Now all you have to worry about is deciding what you want inked on your arms. Whether you want a full sleeve or just half your arm covered, there are plenty of ideas out there to look at if you need a bit of inspiration.
But before you check out our pics of the best sleeve tattoos, consider these following tips if you’re thinking about committing soon:
Size, Placement & Planning
Getting tattoos from shoulder to wrist isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you’re fine with getting half our arm inked, or even less than that. Whatever you choose, make sure your artist helps you recommend a placement and scale for your chosen designs. Like any big project, it’s best to plan ahead at the start so it all comes together well at the end.
Time & Money
Getting a sleeve tattoo is a big investment in terms of both cost and hours spent a chair. For this reason a lot of guys go in to add one or two small tattoos from time to time while tying it all together with a matching background. Another approach is to take on the entire sleeve at once, which means more cash upfront and longer hours at a time. If you have the money and both you and your artist have the time, go for it. Otherwise, have patience knowing that eventually your sleeve will be complete and looking awesome.
Color: Yes or No?
Another thing to consider while deciding on your tattoo sleeves is whether you’ll go with color or not. Sleeve tattoos using only black and grey can look amazing, but there’s nothing more eye-catching and vibrant than an arm full of color. If you do go with color, it’s vital that you plan your tattoo beforehand so you don’t end up with a combination of colors down the road that don’t look too great together. Also keep in mind that a colored sleeve tattoo will require more time and money.
Restrictions & Regulations
Remember how we said society is more accepting of sleeve tattoos now? While it is true, that doesn’t mean everyone is fine with them. For example, the United States Marines Corp. changed their policy in April 2007 to ban tattoo sleeves unless you got them before enlisting. There are also still plenty of employers who have a “no visible tattoo” policy but require a short-sleeve shirt uniform, which means you’re out of luck.
Our intention isn’t to discourage you from getting that sleeve you’ve always wanted. Rather, we just want to remind you that covering your entire arm’s with ink may have an impact on where you work/serve.
Top 100 Best Sleeve Tattoos For Men
In need of some inspiration for your own sleeve tattoo or you just want to check out some jaw-dropping designs others have gone with. Look no further:
