Tattvue

Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone

Thinking about getting a Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone? Here is how well style and spot go together, what size makes sense, how much it hurts and how long it takes to heal.

possible

Māori-inspired unfolds on a large canvas – the collarbone is just about enough. A single clear main motif works better than a full composition.

Pain
7/10 · high
Sensible width
12–15 cm
Healing (surface)
10–14 days
Visibility
sometimes visible

Is it a good match?

The medium line weight of this style is straightforward here: enough contrast to last, and calm skin on which smaller details stay readable.

Black is considered the most durable tattoo ink. With occasional sun, it is enough to put sunscreen on the spot in summer.

More on the style: Māori-inspired tattoo – every placement at a glance.

What size?

For a Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone, a width of about 12–15 cm makes sense. At the lower end that is a little wider than a palm, at the upper end about as wide as an A5 sheet held upright (14.8 cm).

Bold lines stay readable even at the lower end of the range – here you choose the size mainly by how present the design should be.

Try the size against your own measurements

How much does it hurt?

On the collarbone, pain sits at about 7 out of 10 – high. For comparison: on the chest it is about 6, on the shoulder about 4. On the collarbone it is the most sensitive of the three.

With large pieces, the single needle stroke matters less than the duration: several sessions are common, and any spot gets more sensitive towards the end of a long session.

Pain values are our own rough assessment on a scale of 1 to 10, not measurements – every body feels it differently.

All spots on the pain chart

How long does it take to heal?

On the collarbone, the surface is usually closed after 10–14 days; the skin underneath takes several weeks to fully renew.

Bold lines and large black areas mean more worked skin: expect the upper end of the range and noticeable peeling. Scratching during this phase is the most common cause of patchy spots.

Aftercare day by day

Frequently asked questions

Does a Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone hurt?

On the collarbone, pain sits at about 7 out of 10 – high. With large pieces, the single needle stroke matters less than the duration: several sessions are common, and any spot gets more sensitive towards the end of a long session.

How big should a Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone be?

About 12–15 cm wide. Māori-inspired unfolds on a large canvas – the collarbone is just about enough. A single clear main motif works better than a full composition.

How long does a Māori-inspired tattoo on the collarbone take to heal?

The surface is usually closed after 10–14 days. Bold lines and large black areas mean more worked skin: expect the upper end of the range and noticeable peeling. Scratching during this phase is the most common cause of patchy spots.

Preview it first

In Tattvue you photograph the spot where the tattoo should go and see your design in māori-inspired style right on it – at the size you have in mind. That way you know before the appointment whether it works.