The tattoo you want is much more than finding a design – it’s about finding the perfect place to put it. Which is why the tattoo placement ideas matter so much!
For instance, you can think of your body as an ongoing work of art – with each limb or curve being its own distinct canvas for fine art from the tattooing community.
You might go to any tattoo artist of your choice. However, the placement of your tattoo is just as important as the design itself. And that’s because it influences how you view your tattoo and how it flows over time.
To give you a small example, when considering where to place your tattoo, it is important to consider how it will sit on your skin and, therefore, the overall visibility of your tattoo over time.
So, while the decision of getting a tat might seem simple, it’s really not!
If you are planning to get your first tattoo or the next one, and are in search of some really nice tattoo placement ideas, keep reading!
Tattoo Placement Ideas Depending On Pain Scale
What is the one thing that makes people nervous when it comes to getting a tattoo? Well, you got it right – it’s the pain. When I got my first tattoo, I was thinking about where to get it done, depending on which place would hurt the least.
I mean, sure, getting a tattoo behind the ear might sound great and look really stunning on screen. But that place hurts like hell.
So, here are some of the tattoo placement ideas that you need to know about:
1. Low-Risk Areas (2 – 4 of 10):
If you are nervous about the needle, you’d find fleshy places to be less painful. These include the:
- Forearm.
- Outer thigh.
- Upper back.
These areas have more muscle and fat and are less sensitive to pain. Therefore, when you get your shot in those locations, it will feel more like dull scraping than sharp stinging.
Additionally, they are best for someone just starting out who wants to sit for a few hours in relative comfort. But if you are trying to get a patchwork tattoo done here, that’s not a bad idea either!
2. High-Risk Areas (8 – 10 of 10):
Prepare yourself for the following high-risk areas:
- Ribs.
- Feet.
- Spine.
- Sternum.
These areas have very thin skin and are directly over some of the most bony saddles of your skeleton.
The skin that covers them has the highest number of nerves. Therefore, these areas are the most painful.
You should prepare for a much sharper sensation and one that will feel like it will radiate through your whole body.
Tip: Bone vs Flesh
Bone does not just cause more pain – it also feels much different than soft tissue or muscle. The feeling of vibrations running through your body will be far greater when hitting areas that contain bone than when hitting areas of soft tissue or flesh like muscle or fat.
On the other hand, when you are injured in a fleshy area of the body, you may have little to no bleeding to worry about, and recovery may be smoother due to the skin around the joint/rib cage being pulled tightly.
Strategic Tattoo Placement Ideas Depending On Lifestyle
The way you live your life can affect how open you are about telling your story to someone who sees it for the first time.
By matching the color of your ink with the colors in your environment every day, you can ensure that your tattoo will feel more like an asset to you than a burden.
1. Hidden Areas For Business Professionals
For someone who is a business professional, your job requires you to be somewhat polished. This means a lot of tattoos would be hidden on your body.
For example, these include:
- Inner bicep.
- Upper torso.
- Thighs.
These areas are perfect as they remain hidden. When you wear standard office-style clothing, like slacks, buttoned-down shirts, and so forth, these tattoos are completely covered.
Therefore, you can easily keep them hidden while you are at work! And then – once you are done, flaunt them as you like!
2. High Visibility Areas For Statement Makers
If you are in the creative field or just display your emotions on your sleeves, having tattoos in highly visible locations is the biggest statement you can make. These include your neck or hand.
The tattoos you display will be part of your first impression. Therefore, it will always be an indication of who you truly are and serve to provide a conversation starter for you.
3. Micro-Placements
Finally, if you want to create an overall secret feeling with your tattoos but do not want them to be easily seen, micro-placements work exceptionally well.
For example, a cyber sigilism tattoo behind your ear is a cute surprise, a tattoo between your fingers is extremely rebellious, and “just for me.”
These areas are excellent for a minimal amount of tattooing and for words or symbols that hold meaning to you, but not ones that will attract attention in their own right.
Tattoo Placement Ideas By Matching Design Style To Body Flow
Your tattoo should not only be on top of your skin, but it should also move with your body. Well-executed tattoos work together with your body’s anatomy to accentuate the design through the natural lines and curves of your body.
1. Tattoos Designed For Vertical Movement (Long & Elegant)
Many people will have decorative words, delicate floral designs, and geometric tower designs on their bodies. To achieve this type of tattoo successfully, look to your pillars.
The spine, forearm, and lower leg are long, straight areas on your body that will allow your tattoo design to maintain its overall integrity regardless of whether you are standing still or moving around.
2. Tattoos Designed For Circular Movement (Circular & Symmetrical)
The body’s natural hinges – such as the elbow or knee – as well as the broad chest area, are areas that have a symmetrical shape.
Therefore, some of the tattoo designs and styles that work great in these are:
- Mandalas.
- Traditional-style roses.
- Directional compass designs.
This is because they focus the viewer’s attention on the center of the design by using the body’s focal point to maximize impact.
3. Tattoos Designed For Wrapping Around The Body (Fluid & Dynamic)
If you wish to have a design that flows with your body, use your shoulders and hips.
Round “corners” on these areas of the body will allow your tattoo to wrap around your limb, creating a 3D effect that changes in appearance relative to the position of your body.
Examples of design types that will work well in this way include snakes, vines, and ocean waves.
