15 Small Tattoo Ideas
Every small tattoo on this page was drawn and tattooed by Eli Inking, an illustrative tattoo artist based in Bristol. Small doesn't have to mean plain: a snail, two seahorses, a bird with a twig, a red tulip down the back of the neck. I see clients from all over the UK and further afield, and I tour other cities through the year.
Sizes and placements
Small tattoos are lovely because they stand on their own. A little snail or a tiny seahorse doesn't need anything around it, so a small design can go almost anywhere: a wrist, a forearm, the back of an arm, the back of the neck.
The catch with going small is detail. Too much detail in too small a space won't stay clear as the tattoo settles. That matters even more in spots that are already tricky to tattoo, like the inside of the arm or the ribs, because you're stacking one difficulty on top of another, and each one adds risk to how it turns out.
I don't think every tattoo should be tiny, but the ones on this page all work well small. If the design you love is too detailed to go small, I can often simplify it so it still works. We'll talk it through, and there's always time in your appointment to try different sizes and placements.
A small tattoo for your first
Lots of people come to me for their first tattoo, and a small one is a lovely place to start: it's quicker, and easy to place. If you're nervous, have a read of my first tattoo advice, which covers what to expect on the day.
Make it your own
Every design is original, and I'm always happy to make a small one yours: a different animal, a word underneath, a spot of colour. If one of these is for you, book a tattoo.
Want more ideas? Have a look at ten whimsical tattoos, or matching tattoos to get with a friend.
Fifteen small tattoos I've done
Tiny animals, little figures, suns and symbols, in fine line, bold black and the odd spot of red.
1. Snail
A tiny black snail with a spiral shell, on the forearm.
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2. Two seahorses
Two little seahorses facing each other, on the back of the arm.
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3. Red star flower
A red star-shaped flower on a wavy stem, on the wrist.
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4. Bird with a twig
A bold black bird carrying a green twig, on the upper arm.
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5. Hugging its knees
A little red line figure hugging its knees, on the upper arm.
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6. Tiny skull
A bold black skull with a halo of dots, on the upper arm.
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7. Two birds and a flower
Two little birds either side of a flower, on the inner forearm.
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8. Smiling sun
A fine line sun with a smiling face, on the forearm.
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9. Bird on a wrist line
A thin line round the wrist with a tiny bird sitting on it.
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10. Tiny seahorse
A tiny black seahorse, on the upper arm.
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11. Nested squares
Squares inside squares in blue, green and grey, on the upper arm.
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12. Dancing figure
A figure dancing under a little sun beside a plant, on the arm.
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13. Red tulip
A tiny red tulip on a long thin stem, down the back of the neck.
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14. Tiny symbols
A column of tiny bold symbols, on the upper arm.
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15. Sleepy sun
A fine line sun with a sleepy face, on the upper arm.
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Small designs, ready to be tattooed
All drawn already, all available. There are plenty more small designs on the artwork page.
FAQS
Are these designs original?
Yes. Every drawing here is mine, and every tattoo was done by me.
Can I have one of these, or something like it?
Yes. I'm happy to tattoo something like any of these, or to make one your own. The designs under the photos are flash: drawn already and ready to tattoo.
Is a small tattoo a good first tattoo?
Yes, it's one of the nicest ways to start. I'll talk you through size and placement so it suits you and stays clear as it settles. My first tattoo advice has more.
How small can a tattoo be?
Small, but not too small. Fine lines need a little room between them so the design stays clear as your skin settles over the years. I'll suggest the smallest size that still reads well.
How much does a small tattoo 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 (usually £55) 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 small tattoo?
Tattoos start at £130 and go up from there with size and detail. I'm always happy to give a quote.
Before you book, have a read of my useful information for people looking to book.
