Are you considering getting an arm band tattoo, but are not sure where to start? Would you like to learn more about tattoos in general? If so, then this is the perfect article for you!!
Whether you are drawn to clean geometric lines, tribal patterns, or something much more personal, an arm band tattoo remains a timeless and bold way to express your own identity. They are simple, yet striking and they can be as minimal or as meaningful as you want them to be.
Decide What it Means to YOU
Before you choose the style of your tattoo, you should start with answering the question, “Why do I want this tattoo?” Ask yourself what you want it to represent; a memory, a person, or a personal value? Do you want it to be decorative, symbolic or cultural? Or do you want it to mark a life event or transformation of some kind?
Keep in mind that you want the tattoo to mean something to YOU. It does not have to mean anything to anyone else or be obvious to other people what it is all about. Sometimes, the most powerful tattoos are private symbols that are worn with quiet confidence. For example; my daughter and I got matching tattoos on our ankles of the sign that means “I love you” in sign language. It is small enough that most people would not even see it, but yet when they do see it, they will not know the full meaning unless we tell them.
The actual reason we got that specific tattoo was in memory of my grandpa. For as far back as I can remember, when us kids would visit Grandpa and it was time to leave, he would always wave the sign “I love you” as we were walking towards the car. Of course, we did that back to him also and my kids were taught to do it too.
Choose a Style that Speaks to YOU
There is a variety of arm band tattoo styles that are popular and each one has its own vibe and visual impact.
Geometric and Linework
Geometric and linework is defined by symmetry, repetition and clean lines. This style is popular among people who like the minimalist or modern design. Linework can represent balance, control and a personal order as well.
Tribal or Polynesian
Tribal or Polynesian is a popular style that is rooted in cultural history, especially in the Polynesian, Samoan and Hawaiian traditions. These type of tattoos are often custom-designed to reflect their heritage, status or personal strength and can include motifs such as waves, shark teeth and spears. If you want to do a tribal or Polynesian theme, make sure you research the meanings behind the symbols to ensure you are sending across the message that you desire.
Nature Inspired
Another style that is very popular is anything that is Nature-Inspired. This could include trees, ocean waves, mountains, or vines. This is a great way to reflect your love for the outdoors or represent elements like growth, flow or grounding.
Memorial or Symbolic
Memorial or Symbolic Bands are a great way to incorporate personal meaning into your arm band tattoo. This can include dates, initials, soundwaves, or subtle lines that have a deep personal meaning to yourself or your family. Memorial bands are popular as a tribute to a loved one that has passed away or a great way to incorporate important milestones in your life.
Mandala or Ornamental
Last but not least, you could choose a mandala or ornamental pattern. These are beautiful for the forearms or wrists and typically include intricate, flowing details with a spiritual meaning. They often symbolize unity, eternity, or inner peace.
With all of these options to design the perfect arm band that YOU will LOVE and want over a long period of time, you truly have even more choices! You can even mix and match ideas and designs. For example, you can take a clean geometric band and use a nature-inspired symbol or a date, adding both structure and meaning to your tattoo.
Pick the Right Placement
In addition to choosing what design you want for your arm band, you also need to decide exactly WHERE you want to put the tattoo! Placement is just as important as the actual design. You need to decide how visible you want it to be and what proportion you want the size to be in comparison to your body, how you move, and your personal lifestyle.
Upper Arm
When considering the upper arm, which is the bicep or triceps area, you can rest assured that this area is easy to cover up with sleeves if needed. The bicep or triceps area is the most traditional and versatile location and the muscles in this area can make the design look even more dynamic. Bold tribals, solid black and multi-band styles look great in this area.
Lower Arm
The forearm, or lower arm, is a much more visible area in the every day life. This area works well for clean linework, ornamental or floral styles and takes up less space than the upper arm. Therefore, the design will need to be scaled to fit the area. The forearm works well and would have a great flow for future sleeve ideas.
Wrist or Just Below the Elbow
The wrist or just below the elbow is a great area for a subtle or simple placement. This works well for a minimalistic, symbolic or delicate design. Keep in mind that this area will have more movement, so the design must be fluid enough to flow with the movement. Fine line bands or stacked thin rings are popular around the wrist or close to the elbow.
There are other things to also think about when designing the perfect arm band tattoo. You will need to decide if you want it on your dominant arm or your non-dominant arm. Do you want your tattoo to be more visible while writing, working or shaking hands? If so, then your dominant arm would be a great location, but if not, then you would want to choose your non-dominant arm. If you need to hide tattoos for work, then you may wish to to the upper arm.
Work with a Skilled Tattoo Artist
Once you have figured out what kind of design you want, and where you would like to place your arm band tattoo, it is time to consult with a professional artist. Arm band tattoos require precise linework and a seamless wrapping around a 3D space. You want to make sure it will look straight and flow in a dynamic way once completed, so make sure you find a good artist. Look for someone who has a portfolio that shows clean lines and symmetrical, tribal or detailed designs who also has been tattooing for a while. Bring your ideas to your tattoo artist and let them get creative with the end result.
MY Arm Band Tattoo
Before I created my arm band tattoo, I browsed Pinterest a LOT, trying to get ideas and figure out what I would like. I knew that I wanted an arm band, but I did not want the typical lines. Instead I wanted flowers, but I wanted the flowers to have meaning. At one point, I ran across some PINS on Pinterest that showed birth month flowers.
That was when I got the idea to create a Birth Month Flower Arm Band. I began saving pictures of birth month flowers for my various family members. I then drew a very rough draft of each of those flowers. After that, I drew and taped them together on a strip of paper. This at least gave me, and my tattoo artist, and idea of what I had in mind. Finally, I sent it to my tattoo artist and described my idea to her. I knew my drawings were very rough draft, but it showed her what I had in mind.
Below is a picture of what I drew to give my artist my ideas.
Birth Month Flowers
Carnation
Cosmos
Violet
Lily of the Valley
Gladiolus
Chrysanthemum
Rose
Daisy
And these pictures below show what my actual arm band ended up looking like. I chose a combination of linework mixed with nature and a tattoo that symbolizes my closest family members. In addition to this, I added in the sunflower and lily simply because I absolutely LOVE those flowers. I added Ash and Nik because I wanted my kids’ nicknames incorporated into the tattoo. The bumble bee was included because he is adorable and the world would not survive without bumble bees to pollinate our flowers and food.
Ready to Design YOUR Perfect Arm Band Tattoo?
Do you need help defining your style or looking for a good tattoo artist? If so, comment below or reach out to me! I would love to point you in the right direction!
For more ideas, check out my post on “How to Choose a Tattoo“.