Tattoo placement guide
Where a tattoo goes matters as much as the design. Use this guide to shortlist areas, then test them on your own photo with the preview tool.
| Area | Good for | Visibility | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer forearm | Medium designs, lettering | High | Flat enough for detail; very sun-exposed, so colours fade faster. |
| Inner forearm | Small to medium, fine line | Medium | Thinner skin; often described as more sensitive. |
| Upper arm | Larger pieces, wraps | Low to medium | Round surface, so preview with the bend slider. |
| Calf | Vertical designs | Medium | Large, fairly flat canvas. |
| Upper back and shoulder blade | Large pieces | Low | You will rarely see it yourself. |
| Ankle and wrist | Small designs | High | Bony areas; fine lines can blur over time. |
| Ribs | Script, flowing designs | Low | Commonly reported as one of the more painful areas. |
Size and detail
Small designs with very fine detail can blur as the ink settles over the years. As a rule, the smaller the tattoo, the simpler the design should be. Your artist can advise the minimum size for the detail you want.
Before you book
Choose a licensed studio, look at healed work in their portfolio (not just fresh photos), and follow the aftercare they give you.