American traditional tattoos, also known as classic tattoos, have been around since the end of the 19th century, when they were first popularized by sailors and working-class people in New York City. Since then, they have become a staple of American culture, with a wide variety of styles and meanings. The typical American traditional tattoo is characterized by bold black outlines and areas of solid black, often filled with a single color. They are often quite simple designs, but they can also be quite complex and detailed.