Considering a Black-Cat Tattoo? Read This For Design Inspo

By Holly Carter
Getty | Jeremy Moeller
Getty | Jeremy Moeller

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.

Cosmic Black-Cat Tattoo

This little cosmic cat makes for such a cute black-cat tattoo. It's being held in the arms of someone, which gives the design a fun twist.

Large Black-Cat Tattoo

This large black cat looks a little cute and a little angry, all at the same time. The eyes are done in a bright white shade.

Classic Portrait Black-Cat Tattoo

This black-cat tattoo features a classic portrait of a kitty with stunning green eyes. The addition of color makes a huge difference in the artwork.

Ghost Black-Cat Tattoo

Want your black-cat tattoo to be Halloween-themed? Check out this happy ghost walking a black cat on a leash.

Boxed Black-Cat Tattoo

We love this tiny black-cat tattoo. It's cute, and it's framed perfectly inside this little fine-line box.

Portrait Black-Cat Tattoo

These two cats make a cute couple. Your black-cat tattoo can be detailed like this one, which features a portrait design of two cats looking out a window.

Baby Black-Cat Tattoo

This black cat is riding a broom, which makes it perfectly on theme for Halloween. We're obsessed with how tiny it is.

Black Cat With Sparkle Tattoo

It doesn't get cuter than this black kitty. Whether you've got a black cat at home that has a similar chest design, or you just love the look, this simple tattoo can be placed anywhere on the body.

Fuzzy Black-Cat Tattoo

How adorable is this fuzzy black kitten? You can tell it has tons of sass just by the way it's prancing around.

Black-Cat Peekaboo Tattoo

This cute little cat is playing peekaboo. This is placed above the heel, but it would look cute anywhere as long as you add the thin black line below the cat's eyes.

Black-Cat Broom Ride Tattoo

Here's another kitty riding a broom, but we love the added sparkles on this black-cat tattoo.

Creepy Kitty Tattoo

This one is a little spooky, but the detail is amazing. You could opt for black, red, and white as this person did or blend in other colors of your choosing.

Black-Cat Tattoo With Flowers

We love the floral design underneath this realistic cat tattoo. Whether you opt for a portrait of your own pet or a general black cat, the entire look is stunning.

— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez

Holly Carter is a former PS contributor.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.