Three Popular Tattoos Explained

Understanding Tattoo Jargon 

Tattoos are more than body art – they are a lifestyle. And those looking to live it should learn to speak the language. Communication with your tattoo artist is the crux of everything, so being able to use the same tattoo placement jargon will make a world of difference. Here’s our guide to understanding three of the most popular tattoo placements: 

Mastoid Tattoos

Where: The area behind the ear that covers the mastoid bone. 

Popular Designs: Prime real estate for small minimalist tattoo designs like florals, symbols, and lettering. 

Visibility: Mastoid tattoos are in demand because they are highly symbolic but still subtle enough to not be a statement piece. 

Pain Level: On the pain scale, they fall in the middle of the range. There’s minimal flesh to cushion the vibration of the tattoo machine, and your ear will have a front-row seat to the noise. 

Tips: If you’re looking to get a mastoid tattoo, we recommend contacting a professional fine-line tattoo artist. 

Shoulder Coaster Tattoos

Where: Coasters are tattoos on one or both of your shoulder blades. 

Popular Designs: Coasters include tribal tattoos, abstracts, portraits, and animal profiles like tigers and lions. 

Visibility: Traditionally associated with status, power, and confidence, shoulder coasters are the go-to choice for a large design that can still be fully covered if needed. 

Pain Level: The shoulders are low on the pain scale, making them one of the least painful places to get a tattoo with their thicker skin and fewer nerves. 

Tip: The level of pain increases the more your tattoo extends towards your neck or your collarbone, where there are more nerve endings.

Backpiece Tattoos

Where: Full coverage of the back. 

Popular Designs: Backpiece tattoos often feature movie scenes, oriental designs, Greek gods, and geometric art.   

Visibility: Depending on your wardrobe, you can go through your life without revealing your backpiece tattoo to many who know you. This is the ideal tattoo for maximum effect while having the option for zero visibility. 

Pain Level: There will be some lower-level pain when tattooing the upper or lower sections of your back. Tattooing the skin covering your spine will be the most painful. 

Tip: Backpiece tattoos typically take more than 24 hours to complete, so be prepared to see your tattoo artist over a few sessions. We recommend choosing a tattoo artist with experience creating exceptional backpiece tattoos.