:

• Natural Drawing Feel: Designed to feel like real drawing with pens, pencils, and brushes that respond to your movements.
• Advanced Layering System: Work on multiple layers to refine your tattoo designs and add details incrementally.
• Time-lapse Recording: Record your design process as a time-lapse, great for sharing with clients or on social media.

Pros:

• Excellent brush engine with realistic textures.
• User-friendly interface.
• No cost for the basic version, making it accessible to everyone.

Cons:

• Limited vector options compared to Illustrator Draw.
• Requires a powerful device for best performance.

6. Tattoo Design Apps – Tattoodo

Tattoodo is not just a design app but also a community hub for tattoo lovers. It offers a platform for artists and enthusiasts to explore, create, and share tattoo designs.

Key Features:

• Design Inspiration: Access to thousands of tattoo designs for inspiration.
• Artist Network: Connect with professional tattoo artists worldwide.
• Customization Tools: Modify and personalize existing designs within the app.

Pros:

• Community-driven with a vast library of designs.
• Great for finding inspiration and networking with artists.
• Regular updates with fresh content.

Cons:

• Limited tools for detailed design creation.
• More focused on browsing and inspiration than actual design.

7. Magic Poser – Figure Drawing App

Though not specifically for tattoos, Magic Poser is a valuable tool for tattoo artists, particularly when designing human figures and poses. This app allows artists to create realistic human poses with customizable 3D models, ensuring the tattoo fits the body perfectly.

Key Features:

• 3D Model Customization: Adjust body types, poses, and lighting to fit your design needs.
• Pose Library: Access a wide range of pre-made poses or create your own from scratch.
• Integration with Other Apps: Export your 3D models to use in other design apps like Procreate or Adobe Illustrator.

Pros:

• Highly realistic figure drawing aids.
• Perfect for designing tattoos that require precise placement.
• Available on multiple platforms.

Cons:

• Not a standalone tattoo design tool.
• Can be complex for those unfamiliar with 3D modeling.

Conclusion

Finding the right app to design tattoos depends on your specific needs, skill level, and the type of tattoos you create. Whether you are looking for an app that offers high customization like Procreate, vector precision like Adobe Illustrator Draw, or AR visualization like InkHunter, there is an app tailored to your needs. Explore these options to take your tattoo design skills to the next level, and you’ll find that the right digital tool can significantly enhance your creative process, making designing tattoos more accessible, enjoyable, and professional.