Certain generations love specific tattoos, whether it’s Gen X men opting for tribal bracelets or millennials wearing infinity symbols on their ribcage.
If you’ve been wondering what ink to get, and what tattoos are officially in style among Generation Z (ages 12 to 27), people on TikTok are constantly weighing in.
FEMAIL spoke to some of the most popular tattoo artists to find out what their Gen Z clients are asking for and what millennial ink they consider outdated.
From cyber sigilism to angel numbers, here’s the list of inks Gen Z loves, including the return of certain placements, like the hobo stamp.
Millennials get dreamcatcher and watercolor tattoos, while Gen Z opts for small Pinterest-inspired tattoos
Gen Z celebrities like Hailey Bieber, 27, love small, delicate designs on their hands, as seen above.
Millennial actress Ashley Tisdale, 38, showed off her infinity sign tattoo on the red carpet
When it comes to tattoos, they show your age and your generation.
Millennials are famous for getting dream catchers and bold watercolor tattoos, while Gen Z opts for small Pinterest-inspired tattoos, with Hailey Bieber’s delicate ink being an ideal example.
Harry Potter, Disney tattoos and infinity signs also fall into the millennial group.
In Tik Tokone user said that Gen Z tattoos were considered fine line flowers, and the patchwork leg tattoos They are a source of comedy as people wonder how they will age over time.
Val, who owns it? Elevation Tattoo in New York City, has 18 years of experience and told DailyMail.com: “Today there is nothing more fascinating than the tattoo culture of Generation Z,” as it “shows how necessary self-expression is.” , especially since ink is often meaningful and personal.
The tattoo artist has observed an increase in single-needle and fine line tattoos, ‘which are characterized by their delicacy and precision’, as well as ‘small and delicate’ minimalist tattoos.
According to Val, more and more Gen Zers are asking for angel numbers, which are repeated numbers that have meaning to people, as well as handwritten quotes from a loved one.
These are not always unique designs. Val said Generation Z often chose flash tattoos, which were small pre-designed designs that could be done quickly without making any changes.
Gone are the tribal bracelets and oversized pieces, although Gen Z is finding ways to try their own, more delicate versions.
Atelier Eva artist Ash Aurich agreed that “Generation Z wouldn’t get anything particularly daring, like tribal or American traditional tattoos,” because “it’s all about minimalism.”
As Val has been in the industry for almost 20 years, she has seen many tattoo trends come and go, such as infinity signs, Disney characters, Celtic crosses, and black birds flying.
However, Val foreshadowed: “They always come back,” citing fine-lined tribal wanderer seals.
Atelier Eva artist ash aurich, based in Brooklynagreed that “Generation Z wouldn’t get anything particularly daring, like tribal or American traditional tattoos,” because “for them it’s all about minimalism.”
Ash said “neo-traditional, realistic and geometric” designs were millennial trends, as millennials opt for “larger, more complex pieces.”
And while Ash doesn’t think any Gen Z tattoo trends are over yet, he does think millennial trends, like lower back tattoos, are making a comeback.
While Ash doesn’t think any Gen Z tattoo trends are over yet, he does think millennial trends, like lower back tattoos, are making a comeback.
Millennials opt for eye-catching, bold and colorful designs, and especially animals, to make a statement.
Millennials opt for larger pieces with more obvious placement, while Gen Z hides ink behind their ears and on the inside of their fingers.
Tattoo shop explosion explosion in New York City is famous for its designs, as seen on celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Rita Ora and many, many more.
bang bang tattoo artist doctor franklin told DailyMail.com: ‘The biggest trend would probably be stick-on tattoos or anything with a single needle.
“I feel like the appearance doesn’t matter, as long as it’s done with just one needle, they’re happy.”
While he believes Gen Z would never get neo-traditional or tribal tattoos, he agreed that “it’s all a full circle.”
Some millennials opt for larger black and white pieces, but Dr. Franklin believes they are timeless, although some trends are a little dated.
“You don’t see mandalas or geometric tattoos as much anymore compared to 10 years ago, when a lot of people were more interested in that style,” the artist revealed.
Masha S. of Isol Tattoo in New York City specializes in the fine line designs loved by Generation Z
Masha said that Gen Z’s “preferences align with their desire for individuality” and “favor tattoos with fine lettering, fluid designs, and minimalist concepts.”
masha s. in Island Tattoo in New York City specializes in the fine line designs loved by Generation Z and says their “preferences align with their desire for individuality” and “favor fine line tattoos, fluid designs and minimalist concepts” .
According to Masha, Generation Z has shunned “traditional, old-school tattoos,” which they consider “outdated.”
Instead, they want tattoos that are “aesthetically pleasing but also have a deeper meaning or symbolize personal beliefs,” while also being “simple, clean and slightly abstract.”
This contrasts with millennials, who, according to Masha, “gravitate toward large, bold tattoo designs, with a preference for neo-traditional and new-school styles, which “typically feature bold shapes, vibrant colors, and intricate details such as tribal bracelets, realistic animals, and geometric patterns with bold lines.”
Gen Z even places ink differently, opting for “the wrists, behind the ear, fingers, or the inside of the fingers” for more subtle body art.
However, according to Masha, “those locations are not always good for tattoos, depending on each person’s lifestyle or skin type,” especially when it comes to keeping the ink over time.