There is a lot to think about when you’re planing on getting a tattoo. Whether it’s your first tattoo or another that you’re adding to your collection, getting inked is a big (and permanent) decision. You’ll no doubt be scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram for tattoo ideas and deciding what sort of design you want, as well as the size and placement. If, like me, you find the idea of a large tattoo daunting, small tattoos are a great place to start.
Before you make you appointment, there are a few things to think about, says tattoo artist and expert, Sophie Floyd. “The first step is finding the right tattoo artist for what you want. Social media has made this so much much easier as you can see an artists full portfolio and make sure their style is right for you,” she says. “Your first tattoo is always very daunting and easy to overthink, but most importantly remember it is your body—if you love it, do it!”
Small in size, tiny tattoos are not only chic but can be discreet and delicate, which makes them ideal for a first tattoo. “Small tattoos are a great introduction to getting tattooed as you can get a feel for the experience start to finish, from being in a studio, the tattoo itself and how you feel afterwards living with your new tattoo,” says Floyd. “I often ask my clients what their ‘end goal’ tattoo-wise is. For some people just one small one is enough, for others they want to build up a collection. If you know you’ll likely add more in the future, think about using placement wisely to get the most out of your canvas,” she says.
Another thing to consider is placement. “Small tattoos are great as you have endless placement possibilities,” says Floyd. “If clients are unsure on placement, I first ask if they want their tattoo to be more on show or easier to hide if necessary. If you want the latter some good placements are ribs, inner arm or ankle as most clothing can hide them easily. If you want to show it off, anywhere outer arm is my go-to, ” she says.
As with any tattoo, small tattoos can be meaningful to you, or as a form of self-expression. “I love that small tattoos can either have a lot of meaning, or just be fun! Some of my favourites are shells, letters, cowboy boots, flowers and cherries,” says Floyd. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you follow up with good tattoo aftercare to ensure your new tattoo heals well and looks its best.
Ready for some small tattoo ideas? Scroll ahead for the best designs I’ve found on my feed.
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