Yes, you can get a cover up tattoo in Hanoi at Electric Tattoo: send us a photo of your old tattoo, get a free consultation, and we design a new piece that hides it. Cover-ups are charged by the hour: 2,500,000 VND (about $96) per hour with a standard artist, or 3,500,000 VND (about $135) with a Master or Founder. Visit us at 59C Ly Nam De, about 500 m from the Old Quarter, or message us on WhatsApp first.
We have tattooed in Hanoi since 2011, and old tattoos come through our door every week. A faded name, a rushed design from a beach holiday, a piece that never healed well. This page explains what a cover up tattoo can and cannot do, so you know what to expect before you book.
What is a cover up tattoo?
A cover up tattoo is a new design that sits on top of an old one and hides it. The old ink does not disappear. The new design uses darker areas, texture and shapes to absorb the old lines, so the eye reads only the new piece.
That is why a cover up tattoo is a design job first. The artist has to plan where every dark shadow falls, so that it lands exactly on the old ink.
What a cover up tattoo can and cannot hide
Be honest with yourself about three things before you book a cover up tattoo in Hanoi or anywhere else.
- Size: the new design is usually larger than the old one. It needs room around the old lines to hide them well.
- Darkness: the new design is usually darker than the old one. Light colors cannot hide dark ink.
- Old ink: thin, faded or light tattoos are the easiest to cover. Very dark or dense old tattoos are harder, and in some cases laser lightening first gives a much better result.
We will tell you straight at the consultation if your old tattoo can be covered in one design, or if lightening first would be the smarter path. Electric does not do laser, so if lightening makes sense we will say so and explain why. If you want to read up first, Wikipedia has a plain overview of laser tattoo removal.
Rework or cover-up?
Not every old tattoo needs to be hidden. Sometimes it only needs help.
- Rework: we keep the old design and improve it. Cleaner lines, new shading, fresh color. Good when you still like the idea but not the execution.
- Cover-up: we replace the old design with a new one. Good when you want the old image gone, like an ex’s name or a design you no longer connect with.
Not sure which one you need? Bring both questions to the consultation. The artist will look at your skin and the old ink and suggest the honest option.
How the cover up tattoo process works
- Send a photo. Take a clear, well-lit photo of your old tattoo, with something for scale, and send it through our booking form or WhatsApp.
- Free consultation. Meet the artist, talk about style and the new image you want, and agree on size and placement.
- Design. The artist sketches a design that fits over the old tattoo. Complex designs take 3 to 7 days for one or two drafts, and you can ask for changes until you are happy.
- Session or sessions. We stencil the design over the old ink and tattoo it. Large cover-ups are split into sessions of up to about 7 hours each.
- Aftercare and check-in. You get full aftercare steps, and we check in with you after one month.
The full step-by-step is on our procedures page.
Who does your cover-up at Electric
Every cover-up is planned by one of our artists, and every artist at Electric works under the supervision of our Artist Master. We have tattooed in Hanoi since 2011, and our artists have won 8 awards at tattoo conventions in Vietnam and abroad. Blackwork and realistic black and grey shading are among our main styles, and they are exactly the tools a good cover up tattoo needs.
Meet the team on our studio page.
More cover up tattoos finished at Electric Tattoo:
How much does a cover up tattoo cost in Hanoi?
A cover up tattoo is charged by the hour, because hiding old ink takes extra planning and layering: 2,500,000 VND (about $96) per hour with a standard artist, or 3,500,000 VND (about $135) with a Master or Founder. Same price for everyone, Vietnamese or foreign.
- Standard artist: 1,800,000–2,200,000 VND (about $69–85) per hour.
- Larger pieces: a package price per design after the free consultation, paid session by session.
- Master and award-winning artists: 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 VND (about $115 to $135) per hour.
- Example: a 5 to 6 hour session costs about 9 to 13.2 million VND (about $345 to $510).
Because a cover up tattoo is usually bigger than the old tattoo, plan your budget on the new size, not the old one. Size tables are on our tattoo price guide. All prices are a reference, and the exact quote comes after the free consultation.
Warranty on cover-ups
Our lifetime warranty covers tattoos done at Electric. It does not cover tattoos that another studio has altered or covered. But once your cover up tattoo is done here, it gets our lifetime warranty like any Electric tattoo, as long as you follow the aftercare steps.
What to bring to your cover up tattoo consultation
A good photo and a few numbers save a lot of back and forth. Before you message us, get these ready.
- A clear photo: straight on, in natural light, with no filter, so the artist can see every old line.
- The size: measure the length and height of the old tattoo, or put a ruler next to it in the photo.
- Your new idea: the image, the style, and whether you want color or black and grey.
- How big you are happy to go: a cover-up almost always grows, so tell us the largest size you would accept.
Tips for travelers
- Send a photo before you arrive. We can tell you early if one session is realistic, so you can plan your days in Hanoi.
- Book it near the end of your trip. No swimming in the sea or pools until the tattoo is fully healed.
- Leave room in your schedule. A large cover-up may need more than one session.
Read the full healing steps on our aftercare page.
Frequently asked questions
Can any tattoo be covered?
Most can, but not always in the size or color you first imagine. Light and faded tattoos are easiest. Very dark ones may need lightening first.
Will the new tattoo be bigger?
Usually, yes. The new design needs extra room and darker areas to hide the old lines.
Can a cover up tattoo be in color?
Yes, but strong, deep colors work best. Pale colors over dark old ink tend to let the old lines show through.
Is there an extra fee for a cover-up?
Yes. A cover-up is charged by the hour, because hiding old ink takes extra planning and layering: 2,500,000 VND (about $96) per hour with a standard artist, or 3,500,000 VND (about $135) with a Master or Founder. You get the estimated time after the free consultation, and if it takes longer, you don’t pay extra.
How many sessions will I need?
Small cover-ups can be done in one session. Large ones are split into sessions of up to about 7 hours.
Do you do laser removal?
No. If your old tattoo is too dark to cover well, we will tell you, and you can lighten it at a laser clinic first.
Is the cover-up covered by the warranty?
Yes. A cover-up done at Electric is an Electric tattoo and gets the lifetime warranty once healed.
Book your cover up tattoo in Hanoi
Visit us at 59C Ly Nam De, Hanoi (near the Old Quarter) or 18th Floor, B14 Building, Lane 65 Pham Ngoc Thach. Open 09:00 to 21:00, every day. Send us a photo of your old tattoo, or message us on WhatsApp: (+84) 94 391 3174.
