First Tattoo Ideas: How to Choose Your Design

This guide covers choosing a design. For preparation, pain, the appointment and aftercare, see my first tattoo guide.

Choose one subject before choosing a style

Try to describe the tattoo in one sentence. You might say, “a branch of wildflowers along my forearm”, “a raven in Blackwork on my shoulder blade” or “a small geometric symbol about travel”. If the sentence turns into several stories and a long list of pictures, choose which part matters most.

The subject can be a plant, animal, object, symbol, short piece of Lettering, ornament or abstract shape. You do not need to know how the final drawing should look. Tell me the main subject and the feeling you want, such as calm, dark, soft, bold, decorative or full of movement. If a photograph caught your attention on social media, picture the subject without the filter, trend or person wearing it. Would you still choose it?

My portfolio shows tattoos I have completed.

Decide what must stay

Choose one or two details that make the idea yours. Everything else can change. If the fox is the main subject, the stars, flowers, moon, frame and long quote do not all need the same amount of space.

Try removing one extra detail. If the idea still works, it may not be needed. This is useful with flowers, symbols and designs that hold several memories: the small additions should not hide the main shape.

Personal meaning doesn't need a symbol that means the same thing to everyone. Tell me why the image matters to you. That is more useful than searching online for one “correct” meaning.

Give detailed ideas enough room

Choose the size after the subject. Portraits, detailed animals, buildings and long Lettering need more room than a simple mark or outline. A full scene or long quote will not stay clear in a coin-sized space: shrinking the drawing pushes its lines closer together.

Ask yourself what you want people to notice first. If nothing stands out, some smaller details may need to go. Small tattoos work best when the main shape is clear and the lines have room.

Give me a size in centimetres. Words such as small and medium mean different things to different people. After I compare the idea with the placement, I may suggest a little more room, fewer details or a shape that fits the area better.

My small tattoo ideas guide is useful when a compact size is your main need. It shows which ideas stay clear when simplified and which ones need more space.

Choose a place that works in daily life

Placement changes how the tattoo looks and how often you see it. Think about work, clothing and whether you may add more tattoos nearby later. Long ideas often suit a forearm. Shoulders and thighs give a round subject more room. The back can hold a wider scene.

The body bends and moves, so the same flat picture will not fit a wrist, ribs and shoulder blade in the same way. I adjust the shape and direction to the exact area. I don't place a drawing on skin as if it were a flat sheet of paper.

Look through the placement portfolio to see real tattoos on different parts of the body. Choose the area for its look, how often it will be seen and your plans for more tattoos, not only because an online chart says it hurts less.

Explain the style without copying a tattoo

The same subject can look very different in Fine Line, Blackwork, Dotwork, Realism, Ornamental or Traditional. Save a few references because you like how they are drawn. Notice the line thickness, amount of black, level of detail, contrast and colour.

You do not need to name the style correctly. Notes such as “thin lines with plenty of clear skin” or “solid black with strong contrast” tell me what you like.

My tattoo styles guide compares the main styles. References should show your taste. They should not ask me to copy another artist’s finished tattoo.

Show me the subject, placement and must-keep detail

Your first message only needs:

• the main subject in one sentence
• two or three references and a note about what you like in each one
• the body area, left or right side and a clear photo of the place
• the width or height in centimetres
• black and grey or colour
• details that must stay, can change or should be left out

Send both ideas if you're choosing between two. I can explain which one fits the area and size better and what may need to change.

When these details are ready, send your idea through the booking form. I can help you work out the next step, even if you do not know every detail yet.