Dotwork tattoo: placements, size and longevity
Shading built from thousands of single dots instead of lines. Soft, almost textile – and the first to lose dots on skin that moves a lot.
How the style ages
This style works with fine lines and small gaps. Ink migrates very slightly in the skin over the years – fine lines show it first. The spot is therefore what decides: on calm skin with little friction the style lasts a long time, on hands, feet or the stomach it barely does.
Colour and sun
The style does without bright colours. Black is considered the most durable ink – sunscreen never hurts though, because even black turns greyer over time on exposed spots.
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, 9 are a good fit, 4 are possible and 3 are difficult. It gets difficult on the hand and fingers, the stomach, the ankle and foot.
| 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 | possible | 6–6 cm |
| Hand and fingers | difficult | 6–6 cm |
| Chest | good fit | 6–30 cm |
| Ribs | possible | 6–25 cm |
| Stomach | difficult | 6–25 cm |
| Upper back | good fit | 8–35 cm |
| Lower back | possible | 8–25 cm |
| Neck | possible | 6–10 cm |
| Collarbone | good fit | 6–15 cm |
| Thigh | good fit | 8–30 cm |
| Calf | good fit | 6–18 cm |
| Ankle and foot | difficult | 6–10 cm |
Frequently asked questions
Where does a dotwork tattoo hold up best?
Good spots include the forearm, the inner arm, the upper arm. Of 16 placements, 9 are a good fit, 4 are possible and 3 are difficult.
Does a dotwork tattoo age quickly?
This style works with fine lines and small gaps. Ink migrates very slightly in the skin over the years – fine lines show it first. The spot is therefore what decides: on calm skin with little friction the style lasts a long time, on hands, feet or the stomach it barely does.
Does a dotwork tattoo need sun protection?
The style does without bright colours. Black is considered the most durable ink – sunscreen never hurts though, because even black turns greyer over time on exposed spots.
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.