There are tattoos to enjoy and then there are tattoos to covet. This list is full of the latter. Don’t let summer slip by this year without seriously giving some ink a little thought. Below are 40 of our favorite tattoo designs that will no doubt get plenty of Instagram exposure this summer.
This red rose.
The beauty of a rose can never be overstated. A single glimpse of nature’s most famous flower is usually enough to calm the nerves. Which is why having one permanently tattooed into your skin is always a good idea.
This ornate thigh piece.
Ornamental frames are so this year. Yes, I purposely left out an exact year as to emphasize the evergreen nature of that statement. And while we’re on the topic of trends, anything high on the thigh is also in.
This little slice of paradise.
There’s nothing that makes you hate your current situation more than a tropical sunset framed by swaying palms. It’s the universal symbol for vacation. The allure of a sunset is owed solely to the color it possesses, which is why it makes for such good ink.
This floral lightning bolt.
If this design looks familiar it’s because it is. When this tattoo first debuted a few years ago, people couldn’t stop emailing us about it. And with that kind of hype, I thought it only fitting to feature it at least one more time on the site. We’ve been showcasing Bryan’s work for years, and with designs like the one above, it’s easy to see why.
This beautiful bouquet.
Nothing screams summer like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. And perhaps no flower is as closely associated with summer as the beautiful sunflower. Eva Krbdk is one of the most well-known tattooists in the world. And while mostly known for her landscapes, her other works are equally impressive.
This x-ray flower.
X-ray flowers are the trend that never stops. Actually, they’ve been so popular for so long that I think it’s fair to say they’ve managed to shed their “trend” status. X-ray designs have a high degree of difficulty—which makes them somewhat unique and highly sought-after.
This mountain peak.
Unique locations are always exciting. Sternum tats will always be one of my favorite locations. This slightly lower version of the sternum tattoo is my new jam though. I’m not even sure what to call it?
These single line hearts.
Tattoos that look simple but really aren’t are where it’s at. This series of hearts drawn to appear as if they were completed without a lift of the pen is beautiful in itself, but when you add an elegant color gradient to the mix things get elevated to a whole different level.
This butterfly.
Butterfly tattoos sure have come a long way since the days of your aunt’s ankle tattoo. Butterflies come in all different shapes and sizes, which in a now detail focused industry, makes them perfect design choices for artists looking to show off their skills. This butterfly appears to have been added at a later date to compliment the floral composition.
This trunk full of flowers.
I believe this design is in reference to a K-pop song but I can’t be certain. However, it is a trunk full of flowers with a beautiful illustrated feel to it which in and of itself makes it awesome in my book.
