Finding Inspiration for Your Tattoo

Getting a tattoo can be a daunting thing, it’s deeply personal and permanent so you want to make sure that you’ve got an idea in mind before embarking on this exciting journey.

Doesn’t matter if it’s your first tattoo or an addition to your existing collection, finding the right idea or concept is such an important step.

There are many reasons people get tattoos, whether it’s for cultural and or religious reasons, personal milestones, art and aesthetics, self expression or memorialisation. Each tattoo has a story which is told through the design you choose making it even more important to get prioritise what inspires you.

Here are some steps to help you navigate this process and help you find inspiration for you next tattoo.

Online Resources

We all know how to use Google, searching for “tattoo ideas” although can be a little overwhelming it’s a great starting point. Finding inspiration online is one of the easiest ways to get started. Make use of online platforms, Pinterest is a great hub of inspiration full of content. Simply by browsing through tattoo boards and collection you can start to save some images and designs which catch your eye turning those ideas into common themes.

Save What You Love

As you continue to browse the internet you will start to notice a common theme, bold line tattoos, realism, coloured or traditional, certain styles of tattoos start cropping up more, these are the tattoos that are going to resonate more with your personality. It’s important to save all the ones you like, putting them in a folder to reference later in the process.

Self Reflection

Your tattoo should be a reflection of your personality, interests and what’s meaningful to you. Have a look through those folders you’ve created and think about this, think about your interests, passions and life experiences. If you have a favourite quote, animal or symbol that holds any personal significance. Tattoos as already mentioned tell a story and are often more meaningful and satisfying when they represent something that is important to you in your life.

Size & Placement

At this point it’s crucial to think about the size and placement of the tattoo, whether it’s a full sleeve, shoulder, back or whatever it’s wise to make sure that the design you have in mind is suitable for that location. For example, highly detailed tattoos are often better suited for a place on the body where the artist has more of a canvas to work with such as leg, arm or back. Also remember not to get carried away, tattoos can look over crowded if you try to fit too much detail into a small space. If you’re unsure where your design would be best fit, don’t be afraid to ask!

Planning For The Future

If your vision eventually leads you to a full sleeve or a larger collection of tattoos, it’s wise to plan ahead. A random small tattoo on the wrist might be a good idea now but may complicate the design further down the line if you look to work the rest of the arm. As tempting as it may be if you are planning on getting more then take a step back and think about how each piece will fit together as part of that story mentioned earlier in this post. This long-term vision is essential.

Working With Black Ink

We have studios in both Leeds and Hull, so once you have a clear idea of what it is that you want to get in touch with us and share your inspiration, your story and ideas. Our skilled artists here at Black Ink are professionals and will bring their own creative flare to the table to help bring your vision to life, have an open mind and embrace their suggestions. This often leads to truly unique tattoos which not only stand out but really bring your vision to life.  

Contact Us

Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact us to discuss your tattoo ideas, we’re eager to help you create a tattoo that you’ll be proud of.