Tattvue

Tribal tattoo on the collarbone

Thinking about getting a tribal 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.

good fit

Tribal and the collarbone go well together: Clearly felt right on the bone – popular for fine lettering and delicate lines following the bone.

Pain
7/10 · high
Sensible width
6–15 cm
Healing (surface)
10–14 days
Visibility
sometimes visible

Is it a good match?

Bold lines on calm skin – a very durable combination. You need to worry very little about this design ageing here.

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: Tribal tattoo – every placement at a glance.

What size?

For a tribal tattoo on the collarbone, a width of about 6–15 cm makes sense. At the lower end that is about half to three quarters of a credit card wide, 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.

Lines tend to feel sharp, fills and shading more like scratching over irritated skin. The more is filled in, the longer the 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 tribal tattoo on the collarbone hurt?

On the collarbone, pain sits at about 7 out of 10 – high. Lines tend to feel sharp, fills and shading more like scratching over irritated skin. The more is filled in, the longer the session.

How big should a tribal tattoo on the collarbone be?

About 6–15 cm wide. Tribal and the collarbone go well together: Clearly felt right on the bone – popular for fine lettering and delicate lines following the bone.

How long does a tribal 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 tribal style right on it – at the size you have in mind. That way you know before the appointment whether it works.