69 Creative Body Placement Tattoo Ideas for Men & Women in 2024

Ankle tattoos are usually seen as a feminine body placement, but we are seeing more and more men getting ankle tattoos. Putting the design slightly higher up means that the artist had a flatter surface area to work with, and was able to get a lot of detail in the design. It’s easy to hide and will age well as the spot does not come into a lot of direct contact with the sun.

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This tattoo is the epitome of feminine tattoos. Everything from the placement to the style, to the subject matter is dainty and sophisticated. I adore the way this tattoo wraps around the client’s leg as it reminds me of an ankle bracelet. If you are looking for a sexy tattoo placement, this is a great option for you to flaunt your legs and show a secretive side of yourself to the world.

IG: peria_tattoo

This tattoo depicts two opposing things – a bonfire and a rainforest. I love the contrast between the blues and the yellows. While this tattoo is on the bicep, it is thin so it does not warp too badly. The artist is very talented as this band is almost perfectly straight. The style of this tattoo would work for both women and men.

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Armband tattoos are becoming very popular and make quite a statement. It’s best to choose a part of the body like the forearm as it does not warp as badly as the bicep. A solid armband tattoo can symbolize strength and luck, and combined with a mandala which symbolizes balance and perfection, this makes for a very strong and masculine tattoo.

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This tattoo was done over 4 consecutive days which shows incredible dedication from both the artist and the client. The linework is incredibly clean and I love the religious imagery that has a dark side to it. Your back is the biggest canvas on your body and you need to be very sure of what you want to have done so that you don’t waste it.

IG: ivan.zagusta

This is another example of a few consecutive day sittings for a large back tattoo. It shows a lot of love and dedication to one subject matter to have it take up your entire back, so I assume this client loves tigers. The tattoo is badass, and clean, and the artist was able to create great texture. I think it could do with another day sitting just to tie up some of the loose ends.

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This tattoo is incredibly dainty and feminine. I like the composition as it flows along the neck, and the fine details are very impressive, especially for such a tricky spot to tattoo. I am not sure that it will hold up well over time, and would suggest doing something with a bit less detail on this part of the body.

IG: tattooist_sion

This tattoo is not only clean but almost perfectly placed which is tricky to achieve on this part of the body. The mandala is everything it needs to be – balanced, perfect, and divine. I love the soft dotwork shading which contrasts the areas of solid black. The design is simplistic and will hold up extremely well over time.

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 I am a big fan of calf tattoos as it is another part of the body that is large and flat, making it a good spot for bigger pieces. Fu Dogs are a Chinese symbol of protection and they guard the entranceways of homes and temples, making them a great option for a calf tattoo. The sacred geometry is clean, but I think it could have been a bit lighter to help with contrast.

IG: grumpy_doper

I love these abstract designs as they are extremely unique and show a lot of creativity. The calf is an interesting body placement for such a small tattoo, but I think it works in this context as it flows upwards along the leg beautifully. I like the muted color palette and the fine, delicate lines.

IG: handitrip

This is one of my favorite tattoos on the list thus far. I love the movement and the ferocious facial expressions on the Cerberus. The texture is interesting and I like how dark it is. The chest is another large canvas on your body that needs a lot of thought before committing to a design, so be extra sure before you go ahead and get it done.

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This is an interesting design which is a comment on balance and perspective. The image is a bit confusing and if I met this client in real life I would ask them all about the imagery they chose. It is well executed and the detail is impressive, but I think it would have looked better if it had taken up the whole chest instead of the single panel.

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The collarbone is very feminine and could be seen as either a sexy or meaningful body placement for a tattoo. It is common to see fine script tattoos along the collarbone, but this peony design is bold and unique. I love how delicate the line work is and the soft, smooth shading adds just the right amount of depth to the design.

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Cybersigilism is taking the tattoo world by storm, drawing inspiration from old school 90’s tribal tattooing. I like that the artist chose to use both black and red ink for this design, and added a tiny pink heart to soften it even more. This design works well with the flow of the collarbone, but I think it could have been done with a bit more finesse as I am not sure how well it will age.

IG: toothfairytats

This artist is very well known for doing bold, well-saturated areas of bright color and this ear tattoo is no exception. Ears are notoriously difficult to tattoo and the ink does not hold as well as other areas of the body. This tattoo is bright and beautiful and flows perfectly with the anatomy of the ear. I would love to see how it heals.

