Tattoo Placement Guide: Where to Get Your Custom Tattoo and Why It Matters
- inkcrafterstattoos
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
The Most Underrated Part of Getting a Tattoo? Placement.
You’ve got the idea. You’ve chosen your tattoo artist. Maybe you even know the style you want, fine-line, blackwork, realism, something meaningful. But here’s the real question:Is there a tattoo placement guide?
At Inkcrafters Tattoo Studio, we get a lot of clients who know what they want tattooed, but haven’t thought about where. And that’s totally okay. Choosing your tattoo placement isn’t just about vibes or visibility (though those count). It’s about flow, aging, comfort, healing, and how your design lives on your body for life.
So let’s talk about the art behind the art: how to choose the right tattoo placement for you.
Why a Tattoo Placement Guide Isn’t Just About Pain
Yes, we’ll talk about pain in a second, but there’s way more to placement than the “ouch factor.”
A great tattoo artist doesn’t just draw on your body; they work with your body. Placement determines how the tattoo flows with your natural lines, muscles, and skin texture. The same design can look elegant or awkward depending on where it sits. For example:
A vertical design might look powerful running down your forearm, but feel cramped on your ankle.
A circular tattoo can feel off-center on a flat surface, but perfect on your shoulder or knee.
Realism tattoos need enough space for detail—like a thigh, back, or shoulder blade.
That’s why when you come to a tattoo studio in Brooklyn like ours, we don’t just say “where do you want it?”, we talk about what works best for the piece and for you.
Let’s Talk About Pain (But Not Too Much)
Everyone asks. And fair enough, it’s needles. On your skin. For hours.
But pain is subjective. It depends on your tolerance, the session length, and where you're getting tattooed. Still, here's a general breakdown:
Less Painful Areas | More Painful Areas |
Outer arm | Ribs |
Thigh | Spine |
Shoulder blade | Knees |
Calf | Hands and feet |
Forearm | Elbow or armpit |
Don’t let pain scare you. It’s temporary. The art is forever. And at Inkcrafters, we create a calm, climate-controlled space that makes your session feel less like suffering and more like a creative ritual.
Which Placement Works Best for Your Tattoo Style?
Certain styles just hit different in specific areas. Here’s how we guide clients at our tattoo studio in Brooklyn:
Fine-Line or Minimalist Tattoos
Perfect for:
Wrists
Behind the ear
Ribs
Ankles
Back of arm
Why? These areas show off clean, delicate linework without needing a lot of space.
Blackwork or Geometric Pieces
Great on:
Forearms
Calves
Chest
Upper arms
Why? These styles need room to breathe and look especially bold on flatter, muscular surfaces.
Realism Tattoos
Best for:
Thighs
Upper back
Shoulder blades
Ribs (if you’re brave)
Why? Realism involves detail, shading, and flow. It needs a canvas, not a tiny corner.
Want something custom? You don’t need to figure this out alone. Our artists specialize in custom tattoo designs and will help you match style + placement like a pro.
Show It or Keep It Private? Visibility Tips
There’s no right or wrong answer here, just your lifestyle and your comfort level. Think about:
Workplace visibility: Can you cover it if you want to? (Upper arms, back, thighs = easy to hide.)
All-year visibility: Hands, neck, and forearms are always visible: winter, summer, job interview, family dinner.
Your personal vibe: Do you want your tattoo to start conversations? Or stay your little secret?
Some clients get visible tattoos to mark a milestone or reclaim their identity. Others want something just for them. At our tattoo studio in Brooklyn, we’ve seen both, and love both.
How Placement Affects Healing and Aftercare
People think about pain when choosing a spot, but they should be thinking about healing. Some spots just take longer to heal, or heal awkwardly.
Healing Tip Breakdown:
Easy-Healing Areas | Tricky Areas |
Outer arm | Feet (friction from shoes) |
Thigh | Waistline (rubbing from clothing) |
Back | Elbows and knees (lots of movement) |
Shoulder blade | Neck or collarbone (sun exposure) |
Tattoos in friction zones or areas that bend/move constantly can take longer to heal and may require more touch-ups. Our tattoo artists give full aftercare instructions, and we always check in if you have questions while you heal.
Our Tattoo Artists’ Take on Placement
We asked a few of our tattoo artists at Inkcrafters what advice they give when it comes to tattoo placement. Here’s what they said:
🗣️ CJ Adams
“I always tell clients to think long-term. Will the design still feel right there when you’re 60? Also, you want the space to do it justice.”
“Back of the arm is one of my favorite spots, it's subtle but stunning. And great for people who want art without showing it off too much.”
“Flow is everything. If your body moves one way, the tattoo should follow. It’s not a sticker, it’s part of you.”
"Let the meaning guide the placement. Is it for you to see every day? Or to mark something you carry close? That tells us where it belongs.”
Choose Placement with Intention (Not Just Impulse)
There’s something powerful about placing your tattoo intentionally. When the style, meaning, and location all line up, that’s when the ink really becomes yours.
Whether you’re new to tattoos or planning your next piece, placement isn’t something to rush. Our tattoo artists at Inkcrafters are here to walk you through it, sketch with you, mock it up on your body, and make sure you walk out with zero regrets—just incredible, personal art.
Ready to Choose Your Spot?
We’re more than just a tattoo studio in Brooklyn, we’re collaborators in your creative process.
📍 Book your custom tattoo consultation today and let’s figure out where your next piece belongs.
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