How to Choose a Tattoo

Tattoos of Names for Everyone

Tattoos of names are a great way to pay tribute, show your eternal devotion, or simply celebrate a special someone. The fact that you’re on this site, looking for info on that matter, is sufficient proof that you too have a special bond in your life that you’d like to cement by etching that other person’s name on your skin. If that’s the case, this is the article you’ve been wanting to read as I’ll tell you all about tattoos of names.

Reasons to Get Tattoos of Names

If you happen to find yourself in the situation that you just love that kind of tattoos but that you don’t really know whose name you could pick to make yours, here are the most frequent reasons why people get tattoos of names:

Pay Tribute to The Dead : Deceased family members, friends taken away by an illness, fallen comrades ; this is the way to pay tribute to someone who was very close to you (or that you admired) and who died way too early.
Display Your Undying Love : A favorite of parents and passionate lovers, tattoos of names can also serve as a token, a sign that “I will always love you, no matter what”.
Show Your Allegiance : If you’re part of an exclusive club or a group of people you feel very connected to, like the Marine Corps, a sports team and such, you can decide to get it inked as a mark of your belonging to the group as well as to show them your unlimited support
Celebrate Yourself : Another option, picked by more and more people nowadays, is to choose to get your own name as a tattoo. A means to affirm oneself or to really mark an event in your life. One nice variation, if you have a nickname or a surname that you affectionate particularly, is to use that in your tat.

Tattoos of Names

Different Calligraphies for Tattoos of Names

Now that you’ve decided on a name, it’s time to see HOW you’re going to render it, i.e. the different types of calligraphies and letters that you can choose from. First of all, whenever you’re looking to get tattoos of names on your skin, you should consult with your tattoo artist to see what kind of custom writing he could create for you (as all calligraphies do not lend themselves well to all names, depending on its length and letters).
With that being said, here are some pointers on what’s available to you:

Capital Letters : Tattoos of names with nothing but capital letters look best when the name is short. They transfer part of their strength and sense of immovability to the name. This is the perfect choice for nicknames or teams, even gangs…
Rounded Letters : The attributes of rounded letters, that they pass over to your name of choice, are sensuality, delicacy and refinement. Calligraphies using rounded letters will be favored by people looking to add a touch of sophistication to their tat.
Specific Calligraphies : You also have the choice, if you want a special kind of calligraphy, to go for gothic types and their sense of mystery, comic style types and their modern looks, and so on.
Foreign Alphabets: For some extra flavor, you can also elect to go for an entirely different alphabet. Japanese, Arabic, Indian and Greek are some of the more common and most beautiful choices. They also have the added benefit that people in the streets and around you won’t be able to tell what’s written on your skin unless you choose to tell them.

If you want some inspiration for your tattoos of names, I suggest you go to DaFont and browse their huge collection. There’s plenty of types for everyone no matter your taste, from horror to funny genre, but also futuristic, flowery and so on.

Final Words on Tattoos of Names

Special occasions are as rare as special people, and when one of them stumbles in your life, you might feel like honoring her memory forever. Tattoos of names are the best way to go about it. And what’s great about them is that you’re not limited by anything but your imagination and your tattoo artist’s in what you can accomplish. Power, passion, purity… You can add any dimension you like by choosing the right type.

How Safe Are Glow in the Dark Tattoos?

Glow in the dark tattoos are something that both fascinate and appeal to people. Be it for their vibrant and unique colors or for the surprise you can read on the face of others as they see the hidden tattoo come to life when the lights go down, more and more people are looking into getting glow in the dark tattoos…

And, if you’re reading this article, chances are that you are too.
If that’s the case, you must have a hundred questions to ask. Don’t worry, we’re going to answer them all. But before we do, let’s start with a little definition.

What Are Exactly Glow in the Dark Tattoos?

According to Wikipedia, the fact that items (such as toys or, in our case, tattoos) glow in the dark is called phosphorescence, which is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is released relatively slowly in the form of light. Now, as the name suggests, phosphorescent items contain phosphor (so does the ink for glow in the dark tattoos), and that’s where things are getting a little bit more complicated. Why? Because phosphor is not as inert as other chemicals.

The Problem with Glow in the Dark Tattoos

You see, the phosphor that will allow your tattoo to glow does so by radiating light. Yes, “radiating”, which has the same root as “radiation” and “radioactive”. Indeed, phosphor is a known cause of cancer. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t risk dying for the sake of art and I would just put that idea on the side.

