We’ve all seen the guys with huge works of art covering their back, chest, or arms. But what if you want to be a little subtler with your ink? Here are some reasons and ideas to go small and simple.
Small is Tasteful
Getting a small tattoo on your chest is like putting on a necklace versus a shirt. A small tattoo on your wrist or bicep is like putting on a watch versus a shirt. In the tattoo world, it’s the difference between putting one ring on your hand versus covering yourself with jewelry. Sometimes, less simply looks better.
Small is Professional
Small tattoos also fit better in certain workplaces. A small tattoo on your chest or bicep is easy to cover up when you head to work. It allows you to get the body art you want without the hassle of your boss or clients questioning your professionalism.
Leave Room for the Rest!
Even if you do want to have a lot of tattoos, you might not want to take up all your space with a few large tats. Our interests change over time. Just like changing the posters on your wall or the image of your desktop, getting small tattoos allows you the ability to showcase new interests.
Did you recently get into a new book or movie series? Put a small representation of it next to the tattoo of your favorite video game? Just took a trip to the mountains? Get a mountain tat on the wrist opposite your image of the beach.
Small tattoos let you expand your art and memory collection over time.
Simple is Artistic
Sometimes, a simple tattoo can be more artistic than a large, full-color spread. When companies design logos, for example, they try to make them small and simple, but artistic enough to draw your interest. A simple tattoo can be artistic in its minimalism. It takes a lot of creativity to present ideas in the simplest way possible.
Simple is Meaningful
Likewise, a simple tattoo can pack big meaning. From religious symbols to tattooed wedding rings, you can use small and simple tattoos to remind you of the deepest and most important ideas.
Best Small and Simple Tattoo Ideas for Men
From the fun to the meaningful, here are 77 of the best small and simple tattoos for men we’ve seen. Let them inspire your own ideas of what you might want to add to your canvas.