Black-Cat Tattoo Designs and Inspiration

For centuries, black cats have undeservedly gotten a bad rap. Sure, they may be a little spooky (especially when they have big yellow eyes), but walking past a black cat brings no more bad luck than walking under a ladder.

Of course, Halloween is near, and black cats may naturally be on the brain. But if you’re considering a tribute to these Halloween mascots, make sure a black-cat tattoo isn’t just a novelty — they’re forever. If it’s your first time getting inked or you’re just unsure about the design, tattoo artist Asami says she sometimes has her clients draw a temporary design with a Sharpie in the spot they want, just to get an idea of what the real deal will look like. It may feel a little silly at first, but it’s better than getting a real tattoo you don’t end up liking for the long haul.

Know that if you are getting a big, solid black design and end up wanting to remove it, it might be difficult. On the flip side, she advises against microsize tattoos, as they may not stay as sharp over time.

When you’re choosing a design, if you have a specific image in mind (say, of a beloved pet), send the design to your tattoo artist so they can work on a custom piece. Or, since black-cat imagery is pretty common, you could just tell the artist the general vibe you’re going for and let them come up with something on their own.

Thinking about a black-cat tattoo for yourself? Ahead, get some inspiration for your ink.

Experts Featured in This Article

Asami is a tattoo artist based in New York and Kyoto.