Designs

From sketch to skin.

Before the needle, there’s the pencil. Every piece is drawn by hand first — composed for your body, your story and the way skin ages. No flash off the wall, no assembly line.

How a design comes to life

Drawn for you

Your idea

A meaning, a memory, a few references. We talk it through until the story is clear.

The sketch

Xelo draws the first composition by hand — shape, flow and placement on the body come first.

Refinement

We fine-tune together until you’re happy. 25+ years of design make every line tattooable.

The tattoo

The final drawing becomes the stencil — and then a piece nobody else will ever wear.

Hand-drawn mermaid and koi designs next to the finished tattoos on a client’s arm
Full circle

Paper to skin.

Two matching motifs, drawn as a pair and tattooed as a pair. The design on paper is the promise — the tattoo keeps it.

See finished tattoos
From the sketchbook

Design sheets

A selection of original drawings across styles. Tap a sheet to see it larger.

At the studio

Design in progress

Detailed lion drawing in progress
Every design starts on paper.
Design being tattooed
Line by line, true to the sketch.
Xelo tattooing with gloved hands
Calm hands, clean work.
Your idea, drawn first

Let’s draw yours.

Tell Xelo about your idea on WhatsApp. The design is made for you — and only for you.