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90’s tribal tattooing is more popular than ever before, and I love the modern, thin take on this timeless style. This tattoo is super unique and the different pieces of tribal fit the eat perfectly. I love how it subtly comes onto the client’s face and the elongated piece along the top fold of the ear. This is a modern and unique tattoo!

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Face tattoos are gaining popularity and aren’t as frowned upon as they once were. I like this design because it is feminine while still being bold. It is a hand poked tattoo which is a great way to perform a face tattoo as it is a more gentle process. I like the placement and symmetrical nature, and it suits the client very well.

IG: bb.hurricane

There is a misconception that butterfly tattoos are inherently feminine, but this tattoo shows us that they can be for both men and women. I am very impressed by the fine line work and the gentle shading throughout the design. I don’t know if this style will hold up well on the face, as the skin is quite thin, but it looks amazing while it is fresh!

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Foot tattoos are notoriously painful, and this client was able to sit through both which is very impressive. I love the artist’s illustrative take on a classic sun and moon tattoo as it is unique and eye-catching. The line work is clean, bold, and will hold up well over time which is important as foot tattoos do tend to fall out.

IG: amare.with.love

This is another great example of a hand poke tattoo, and how well they hold up on parts of the body that tend to fade. I love the way that this tattoo flows on the client’s feet. The pattern work reminds me of designs seen on old tiles, and I love the bold use of solid black and thicker line work.

IG: bb.hurricane

This avant-garde, full-color Neo Traditional style of tattooing is one of my absolute favorites. The artist chose contrasting colors which are very eye-catching, which is perfect for a forearm tattoo. Forearms are one of the most visible spots to get tattooed, so you may as well go full-out on the design you choose!

IG: atelier.penumbre

This tattoo combines the classic armband tattoos with beautiful, fine-line peonies to create an eye-catching and unique design. The design flows perfectly with the client’s arm, and I appreciate the subtle shading and fine line work. Your forearm is something you see every day, so make sure that you choose a design that you won’t get bored of.

IG: natalia_musiol

This design is unique, bold, and interesting to look at. It takes a lot of dedication to get an entire full-sleeve tattoo and to decide on one subject matter for it, and this is a great option especially if you love Japanese paintings and imagery. I love the contrast of the areas of solid black and the striking red sun.

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This is a completely different take on a Japanese full-sleeve tattoo. Japanese dragon tattoos are said to guard and protect the wearer and their families and spread happiness and good luck. This style of tattooing takes a long time to do and will require complete dedication and trust in your artist.

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Black and gray realism is a popular choice for half-sleeve tattoos, especially Greek and Roman imagery. I love the painterly brush stroke that flows along the design and the gentle texture in the Greek statue’s face. This tattoo is sure to attract a lot of positive attention!

IG: panumart_tattoo

This tattoo artist is well-known for creating beautiful, intricate tattoos using only blue ink. It reminds me of old Chinese pottery designs and has a classic feel to it. I love how the artist framed the dragon and the water using an interesting border, and all of the fine details throughout the design.

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Knee tattoos are notoriously badass and there is nothing cooler than seeing them peek through torn jeans. My knee tattoo was one of the most painful ones I have ever gotten, so be prepared if you plan on getting yours done. I love the way that this mandala fits the knee and the use of dot work instead of line work is a unique take.

IG: undulmood

I am obsessed with these trendy Y2K-inspired tattoos, and this one really takes the cake. I love the bold flames around the yin-yang and the popping red hearts. The spider web makes for the perfect gap filler behind these elements. A badass, clean, and bright tattoo for a badass area of the body!

IG: giuseppe.messina

The thigh is quite a painful area and I am impressed that the client was able to sit for such a large design, especially in full color! I adore the color palette as it reminds me of autumn. The glow around the bird is a cool addition and I especially like how it flows with the thigh perfectly.

IG: robin_b_tattoos

Medusa tattoos have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years and the thigh is the perfect spot for a large, intricate tattoo. I feel that the anatomy of the Medusa could have been a bit more feminine and that the snakes could have had more details and less of a childlike feel to them to utilize this prime piece of canvas.

IG: hungryxhound

Finger tattoos are usually only performed by artists if you are already heavily tattooed as they are almost impossible to cover up if needed. I love this classic American Traditional font as it is not only bold but lasts extremely well over time. I love that the artist included some nautical imagery of the anchor and the helm as this speaks to the American Traditional style.

