Shoulder Design Considerations
What to consider when designing a sleeve that looks cohesive, fits your arm, and stands the test of time.
Let's Talk Price
Pricing depends heavily on the size, style, complexity, and placement of your tattoo. Fill out a quick form for an accurate custom quote—if you have a budget, we’ll design something that fits without compromising on quality.
The Shoulder Mark
Perfect for: A small to medium design on the shoulder cap
- Upper shoulder or top of arm
- Simple to medium-detail artwork
- Clean curvature-focused placement
2–4 hours • $300–800
The Shoulder Panel
Perfect for: A medium to large shoulder piece with flow
- Wraps partially toward chest or bicep
- More shading and complexity
- Ideal for sleeve foundations
4–8 hours • $800–2,000
The Full Shoulder Build
Perfect for: High-detail shoulder caps or multi-directional designs
- Full wrap over the deltoid
- Large-scale shading and heavy detail
- Planned for future sleeve or chest expansion
8–16+ hours • $2,000–4,500+
Choose Your Style
Explore tattoo styles that work best for this placement—each chosen for flow, readability, and long-term wear.
How It Works
We’ve made the process straightforward, transparent, and easy—so you can focus on getting a piece you’ll love.
What happens: We discuss your vision, lifestyle, and placement options. See our portfolio and get honest advice about what works for your goals.
Time: 30-45 minutes
Cost: Completely free, no strings attached
What Happens: Once you're ready to book in, we’ll take a deposit and lock in your session. From there, your artist will collaborate with you to finalize the design—incorporating feedback and making sure it aligns with your vision.
Time: Whenever you’re ready to book—no pressure
Cost: $100 deposit (applied to your final price)
What happens: Your artist creates a design tailored to your anatomy, style, and vision. We’ll work closely with you—sharing drafts, gathering feedback, and making thoughtful adjustments—until the design feels just right.
Time: ~1-2 weeks
Cost: Included in your tattoo price
Time: Start prepping 2–3 days before your session
Time: Arrive on time
Time: 2–4 weeks
Cost: Aftercare is included — touch-ups are free within 6 months (if needed)
Why Choose Us?
You’re trusting us with something permanent—and we take that seriously. Our artists bring experience, intention, and a collaborative approach to every piece.
You’ll get honest advice, a design that fits your body, and a tattoo you’ll still love ten years from now.
30-45 min • Zero obligation • Expert advice
Looking for something custom?
Send us your idea using the form below and we’ll match you with the right artist.
Shoulder FAQs
Not seeing your question? We’re here to help.{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"You can—but it needs to be done with intention. Combining styles like realism and traditional requires thoughtful planning to avoid visual clashes. Our artists are experienced in a wide range of styles, and we’ll pair you with the right artist (or team) to make it feel cohesive. If mixed styles are part of your vision, we’ll design a layout that brings it all together into one unified piece—not a patchwork."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"We stand behind our work — which means we offer free touch-ups within 6 months to make sure your tattoo heals exactly how it should."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"As long as proper aftercare is followed, we’re happy to make any small fixes if something fades or heals unevenly. Just send us a clear photo of your healed tattoo and we’ll take it from there."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Please note: tattoos on hands, feet, necks, and faces aren’t eligible for free touch-ups due to how those areas naturally heal."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"No problem. Custom tattoos are a collaborative process. You'll have a chance to review the design before your appointment, and we’re happy to make adjustments to ensure it feels just right."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Some areas of the arm are more sensitive than others—like the inner bicep or elbow ditch—but the pain is manageable for most people. If you’re doing multiple long sessions, we’ll break things up to keep you comfortable. You can always take breaks when needed."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Absolutely! We love walk-ins — they’re a great way to snag a spontaneous piece, especially for smaller or simpler tattoos."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"It’s first come, first served, so feel free to swing by.\n\nIf you want to check ahead or avoid waiting, give us a quick call and we’ll do our best to fit you in."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Totally understandable — things happen! If you need to make changes, just let us know at least "},{"type":"text","value":"7 days in advance","bold":true},{"type":"text","value":" and we’ll happily move your deposit to a new date or design."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"If it’s less than 7 days’ notice, a "},{"type":"text","value":"$100 rescheduling fee","bold":true},{"type":"text","value":" will apply to cover the lost time.\n\nWe always try to be flexible — just keep us in the loop and we’ll do our best to help."}]}]}
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"For most people, yes, ribs are one of the higher sensation areas because the skin is thin and sits over bone. That does not make them impossible, it just means sessions need to be planned with pain and breathing in mind."}]}]}