37 Striking American Traditional Tattoo Ideas to Inspire You

American Traditional tattoos are often characterized by their thick and bold lines and minimal color palette. Here we can see the artist kept with the minimal color palette but decided to use thinner lines. In situations like this, it doesn’t make it less of an Old School tattoo, especially since this is a style that artists can adapt in their own way as long as other techniques are followed.

IG: daveryolau

The most amazing thing about getting a head tattoo is that you will always have the option to hide it unless you’re naturally bald, of course. Here we can see that a part of the tattoo extends onto the client’s forehead, which looks really cool when your hair grows back because people assume that’s the only part of the tattoo until you shave your hair. I love the linework, it’s crisp and bold like it should be. A great tattoo all-round.

IG: vaclav_tattoo

There’s something melancholic about this tattoo. What I like is that even though it’s the same woman’s face three times, each one has something slightly different about it, but not so much so that you immediately recognize it. There are a few line inconsistencies, but it doesn’t take away from the overall beauty of the tattoo. Great job by ashcat.art.

IG: ashcat.art

This tattoo reminds me of an artist’s rendition of what a 70’s flower child would represent. The colors are packed well, and the way the artist did the gradients is lovely, the choice of color palette is also stunning and ties in with the idea of a 70s style. Regarding placement, the forearm was ideal for this tattoo, the shape of the design fits perfectly onto the area, and credit to the artist for doing such a great job.

IG: mayaantinarella

A popular subject when tattooing Old School tattoos is the wolf head, often, it will be depicted as almost possessed or diseased but always aggressive. I love the little spit droplets coming out of the wolf’s mouth. The placement is absolutely perfect, the wolf head flows with the shape of the forearm, and it’s in a visible enough place that everyone gets to admire it.

IG: moz.sin

Here we have the perfect example of what an American Traditional tattoo should look like. The line work is very thick, possibly done with a round shader and the color palette is very simple, brown, blue, yellow, green, and red, which are the main colors used for this style. I like that this is a travel-themed tattoo, it has all the elements, a swallow, a globe, a north star, and an island, I could see myself chilling on that sand with a margarita in hand.

IG: alin_tattooer

I adore this cowgirl tattoo so much. She may look bored, but I bet she’s got a good eye and could definitely do some damage with that gun of hers. Again, the artist here decided to leave the thick lines you’d usually find in an Old School tattoo and swapped them out for thinner lines while keeping to the color palette and general simplicity of the American Traditional style. Really neatly done and definitely one for the books.

IG: summers.tattoos

I love that artists can take a concept and turn it into something as cool as this. This tattoo is literally a play on the eye of the storm, something seen naturally in nature when a massive storm is brewing. The only issue I can comment on is the linework, there are quite a few wobbles, but that could also be due to the placement of the design, the arm has a natural curve near the elbow and ditch, which can be uncomfortable for an artist to tattoo. Either way, the colors are very out there and contrast well with the solid black outlines and raindrops.

IG: isasantanatattoo

Another common design you’ll find when looking for Old School tattoo inspiration is a gypsy woman adorned by large earrings, a Diklo, and wavy hair peeking out from underneath the Diklo. It is by far one of my favorite designs because there is so much an artist can add to the tattoo to make it unique. I love her rosy cheeks and womanly face, this is a gorgeous tattoo, and placing it on the arm was a great decision because now the client can show it off to the whole world.

IG: mayaantinarella

Another perfect example of what an Old School tattoo should look like. The lines are nice and thick, the colors are basic and well-packed and blended, and the subject is a bird, which is also often found in designs of this style. Does it not look like this guy is staring right into your soul with that glare? I really like this piece, it’s simple yet works so well for the style it’s in.

IG: christianlanouette

The best thing is when an Old School tattoo looks amazing without any color necessary. Here we can see the artist created a treasure island piece. The happy boy on the island sitting under a palm tree mixed with the map gives this childlike enthusiasm. I love the placement, the forearm has plenty of space for you to go large. Great linework and amazing shading that stays true to the American Traditional style.

