Just like with neck tattoos, not everyone agrees that inking your palms is a good idea. The palms are unlike most other locations on the body because their callused skin presents the artist with a tricky texture to work on. Palm tattoos are also very prone to fading. However, a pro tattoo artist who's very experienced with the needle together with reasonable expectations can result in excellent tattoo design, even if it's on your wrinkled little fingers! Bored Panda has compiled a list of creative tattoo ideas that fit in the palm of your hand, and their imperfections only add to their uniqueness. From trippy 3D designs to gentle minimal strokes, these pieces definitely deserve the attention they can get!

#1

We Don’t Typically Recommend Palm Tattoos, But This One Has A Lot Of Meaning To Our Customer. Plus We Do Really Love How It Turned Out

We Don’t Typically Recommend Palm Tattoos, But This One Has A Lot Of Meaning To Our Customer. Plus We Do Really Love How It Turned Out

impulseinktattoo Report

Inked Mag advises to not complicate a palm tattoo with intricate designs, shading, or color palettes. "Palm tattoos are extremely prone to fading and falling out, which means simplistic designs with solid black will last the longest over time," they write. "Keep your body art as simple and readable as possible, otherwise, you'll be left with an illegible mess."

#2

Dot Work Paw Print

Dot Work Paw Print

_jen.chii_ Report

Leo H
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watch ink masters they will tell you the worst place to get a tat is the hands cause it won't last

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Instead, they suggest considering lots of dots. "If you're not looking for a simple black outline of your small tattoo, you can opt for dot work shading. Most other shading styles won't hold, however, saturated dot work can stand the tests of time if the dots are applied in multiple passes. This is because an artist applies dot shading like they would linework, depositing more pigment per dot than the wash-like shading you see in the whip technique."

#3

Very Fun Tattoo Done Today

Very Fun Tattoo Done Today

matteoinktattoos Report

Magpie
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arrrrrrrrrg!!!!! *runs awaaaay* _____________oh it is a tattoo right *cough* i weren't tricked. _________________arrrrrrrrrrrg.

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But if dots aren't your thing, there are other alternatives that you'll see in this tattoo gallery. For example, designs that are bold and black. "Let us say this loud and clear: BOLD WILL HOLD. Small, intricate and delicate designs will fall out, but heavy blacks will stay saturated in the skin long after the tattoo has healed. Callused skin that is constantly in motion, like the palms, has a faster regrowth than other locations on the body, which means that tattoo ink fades or falls out at a faster rate."

#5

Ginkgo Leaves. Fun Using The Palms In A Way I'm Not Normally Asked To Do

Ginkgo Leaves. Fun Using The Palms In A Way I'm Not Normally Asked To Do

truesoul98 Report

#6

Rad Palm Tattoos, Such An Awesome Experience

Rad Palm Tattoos, Such An Awesome Experience

katiebeeart Report

#7

Another Pair Of Butterfly Palms From Last Week

Another Pair Of Butterfly Palms From Last Week

walkerx Report

#8

Honeycomb And Bee Tattoo

Honeycomb And Bee Tattoo

acid.lasek Report

Tambot
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So cool, love the black bee with red honeycomb, striking.

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#9

Palm Tattoo Inspired By The Simpsons

Palm Tattoo Inspired By The Simpsons

lucia.rebello Report

#10

Minimal Palm Tattoo

Minimal Palm Tattoo

heartbreakertattoo Report

Foxxy
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

white ink fades sooo quickly so they would either have to live with ART once the E and H fade or get it touched up every few years.

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#11

Got Some New Ink

Got Some New Ink

theworden86_tattoo Report

Von
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fucking dope. Excuse my language, but mad props to the artist. The eye of the pyramid. Very clever.

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#12

We Found This Little Foo In The Shop

We Found This Little Foo In The Shop

edacrossthestreet Report

#14

Self-Poke! "Weird Is Good" On My Palm, Done With My Non-Dominant Hand

Self-Poke! "Weird Is Good" On My Palm, Done With My Non-Dominant Hand

masterpokes Report

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#17

Palm Tattoos Are A Serious Undertaking But I Assure You Ariel Is Up To The Task

Palm Tattoos Are A Serious Undertaking But I Assure You Ariel Is Up To The Task

nickwallintattoos Report

Shirley Heyn
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always should have some give and take in life. . .

#18

Atom - The Smallest Particle Of A Chemical Element That Can Exist

Atom - The Smallest Particle Of A Chemical Element That Can Exist

charliegatestattoo Report

#19

Palm Barcode Tattoo

Palm Barcode Tattoo

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Lisa-Marie Dhondt
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in retail, my boss would be thrilled I'm sure...

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#20

Something Different

Something Different

butchtattoos Report

S
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually know someone who has/had this same one on his palm. Cody, that you? LOL

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#21

Traveller's Palm Tattoo

Traveller's Palm Tattoo

dovenadam Report

Give me a beagle any day...
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear I keep seeing a mistake in this one. Right smack in the middle. Anyone else?

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#22

Flowers On Both Palms

Flowers On Both Palms

bodystaff Report

Bec Snyder
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very pretty and intricate, would be spectacular with colors!

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#23

My First Palm Ever! Turned The Machine Way Doooooown For This One

My First Palm Ever! Turned The Machine Way Doooooown For This One

corey_stc Report

Scarlet Opal
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does turning the machine mean/do, how does that work?

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#25

It Was A Great Pleasure To Make This Beautiful Trifle On The Palm Of Jure

It Was A Great Pleasure To Make This Beautiful Trifle On The Palm Of Jure

niebuhr_tattoo Report

#26

Intricate Palm Line Tattoo

Intricate Palm Line Tattoo

ivanpintosrivero Report

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#29

I’m Just In Love With This Tattoo

I’m Just In Love With This Tattoo

toothxless Report

Sherry Harvey
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure love has nothing to do with this one.

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#30

Palm Tattoo

Palm Tattoo

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Slune
Community Member
3 years ago

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I don't hope the inspiration comes from "Tsunami" the ancient Japanese wood print! It looks like frozen claws.

Note: this post originally had 104 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.