If you’re considering getting a tattoo, size matters. Have you heard different sizing terms but have no idea what they mean or how that will look? Understanding and differentiating between various tattoos sizes will help you better comprehend what you are getting. Tattoo size matters for the design of your body art. If you’re looking for an intricate and detailed piece, you most likely will not want to get it super small. Details will get lost, and the intricacy of the design will be muddled. If you are considering something like a portrait, getting at least a medium-size tattoo of 6 or more inches will usually be recommended. If you want a simple tattoo, small sizes are perfectly suitable. If you are looking for something on your ankle, knuckles, or wrists, for example, consider a simple object or lettering.
Tattoos are measured in square inches. To determine your tattoo size, simply multiply the height of your tattoo with the width at the longest points. If you already have an area in mind, measure your body’s location that you want the tattoo. Map out a rectangle on your skin and measure how tall and wide it is. Now you know how large the design needs to be, and you can begin searching for designs that would look good at that size. Another good way to determine the size of a tattoo if you don’t have a way to measure it is to use everyday object as a size comparison.
Using words like small, medium, large is very vague because not all people see those as the same size measurements as you may see them. Another term that many people use often is “palm sized”. While your palm may be 4 inches, another person’s could be 6 inches or more. Giving your artist/studio your height and weight doesn’t help with determining how much surface area will be covered as every person’s body is different and in that case they can’t provide you with an accurate quote for time as well as pricing. Deciding what size you want your tattoo will help you choose where on your body you want it, and vice versa. If you know that you want a tattoo across your entire chest, it’s pointless to look at small tattoo designs. Look for something large and detailed that can cover your surface area and look fantastic.
So, as you can see, choosing the correct size for your tattoo is just as important as the design itself. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the size, including placement, design, time, and cost. The best thing you can do before getting a tattoo is to measure it out on your body and then review with your tattoo artist to see what they think would be best. Although the decision is ultimately up to you, it is nice to have input from a professional.