I have for thee Bug Tattoo Headcanons
I.e. a variety of different styles and such. Some further rambling below the read more!
There's not much in-between on the comfort scale. Either it sucks in some capacity or it doesn't suck at all. The tradeoff is, of course, how long it lasts. The more uncomfy, the more permanent.
Lacquer and staining is probably the most popular variety - it's painless and can be removed if you end up really unhappy with it. It does have a raised texture as opposed to a groove, so it can sometimes chip, but hey! Stuff can't get stuck in it.
Lacquer is slightly different from staining - staining on completely bare shell tends to wear off after a time, as it's basically just painting a permeating pigment over the shell. Lacquer is more of a resin-like consistency, and both adheres and lasts much longer.
Paint is slightly less popular in most places (popular in the hive, though), because it doesn't stand up to much wear-and-tear.
Artia's tattoo is painted because a) it was accessible and b) Reed wasn't... enthused about her doing something more permanent. He's willing to take the L with his tattoo if their relationship goes south or something happens to him, but he doesn't want her to do that to herself. He also has experienced the more painful end of the spectrum and. really doesn't want her to put herself through it just for the edgy. Artia was a little miffy at first but not that upset. She wasn't really looking forward to the carving process....
Basic carving is the next most common and preferred as a more permanent form for those committed enough. It comes with some discomfort, but that pain can be managed if you're smart about it (and/or willing to fork over some extra money for painkillers). This is also a precursor step to other more elaborate methods, and should be allowed to heal over some before attempting anything further. They should also be checked and cleaned somewhat regularly, given how much they can collect debris (especially if they're deep). Depth of the carve varies - depth is one means of translating shading and value in the design. It can also portray the significance the owner places on it.
It can be covered up if you fill it and sand it down, but then you have to match shell color. The seams are usually still visible.
In Kabbu's case, the Northern Tribes have some traditions and ceremony orbiting tattoos. It's not uncommon to have a tattoo of your clan (the circular one). His other is of the pictograms representing the first letters from Master and Bit. He got that one after arriving in Bugaria proper.
Sanding is a slightly less painful but also fuzzier version of carving. By definition it's usually shallower and has softer edges, but is also way less uncomfortable. Difficult to properly fill in and cover over, though. This one is usually followed by color-staining for better visibility.
Carving can likewise be stained. The safe option is to wait for the carve to heal properly, then stain it. The best spot for pigment duration, though, is to apply the stain partway through the healing process when the chitin is still a little softer.
Filling is a tricker process, usually preceded by a deepish wedge carve so the filling doesn't pop out of the shell. It's a painful progress and probably the closest to "taboo". You absolutely do not get this from anyone except a professional, and it's a longer process. You have to do the filling at a part-way point in healing so that it can sort of bond with the shell. Then you sand the excess filling away. It can be solid colored or even metallic if done right, or translucent and resin-like.
It isn't recommended to get too many carving-based tattoos (especially deep ones) - too many could register to the body as shell injury, and injury extensive enough to warrant a molt. Molts will undo the whole process at best. At worse, the molt can get stuck around the carving point or the procuticle can get snagged on the edges of the carve. Tricky business. This is also why carved tattoos aren't too popular. Adult molts can be somewhat selective in region, so it won't necessarily be a full-body molt, but even so.
Related to that, it's not usually recommended to get tattoos until you're done with all your (predictable) molts. Too much hassle. Painted tattoos are the most popular with teens and young adults.
Burning - or branding - is not popularly practiced or an accepted form of "tattoo".
Zasp's came courtesy of his former hive. He later gets a lacquer tattoo of his own volition. Eventually he gets a carved and filled tattoo over the branding on his back.
