How to pick a name tattoo font

How big should the letters be on a name tattoo?

Measure the shortest stroke, not the overall height. Capital letters need roughly 6 mm of height for a readable line, but the real constraint is the thin connecting strokes. On an inner forearm, 12 to 15 mm capitals give you comfortable room for script; on a finger, you are limited to about 5 mm, which is why finger name tattoos fade noticeably faster.

Should a name go on the wrist or the forearm?

The forearm for readability, the wrist only for very short names. A wrist surface gives you roughly 4 to 6 cm of usable length before it curves into the hand, and it is the most rubbed, most sun-exposed and most frequently washed area on the arm. A forearm has more room, less friction and better long-term colour retention.

Does a script name tattoo need a touch-up?

A fine-line script name usually needs one touch-up in the first year, and that is normal rather than a mistake. Healed tattoo ink spreads slightly into the surrounding skin, so lines that were hairline-thick on day one become softer. Ask your artist in advance whether a touch-up is included, because many offer one free.

Frequently asked questions

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Preview the placements discussed

Wrist

Forearm

Finger

Behind the ear

Ribs

Shoulder & upper back