Join free

Category

Back and Shoulder tattoos

Big open canvases that reward bold planning. Shoulder caps, spine pieces and full back compositions with room to breathe.

3 ideas in this collection

Back and Shoulder designs from our articles

Every photo below comes from a full guide - click through for placement notes, sizing and aftercare advice on each design.

Fine-line floral garland placed from collarbone over the top of the shoulder

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional bold-outline rose on the outer deltoid showing a well-aged shoulder tattoo

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative dragon coiling from the shoulder blade over the shoulder cap down the arm

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Minimalist flock of small birds rising from the collarbone over the shoulder

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Geometric plate of triangles and lines fanning from the shoulder onto the chest

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Fine-line eucalyptus stems wrapping the upper arm below the shoulder cap

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional black panther crawling from the shoulder onto the chest

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional Japanese cloud and wind bar capping the top of the upper arm

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Fine-line floral epaulette of roses running over the top of the shoulder

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative snake wrapping the whole shoulder joint from chest to triceps

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Blackwork abstract brushstroke band running diagonally across the shoulder blade

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative lion head looking back over the rear shoulder with flowing mane

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Minimalist dot-work constellation spreading across the shoulder blade

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Blackwork moth with open wings spanning the shoulder blade

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Fine-line map fragment and compass rose tattooed on the shoulder blade

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional Japanese wave cresting over the back of the shoulder

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative crow perched on a bare branch across the shoulder blade

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative mirrored feather wings spanning both shoulder blades on the upper back

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Geometric stacked chevron arrows pointing down the shoulder seam

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Fine-line wildflower bundle on the front shoulder with stems toward the underarm

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional bold-outline anchor tattooed high on the front of the shoulder

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Fine-line diagonal script tattoo along the chest to shoulder seam

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Traditional dagger tattoo following the chest and shoulder seam

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve
Illustrative snake head on the front deltoid with body descending the upper arm

32 Shoulder Tattoos That Work With the Curve