8 Shoulder Tattoo Ideas: Explore Designs for Inspiration
Turn your shoulders into a canvas of expression.
Brik Rangel is a highly skilled tattoo artist who has 12 years of experience in the field. She specializes in transformative tattoo makeovers and cover-ups. After honing her craft in São Paulo, Brazil, she now works as a tattoo artist and manager at Manhattan Tattoos in New York, and as a tattoo artist at Divine Tattoos in New Jersey.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Experience: 3 yearsManjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience in writing across different niches, including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has since honed her craft to perfection.
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Ever wondered how cool a shoulder tattoo would look peeking out of your sleeveless tees and off-shoulder tops? How edgy would it make you feel in those Insta-worthy mirror selfies? Shoulder tattoos have been in vogue for years and are not dying soon. The best part is – shoulder placement allows for a bigger canvas. You get the front and the shoulder blades on the back and the collarbones. Thus, you can easily accommodate large, intricate pieces and small dainty ones. Isn’t it wonderful to have the creative freedom to experiment with cool designs? Not to mention the flexibility of controlling the visibility of the tattoos. Feeling inspired to get one? Then scroll down and check out some of the popular shoulder tattoo designs before you book your appointment.
8 Shoulder Tattoo Ideas
Shoulder tattoos have a charming appeal and make for a unique spot to get inked. These tattoos have a graceful and strong appeal owing to the placement that allows flexibility in customizing the design. Take a look at some of the most trendy shoulder tattoo ideas right here.
1. Shoulder Tattoo For Women
Butterflies can charm one way to the heart, and so can tattoos featuring them. This tattoo placed on the back shoulder, at an angle, features two grayscale butterflies. The use of fine lines mimics the pattern on the butterfly wings. The edges of the wings are done in black ink, with patterns carved out by utilizing negative space. Butterflies signify freedom, change, and joy. Thus, this design may signify changes and transformations in one’s life.
2. Flower Shoulder Tattoo
This fine-line rose tattoo in black ink makes for an excellent choice for people who prefer minimalistic designs. The very simplicity of the design on the bare skin looks stunning. The shading on the leaves creates a bold contrast against the outline of the rose. Blooming roses are often associated with romance, love, and passion. Thus, it is perfect for all those who resonate with the underlying symbolism.
3. Dragon Shoulder Tattoo
The unabashedly bold and dynamic dragon tattoo makes for a powerful artwork. The clever use of black-and-brown tones helps to add to the intensity of the tattoo and provides a sense of depth and realism to the artwork. Also, the scales on the dragon’s body and face and the fierce and fiery eye look striking and formidable. This tattoo covering the shoulder and the upper arm makes for an easy-to-spot ink and represents power, fearlessness, and strength.
4. Small Shoulder Tattoo
This teeny-weeny all-black heart tattoo sits beautifully under the shoulder joint. It is understated and creates an amazing contrast with the blank space around it. This classic tattoo design has a minimalistic chic vibe and will never really go out of style. Given its small size, this tattoo is also easier to commit. A black heart usually represents deep romantic love, sorrow, and sadness. However, you may get it for the love of the aesthetic of the black heart and if, black is just your vibe!
5. Sun Shoulder Tattoo
Despite the pain one has to endure, the front shoulder is certainly one of the trendiest spots to get the tiny tattoo design. This outline sun tattoo has a minimalistic, demure appeal. The lines radiating from the circle represent the sun’s rays extending outwards. Also, the skin showing beneath makes the outline of the sun stand out. Since the sun is considered the life source and is associated with positivity, this tattoo may signify happiness, a zest for life, and energy, and reflect a vibrant personality.
6. Tribal Shoulder Tattoo
If you are brave enough and always like to stand out from the crowd, then go with this tribal tattoo located on the upper arm. The use of black bold ink and negative spacing makes the tattoo look visually striking. Well, the contrast between the black ink and the skin makes the artwork look powerful and dynamic. Plus, the abstract tribal patterns like the radiating lines flow with the contours of the shoulder. This tattoo symbolizes strength, protection, spirituality, courage, and heritage.
7. Phoenix Shoulder Tattoo
A Phoenix is a mythical character that rises from its ashes! This vibrant tattoo featuring an ornate phoenix gives out the same message – to overcome challenges and come back even stronger. The use of myriad colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, and black makes this tattoo look simply a piece of art! The ornate, traditional floral design further heightens its charm. Also, the flowing and swirling designs lend a sense of fluidity to the artwork. This elaborate artwork beautifully complements the curves of the shoulder beautifully and is more an accessory than a tattoo.
8. Tiger Shoulder Tattoo
Here is a bold and vivid tiger head tattoo spanning across the shoulder and the upper arm. The tiger’s head is surrounded by floral and leaf-like patterns, lacing the tiger in its natural habitat The intertwining leaves blend with the tiger’s body and hug the natural contour of the shoulder and the back. This dynamic design may symbolize the peaceful coexistence of nature and vitality, represented by the tiger. The shoulder is often associated with strength. Thus, this placement may also hint at the inner power and vitality of the wearer.
Shoulder tattoos allow you to boldly display your art. The placement allows a vast canvas, which allows you to get swoon-worthy designs. The tattoo placed on the natural contours of the shoulder has a pleasing effect on the eye. This also helps to lend a sense of movement and interest to the design. You can go for bigger designs if you are looking for a statement body piece or choose dainty tattoos for the boho-chic look. We hope you were able to finalize a design and placement that matches your vibe and flatters your shoulder contour.
Read full bio of Brik Rangel
Read full bio of Joyce Joyson
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Read full bio of Manjari Uppal
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