Colour tattoo: placements, size and longevity
Vivid, modern colour work – from watercolour fades to saturated fills. Colours need sun protection or they are the first to fade.
How the style ages
The lines are bold enough to age well and fine enough for detail. That makes the style versatile: it works on most spots, as long as the design is not tattooed smaller than its details allow.
Colour and sun
Colour is the most sensitive part of a tattoo: sun fades it faster than black. If you wear this style on a spot that is often exposed, use sunscreen consistently once it has healed.
How much room it needs
The style needs a medium-sized area – about the width of a palm or more. Arm, shoulder, calf and thigh offer that easily; on the wrist or hand it gets tight.
Which placement?
Of 16 placements, 16 are a good fit, 0 are possible and 0 are difficult.
| Placement | Verdict | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm | good fit | 6–14 cm |
| Inner arm | good fit | 6–12 cm |
| Upper arm | good fit | 6–18 cm |
| Shoulder | good fit | 8–20 cm |
| Wrist | good fit | 6–6 cm |
| Hand and fingers | good fit | 6–6 cm |
| Chest | good fit | 6–30 cm |
| Ribs | good fit | 6–25 cm |
| Stomach | good fit | 6–25 cm |
| Upper back | good fit | 8–35 cm |
| Lower back | good fit | 8–25 cm |
| Neck | good fit | 6–10 cm |
| Collarbone | good fit | 6–15 cm |
| Thigh | good fit | 8–30 cm |
| Calf | good fit | 6–18 cm |
| Ankle and foot | good fit | 6–10 cm |
Frequently asked questions
Where does a colour tattoo hold up best?
Good spots include the forearm, the inner arm, the upper arm. Of 16 placements, 16 are a good fit, 0 are possible and 0 are difficult.
Does a colour tattoo age quickly?
The lines are bold enough to age well and fine enough for detail. That makes the style versatile: it works on most spots, as long as the design is not tattooed smaller than its details allow.
Does a colour tattoo need sun protection?
Colour is the most sensitive part of a tattoo: sun fades it faster than black. If you wear this style on a spot that is often exposed, use sunscreen consistently once it has healed.
See it on your body before you ink it
Tattvue places your design on a photo of your own skin, so you can judge size, placement and style before you book an appointment.