“But I swear I’ve seen people with those kinds of tattoo and they wouldn’t be so stupid as to inject cancer causing ink in their skin now, would they?” I hear you say. And you’re absolutely right. That’s because they’re not real glow in the dark tattoos!

Introducing UV Tattoos

Glow in the Dark Tattoos Those glowing tattoos you sometimes see in the clubs use ultraviolet (or UV) ink. That type of ink is not radioactive, unlike phosphorous ink, but it will only seem to glow when put under a blacklight. So, it will remain invisible in all other conditions, even with the lights off, which is why it’s not truly glow in the dark material.
As that sort of tattoo is still not widespread, you will also have difficulties finding a tattoo artist that:

Will have that ink in store
Will accept to do your UV tattoo

You have to understand that this fad is quite recent. While tattooing goes back thousands of years, so we know how people react to having neutral ink injected in their skin, we can’t say the same for ultraviolet ink.

Final Words on Glow in the Dark Tattoos

As I tried to explain in this article, real glow in the dark tattoos are dangerous for your health. So your best bet, if you insist on getting a glowing tattoo, would be to go for an ultraviolet tat. If you can find a tattooist that’s willing to do it for you, the only question that will remain will be:

And now, what tattoo are you going to get?

Angel Tattoos for Men that Rock!

You’ve been thinking about it for some time and you’ve finally decided to search for angel tattoos for men in order to get one for yourself? I’m 100% with you on this one; OK, they might be a little girly and not exactly the first thing to come to mind when thinking about tattoos for guys (like tribal or dragon tats)… but a real man is one that can embrace his part of femininity, right?
So let’s see what types of angel tattoos you could put up on that skin!

Angel Tattoos for Men – Some Ideas

Before we check out the different types of angel tattoos for men, let’s pause for a second and see what’s the meaning behind them. It’s always a good idea to choose a tattoo that you can relate to. The visual aspect of a tat is of prime importance, but so should the reasons that pushed you to get it in the first place.
So, what are angels associated with most frequently? For one, angels are greater beings of higher aspirations; you could use that to symbolize the link from the material to the spiritual world, but between humans and God too. Angels are also a representation for spiritualism, for spiritual life… So if that’s a value you hold dear to your heart, that’s something you could use.
Then, there’s guardian angels too, symbols of protection and guidance:

Guardian Angels

Angel Tattoos for Men
If you’re the proud parent of a beautiful kid or two, this might be a tattoo to look into. You could have the guardian angel drawn protecting your children… Now, there’s several ways to represent it; you could go for an angel radiating a shield of light, or you might prefer a warrior angel with a sword and a physical shield…

Cherubs

If you like’em small and chubby, cherubs could be what you’re looking for. They stand for innocence and eternal youth; they’re the kids we once were and wish we always remained.

Angel with Arms Spread

Angel Tattoos for Men
For the more religious amongst us, you could choose to have your angel inked with his arms wide spread to refer back to Jesus on the cross. They’re a subtle way to display your beliefs without being too ostensible about it.

Half angel, Half Demon

Another way to go about selecting angel tattoos for men is to represent the angel together with the devil. If you want to show both parts of your personality, the good one as well as the bad, angel & demon tattoos are great. They symbolize the duality of Man.

Fallen Angel

The half angel, half devil tattoo can be taken even further… If you’re a bad boy and you want to proclaim it, skip the good natured angel altogether and go for the fallen angel only! This tattoo could mean a million different things… If you’ve been led astray involuntarily or knowingly, if you’re a baaad man and take full responsibility for it, or if you just love your life of sin, this should suit you perfectly.

Sexy Angel

Last but not least, if you love women and can’t get enough of them, you might think about getting one sexy winged broad laid out on your skin. As sailors used to get exotic girls tattooed on their arms, you might follow suit and get yours too. Start collecting sexy chicks today and be the envy of all your friends

Last Words on Angel Tattoos for Men

As I tried to show you in this article angel tattoos for men are far from ridiculous. Be it guardian angels, fallen angels or cherubs, there are enough options available for you to choose one that suits you in the design as well as in the meaning. So what are you waiting for? Join the club and get that angel tattoo!

Skull Tattoos for Men with an Attitude

Since the age of dawn, Man has always been fascinated with skulls… Is it just a macabre appeal that pulls us towards them, or is it on a more profound level as they force us to think about our own mortality and death? Whatever the reason, skulls have never been more hip than today. From clothing to art, and let’s not forget works of fiction or comic books, they can be found virtually everywhere. So it’s only natural should you be looking for skull tattoos for men. They look great and they’re badass!

