The Best Tattoo Designs for Men

Popular Tattoo Ideas for Men

The essence of a tattoo, whether it’s a simple tattoo or something more complex in nature, has always been something attributed to men. Men were the first to get tattoos across all cultures, whether as a symbol of power or presence. We’re all familiar with the intricate and all-over body designs of the Japanese Yakuza, as well as the simpler designs for men in the military. Tattoos for men have a long history of representation around the world, with all parts of the body having their unique traditions. Regardless of what you’re looking to create, you can find inspiration for it across all cultures and still create something personal for yourself.

Leg Tattoo

The leg offers many places to have permanent art, and if you live somewhere with warmer weather, shorts will showcase your art to everyone who sees it. In this case, you might want to try to design something that will look better to others, or you may not care who sees it. No matter what the case, popular designs can provide you with a good idea of what others have tried in the past. A skull tattoo on the calf can be a good example of something traditional, a sort of “eyes in the back of your head (leg)” representation. As well as this, a simple symbol or one that you want to show off is a good artistic idea for the leg area. If you’re perhaps a cyclist or runner, your legs will offer you ample space and surface area for many different kinds of permanent art, so be sure to research what works for both your ideas and body type.

Sleeve Tattoos

Forearm tattoos have long been popular with men, as men typically have a larger surface on the forearm for which to draw designs upon. Sleeve tattoos are the best representation of this, as they cover the entire arm, sometimes all the way up to the shoulder and beyond. You can really get crazy with radical designs with this much space. Many people love the look of roses added on with a secondary subject matter to create a perfect balance for their sleeve! A shoulder tattoo creates an enigmatic energy that can maybe only be seen with the shirt off, or part of a sleeve as mentioned previously. The unique structure presented in the shoulder space means that your artist can take the liberty to design something really special for you. Covering the arm with art of all kinds has been one of the most popular ways to showcase the intricacy of tattoo art, and many artists love being able to draw upon the available space in order to create something unique and truly stunning for the wearer.

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal designs have long been a traditional and easy to recognize way to represent a myriad of different symbols and emotions for the wearer. Pretty much every culture has their own representation of a tribal design, as well as the ubiquitous one we all know and love. Depending on what it is that you’re trying to convey, tribalism can offer you a more simplistic design or something with a bit more of an abstract concept. No matter what you decide, each one offers its own unique aesthetic advantages, and whether you want that traditional look or something more contemporary, you’ll be literally covered! Chest tattoos are some of the best ways to showcase a tribal design, as its overarching, stretched out images work best in areas that are flatter and have more surface area. Men have long recognized this, and thus you will be able to see many different iterations of this if you research it. Your artist may also have ideas and examples of work they’ve done in the past, since tribalism is both popular and emblematic of traditional tattoo design. Forever popular yet unique, you’ll definitely be able to find or design something that works for you no matter what it is you’re looking for.

Neck Tattoo

While not exactly traditional, having a neck tattoo is fast becoming more popular and less taboo than it was before. Body arts of the neck tattoo variety were once seen as “scummy” or lesser than tattoos on other parts of the body, similar to facial tattoos. Now, with more celebrities and popular faces wearing them, people are starting to recognize and appreciate the difference as a new aesthetic in contemporary design. You may just want a small tattoo on your neck at first, something that isn’t “too loud” but that others can see. Or, you may want that characteristic “loudness” and color that pops and everyone will notice. The beauty of neck tattoos is that they swing both ways on the style spectrum depending on how you want your design to look both to yourself and others. A simple tattoo goes a long way on the neck, as usually it will be seen by everyone you meet, but don’t feel tied to a particular style or type. In the end, you’re going to want something that speaks to you regardless of what others think, and whether that flies in the face of good taste or not, you should never worry about it.

Choosing a Tattoo Artist

No matter what kind of tattoo you’re looking to get, finding an artist is going to be your biggest bit of research. It literally pays to find a shop and artist you are comfortable with and that specializes in all sorts of tattoo designs. Be sure to take a look at their portfolio of past work, or even testimonials and designs from people who have been with the artist before, that way, you know their style and what to expect.

The Shop Itself

Once you find somewhere that looks interesting, research the location in person so that you can take notice of the cleanliness and customer service. In the end, you want to feel comfortable and as if your service is welcomed. Once you manage to find somewhere that fits the bill, you may find yourself coming back sooner than later.