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

Tattoo Designs for Men 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.