Torso tattoos
Stomach tattoo
The stomach is the centre of the torso and one of the most expressive places for a tattoo. A delicate ornament around the navel, a piece on the lower stomach and a large composition rising towards the chest all look equally good here.
A stomach tattoo is almost always covered by clothing, so it is chosen for a piece you show only when you feel like it.
- Pain
- 3/5
- Healing
- about 2 weeks
- Typical size
- 30 × 20 cm
About this placement
What sets a stomach tattoo apart
The skin on the stomach is soft and mobile, and the area itself is symmetrical, so the composition is usually built from the centre line — around the navel or along the middle of the torso. That way the piece looks balanced both standing and in motion.
Symmetrical ornaments and mandalas work well on the stomach, as do large designs that continue onto the chest or sides.
Popular designs
For women. Delicate ornaments and flowers around the navel, branches on the lower stomach and symmetrical compositions that extend under the bust.
For men. Large designs in the centre of the torso — animals, mythological creatures and realistic scenes that continue a chest piece or become part of a larger torso project.
Why choose the stomach
The stomach offers freedom of scale: a small, delicate piece fits here as well as the central part of a large torso project. The tattoo stays personal and, if you wish, becomes the link between the chest, ribs and hip.
How the design is created
- Consultation — we discuss the idea, the size and whether the piece will connect with the chest or sides.
- Design — the artist builds the composition from the centre line of the torso and checks its symmetry.
- Transfer to the skin — the stencil is placed and moved until it sits straight, then checked standing and leaning slightly.
How many sessions it takes
A small stomach piece is done in one short session, and a medium-sized one usually in one session. A large composition linking the stomach with the chest and sides 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
01Chest tattooFrom the collarbones to the ribs: the chest suits both a delicate piece and a full-width composition, symmetrical or free-flowing.- 02Hip tattooThe hip: a piece here follows the curve of the body and can flow onto the waist, thigh or lower stomach.
03Rib tattooThe ribs are a long area along the side for pieces that follow the curve of the body, from lettering to a design running from chest to hip.- 04Stomach tattooThe stomach is the centre of the torso, from a delicate pattern around the navel to a composition that continues a chest piece.
- 05Collarbone tattooThe collarbone is a narrow, elegant line for lettering, a branch or an ornament that shows in open necklines.
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.