First came watercolor tattoos, then tiny tattoos, and now the latest tattoo trend taking over? Fine-line tattoos. So if you’ve been seeing them all over your friends’ hip bones, wrists, shoulders, and Instas—nope, you’re not imagining it. These super-sweet minimalist tattoos are made up of—you guessed it—very fine lines and are created using just a single tattoo needle (versus three or more needles needed to create the bold lines and bright colors in traditional tattoos). And it’s no surprise they’ve been trending for so long: They make great hidden tattoos, they allow for a lot more precise detailing, and they’re just really freaking cute.
But if you’re not yet convinced that this needs to be your next (or first) tattoo, I brought even more proof in the form of 15 very pretty fine-line tattoo ideas and inspo (including a cute elephant and minimalist heart tattoo). But before we get to that, I chatted with two tattoo artists to understand what makes a fine-line tattoo plus very important details like how to care for them and how much $$ you’ll have to drop to get one.
Meet the experts
- Tann Parker is a tattoo consultant based in Brooklyn who specializes in hand-poked tattoos. Parker is also the founder of Ink the Diaspora, a platform that works to challenge colorism and racism in the tattoo industry.
- Rosa Perr Bluestone is a tattoo artist based in Brooklyn who specializes in stick-and-poke tattoos.
What is the fine-line tattoo style?
Unlike traditional tattoos, which are created by a group of three or more needles for a thicker design, fine-line tattoos are created by just a single tattoo needle to leave you with super-fine lines and minimalist designs. You’ll recognize them for their delicate nature, says tattoo artist Rosa Perr Bluestone. You won’t see a lot of shading or bright colors but instead a lot of simple, linear designs and intricate details. “Fine-line tattoos are daintier and less bold than a regular tattoo,” says tattoo consultant Tann Parker. “There’s a sense of, Oh, this is actually for me and not necessarily for it to be shown off.” (Or, you know, take a billion selfies and show yours off to the world like I would.)
Do fine-line tattoos go away?
“There’s no reason a fine-line tattoo should fade any faster than a thicker-lined tattoo,” Bluestone says. The fading of a tattoo is inevitable over time, thanks to our skin’s natural instinct to slowly remove foreign substances (helpful but not helpful, you know?). According to Bluestone, the rate of fading depends on where it is on your body, the experience of the tattoo artist, and how much sun exposure your tattoo will get.
You can prepare and protect your tattoo by deep-diving on tattoo artists’ Instagrams, asking to see pictures of their healed tattoo work, and ordering a tattoo-friendly sunscreen with SPF 30 or more ahead of time. And for even more precaution, Parker says to ask your tattoo artist what their retouch policy is and if you can come back to them in two to three years if you need one.
Are fine-line tattoos more expensive?
The factors that play into the cost are the same for fine-line tattoos as they are for other tattoos: size, color, and the time it takes to complete them. But if you have a fine-line tattoo of a single heart outline with no shading, it’ll likely cost less than a larger, more intricate tattoo. (And this is exactly why consultations with your tattoo artist are so important, so you can hammer out these details and make sure you’re comfortable with the cost.)
Ready for your new ink? Cool, let’s get to the inspo. Ahead, 15 of the prettiest fine-line tattoos on Instagram.
1
This Small Ladybug Tattoo
“Fine-line tattoos don’t necessarily take longer,” says Bluestone, and that’s especially true for tiny tattoos like this little ladybug. Parker, who works with hand-poke tattoos, says a fine-line tattoo can take anywhere from one to four hours. So just in case it’s on the longer side, I’d download a few podcasts ahead of time.
2
This Cheetah Fine-Line Tattoo
The best part about fine-line tattoos? You can get them really small while still incorporating a lot of detail, like with this cheetah tattoo. And before you book your appointment, scroll through a few tattoo artists’ Instagram accounts to make sure you like their work.
