Old school tattoo

Old school tattoos in the Vaucluse, in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Carpentras

Anchors, swallows, roses, snakes, ships: old school, or traditional tattooing, is the style of sailors and the first American tattoo artists. At TATTOO ON MOVE, Tof and Zoé both do it, each in their own hand, and every design is made for you.

What makes an old school tattoo

• A bold black outline that surrounds every shape and keeps the design readable from a distance.
• Solid colours: red, yellow, green, blue, laid down in flat fills, with little shading.
• Classic motifs: the anchor, the swallow, the rose, the heart, the snake, the dagger, the pin-up, the ship.
• A tattoo that ages well: thick lines and bold colours stay crisp over the years.

Some of our work

More pieces are on Tof's page and on Zoé's.

Who tattoos it with us

• Tof, a tattoo artist since 1995, in both tattoo shops. Japanese and old school are his two favourite styles. Book with Tof in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue or in Carpentras.
• Zoé, in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, trained in traditional and old school styles, and mostly does fat line (thick lines) and minimalism. She also offers flash designs, ready-to-tattoo drawings. Book with Zoé.

How an old school project works

For a custom design, a first visit to the tattoo shop is needed: you present your idea, the tattoo artist looks at the placement, and together you estimate the price and the time to book. The drawing starts after the deposit is paid, at least 30% of the price of the tattoo, deducted from the price. It is shown to you on the day of the session, and changes are still possible.

For a flash design, walk-ins are possible depending on availability. The minimum price of a tattoo is €80.

Our other styles

• Japanese
• New school and neo-traditional
• Trash polka and blackwork
• Graphic and geometric
• Tribal and Polynesian
• Ornamental and dotwork
• Fine line, minimalist and lettering

For a small piece or a first tattoo: our small tattoos.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between old school and neo-traditional?

Old school keeps thick lines, solid colours and classic motifs. Neo-traditional takes that base and adds more detail, shading and modern subjects. The tattoo artist will show you both at your first appointment.

Can I get tattooed on the same day?

For a small design or a flash design, yes, depending on the tattoo artist's availability. For a custom piece, the drawing only starts after the deposit is paid: the session is set for another date.

Do the colours last?

It is one of the strengths of the style: thick lines and bold colours age well. Aftercare during healing and sun protection matter too.

What happens if I have to cancel?

The deposit is not refunded if you cancel less than 48 hours before the appointment. So let us know as early as possible.