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Finger tattoos are known to fade as we use our hands often and the skin is extremely thin. This dainty style of finger tattoos is becoming quite popular as they look like jewelry. I don’t think that they hold up well over time and that they tend to disappear after a few months, so perhaps consider getting something that is a bit bolder.

IG: orma_tattoo

Your ribs have got to be one of the most painful areas of the body to get tattooed. The skin is extremely thin and it can feel like you are being tattooed right on your bones. This is what makes this tattoo even more impressive – the lines are extremely bold and I can only imagine how painful it must have been. I love how the design flows with the body and the addition of textured dotwork.

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Snakes have been associated with healing, change, and eternity and are a popular choice among people who get tattooed. I love the way that this snake wraps around the client’s hip and onto the stomach. The red is an interesting choice and adds a dynamic element to this tattoo. It does look a bit unfinished and I think it could use some more black in the design.

IG: winigreeni

This is another example of dainty, sparkle finger tattoos that remind me of jewelry. I appreciate that the artist chose to make some of the stars a bit bolder as I think it will hold up better on the fingers over time. I like that they chose to just do one finger as this is unique!

IG: tavi_tattoo

Bamboo is often used in tattoo imagery as it symbolizes growth, development, and resilience. I love the painterly effect that the artist used for the leaves and the way that the stem goes onto the client’s finger. This design is perfect for someone who is looking to do a more subtle hand tattoo.

IG: mukyeon_tattoo

Shin tattoos are quite painful as the skin is thin and right on the bone, but they sure do look badass! I love the composition of the mandala and the way it wraps around the client’s leg. Sacred geometry and mandalas are a popular choice for tattoos as they symbolize the balance of body and mind, and are extremely impressive when done as well as this one is!

IG: tommbirchtattoo

What stands out to me in this tattoo is the gradient from red to black. It is creative, unique, and eye-catching! I love the repetition of the eyes and it fills the gaps that the client has on her legs. Buddha’s eyes represent wisdom and unity, making them a beautiful and meaningful tattoo.

IG: kiwa_jip

This style of soft peony tattoo is very popular. They can be designed to fit pretty much any area of the body, including the shoulder. I like how it flows onto the arm and along the collarbone. It is feminine, delicate, and timeless, making it the perfect design for such a feminine area.

IG: panumart_tattoo

This has got to be one of my favorite tattoos on the list. I love the delicate use of grey in the bird’s tail and the soft wings. It looks like the bird is hovering on the client’s shoulder and I adore how the tail matches the flow of the arm. I would absolutely love to see how the tattoo heals!

IG: newtattoo_studio

Your sternum is a very feminine area of the body, and because it is so close to the bone it can be quite painful. If you’re worried about pain, getting something simplistic is a clever way around the pain. I love how delicate and simple this tattoo is, and yet it is also striking. Symmetry is difficult to accomplish and the artist absolutely nailed it!

IG: gisant.orient

As I mentioned before, the sternum is an incredibly painful area to get tattooed, and this one also goes onto the ribs! I love the asymmetrical nature of this piece as it makes it more dynamic. It flows beautifully with the client’s body and accentuates her curves. I love that the artist went with a more fineline approach as it softens the tattoo.

IG: thesingingfinch

Your stomach is one of the more painful areas as it is not exposed to the elements often and is very sensitive. This is such a cool example of how cool script tattoos can look if they are done in the right style. The artist knows how to design script to make it fit the body well which takes a lot of skill.

IG: pietrotattooer

I am a huge fan of Japanese imagery especially these sorts of funky creatures. I like how the tattoo is slap-bang on the middle of this client’s torso as it really stands out. People tend to move quite a bit when getting their stomach tattooed so the fine line work in the hair and the scales is especially impressive

IG: dokgonoing

The wrist is one of the least painful areas on the body to get tattooed. It is also one of the most visible and the design that you choose to place there needs to work well with the arm. This ornamental design is the perfect example of how beautiful and dainty a wrist tattoo can be. I especially like the symmetrical nature of it as it looks like a decorative piece of jewelry on the client’s arm.

IG: uweoljansang

Floral elements are a popular choice in tattooing, and I especially like how the artist created a friendship tattoo that flows from one client’s wrist onto the other without it just being a copy. The painterly effect is unique and I like the choice of colors. This tattoo could be customized to include flowers that are special to you!

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