Skull Tattoos for Men – Different Options

Skull tattoos for men can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. From pirates skulls with crossbones and flaming skulls covering your shoulder, to a whole army of skeletons using up you whole back, there are no limits to what you can do. But as skull tattoos give you much freedom to act, you might not know exactly what to go for. That’s why I’ll make a little rundown of all the styles that might appeal to you.

Traditional Skull Tattoos

With this one, you can’t go wrong. It’s as simple as they get but such skull tattoos are lean and mean, and they never go out of style. Due to their small size, they can fit everywhere (even in the inside of your fingers or your ears). They make for great first tattoos.
Skull Tattoos for Men

Tribal Skull Tattoos

Those are the perfect skull tattoos for men if you like thick black lines and abstract shapes. Compared to other styles of skulls, those look a little more aggressive and primal, as that style sends us back thousands of years to the origins of tattooing… but they’re the epitome of coolness. So use them without moderation!
Tribal Skull Tattoo

Skulls in Bunches

What, one skull isn’t enough? Well, what about a dozen? Still not enough? One hundred, then? What’s great with skulls is that you can have thousands of them in the same picture, they still look gorgeous. What about getting a whole graveyard inked on your back?
Skulls in Bunches

Composition

If you don’t want to go for flash designs or skull tattoos that look too much like your neighbor’s, you need to make it your own by adding some extra flavor that will turn it into a unique piece. Common additions to skull tattoos for men include, amongst other: a hat on top of the skull; a snake wrapped around it; a dagger through the top or the side; playing card like aces; roses; bullets; wings… And not only do they contribute to making the piece even nicer, they’re a good way to add extra meaning to your tattoo.
Skull Tattoos for Men

Last Words on Skull Tattoos for Men

There are millions of tattoo designs to choose from and it’s never easy to settle down. You might think that because you’ve decided to go for a skull, your task will be much easier… Wrong! It’s just the beginning of your misery I tried to show you different options that you could considerin your search for the best skull tattoos for men, but in the end the final decision is yours.

If you need some more help, you can still CLICK HERE and check out the best way to find the perfect tattoo for you.

Dragon Tattoo Designs for Everyone

Amongst the different kinds of tattoos for men, be it tribal, Polynesian or Japanese, dragon tattoo designs occupy a special spot at the top as well as in the heart of many.
For both their deep meaning and beautiful curves that can adopt the shape of any part of your body, dragon tattoos have always been a crowd favorite, in every country and every culture. It really is a design that has withstood the test of time. So, if you’re still unsure about whether to join the thousands of men who already took the plunge and got their dragon inked, welcome to this post that will help you answer any question or doubt you might still have!

Dragon Tattoo Designs – Meaning & Symbolism

Before we go any further and take a look at different dragon tattoo designs that might suit you, let’s see the various meanings that lie behind that mystical creature that is the dragon. You know, the perfect tattoo not only is a thing of beauty, it also bears significance and a strong connection to the bearer. So, if you can link the two, making your tattoo something that’s both a work of art and a part of your deeper self, you can rest assured that you will have there a tattoo you’ll be proud of for the rest of your life!

Eastern Dragons

Personally, those are my favorites to draw upon for dragon tattoo designs. Their history goes way back as Asian lore and mythology have given dragons a huge place amongst them for millennia.
A symbol of intelligence and power, Eastern dragons are the total opposite of their Western counterpart. They are the possessors of infinite wisdom (often represented by a pearl clutched in their claws or mouth) and the symbol of perseverance. It is believed that the koi (Japanese fish), by going countercurrent, will change into a dragon if it manages to go back the waterfall. Nice story of tenacity, isn’t it?
On a pure graphical note, Eastern dragons have either 3 toes (Japanese dragons), 4 (Korean) or 5 (Chinese). They have a much slender (long) body, whiskers… And no wings to boast.

Western Dragons

As I said a few lines above, the dragons that come from our western culture, depicted in medieval tales of knights and monsters, are all but wise animals. On the contrary, they’re wild stocky beasts with a brain as tiny as their ferocity is huge. The only thing they have in common with Eastern dragons is their power. Aside from that, with their scales, their breath of fire and their general appearance of humongous winged lizards, they’re just the epitome of evil.
In ancient times, these creatures were believed to be the guardians of forgotten treasures, waiting for courageous knights who would try and challenge them. Maybe that’s an image you’d like to exploit: that of the adventurer facing and beating impossible odds, or ready to lift heaven and earth to get to riches.

