10 Matching Tattoos
Every matching tattoo on this page was drawn and tattooed by Eli Inking, an illustrative tattoo artist based in Bristol. Best friends, sisters, couples, mums and daughters: lots of people come to me in twos to get the same little design, and it's one of my favourite things to tattoo. My style is naive, wholesome and a bit funky, which suits a shared tattoo: simple enough to read at a glance, odd enough to feel like yours. I see clients from all over the UK and further afield, and I tour other cities through the year.
Same design, different places
A matching tattoo doesn't have to sit in the same spot on both of you. On this page there are magpies on one forearm and on another person's ribs, a sun at the top of one spine and the bottom of another, and a sun face on a forearm next to the same face on a shoulder.
Small pieces, like the bicycles or the stars, suit forearms and the backs of arms and make a lovely first tattoo. Bigger pieces, like the skeletons, want more room, so an upper arm, ribs or back gives the details space.
You can also change one small thing each: one fish blue and one black, a skeleton facing each way, or one pebble and a whole stack. I'll always suggest sizes that keep the design clear and readable for years.
Tattoo with your bestie
I have a special session for this: Tattoo with your bestie. It's one booking with enough time for two of you, so bring your best friend, your sister, your mum or your partner. There's room in the studio for the three of us to hang out, and you both get tattooed in the same visit. Pick a design each, the same one twice, or let me draw something for the two of you.
Book your tattoo and choose Tattoo with your bestie.
Ten matching tattoos I've done
Pairs of magpies, bicycles, stars and skeletons, in fine line and bold black with the odd spot of colour. Same design, two people.
1. Magpies on a wire
Two magpies perched on a wire, on one person's forearm and the other's ribs.
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2. Bicycles
A fine line bicycle on each forearm, with a little tuft of grass by the wheels.
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3. Skeletons reaching for a bird
A skeleton reaching up to a little bird, done as mirror images: one on an upper arm, one on the ribs.
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4. Star faces
Two little stars with faces, side by side on the backs of both arms.
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5. Dog with a red flower
A scruffy black dog with a red flower, on both arms, from my flash sheet Collection of Dogs.
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6. Pebbles
Bold black pebbles: a single pebble on a shoulder, and a stack on a calf starting with the same one.
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7. Fish tiles
The same fish in a little square tile, one blue and one black.
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8. Spine suns
A fine line sun down the spine, one at the top of the back and one at the bottom.
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9. Sun arch tiles
A sun rising inside an arched tile, on both forearms.
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10. Sun faces
A sun with a calm face, on a forearm and on a shoulder.
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Different designs, made as a pair
Not every pair has to match exactly. These were drawn to go together. Looking for more ideas? See ten whimsical tattoos, ten moon tattoos and ten fine line sun tattoos.
Dancing dog and dancing cat
A dog dancing with a star and a cat dancing with a trumpet, one each.
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Holding hands and a peeking sun
Two figures holding hands under a sun, and a sun peeking over the horizon.
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Cactus tile and sun arch
A cactus tile and a peeking sun arch, tied together with the same green sprigs.
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Designs to get together, ready to be tattooed
All drawn already, all available, and easy to get as a pair. There are plenty more on the artwork page.
FAQS
Are these designs original?
Yes. Every drawing here is mine, and every tattoo was done by me.
Can we both get the same design?
Yes. Pick a flash design you both love, like the dog with a red flower, or I can draw something for the two of you. Each of you can change one small thing too: a colour, which way it faces, or the size.
How do we book together?
Book the Tattoo with your bestie session on the booking page. It's one appointment with time for both of you, and you can hang out together in the studio while you each get tattooed.
Do matching tattoos have to go in the same place?
Not at all. The magpies on this page are on a forearm and on ribs, and the spine suns are at the top of one back and the bottom of another. Pick the spot that suits each of you.
Are matching tattoos good first tattoos?
Yes. Small pairs, like the bicycles or the stars, make a lovely first tattoo, and it helps to have someone with you. I'll talk you both through size and placement.
How much do matching tattoos cost?
Tattoos start at £130 and go up from there with size and detail, and I'm always happy to give a quote. A deposit secures your appointment.
Where are you based?
I tattoo at Nice and Good Studio, 8 St Gabriel's Business Park, Easton, Bristol.
It's appointment only and I'm not there every day, so everything goes through the booking form rather than dropping in.
Want a tattoo for the two of you?
Tattoos start at £130 and go up from there with size and detail. I'm always happy to give a quote. Read useful information for people looking to book, and my aftercare guide.
