Where To Get A Tattoo | A Guide For Tattoo Placement

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If you’re planning on getting new ink, coming up with a design you love is the first step.

But after that, tattoo placement is the next trickiest part of planning your next ink fix.

So where to get a tattoo, that’s the big question!

Fortunately, the right artist will be able to help you figure out a good location for your new tattoo.

But it’s a good idea to be aware of all the subtleties that go hand-in-hand with tattoo placement.

So in the following guide, we’re exploring all there is to know about tattoo placement, including the pros and cons of different placements, the least painful and most painful places to get tattooed, and more!

So let’s jump right in!

Size And Design Matter

Before you choose the location of your next tattoo, it’s important to consider the fact that not all tattoos look good on the same location.

For example, a large tattoo needs a large body part with lots of surface area for it to look good, such as the upper thigh, stomach, chest, or back.

If you try squeezing a large tattoo design onto a smaller body part, like your wrist, it’s just not going to look as nice.

On the other hand, small tattoos can go just about anywhere on your body.

Just make sure to consider that some body parts move and flex, which can distort or change the shape of your tattoo, unless placement is done properly.

That said, let’s take a look at everything there is to know about getting tattooed on different locations of your body.

Forearm Tattoos and Upper Arms Tattoos

Probably one of the more common tattoo locations for first time tattoo enthusiasts is an arm tattoo.

The arms are relatively large body parts that can be used for anything between a small tattoo on your wrist through to larger designs like half sleeves or full sleeves that cover your forearm, upper arm, and shoulder.

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As far as pain goes, it really depends on which part of the arm you’re getting tattooed.

The forearms and outside upper arms are relatively low on the pain chart and are often considered as some of the least painful places to get inked.

The reason these are some of the least painful places is that your arms are covered in thicker skin, which means there are less nerve endings to irritate.

On the other hand, there are some parts of your arms that are more delicate and loaded with nerve endings.

These include the inside elbow, also known as the ditch, the inner upper arm, and the armpits, which are all very sensitive areas and can feel quite “pinchy” during the actual tattooing process.

So if you’re tattoo idea involves getting inked in any of these locations, just be prepared for a tickle more pain than if you were getting your forearm tattooed.

Neck Tattoos, Chest Tattoos, And Upper Back Tattoos

The neck, chest, and back are all larger parts of the bodies and are therefore great for large tattoo designs.

The neck, however, is a very sensitive skin area that’s loaded with nerve endings.

So you’ll have to have a higher pain tolerance if you want your neck inked.

Similarly, a collarbone tattoo can look super cool when done right with a larger tattoo design.

But that entire part of the body, from below your jaw down to your collarbone is quite sensitive skin and is not generally recommended for first timers.

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On another note, the chest, upper back, and shoulder blades are all perfect placement locations for anyone who wants a location with a lower pain level.

Plus, one of the biggest benefits of upper back and chest tattoos is that your tattoos are easily hidden with a t-shirt or sweater.

Obviously, this doesn’t matter for some people who might want to flaunt their ink to the world.

But for others, having the ability to cover up or hide their tattoos is an important part of the placement decision.

The Stomach And Rib Cage Tattoos

If you have a low pain tolerance, these tattoo placements are definitely not for you.

Both the stomach and rib cage are packed full of sensitive nerve endings.

And most tattoo artists I’ve spoken to have said that getting tattooed there can feel similar to being tickled with a knife.

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So if you want to get a tattoo, but aren’t willing to sit through some real pain, don’t ask to get your ribs or stomach tattooed.

The stomach is also not a great place to get a tattoo if you’re planning on getting pregnant in the future, or if you’re susceptible to weight gain.

If you get pregnant or gain weight, it can distort your new tattoo, cause them to fade, or they might just end up with stretch marks in them as your skin changes.

Hand And Finger Tattoos

Many tattoo artists won’t even tattoo your hands or fingers unless you’re already covered in tattoos.

Heavily tattooed people will tell you that this is primarily because once your hands are tatted-up, you can be singled out by employers and turned down for jobs.

So for this tattoo placement, tattoo experience really does matter.

Your hands are also covered in quite delicate skin, so getting them tattooed can be quite a painful process.

And lastly, because the skin on your hands and fingers is thicker and regenerates quickly, hand and finger tats are prone to fading relatively quickly.

Therefore, if you want your hands or fingers tattooed, you’re going to A) have to be 100% OK with having visible tattoos on your body for the rest of your life, and B) be willing to return to your tattoo artist for frequent touch ups.

Leg Tattoos And Other Tattoo Locations

If you want to get a tattoo that’s both easily covered and lower on the pain chart, your legs might just one of the best placement locations.

In particular, the calf, shin, and front upper thighs are some of the least painful places on your legs.

Whereas behind the knee and the back upper thigh just below your buttocks can be one of the more painful places to get inked.

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Ankle and foot tattoos are also quite common.

But once again, both of these are quite painful spots to get inked.

The top of the foot in particular can be a hard tattoo placement to sit through, especially if you’re planning on having a longer tattoo session for a more intricate tattoo design.

And finally, the head and face are two other tattoo placement locations that definitely aren’t for first times.

Not only are these locations extremely painful places for a new tattoo, they’re also only reserved for experienced tattoo collectors.

That said, one neat thing about a head tattoo is that you can grow long hair to cover if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions – Where To Get A Tattoo?

Obviously, where you get your tattoo is completely up to you.

But there definitely are some pros and cons to getting tattoos on different parts of your body.

For instance, any tattoo artist will tell you that getting an arm tattoo is one of the least painful tattoos, and it’s great because you and everyone you encounter will be able to see it.

But that tattoo location also leaves your ink vulnerable to cuts, scratches, and sun damage, which can cause it to fade faster.

Either way, by far, one of the most commonly asked questions we hear about tattoo placement is about pain.

Pain tolerance is obviously very personal and will vary from one person to another, but…

What Are Some Of The Least Painful Places To Get A Tattoo?

The forearms and upper arms are some of the least painful locations to get a tattoo. Similarly, the chest, lower back, outer thighs and shoulders are also lower on the pain threshold because all of these areas have fewer nerves in them.

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What are some of the most painful places to get a tattoo?

It’s all the sensitive areas of the body where nerves are abundant that all painful places to get tattooed. The insides of your upper arms and armpits, your inner elbow or “ditch,” behind your knees, your head, neck or face, your hands and feet, and your rib cage are all often cited as extremely painful location to get a new tattoo.

Where is a good location to get your first tattoo?

Wherever you choose is going to be a good location, so long as you’re happy with it. But if you’re worried about pain, we recommend choosing a location with fewer nerve endings, such as your forearms and starting with a small tattoo until you know whether or not you can handle the pain. You can also learn more by checking out our innovative tattoo pain chart.

What are some unique tattoo placement ideas?

Inside lip tattoos, armpit tattoos, the palms, earlobes and scalp are all unique tattoo placement ideas. That said, these locations, while unique, are more sensitive parts of the body, which means that getting tattooed there is going to be much more painful than, say, an upper arm tattoo.

What areas of the body have the fastest and slowest healing times?

Generally, it’s the areas of the body with thicker skin, such as your arms and thighs that have the fastest healing times and that heal better in general. More sensitive areas, like your hands, neck, face, or ribs have more delicate skins, which can heal slower and may often need frequent touch ups to keep your tats looking good.

Before you pick out your next tattoo location, why not get started designing a unique tattoo pattern with our innovative AI tattoo generator?!