30 First Tattoo Ideas From Real Artists

Your first tattoo is exciting and a little scary, because it stays. The tattoos people still love years later usually have two things: a meaning that is personal to them and a design that works well on skin. Small, simple designs are a good way to get both.

Every idea on this page is a real, small design by an Inkjin artist, and you can book any of them. They are grouped by theme, from flowers and animals to small symbols and clean lines. Each card shows the artist who drew it and the price. If you are still at the very start, read our guide to getting your first tattoo too.

Flowers and nature

1Leaf ornament #1@dollmadaki · Illustrativefrom €1002Flower ornament #2@konna_x · Ornamentalfrom €1003Floral ornament synthesis@raamcat · Ornamentalfrom €1504Dandelions minimal ornament #4@raamcat · Ornamentalfrom €605Cute bunny@pi_meth · Illustrativefrom €806Diamond flower ornament #2@nako_tattoo · Ornamentalfrom €807Skull Moth@kazatattoos · Micro-realismfrom €1508Rose and shapes #2@vanilla · Micro-realismfrom €200

Animals

9Spirited Away creatures #2@angie_tattoo · Illustrativefrom €8010Twirly starfish@dollmadaki · Illustrativefrom €8011Kawaii maneki neko@hunni · Illustrativefrom €8012Maneki neko love box@hunni · Illustrativefrom €8013Two eye-fish@kazatattoos · Abstractfrom €9014Moon spider@angie_tattoo · Illustrativefrom €8015Ghost and black cat@achlys · Blackworkfrom €10016Butterfly Skull Fusion@kazatattoos · Micro-realismfrom €150

Symbols and small icons

17Susuwatari (Soot Sprites)@angie_tattoo · Illustrativefrom €6018Tribal heart ornament@kizal · Neo-tribalfrom €13019Double pupil@salvi_denning · Handpokefrom €8020Cloud Cinnamoroll@achlys · Blackworkfrom €10021Edgy tribal eye@electrabuzz · Blackworkfrom €7022Eye synthesis@salvi_denning · Handpokefrom €10023Eye vortex@xema_tattoos · Blackworkfrom €8024Two eyes@zzirini · Illustrativefrom €90

Lines and shapes

25Flower ornament #6@raamcat · Ornamentalfrom €6026Two flower ornaments@raamcat · Ornamentalfrom €10027Fluid shapes@zzirini · Abstractfrom €7028Blurry silhouette@salvi_denning · Handpokefrom €10029Diamond Shaped Cross Ornament@bizou · Ornamentalfrom €12030Ancient Circular Ornament@bizou · Ornamentalfrom €60

How big should your first tattoo be?

Small is a good place to start. A small design is quicker, costs less and lets you find out how your skin heals before you commit to something bigger. Fine line and minimalist styles are the most common first choices, because thin, clean lines look good at small sizes. If you want something bolder that holds up well over the years, look at blackwork.

Don't go too small, though. A regret artists often hear is that a first tattoo came out smaller than the person wanted. Very tiny, very detailed designs can also blur as the lines spread over the years. Ask your artist what size your design needs to stay clear. For more small designs, browse our minimalist tattoo ideas.

Where to put your first tattoo

The inner forearm is the most common first spot. It is flat, not too painful, easy to look after while it heals, and easy to cover with a long sleeve. The outer upper arm and the shoulder blade are also good choices. For something more discreet, try the inner wrist, behind the ear, the ankle or along the collarbone.

Leave the ribs, sternum, feet and hands for later, unless your design really needs one of those spots. Hands and fingers also fade faster than most areas. Our placement guide and forearm tattoo guide go into more detail.

How much does a first tattoo hurt?

Most people say it hurts less than they expected. It feels like a sharp scratch or a hot line, and it is strongest in the first few minutes before your body gets used to it. Spots with more muscle or fat, like the outer arm and the forearm, hurt less than bony spots like the ribs, ankles and feet.

A small design is also over quickly, often in under an hour. Eat a proper meal before you go, sleep well the night before, and skip alcohol. Our tattoo pain chart shows how each part of the body compares.

How much does a first tattoo cost?

Most first tattoos are small, so they usually cost less than people expect. On Inkjin, most designs like the ones above cost €80-€120, and small designs in general cost €80-€140. Many studios also have a minimum charge, so a very tiny design may cost about the same as a slightly bigger one.

Choose your artist for the quality of their work. A small tattoo has nowhere to hide a shaky line. You can get a rough number for your own idea with the tattoo price estimator, and our tattoo cost guide explains what changes the price.

Try your first tattoo on before you book

Don't rush. Save the designs you keep coming back to, and live with the idea for a few weeks. A design that still feels right after that is a good sign. Personal details help too, like a birth flower, initials hidden in the lines, or a symbol that means something only to you and the people close to you.

Then see it on your own body. With Inkjin you can try on tattoos in AR with your phone camera, move the design, change its size and check how it looks on the spot you want. When you're ready, book the artist straight from the card, or find more artists whose style matches your idea. Read our aftercare guide before your appointment so you know how to look after it.