Neo-Traditional Tattoo Bangkok
by BKK INK

Two artists lead the style here: Ball BKK, co-founder, tattooing professionally since 2008, and Vay, who works mostly in vivid colour. Every one of our artists charges the same hourly rate, so you choose by style and portfolio, not by budget.

Ball BKK is a double specialist, in neo-traditional and in realism. Realism taught him light, volume and anatomy, and he brings all three into his neo-traditional work, which is why his awards cover both styles. In 2014 his back piece won Best Back or Bodysuit at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, the only 1st prize a Thai studio has ever won there. In 2023 he added two neo-traditional 1st prizes at the Singapore Ink Show: Best in Sleeve Leg/Arm, and Best Collaboration with Titun. The Paris back piece was tattooed over six consecutive days, and the prize nearly went to someone else because two models shared the same first name: read the story of the mix-up.

Vay belongs to the new generation. He started by watching tattoo time-lapses on YouTube, learned by assisting experienced artists in a studio, and built his style around vibrant colour. He joined BKK INK in 2020, took 2nd place in Best of Day Color at both Land of Ink 2023 and the Bangkok Tattoo Exhibition 2023, and also tattoos old school and delicate fine line.

It starts with a free consultation, with no obligation to book. Bring a reference, a vintage botanical print, an animal you love, a mask, a face you want to keep, and your artist turns it into a custom design built on bold black outlines, with a palette that goes far beyond the six colours of classic traditional work.

Your deposit lets the artist start drawing. The drawing itself is free, and the deposit is deducted from the final price of your tattoo. Sessions run 4 to 6 hours, with breaks whenever you need them. For medium pieces we build the colour over two or three sessions instead of forcing it all into one sitting: colour laid down in layers heals more evenly and keeps its depth. Full sleeves and large back pieces take 4 to 10 sessions, with at least two weeks between sittings so the outlines and fills can heal before the next layer.

Needles are single-use, ink is poured into disposable caps that are thrown away after each client, and we work with Dynamic and Eternal inks, both vegan and cruelty-free. Our artists who tattoo at European conventions also hold the hygiene and sanitation certifications required there.

Neo-traditional grew out of American traditional, also called old school. If you want to read about those roots before you book, the Wikipedia article on old school tattoos is a good place to start.

Neo-traditional starts at 4,000 THB, which is roughly the first hour: 1,000 THB of materials plus 3,000 THB per hour. You pay for the time actually spent, under a maximum agreed at the consultation, so a shorter session costs less and a longer one never costs more than the cap.

On our size grid, a medium A5 piece such as a lady head with roses usually lands between 8,000 and 15,000 THB, a half-sleeve between 25,000 and 50,000 THB, and a full sleeve between 60,000 and 120,000 THB. A deposit, from 1,000 THB for small pieces up to 3,000 THB per planned day for large projects, secures your date. See the full pricing guide.

A small piece is usually finished in one session. Medium pieces, a lady head with roses or a mask framed in flowers, typically take two or three sessions of 4 to 6 hours. Full sleeves and back pieces take 4 to 10 sessions, at least two weeks apart, so the colour has time to settle before the next pass.

American traditional uses a strict six-colour palette, very thick black outlines and a limited set of classic subjects: eagles, anchors, pin-ups, roses. Neo-traditional keeps the bold outlines as a structural foundation but opens the palette to purples, teals, pastels and gradients, adds more detailed shading, and widens the subjects to portraits, masks, deities, animals and art nouveau botanicals. It reads as a classic tattoo at a glance, and rewards a closer look with modern colour depth.

Yes. Colour is what most people picture, but the bold outlines and stylised subjects work just as well without it: several pieces in the gallery above, from a trio of hannya masks to a tiger and dragon back piece, are in black and grey. At the consultation your artist tells you which option suits your design and its placement.

Yes, if you plan ahead. We take bookings up to a year in advance and reply to messages within 24 hours. Small and medium pieces fit a short stay, and a sleeve can be split across several trips to Bangkok. We speak English, French and Thai in the studio, right at the end of Khaosan Road.

Sleep well the night before, eat a full meal within two hours of your appointment, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Moisturise the area every day in the week before. Wear loose clothing that leaves the area free, or a button-up shirt for shoulder and chest work, and bring snacks, water and a phone charger: colour sessions are long. Once it's done, follow our aftercare guide.