On Friday, October 30, 2026, from 2 to 5 PM, the resident artists of The Secret Tattoo Studio will be together in our Tampa studio at 525 N Howard Ave with one job: looking at the tattoo you no longer want. We call it Tattoo Rescue, a cover-up open day where you bring old ink and leave knowing exactly what it could become.
A faded name, a rushed piece from your twenties, a tribal band that stopped meaning anything years ago. Most people living with a tattoo like that have never shown it to an artist, because booking a consultation for something you'd rather hide feels like a big step. Tattoo Rescue removes that step. You walk in, show the piece, and our artists take it from there.
You don't need sketches or references. Wear something that lets the artists see the piece clearly, and bring photos of anything you love if you have them.
Each artist looks at the size of the old tattoo, how dense the ink is, where it sits on the body and how the lines have settled into the skin over the years. The evaluation is free.
With the whole team in the room, you can hear how a Japanese artist would rework your forearm, how a realism artist would treat the same spot, and what blackout or ornamental work could do with it. You choose the style and the artist that fit you.
All the styles we tattoo will be represented on Friday: Japanese, Traditional, Neo Traditional, Realism Black & Grey, Realism Color, Color, Fineline, Ornamental, Mandalas, Blackout, Watercolor, Geometric, Blackwork and Microrealism.
Dense styles such as Neo Traditional, Realism Color, Blackwork and Blackout usually give an artist the most room to hide dark old ink. Lighter or smaller tattoos open more options, including detailed realism and ornamental pieces built around the shape of the old one.
Book your cover-up with one of our artists during the open day and $100 comes off your project. Your session can be scheduled for a later date, and the credit does not expire. One per person.
Yes. Coming in, showing your tattoo and hearing the artists' ideas costs nothing, and there is no obligation to book.
Most can. As a general rule, the new piece needs to be larger and darker than the old one. Very dense or raised ink may need a few laser sessions first to lighten it, and the artists will tell you on the spot if that's your case. For more detail, read our guide to tattoo cover-ups in Tampa.
Yes. Space in the studio is limited, so entry works through a waitlist. Join it on the Tattoo Rescue page and we'll send the details to your inbox.
Friday is for the evaluation and for choosing your direction. Your session is booked for a date that works for you and your artist, and the $100 applies whenever it happens.
The Secret Tattoo Studio, 525 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL. Friday, October 30, from 2 to 5 PM.
Your old tattoo doesn't have to be the final version. See what our artists have already done on the cover-up gallery, then save your place for Friday.
