Tattoo placement

[user1494881306]

I'm having a tattoo done soon. The design is only the size of £1 coin but I'm not sure where to have it done on my body.
I was thinking on the underside of my arm just below my elbow crease. But not sure if this is too obvious? I have a professional job and I don't know how other people view tattoos (I personally love them and don't see the issue).
Any suggestions?

[Ollivander84]

Wrist or ankle?

[MrsLettuce]

Ribs or back of shoulder if you want to be able to hide it at will.

That's a really small size for a tattoo though, if there is any real detail in the design then it won't last well, unfortunately. Skin isn't like paper, tattoos inevitably change with time. So, something simple / bold / big enough will alway look better for longer than something small / pastelly / with small scale fine detail. Very small and very, very simple isn't a problem though.

[Unicorn81]

I have one on my back and one on my stomach so i can hide easily. I think wrist is a good place for something small

[user1494881306]

Lettuce that's a really good point. It will be quite detailed so probably won't age brilliantly, hmm so maybe not the arm then..
I might consider the inside of my ankle instead.

[Intransige]

Sun exposure will make a tattoo blur over time. And skin obviously sags as you age, which will distort the design.

So if you exclude places that get regular sun, places that will change shape as you age and places that you can't easily hide, I think you're left with spine below about bra strap level.

[MrsLettuce]

If you're totally set on the design exactly as it is then it makes sense to scale it up until it's big enough to take the detail and still age well.

Inside of the ankle is a bugger to cover. Honestly, go ribs, back of shoulder, thigh, somewhere like that, and give the design the size it needs.

[pinkyredrose]

Sorry but if it's going to be the size of a pound coin there's no way it's going to be 'quite detailed'. You have to think how its going to age plus there's only so much you can tattoo in an area that size. Have you seen any tattoo artists to get their opinion of what's possible?

[MrsLettuce]

Yes, sun exposure is a Bad Thing for skin, it accelerates ageing, for sure. But, skin will change texture and tattoos will blur over time, even without sun exposure because of the properties of skin and ink.

A good tattooist, given half a chance, will always take the ageing process of the tattoo and the area it's on into account when designing. That's their job. They'll work with the way things age rather than just ignoring them for an 'instant fix' tattoo that'll look fab when it's done and shite in 10 or 15 years. Problem is, a lot of people who get tattoos don't bother to find a good tattooist and/or don't take their tattooists advice.

Good tattoos look their best at about 10 or 15 years old once they've softened and grown into themselves.

[Nancy91]

That's really small, if you want detail it will need to be bigger. Almost all of the photos you see online of cute tiny tattoos are taken immediately after they are done. Years later they are likely to be very blurry.

[MrsLettuce]

TBH a lot of the photos you see online of cute, tiny tattoos aren't even actually tattoos, just transfers. Pinterest is infested with them, somehow people just can't see the difference

[user1494881306]

The artist amazing and does a lot of small detailed tattoos. I've seen them on people and they're so beautiful. I'll have a chat with him about how it should age and ask his opinion on a larger design.
All good thoughts though people, thanks!

[HeyRoly]

Tiny and detailed won't age well at all. Over time the edges will blur and it will just end up looking like a blob.

[HeyRoly]

Here's an example of how small letters end up looking over time.

[MrsLettuce]

user1494881306 - I don't doubt that his tattoos look good fresh. What's the oldest work of his you've seen? I'm glad to hear you're going to ask his advice though, do ask about his technical background too. If he's out of art collage and self taught rather than having had a proper apprenticeship I'd avoid him (unless he's worked in good shops for years). Even though his fresh work looks great.

[pinkyredrose]

OP would you mind telling us who the artist is, does he have a Facebook page, website or anything?

[JustRosieHere]

I have a small one on my wrist and a professional job. Most people don't notice it. In the nearly 10 years I've had it about 3 people have commented and only to ask what it was. I see a lot of people at work with tattoos and no one seems to be bothered including people with full sleeves. I don't know of a profession where it would make a difference?