Tattoo Artist Shares Designs That Are Out in and Out for 2024

Publish date: 2024-08-03

As a tattoo artist, it's both a privilege and a challenge to anticipate which designs will become more popular and which will fade away next year.

Here are the tattoo trends I predict will be in and designs I think will be out in 2024.

Handwritten tattoos are a reminder that meaningful connections never go out of style

Handwritten tattoos are all about encapsulating personal history within the skin. MarkgrafAve/Getty Images

Throughout 2023, I saw a noticeable surge in the demand for handwritten tattoos dedicated to loved ones.

I think clients seek the emotional connection of immortalizing a handwritten note or a signature of a friend, family member, or partner.

This trend taps into the sentimental and timeless nature of preserving a message or signature in ink.

Expect to see a rise in understated sophistication with minimalist tattoos

The allure of simple, minimalist designs shows no signs of fading out.

I've noticed that clients are often drawn to the timeless elegance and versatility of minimalist tattoos, making them an especially excellent choice for first-timers.

Minimalist line drawings and geometric shapes are so simple that they're easy to customize and fit into various body placements.

Birth-flower tattoos allow people to celebrate the month they were born

Birth-flower tattoos carry lots of meaning. Olivia Blue

Personalized and symbolic birth-flower tattoos have blossomed into a standout trend in 2023.

Each month is associated with a specific flower, and clients often choose ones tied to friends' and family members' birthdays.

I believe the trend is rooted in individuality and people's desire for tattoos with personal significance.

On the other hand, lightning sleeves will probably become less popular

I anticipate a decline in the overdone lightning sleeve, when someone gets lightning bolts tattooed down their entire arm.

The once-striking and edgy lightning sleeve has begun giving way to diverse, personalized options.

Instead, I expect to tattoo more intricate, individualized designs that tell a story.

As clients become more discerning about the longevity of their designs, red tattoos will fade out of prominence

Red tattoos don't last as long as black or gray ink. Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

Though vibrant colors have always been a staple in the tattoo world, I expect red designs to decline in popularity.

Red tattoos can be striking at first, but, in my experience, they tend to age less gracefully than black ink.

Red pigment is thicker than black ink, so it's harder to work into the skin and more likely to reject during the healing process.

Even simple red tattoos can spread and fade over time.

Instead, people may lean into black and gray ink options, which are more timeless.