Whether you're gearing up to get your first-ever tattoo or you're a seasoned pro with a recurring appointment on the calendar every year, figuring out what your next piece should be can feel challenging. With so many different options to choose from, including different styles, types of ink, and placements, it can be hard to decide which route to take.
Lately, we've seen a rise in one specific tattoo trend called patchwork tattoos. You've likely spotted examples of the ink style before in real life, but it's also favored by quite a few celebrities, like Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Halsey. If you don't recognize the trend by name, it's easy to explain and pretty recognizable once you see a photo.
Ahead, a tattoo artist breaks down everything to know about patchwork tattoos, including exactly what they are and how much they cost.
What Are Patchwork Tattoos?
"Patchwork tattoos are a unique style of tattoo where different tattoo designs are placed in such a way as to create a collage-like effect on the skin," Sydney Smith, owner of Syzygy Precision Tattooing, micro tattoo expert, and a member of the Mad Rabbit pro team, tells POPSUGAR. The style is sometimes mistakenly called a sleeve, but sleeve tattoos blend into one another, while patchwork tattoos have space in between each piece of art.
Best Designs For Patchwork Tattoos
Patchwork designs almost look like stickers on the skin, but exactly what you get is entirely up to you. "Common patchwork-tattoo designs often include elements like lettering, flowers, animals, and symbols, all seamlessly integrated into 'one' cohesive piece," Smith says. "It's really just a bunch of different tattoos that look good together but rarely, if ever, touch." She says there are a few types of body art that look best as patchwork tattoos, however. "Micro-realism, fine-line, and traditional tattoo styles typically work best for the composition of a patchwork sleeve."
Best Placement For Patchwork Tattoos
When it comes to placement, the world is your oyster. Although the trend is often concentrated on the arms, you can opt to get this style of tattooing all over the body. Again, patchwork tattoos are not meant to be one connected design, but they can have a cohesive style if done by the same artist, which Smith says offers the most flexibility when picking placement.
As for the color of ink you should get, Smith says it's entirely a matter of personal preference. "The majority seen as of late are usually black/gray, but there are plenty of patchwork sleeves with tattoos full of color."
Are Patchwork Tattoos Painful?
Pain is relative, and everyone's tolerance is different. However, because patchwork tattoos are typically on the smaller side, the length of time you're in contact with the needle will likely be shorter than other tattoo styles. The location will also play a role in how painful the ink is; expect areas with more nerve endings to be more painful.
Cost of Patchwork Tattoos
The cost of a patchwork tattoo will vary depending on your location and the artist you visit, especially if you plan on getting a couple of pieces in one sitting. However, you can expect prices to start at $150 at minimum for many patchwork tattoos.
FAQs
Lately, we've seen a rise in one specific tattoo trend called patchwork tattoos. You've likely spotted examples of the ink style before in real life, but it's also favored by quite a few celebrities, like Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Halsey.
Why do people get patchwork tattoos? ›
Over the years, patchwork tattoos have served as a canvas to narrate personal stories or symbolise specific ideas or themes. For example, you could have an entire patchwork tattoo sleeve dedicated to animals, time, family or anything else.
What does patchwork mean in tattoos? ›
Patchwork tattoos are a unique style of body art that consists of various smaller, individual tattoos combined to create a larger, cohesive piece.
What are the rules for patchwork tattoos? ›
While there are no rules to patchwork tattoos, you might find that one tattoo style is what you want. The style could be all fine-line tattoos, all traditional tattoos, all black and white tattoos, or only color tattoos.
Are tattoos losing popularity? ›
Despite this, 98% believe tattoos are more socially accepted now than in years past. Among Americans without tattoos, 27% plan to get one in the future, and 2 in 3 think more people are getting tattoos now because of the accessibility and availability of tattoo removal technology.
What is the name of the trashy tattoo style? ›
History. The term 'Trash Polka' was created in 1998 by Volker Merschky and Simone Pfaff at Buena Vista Tattoo Club in Würzburg. The artists originally gave their work the name 'Realistic Trash Polka' because they combined realistic images (Realistic), with graphic, lettering and other artistic layers (Trash).
Who gets patchwork tattoos? ›
If the customer doesn't have a specific theme in mind for a sleeve tattoo, patchwork tattoos are a great way to get started. They're commended for being beginner-friendly and especially non-committal if a person doesn't know exactly how many tattoos they'd like to have.
Are patchwork tattoos cheaper? ›
Patchwork tattoos can be more cost-effective initially as they are paid for piece-by-piece, but the overall cost may equal or exceed that of a full sleeve, which is priced as a single, comprehensive piece of art, or by session.
Why are Millennials getting tattoos? ›
Even when everything else about the world is in constant flux - right down to the body changes - tattoos are something that never change. This helps make tattoos more of an identity meter for millennials and so we see them a lot more than in years past.
Is patchwork a trend? ›
Once a means of using up left-over fabric scraps, in the 1960s patchwork was adopted by mainstream and high-fashion designers, thanks to the influence of hippie culture. Today the technique remains a perennial fashion favourite.
If quilting is often associated with warmth and protection, patchwork is more closely associated with domestic economy – a way of using up scraps of fabrics or of extending the working life of clothing.
What style is patchwork? ›
Patchwork is a needlework technique which consists in stitching together small pieces of cloth to create a larger piece. The pieces are generally cut into geometrical shapes such as squares, triangles or hexagons before being sewn together to create a more complicated pattern or design.
Why are patchwork tattoos popular? ›
Patchwork tattoos can be a great way to incorporate a variety of different images, styles, and themes into a cohesive and visually interesting design. This can make them a great option for people who want a tattoo that is both unique and visually striking.
What is the difference between American traditional tattoo and patchwork? ›
Traditionally a tattoo sleeve has no open space and is more likely to have a cohesive theme. In contrast patchwork tattoos can have a theme or be completely random. Below, there is an example of a patchwork tattoo sleeve, and a more traditional tattoo sleeve.
How do you make patchwork tattoos look cohesive? ›
To create cohesion in a tattoo sleeve, incorporate background imagery connecting individual pieces seamlessly or utilize shading techniques effectively when transitioning between areas.
What is the newest style of tattooing? ›
Tattoo trends for 2024
- Blackwork tattoos. Blackwork tattoos are a bold and dramatic tattoo trend that is gaining popularity among tattoo enthusiasts. ...
- Dotwork tattoos. ...
- Sketch style tattoos. ...
- Nature-inspired tattoos. ...
- Colorful geometric tattoos.
Patchwork tattoos can be any style, but they look best if you stick to the same style throughout. Sameness in style is almost more important than cohesiveness in theme. If you have many different ideas going on in many different styles, your patchwork sleeve will look chaotic (unless that's your jam).
Are patchwork tattoos random? ›
Traditionally a tattoo sleeve has no open space and is more likely to have a cohesive theme. In contrast patchwork tattoos can have a theme or be completely random. Below, there is an example of a patchwork tattoo sleeve, and a more traditional tattoo sleeve.
What is the trend in the tattoo market? ›
Tattoo Market Insights
Global Tattoo Market size was valued at USD 1.78 Billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 1.95 Billion in 2023 to USD 4.10 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period (2024-2031).
