I'm Obsessed With Small Tattoos—33 Minimalist Designs I've Saved

Small in size, tiny tattoos are not only chic but can be discreet and delicate, which makes them ideal for a first tattoo. “Small tattoos are a great introduction to getting tattooed as you can get a feel for the experience start to finish, from being in a studio, the tattoo itself and how you feel afterwards living with your new tattoo,” says Floyd. “I often ask my clients what their ‘end goal’ tattoo-wise is. For some people just one small one is enough, for others they want to build up a collection. If you know you’ll likely add more in the future, think about using placement wisely to get the most out of your canvas,” she says.

Another thing to consider is placement. “Small tattoos are great as you have endless placement possibilities,” says Floyd. “If clients are unsure on placement, I first ask if they want their tattoo to be more on show or easier to hide if necessary. If you want the latter some good placements are ribs, inner arm or ankle as most clothing can hide them easily. If you want to show it off, anywhere outer arm is my go-to, ” she says.

As with any tattoo, small tattoos can be meaningful to you, or as a form of self-expression. “I love that small tattoos can either have a lot of meaning, or just be fun! Some of my favourites are shells, letters, cowboy boots, flowers and cherries,” says Floyd. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you follow up with good tattoo aftercare to ensure your new tattoo heals well and looks its best. 

Ready for some small tattoo ideas? Scroll ahead for the best designs I’ve found on my feed.