This style of tattooing is thought to have originated on American military bases in the 30s or 40s, but has become more associated with sailors than with military.

Big bold sections of black and solid colors feature prominently in these designs and the subjects are often maritime in nature, or celebrations of love or reflections on love lost. As such, anchors, hearts, pin-ups, ships (often all together) make up some of the most depicted subjects of this style.