Different Styles for Your Dragon Tattoo

The first questions you should ask yourself when choosing between dragon tattoo designs are not about style but about color and placement. Is it going to be black & white or color? On what body part will you get it? Is it going to be big or small?
Once those questions are out of the way, you need to decide on a style for your tattoo. I recommend the three following as they really lend themselves perfectly to dragon tattoo designs.

Tribal Dragon Tattoo Designs

Dragon Tattoo Designs More often than not, tribal dragons have wings and, thus, are more western like. Don’t ask me why but that’s what I’ve come to notice. They look especially good on the upper arm and can wrap themselves around the shoulder. If you feel adventurous, you can mix another color (like red) with the black that makes out the big part of your tribal.

Traditional Japanese

You can go yakuza style and have your entire back covered with a huge dragon, or choose a less radical approach and get it on a full sleeve… Either way, Japanese dragon tattoo designs – contrary to tribal and Celtic designs – look better with colors, and they look even better mixed with other Asian elements like cherry blossom, Japanese style waves, a koi or even a tiger. Don’t be afraid to think big when going for traditional Japanese style. The bigger, the better!

Celtic Dragon Tattoo Designs

Celts and their druids also believed in dragons and their special meanings. The dragon was often represented swallowing its own tail, in a circular shape that stood for eternity and never ending life. On the visual part, Celtic dragon tattoo designs also make use of that particularity of Celtic artwork that is knots and geometrical shapes.
You see, whatever style you prefer, you will find dragon tattoo designs to please you. So stop waiting and join the dragon brotherhood!

Tattoo Designs for Men

If women love subtle, colorful tattoos like butterflies, flowers and shooting stars, that’s not the kind of tat to get if you’re a guy… unless you want people to tease you for the rest of your life! Tattoo designs for men should have both character and show a trait of your personality. In my honest opinion, I find black tattoos to be best for men as they’re sober and solid. But that’s just my taste. Whatever you prefer, and whatever your temperament, I’m sure you’ll find inspiration in the following tattoo ideas.

Tattoo Designs for Men – Different Categories

Which Body Part?

Tattoo Designs for Men Before we even start talking about the best type of tattoo for you, we have to define where you will get it as it will greatly influence the style you might go for.
Legs, lower back, and belly tattoos should be left alone for the time being. Unless you’re already tattooed and “lacking space”, I advise you to go with one of the following:

Forearms: are the forearms a good place to have a tattoo for a guy? Let me just say one word “sailors”. ‘nuff said!
Shoulders: this is, without a doubt, one of manliest spot to place a tattoo. They offer enough space and curbs so that any tattoo will look good on them.
Upper Back: the back is usually not the first body part you’ll choose to get a tattoo as it’s hidden most of the time… to others as well as to you. This bears its own advantages as in some lines of work tats are looked down upon, and you’ll also tire less quickly from not seeing it. But it offers the best canvas on your whole body. And nothing screams sexy as a huge painted back does.

Polynesian Tattoos

Polynesian style tattoo designs for men have one thing that sets them apart from all the other types of tattoos. And that is their history. Did you know that, dating back to ancient times, the tribes from Polynesia used tattoos as a way to show social status and also as a rite for boys to enter adulthood? As they had no written language, they relied on tattoos to bring meaning. Now, that’s what I call badass!

Japanese Tattoos

Japanese tattoo designs for men also go way back. I could tell you about their symbolism, how each element (be it dragons, sakuras or koi fishes) bears a lot of meaning, or about the power of the kanjis which are the Japanese signs representing an idea. But, as I did with the forearms here above, I’ll just say one word: yakuzas! And we all know men like to be the bad boys.

Lettering Tattoos

This is one of the most versatile types of tattoo designs for men. Both beautiful and meaningful, letterings can take any shape you want. Be it on the forearm or on the back, they will always look good… that is if you have a good tattoo artist. Some people choose to go for their name, some other prefer a saying.

Personally, I have a thing for quotes from ancient philosophes like Plato or Aristotle. You don’t have to go for English. Using another language might add that extra flavor that will make all the difference! Italian, French, Greek… even Indian can make for wonderful letterings.

Final Words on Tattoo Designs for Men

Polynesian, Japanese and lettering tattoos are three types of tattoo designs for men you might consider. They have everything you could need; they’re pleasing to the eye, they have meaning, and they’re true bad boy tats! So if you’re looking to get a new tattoo, look into those.
But as I always say: whatever you go for, first make sure you have a good tattoo artist at hand. Cause if you don’t, it won’t really matter.