Della Hargrove
Tattoo Design Specialist
Tattoo artist and designer with 12+ years working across American traditional, Japanese, and modern minimalist styles. Della writes about design choices, placement, aftercare, and the meaning behind popular motifs.
Della Hargrove has been working in and writing about tattoo design for over a decade, across traditional American, Japanese (irezumi-influenced), and contemporary minimalist work. Della’s writing focuses on the practical decisions behind a good tattoo: design, placement, sizing, and the cultural context of motifs.
Areas of Expertise
- American traditional and neo-traditional design
- Japanese tattoo style and motif symbolism
- Minimalist, fine-line, and single-needle work
- Placement, sizing, and how designs age on the body
- Aftercare and healing through the first 4 weeks
Writing Approach
Della writes the way a tattooer talks across the chair, direct about what works, honest about what doesn’t. Every design article names a real placement, a real size range, and the cultural roots of the motif. Aftercare guidance comes with timelines, not vague “follow your artist’s instructions” platitudes.
Articles by Della Hargrove (167)
Cat Tattoo Styles, Meanings and the Black Cat Debate
Black cat tattoos mean luck or witchcraft depending on tradition. Know your style, size, and placement before you book - design choice drives everything.
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Jellyfish Tattoo: Meaning, Styles, Placement, Cost
Jellyfish predate dinosaurs by 500 million years, and that survival arc drives the resilience read behind every jellyfish tattoo style today.
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Tattoo Over Scar: Timing, Keloid Risk, Cost, Pain
Wait 12-24 months before a tattoo over scar tissue, skip active keloids, and expect 20-50% more fading than normal skin.
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Hibiscus Tattoo: Meaning, Color, Size, Placement, Cost
Red means passion, white fades to scar-look, and $500 buys 3 hours: how to plan a hibiscus tattoo that still reads clean at year ten.
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Name Tattoo: Fonts, Placement, Cost and the Regret Problem
A name tattoo runs $100-$300 and 30-60 minutes in the chair. Fonts that stay legible, placement that ages well, and why partner names drive regret.
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Pyramid Tattoo: Meaning, Placements, Costs, Aftercare
Common mistake: going too small. This pyramid tattoo guide covers eye vs Aztec vs Egyptian designs, sizing, pain, and aging tips, updated for 2026.
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Evil Eye Tattoo: Meaning, Nazar Designs, Size, Cost
The Nazar repels envy, not casts it. Placement, sizing from 1 inch up, cobalt color rules, and 2025 US costs before you book your evil eye tattoo.
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Side Rib Tattoo: Ideas, Pain and Placement Guide
Thin skin, bone proximity, and 20,000 daily breaths make a rib tattoo one of the hardest placements to sit - and to heal. Here's what actually works.
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Sacred Geometry Tattoo: Symbols, Sizes, Cost, Aging
From Metatron's Cube to Fibonacci spirals, here's what each sacred geometry tattoo means, the minimum sizes that age well, and 2026 pricing.
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Breast Tattoos: Placement, Pain, Survivor Ink and Designs
Sternum to scar-cover: breast tattoos span decorative and post-mastectomy work. Know the timing rules, pain realities, and how to vet the right artist.
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Joker tattoo: meaning, size rules, costs, aftercare
Most Joker portraits blur because they're too small. This joker tattoo guide covers designs, hand placement risks, and 2025 pricing.
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Pennywise Tattoo: Styles, Sizing, Cost and Aftercare
A $2,000 Pennywise tattoo buys 8-13 hours of work. Here's how style, placement and red-ink fade decide whether yours ages well or turns to mush.
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