3
This Floral Fine-Line Tattoo
A flower tattoo usually feels cutesy or artsy—but somehow, this fine-line tattoo embodies both and more. Screenshot this pic for your tattoo artist or google pics of some of your favorite flowers and ask if they can ink them in this style.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
These Hand Fine-Line Tattoo Ideas
Your hand is the perfect place for a fine-line tattoo (or two or three), IMO. They’re dainty enough to fit but you can still show them off easily. Heads up though: Hands get the most exposure to sunlight out of almost any other part of the body, so order a hand cream with SPF to protect your tattoos.
5
This Minimalist Heart Tattoo
Fine-line tattoos make excellent hidden tattoos. Get this tiny minimalist heart somewhere only you can see it—or if you want the best of both worlds, your collarbone, rib cage, and behind the ear make great spots where you can both keep it a secret and show it off.
6
This Fine-Line Moon Tattoo
Celebrate your Moon and Sun signs with this Sun, wave, and Moon tattoo, which will look just as cute on your back as it will on your arm, ankle, or hip. Or pick just one of these elements for a pared-down design.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
This Flower Vase Tattoo Idea
While a lot of fine-line tattoos are small, there’s no stopping you from getting a big one like this intricate flower bouquet tattoo. Before you get it done, stock up on a good tattoo lotion (which is any fragrance-free lotion for sensitive skin) to help it heal.
8
This Elephant Tattoo
These curvy linear designs are my favorite tattoo aesthetic right now. They’re embellished without being overpowering and minimalist without being boring. And, I mean, how can you not want this sweet elephant tattoo?
9
This Moon, Sun, and Stars Idea
If you want a tattoo but don’t want to endure a long healing process (I mean, does anyone?), Bluestone says hand-poked tattoos are less invasive than tattoos created by a machine—and they often heal faster. Look for an artist who specializes in stick-and-poke work (meaning, pls don’t try to DIY it), and talk through your design ideas with them to make sure you get your desired result.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
This Anatomical Heart Tattoo
If you want just a liiittle bit more flair to your fine-line tattoo, choose an artist who works with colored ink. Exhibit A: This red-inked anatomical heart tattoo. It’s such a fun way to add a ~pop~ of color without any shading (which, FWIW, is more painful than just lines).
11
This Detailed Fine-Line Butterfly
Butterflies are having a real moment right now (looking at you, Y2K trends), and luckily, they make really pretty tattoos. Butterfly tattoos are totally customizable too—pare back on the wing details for a more minimalist vibe, or ask your tattoo artist for some color to play into the artsy side.
12
This Script Fine-Line Idea
Script tattoos are always pretty, IMO, and the fine-line style is great for getting really precise cursive lettering, like this pic. And if you’re on the hunt for the perfect tattoo for your sign, script tattoos are totally customizable to your personality and vibe, whether you’re looking for a Capricorn tattoo, Sagittarius tattoo, or anything in between.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
This Sweet Plant Tattoo Idea
Plant parents and nature lovers, listen up: This fine-line tattoo was basically made for you. The lines are so delicate and wispy that it’s the perfect subtle tattoo that only people who are really looking will notice.
14
This Intricate Fine-Line Tattoo
How cool is this mountain landscape tattoo, tucked inside the Moon? This one will take a while to get done, so be prepared to be under the needle for several hours, and make sure you follow your artist’s instructions for tattoo aftercare.
15
This Tiny Fine-Line Idea
Your finger is one of the best places for a fine-line tattoo since it’s such a small space that doesn’t allow for bold lines. Also, a hand tattoo is basically jewelry that you wear all the time, which is just one less thing to remember.
Sami Roberts
Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan. Keep up with her cat-filled life in New York on Instagram.
Valeriya Chupinina
Valeriya Chupinina is a freelance beauty and wellness writer exploring the multifaceted connection between the aesthetic and internal. You can find her work in outlets like Coveteur, HYPEBAE, and NBGA. In addition to her editorial work, she consults on social media strategies for brands. You can keep up with her on Instagram @valeriyaliyevna.
