Neck and head tattoos
Neck tattoo
Neck tattoos have long been commonplace: both men and women choose them, and there are no limits on style — from fine lettering to dense black graphic work.
Here you decide how visible the piece will be. A tattoo on the side of the neck is noticed at first glance, while a small piece behind the ear or on the nape is easy to hide under hair or a collar.
- Pain
- 5/5
- Healing
- 2 weeks, with care
- Typical size
- up to 12 cm
About this placement
What sets a neck tattoo apart
The neck is always moving: you turn and tilt your head, and the skin stretches and folds. That is why the composition is built along the curve of the neck — letters and outlines are placed so the piece reads both when you turn your head and when you tilt it.
Crisp lines, high-contrast black graphic work and lettering come out best here. Details that are too small get lost on moving skin, so the artist sizes the elements to the placement.
Work on this placement
Popular designs
- Lettering — a word, name or date along the neck or behind the ear.
- Flowers — a rose, peony or branch following the curve of the neck.
- Birds and wings — swallows on the side or wings on the nape.
- Symbols behind the ear — a moon, a star, a small sign.
- Graphic work and ornaments — black patterns that emphasise the line of the neck.
Why choose the neck
A neck tattoo works together with your style: with your hairstyle, jewellery and an open collar. And a small piece behind the ear is a good way to start with this placement and add to it later.
How the design is created
- Consultation — we discuss the idea, the size and how visible the piece should be.
- Design — the artist builds the composition along the curve of the neck and sizes the elements.
- Transfer to the skin — the stencil is placed and moved until it sits straight, then checked with your head straight, turned and tilted.
How many sessions it takes
Lettering or a symbol behind the ear is done in one short session, and a medium-sized neck composition usually in one session. A large piece covering the whole neck is done over several sessions with breaks.
Let’s talk about your project
Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll give you a quote and suggest a date.
Other placements in this area
01Neck tattooLettering, flowers and graphic work suit the neck: a piece on the side shows at once, while behind the ear or on the nape it hides under hair or a collar.
02Head tattooOrnaments, geometry and lettering suit the head: with short hair the piece is on show, and once the hair grows back it is barely visible.
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.