Straight answers to the things that stop people booking a tattoo — from the first idea to a healed tattoo. Each guide points you at real, credited work in the catalogue, and health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos.
Upper arm and shoulder
Usually covered Sometimes visible Almost always visible Upper arm, shoulder, back, chest, stomach, ribs, thigh Forearm, calf, ankle, collarbone, behind the ear Hands, fingers, neck, face See every…
Very fast growth — especially around the shoulders, chest and upper arms — can cause stretch marks and slightly distort a design wrapped around a muscle.
Ages well Softens faster Upper arm, shoulder, back, thigh, calf — little friction, less sun Hands, fingers, feet, ankles, inner lips — constant friction, washing and sun
Consider the shape too: long, narrow designs fit forearms and calves; round or wide ones fit the upper back, chest and thigh.
Placement Wear Forearm, hand, upper arm Short or loose sleeves, a tank top underneath Shoulder, upper back, chest A top you can take off or a button-up worn…
Easy, flat areas like the outer forearm or upper arm are faster.
It works best at medium to large sizes — the upper arm, calf, thigh and back give the characters room — and less well tiny, where the detail…
Inner forearm, upper arm, shoulder, back and ribs hold fine work well.
A rough ordering, from the most forgiving spots to the ones people talk about most: Easiest: outer thigh, glutes, outer upper arm, calf — thick muscle and fat…
Areas with more muscle and fat between skin and bone — upper arm, calf, outer thigh — are generally the most forgiving for a first tattoo.
Nine stages from a vague idea to a healed tattoo. Every guide ends with a link to the next step, so you can read them in order — or jump straight to where you are.
The worries people mention most — and where the honest answer is.
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Health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos word for word. New to the words? See the tattoo glossary. How guides are written and corrected: editorial policy.