Finger tattoos are a popular placement and great conversation starter. But they can be more tricky than your average tattoo. Understanding why they’re difficult to tattoo can make it easier to choose a solid design that stands the test of time.
In this article, we’ll take a look at:
Finger Tattoo Considerations
Whether you’re a tattoo artist doing a finger tattoo or you’re getting one yourself, there’s a few important things to keep in mind:
1
Keep it Simple
As far as tattoos go, you’re dealing with a small space. Packing too much detail into such a small area can cause the design to become unreadable over time. Because tattoo ink will expand a bit under the skin over time, if your linework is too close together, it will blur into a blob-like shape.
Focus on small symbols and clean lines. Save intricate designs for larger areas.
Pro Tip:
American traditional or lettering work best on fingers. Tattoos in the realism or neo trad style have too much detail to fit well on the fingers.
2
Different Skin Texture
Generally speaking, you want tattoo ink to be deposited into the middle layer of the skin, which is about 2mm deep. However, some areas of the body have thinner skin or tougher skin.
When it comes to finger and hand tattoos, you’re dealing with both.
Some areas of the fingers will have very thin skin, while other places (right over the knuckles, on the fingertips) will actually have a “tougher” texture due to the constant contact these areas experience.
Because of this, it’s easy to cause blowouts and it can make the skin difficult to penetrate in different areas of the tattoo. We recommend only experienced tattoo artists attempt finger tattoos.
3
Finger Tattoos Fade Faster
Tattoos on the hands go through more “wear and tear” than most other tattoos. Between sun exposure, constant movement, hand washing, and the friction (in and out of pockets, moving through clothing, etc.) that hands endure, finger tattoos will fade faster.
Pro Tip:
Some artists don’t do finger tattoos because of this problem. Their art won’t look its best and, on occasion, clients will blame the artist for this faster fading.
4
Some Hands Don’t “Take Ink” Well
Some people’s hands don’t “take ink” well, especially over the knuckles. They find that the ink falls out very quickly, likely due to movement and contact.
Pro Tip:
Some artists don’t do finger tattoos because of this problem. Their art won’t look its best and, on occasion, clients will blame the artist for this faster fading.
5
Hand Tattoos Hurt
Hand tattoos are a popular choice, but they can be a painful one. For most people, tattoos on areas of the body where the skin is stretched tightly against the bones (like fingers, shins, knees, etc.) are more painful.
On top of that, because there are so many nerve endings in the fingers, the tattoo process can become very uncomfortable.
Note:
The pain of a finger tattoo can be worse on the inside of the finger (on the “palm side” of the finger) because there are more nerve endings in the fingertips.
6
Finger Tattoos Are Hard to Hide
If you want your tattoos on display at all times, the fingers can make excellent canvases. That said, if there are times when you would want to hide your tattoos (ex: at work), it can be difficult to do so.
Tattoos on the hands are commonly called “jobstoppers” because some places won’t hire someone with them.
Caution:
In some areas, tattooing the hands, neck, or face is illegal.
Design Inspiration: Best Finger Tattoos for Men
For men, finger tattoos can be a great form of self-expression. Whether you’re looking for a bold statement or subtle symbols,
Small Finger Tattoos
Simple designs or symbols like initials, a small heart, or thin linework are all good options for men who want something a bit more subtle.
Ring Finger Tattoo Ideas for Men (Wedding Bands, Matching Tattoos, and More)
Lots of guys will choose to get ring finger tattoos to symbolize commitment, especially if they have a job that requires them to not wear jewelry while on the clock.
For example, getting a replica of a wedding band tattooed - or an artistic expression of a ring - can be a good option.
If you want a more subtle way to be reminded of a partner, minimalist symbols like the first letter of their name, can be the way to go.
Some guys will get matching tattoos with their partner as an alternative to the traditional wedding rings.
4-Letter Word Finger Tattoos
4-letter words are popular finger tattoos, leaving the thumb free with the letters lining up on the other fingers. That way, when forming a fist, it’s easy to see the word written out.
Year Finger Tattoos
Like 4-letter words, years are popular choices for tattoos just below the knuckles.
Traditional Finger Tattoos
Simple American Traditional designs are popular for finger tattoos, especially nautical designs and daggers that look like they are piercing “through” the knuckle.
Geometric Shapes
Simple shapes, dots, and lines are popular finger tattoos.
Floral Finger Tattoos
Very simple flowers can make good finger tattoos. Some designs will have the flower on the top of the hand with the leaves or stems extending down onto the fingers.
Script Finger Tattoos
Many people choose script tattoo on the side of the fingers. These are very often seen on the index finger.
Flame Finger Tattoos
These small tattoos tend to wrap “around” the finger, creating a ring in the shape of a flame.
Skull Finger Tattoos
Skulls often represent the fine line between life and death, offering a powerful reminder to the wearer to live in the moment.
Money Finger Tattoos
Dollar signs, money bags, and diamonds are often paired together for finger tattoos.
Royalty Finger Tattoos
Some men opt for royalty-related tattoos like crowns, playing card symbols, or lions (all symbols of royalty).
Pro tips:
Lions are one of those designs that can easily become a “blob” as the linework expands over the course of your life. If you want a lion design, avoid paying too much attention to detail that could make the design unreadable.
Tribal Finger Tattoos
Tribal patterns usually mark someone as a warrior, point out their position in their family or community, or tell a story about their life. Tribal designs are a great way to pay homage to a moment or even of personal significance in a subtle way.
FAQs: Finger and Hand Tattoos
It’s difficult, but you can hide finger tattoos. Gloves, bandages, and makeup can all make it easier to hide a finger tattoo. However, for a long-term solution, laser removal is the most-used option.
For many guys, finger tattoos are a method of personal expression - whether they want a reminder of their loved one on their ring finger or they want a reminder of an important moment.
All tattoos hurt, but finger tattoos tend to be more painful than most. The skin can be stretched thin over the bones and there are more nerve endings in the fingers, which all add up to a more painful tattoo.
That said, finger tattoos are small and tend to be finished in a shorter time frame than the type of design you’d get on a larger body part.
Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult.
The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.
That’s why we created the Artist Accelerator Program. Our online course provides a simple, structured way of learning to tattoo that has been proven to work by over 7500 successful students, with many of them having gone on to open their own shops all around the world.
Inside the program, we’ll take you through every step of the tattooing process in 9 clear, easy-to-follow modules and support you along the way within the Tattooing 101 Mastermind online community.
In the Mastermind group, you’ll collaborate with other students, get answers to your questions, and receive personalized video feedback on your artwork and tattoos from professional tattoo artists. With this friendly community of both new and experienced tattoo artists, you’ll never be stuck again.
When you join the Artist Accelerator Program, you’ll have instant access to the full course and the Mastermind community, as well as our 30-Day Flash Challenge and recorded interviews with tattoo artists from all over the world.
$597
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one-time payment
Try It Risk-Free For 30 Days
If you don't think it's worth this small investment (literally less than one tattoo session) then we're happy to give you all your money back.
$59/MO
Payment Plan
Lifetime access
12 monthly payments
Try It Risk-Free For 30 Days
If you don't think it's worth this small investment (literally less than one tattoo session) then we're happy to give you all your money back.
$597
Lifetime Access
Easy, secure
one-time payment
$59/MO
Payment Plan
Lifetime access
12 monthly payments
