Choosing the right tattoo placement

Match the shape to the space

Long, vertical designs suit the forearm, spine and calf. Wide or circular designs suit the shoulder, upper back and thigh. Fighting the natural shape of an area is the most common reason a design feels off.

Think about how often you want to see it

Some people want a piece they see every day, others want something private.

• •Highly visible: forearm, wrist, hand, neck
• •Visible to you, easy to cover: inner upper arm, ribs, thigh
• •Mostly private: back, shoulder blade, upper thigh

Consider movement and clothing

Areas that flex or rub constantly are harder to live with, and for a temporary tattoo they also shorten wear time. Waistbands, inner wrists, fingers and the backs of knees are the usual culprits.

Test both candidates

If you cannot decide between two spots, order a size that includes more than one copy and wear the design in both places on different days. Seeing them in your own mirror settles the argument quickly.

Each design is proportionally fitted within the selected size without stretching, distortion or cropping. Depending on the shape of your design, one dimension may be slightly smaller.