Placement
Arm tattoos
The arm is the most popular spot for both a first tattoo and a large one. The forearm and biceps suit a portrait or a scene, the wrist and hand a small piece, and a sleeve brings it all together into one composition. A tattoo here is on show, but easy to cover with clothing when needed.
Placements in this area
01Full sleeve tattooA sleeve is one composition across the whole arm from shoulder to wrist; it is done over several sessions and planned as a whole from the start.- 02Shoulder tattooThe deltoid, where the arm joins the body: a rounded area that suits a small design or the start of a sleeve.
03Upper arm tattooFrom the shoulder joint to the elbow, biceps included: an even surface for a portrait or a standalone piece; the work is hidden under a T-shirt and shown in a tank top.
04Forearm tattooFrom the elbow to the wrist. The most popular place for a first tattoo: the surface is even, and a session is easy to sit through.- 05Wrist tattooThe wrist suits a small tattoo: the skin is thin and the bone is close, so the work here is fine and precise.
- 06Hand tattooThe hand is always visible, whatever you wear; the skin renews quickly here, so designs are kept bold and simple.
About this area
Arm tattoos can vary in size and style: a small piece of lettering, a realistic portrait, a colour composition or a black and grey sleeve. When choosing a design, it’s important to consider the amount of detail — it determines what size the tattoo will need. That’s why the scale and placement are best chosen together with your artist.
Men’s and women’s arm tattoos aren’t limited to particular subjects. The same idea can become a small standalone piece or the basis for a sleeve. The design is created for you, taking into account your wishes, the proportions of your arm and any tattoos you already have nearby.
If you’re planning a full-arm tattoo in the future, discuss it with your artist before the first session. You can start with a single piece and plan its continuation in advance. A sleeve is done over several sessions with breaks for healing; the price and number of visits depend on the scale, style and complexity of the work.
Let’s talk about your project
Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll give you a quote and suggest a date.
Want to talk your idea over? Get in touch or come in for a free consultation: we’ll go through the project in detail — size, placement, number of sessions — and decide together where to start.