Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched in Flesh

by Ina Saltz

Body Type is an eye-opening look into the amazingly creative ways that tattoo artists are utilizing typography. Whereas the majority of tattoo art uses images to convey messages, here the message actually is the image. Twenty-six alphabetical characters might not seem like much to work with, but a look through these photographs reveals the contrary. Here are truly unique social commentaries, expressions of love, hilarious examples of biting satire, plus some mottos, intricate logotypes, deeply personal song lyrics, and, of course, those tattoos that exist for one reason to shock the hell out of you. The crisp photographs are accompanied by an insightful commentary from renowned graphic designer and typographer Ina Saltz, plus consistently surprising and heartfelt explanations from the tattooed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Photography, Pop Culture

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book with some really cool tattoos (and some that aren't so cool -- but isn't that always the case?). A semicolon (in Times New Roman). A raised braille of a blind lover's name. The Dutch national anthem as a group tattoo on 33 different people. The alphabet. A work of literary fiction written one word (and one person) at a time.

[Mimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you start daydreaming about what kind of written tattoo you want, even if you're squeamish like me. I had to keep reminding myself that I could always make a t-shirt design or notebook doodle instead.

[Caffeinated Fae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and I never found the time to sit down and read it. Tattoos have always fascinated me and this book had a Humans of New York vibe to it. I bought it and then it sat on my bookshelf gathering dust for quite some time. I was looking for a book to end March with so I finally picked it up.

Body Type by Ina Saltz was an interesting take on tattoos. I loved the variety of typology tattoos that were shown but I couldn't help but wish this book was more profound. The pictures were mediocre and I couldn't help but notice when a photo was out of focus or too dark. For a book like this, the photos need to be spectacular and unfortunately, they were not up to par.

I loved the concept of this book but I would have loved for it to have more substance. All in all, great concept but could have been improved.

[Karl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm going, to be honest. Photography is terrible. Worse tattoos. I ever saw.

[Crystal M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some tattoos were really well done, interesting, and unique. Most were not and I was cringing at the poor taste and craftsmanship through most of it.

[Karolina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose I expected a lot more from this book after reading the intro. It's an alright collection of script tattoos and the captions leave a lot to be desired in insight.

[Michelle Kammeraad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Body Type is a cool book containing mostly pictures of typographic tattoos. The author explains her fascination with typeface and her quest for images of typographic tattoos that fit into several categories. These tattoos are used to express: literature, poetry, lyrics, love for typography, self-expression, self-love, love for another, politics, religion, belief systems, and homage.

The photographs in this book are beautiful. They portray a variety of people who all have one thing in common: words or letters tattooed on their bodies. The photos are accompanied by stories about the significance of the tattoos or how the author came to find the subject. The pictures express the author's and her subjects' sentiments better than words ever could.

Many teens would be attracted to this book simply because it is about tattoos, something teens are highly interested in but which is usually forbidden to them. It is also a great way to encourage reluctant readers to read since it consists mostly of pictures. This book would have mass appeal, for both boys and girls, as well as teens of many different backgrounds.

VOYA Codes: 4Q, 4P, S

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting book full of colour photos of text tattoos from famous poems, literature, quotes or just the names of friends or children

I've always liked the idea of written tattoos; words instead of pictures. Picture tattoos can be interpreted in many different ways. Words are straight forward and need no translation.

Unfortunately I feel some of the tattoos featured in the book fall into the category of 'sad' or 'pretentious' but on the whole most of them are interesting to look at

My only major criticism of the book is that I don't feel the explanation of why the individual got the tattoo is in-depth enough. For me one of the most facinating aspects of tattooing is the reasons behind each tattoo so a lack of a detailed reason for it frustrated me a little.

Nevertheless well worth purchasing and I use it as a guide when designing my own text tattoos

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite disappointed in this one. I am fascinated by typographic tattoos and bought this partially for font inspiration for my next couple..,

What I was given: an author that sounds like newsweek in 1993 trying to explain the "grunge movement" and "alternative rock." aka, an author trying to sound "cool" for no discernible reason...

That and often poor photographs of the tattoos (to make no mention of photographs of poor tattoos).

Interestingly, a book interested in the permanence of words spends little time on the narratives of those who have chosen to make them permanent upon themselves. (but then again, some of the inane quotes included make one understand why.)

Some interesting notes on font and a few outstanding tattoos, but otherwise a bit insipid.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really enjoy any book involving tattoos, this one was great but could have been better. Of all the submissions this author must have received, some of the tattoos chosen were just awful quality and didn't make much sense. And I understand that they wanted to have a lot of variation and different ideas and while I can respect that, I just feel like it would have been better if I could have enjoyed the work done on most of the tattoos as well.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at tattoos that are made up of letters or numbers. There is a picture of each tattoo with a comment from the person who sports it. There are nine chapters that the divide the tattoos by subject. The author is an expert on letter forms and has interesting comments throughout the book on the fonts and history of tattooing.

[HB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book out from the library I think since I moved to Portland two years ago. It has some of both the best and worst tattoos I think I've seen. I'm contemplating returning it or not before I move to a new house in September...hmm...

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such a unique way to display tattoo art...all sayings and words with the interpretation from the recipient. I really enjoyed reading it and the photos...especially the tattoos of victims of Auschwitz

[Sonky]

Looking at this book inspired suggesting a Recommend to a Friend feature.

[jillbertini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating pictorial book of people who have tattooed words and printing-related images on themselves.

[Manatee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply beautiful. It really celebrates the originality and heartfelt sentiments of the people who thoughtfully chose tattoos that express their real personalities and concerns.

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was intended to give you a positive view of tattooing, but only convinced me that it's stupid beyond belief.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I found the typesetting I want my first tattoo in!

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really dig typographic tattoos. I had fun checking these out.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

i came across this while shelf shifting and couldn't stop reading it and looking at the tattoos. i still have no desire to ever get one, but it was fascinating.

[g · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend Katy Shay's Richard Brautigan tattoo almost made it into this book!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For people who like tats and typefaces.