Journal
Notes on blackwork,
ornament & skin
Guides and thoughts from my practice at ARTSPACE Tattoo Studio in Prague — styles, placement, healing and life on guest spots.
Blackwork tattoo in Prague — what it is and how I approach it
What blackwork tattoos are, how a blackwork piece is planned for the body, and how to book a blackwork session with Zuzana Mala at ARTSPACE Tattoo Studio in Prague.
Ornamental tattoos — patterns that follow the body
A guide to ornamental tattoos — sharp lines, symmetry and pattern work designed around the anatomy. Examples on the neck, face, shins and legs by Prague tattoo artist Zuzana Mala.
Abstract tattoos — when your idea isn't a picture
What abstract tattoos are, how to bring an idea without a concrete motif to a tattoo artist, and how abstract blackwork is shaped around the back, torso and arms.
Getting tattooed in Prague as a visitor — a practical guide
Planning a tattoo during a trip to Prague? How far ahead to book, how to plan healing around travel, where ARTSPACE Tattoo Studio in Holešovice is and what to bring to your appointment.
Tattoo aftercare, week by week
A simple week-by-week tattoo aftercare timeline — the first hours, peeling, itching and when a tattoo is healed. General guidance; always follow your artist's instructions.
Why heavy blackwork heals differently — and what to expect
Large solid black tattoos heal differently from fine line work — more swelling, longer peeling, patchy-looking stages. What's normal when healing heavy blackwork and when a touch-up makes sense.
Choosing placement for a blackwork or ornamental tattoo
How placement shapes a blackwork or ornamental tattoo — neck, back, shins, legs, hands and arms compared by how the design flows, how visible it is and how it heals.
Face and neck tattoos — things to think about before you book
Thinking about a face or neck tattoo? What to consider before booking — visibility, work, how fine lines age on facial skin, healing and why starting smaller can make sense.
Guest spots — getting tattooed when I come to your city
How Zuzana Mala's guest spots work — upcoming dates (Vilnius 29–30 October 2026), the waitlist for the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, and how to book a tattoo during a guest spot.
How to prepare for a long tattoo session
Checklist for a long blackwork tattoo session — sleep, food, what to avoid the day before, what to wear and bring, and how to handle pain over several hours.
Blackwork, dotwork, fineline — what is the difference?
A short comparison of blackwork, dotwork and fineline tattoos — technique, how they age and which placements suit each — to help you describe the style you want.
Covering an old tattoo with blackwork
How blackwork is used to cover or rework an old tattoo — what is possible, how size and placement change, and what to send before a cover-up consultation.
What affects the price of a tattoo
The factors that decide the price of a tattoo — size, detail, placement, session length and design time — and where to find the current price list for Prague.
Tattoo pain by placement — a practical overview
Which body areas tend to be more or less painful to tattoo, why, and practical ways to make a longer session easier.
Flash, concept or custom — three ways to get a tattoo
The difference between a flash design, a concept idea and a fully custom tattoo, and how each is booked.
Illustrative tattoos in black ink
What an illustrative tattoo is, how it differs from blackwork and ornamental pieces, and what to prepare when asking for one.
Free consultation — at the studio or on a WhatsApp video call
What happens at a free tattoo consultation with Zuzana Mala, the difference between an in-studio and a WhatsApp video consultation, and what to bring.
Tattoos and sun — how to keep black ink sharp
Why UV light fades tattoos, how to protect fresh and healed tattoos from the sun, and what that means for blackwork and fine line work.
How booking works — request, consultation, deposit
The booking process for a tattoo with Zuzana Mala in Prague or on a guest spot — from the booking form to the free consultation, deposit and session day.
First tattoo checklist
A practical checklist for a first tattoo — choosing style and placement, preparing references, the day before, the session and the first weeks after.