A blackout tattoo is a type of tattoo that involves tattooing an area of the body completely black. The technique originated as an alternative method of covering up unwanted tattoos, instead of the more expensive tattoo removal. However, blackout tattoos became increasingly popular as an aesthetic choice in South Asia during the 2010s, a practice which largely derived from local tattooing techniques such as Bornean traditional tattooing. The main and defining characteristic of blackout tattooing is tattooing a portion of skin completely solid black. These tattoos often have abstract geometric designs, and the edges of the blackout tattoo may end in shading, or with designs that make use of the negative space between the tattoo and the bare skin tone. Blackout tattoos may also be used as a background for color or black-on-black patterns and designs. In some cases, designs in white ink are placed on top of blackout tattoos after they have healed to create visual contrast. Scarification is sometimes used on top of blackout tattoos.

While some people get a blackout tattoo simply because they think it would be a cool and striking piece of body art, others use blackout tattoos as a way to cover up old tattoos. However, it is important to note that blackout tattoos can be considered highly offensive to people of color, and some critics believe that a white person getting one is a form of cultural appropriation. Additionally, there are health risks associated with getting a blackout tattoo, as the ink used can contain industrial-grade ingredients such as titanium dioxide, lead, nickel, and chromium, which can seep into the bloodstream. If someone decides to get a blackout tattoo, it is recommended to have it done by a professional tattoo artist and to be aware of the potential risks involved.