Plus,subtle shadinggrounds it without feeling dainty.
The arms are the kings of tattoos, says Palaz.
The additional shape and line detailing adds strong angles to the tattoo as well.
Stocksy/Design by Cristina Cianci
Snake Tattoo
Due to the general vibe of snakes, theyre considered more masculine.
Coordinates Tattoo
Just because a tattoo is small doesnt mean its automatically less masculine.
Sometimes a simple design can make a bold impact.
The realism put into the skull and swords also bolsters that effect.
Alien Tattoo
A small alien head alone doesnt have any particular gender vibe.
Eye Tattoo
Thick lines arent necessary for masculine tattoos.
To offset thinner linework, though, try incorporating heavier shading techniques.
Plus, by adding more sailing imagerylike the compassand heavy shading, the effect is increased.
Sword Tattoo
Swords are masculine by default, thanks to their ties to war and fighting.
For a fine line sword, though, stick to something more realistic to maintain that vibe.
Script Tattoo
Masculine tattoos can be delicate, too!
Place them somewhere that emphasizes the form of your body or muscles to keep them from feeling too dainty.
By using thick lines and not varying it at all or adding shading, you get a bold tat.
Match Tattoo
Matches are pretty gender-neutral, so theyre a great base for a masculine tat.
Add some heavy blackwork and make the match look like its withering away to finish the look.
Single Letter Tattoo
If you want a single letter, an illustrated style looks great.
The simplicity keeps it light, while the thick extra detailing makes it feel more masculine.
This bee, for example, doesnt look like a cartoon anduses dark blackworkto solidify the feel.
Skull Tattoo
Skulls are inherently a more masculine design thanks to their harshness.
Stick to really dark designs to up the vibe of the tattoo and make it more bold.
The lettering will look less dainty and more bold, capturing the masculine look.
Parrot Tattoo
All tattoo styles can be used to achieve a masculine piece of ink.
The combination of bold black, faded grey, and desaturated red bring a uniqueness to the ink.
Neck Tattoo
Among the most requested male areas to tattoo is the neck, says Palaz.
[Its] an area that I love.
In my opinion, it has a lot of movement and visibility.
Instead, the realism and sharp angles make it look substantial regardless of its daintiness.
Why not opt for a simple but bold designin whitefor an impact thats a bit quieter?
Try adding something fun, like the dripping effect on this piece.
Otherwise, keep it simple for maximum impact and to avoid it feeling overwhelmed.
Roman Numerals Tattoo
Roman numerals are a great choice for a more masculine number design.
Play around with the thicknesses within the numbers to customize the font to you.
Minimize details not done in that technique to emphasize it even more.
Scorpion Tattoo
Scorpions are another naturally masculine image thanks to their predatory nature.
Add some shading to keep a simple design from feeling too dainty.
