Ever wondered how cool a shoulder tattoo would look peeking out from under your tank tops and off-the-shoulder tops? How edgy would you feel in those Insta-worthy mirror selfies? Shoulder tattoos have been in fashion for years and aren’t going away anytime soon. The best part is that placing them on the shoulder allows for a larger canvas. You get the front and shoulder blades on the back and collarbones. This allows for easy placement of large, intricate pieces as well as small, dainty pieces. Isn’t it great to have the creative freedom to experiment with cool designs? And that’s not to mention the flexibility to control the visibility of the tattoos. Feeling inspired to get one? Then scroll down and check out some of the most popular shoulder tattoo designs before booking your appointment.
8 shoulder tattoo ideas
Shoulder tattoos have a charming appeal and make for a unique place to get tattooed. These tattoos have a graceful and strong appeal due to the placement that offers flexibility in customizing the design. Check out some of the trendiest shoulder tattoo ideas here.
1. Shoulder tattoo for women
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Butterflies can go one way to the heart, and so can butterfly tattoos. This tattoo on the back of the shoulder, at an angle, shows two gray-toned butterflies. The use of fine lines mimics the pattern on the butterfly wings. The edges of the wings are made with black ink, with patterns cut out using negative space. Butterflies represent freedom, change, and joy. So this design can symbolize changes and transformations in one’s life.
2. Flower Shoulder Tattoo
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This fine line rose tattoo in black ink is an excellent choice for those who prefer minimalist designs. The simplicity of the design looks stunning on bare skin. The shading on the leaves creates a striking contrast with the outline of the rose. Blooming roses are often associated with romance, love and passion. Therefore, it is perfect for anyone who resonates with the underlying symbolism.
3. Dragon shoulder tattoo
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The brazenly bold and dynamic dragon tattoo makes for a powerful piece of art. The clever use of black and brown tones adds to the intensity of the tattoo and gives the artwork a sense of depth and realism. The scales on the dragon’s body and face and the fierce and fiery eye also look striking and formidable. Covering the shoulder and upper arm, this tattoo makes for an easily recognizable ink and represents power, fearlessness and strength.
4. Small shoulder tattoo
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This tiny, all-black heart tattoo sits beautifully below the shoulder joint. It’s understated and creates a great contrast with the empty space around it. This classic tattoo design has a minimalist, chic feel and will never really go out of style. Given its small size, this tattoo is also easier to get. A black heart usually represents deep romantic love, sadness, and sorrow. However, you can also get it out of love for the aesthetic of the black heart and if black is just your thing!
5. Sun shoulder tattoo
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Despite the pain you have to endure, the front shoulder is definitely one of the trendiest places to get the small tattoo design. This outline sun tattoo has a minimalist, understated look. The lines radiating from the circle represent the sun’s rays extending outward. The skin that is visible underneath also makes the outline of the sun stand out. Since the sun is considered the source of life and is associated with positivity, this tattoo can symbolize happiness, zest for life, and energy, and can reflect a vibrant personality.
6. Tribal shoulder tattoo
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If you are brave enough and always want to stand out, then opt for this tribal tattoo on the upper arm. The use of bold black ink and negative spaces makes the tattoo look visually striking. Well, the contrast between the black ink and the skin makes the artwork look powerful and dynamic. Moreover, the abstract tribal patterns, such as the radiating lines, flow into the contours of the shoulder. This tattoo symbolizes strength, protection, spirituality, courage, and heritage.
7. Phoenix shoulder tattoo
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A phoenix is a mythical figure that rises from the ashes! This vibrant tattoo featuring a graceful phoenix conveys the same message: overcome challenges and come back even stronger. The use of numerous colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, and black makes this tattoo simply look like a work of art! The graceful, traditional floral design adds to the charm. Also, the flowing and swirling designs give a sense of fluidity to the artwork. This elaborate artwork beautifully complements the curves of the shoulder and is more of an accessory than a tattoo.
8. Tiger shoulder tattoo
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Here is a bold and vibrant tiger head tattoo that runs across the shoulder and upper arm. The tiger’s head is surrounded by flower and leaf-like patterns, which surround the tiger in its natural habitat. The intertwined leaves merge with the tiger’s body, embracing the natural contours of the shoulder and back. This dynamic design can symbolize the peaceful coexistence of nature and vitality, represented by the tiger. The shoulder is often associated with strength, so this placement can also indicate the wearer’s inner strength and vitality.
Shoulder tattoos are a bold way to showcase your art. The placement provides a large canvas, allowing you to create beautiful designs. Having the tattoo placed on the natural contours of the shoulder is pleasing to the eye. This also helps to give the design a sense of movement and interest. You can go for larger designs if you’re looking for a statement body piece or opt for dainty tattoos for a boho-chic look. We hope you’ve been able to settle on a design and placement that suits your vibe and flatters your shoulder contours.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience in creating short-form content for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle niches. She holds a 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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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has written more than 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from University of Calcutta, West Bengal and did her post-graduation from Kalyani University, West Bengal.
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Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience writing across various niches including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has been honing her craft ever since.
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