IG: alin_tattooer

A common thing you’ll notice in American Traditional tattoos is the heart and dagger. Sometimes the heart will be broken, other times, it will be whole like this one, but the dagger will go through it. The way this piece sticks out is amazing, everything about it is so bold and in your face! Don’t you just love the blood drops splashing off the dagger? Great work!

IG: chichi_tattooer

Nurses are an important part of the medical staff no matter what anyone thinks, which is why I love that the artist decided to honor nurses with this awesome American Traditional tattoo. Women are often a subject portrayed as sexy pinups in this style, but here we have a simple and beautiful smiling nurse with a gorgeous rose. I love the concept and the execution, even more, great work!

IG: alberto_triguero

This could be quite a meaningful tattoo, and I wonder if the client got it for a specific reason. Whatever the meaning behind it, the way this piece has been designed, placed and tattooed is exceptional. I love the colors but most importantly, the linework is something to behold. Adding white highlights gives the tattoo an illusion of the shine you’d find on a card in real life. I really like this tattoo, go give ari_tattooer a follow.

IG: ari_tattooer

The Korean artist behind this awesome tattoo is a professional in the American Traditional style. What’s really cool about this piece is the fact that it has a mystical feeling to it. There are flames in the background, its eyes are red, and it looks like there’s blood on its antlers. A common thing you’ll find in the Old School style is rough, grainy shading that often gives the design texture. The color packing and linework are well done, and the placement is perfect, all criteria for a great tattoo.

IG: bangta.ttt

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, is what I think when I look at this tattoo. The design is common for this style and usually represents friendships or relationships with people that take and take and take rather than give back. This design comes in many different styles, and artists like to create their own interpretation of it, but this one is truly well done and something I would get. The colors are lovely and packed to perfection.

IG: lazybones_tattoo_skg

Any Harry Potter fans out there? Here’s one for all the Gryffindors, the addition of red to the tattoo really makes it pop because it contrasts pleasingly with the black ink. If you look closely, you’ll see that there is a spot in the griffin’s head feathers that has been left open, this is because the client has a mole and a strict rule when tattooing is to avoid irritating skin tags or moles, which is why the artist avoided tattooing that area. Ensure your artist is also aware of this when getting your next piece.

IG: lorenzo_chiovoloni

Howdy, cowboy! Clearly, this guy wasn’t as good with his gun as he thought. Only joking, this tattoo is fantastic, I love the various shades of colors used that all seem to work so well with each other, but what I really like is the almost ghost-like shapes in the hat, it gives this tattoo an even spookier feel. The artist stayed true to the style, apart from the color palette, which has a more Neo Traditional appearance. Either way, I think this is a really cool tattoo.

IG: yungruns

Even though this tattoo appears somewhat masculine (most American Traditional pieces do), there’s a very feminine energy to it. It’s got nothing to do with the fact that it’s been tattooed on a woman, oh no. The colors are very muted and soft, much softer than most trad pieces. I think the shin was the best place to home this design, it gives the client a badass look. Find more inspo like this on rocotatt’s IG.

IG: rocotatt

In ancient folklore, a wizard is perceived as a man with magical abilities who often use them for either helping or harming others. In my opinion, this wizard doesn’t look like such a friendly guy. It’s clear he’s got some sort of agenda with that skeleton in his crystal ball, whatever his stance is on his magic abilities, the tattoo itself is quite charming. I like that the artist wasn’t conventional by giving the wizard only black or white hair but mixed it up with a splash of blue. The pop of yellow and red in the eyes really add to the evilness behind the wizard’s eyes. Personally, I would have done the fingers differently, at this angle, it looks like he only has four fingers, but perhaps he’s a four-fingered magic man from another dimension, who knows? That’s the beauty of art.

IG: christianlanouette

A broken heart, a dagger, and chains? Someone was definitely done dirty by an ex-lover. Only kidding, this is a classic and timeless design that has so many amazing variations. I love the lack of color, it’s staying true to the client’s original tattoos and acts as the perfect gap filler. With clean lines, solid traditional shading, and the most popular elements, could there be a more perfect American Traditional tattoo?

IG: alin_tattooer