Whether they’re crafted patchwork sketches or full-blown portraits from shoulder to wrist, sleeve tattoos are increasingly leaving their mark on the young and young-at-heart. Previously considered the bold bodily statements of motorcyclists, prisoners and rebellious teens, a Pew Research Center poll released in August 2023 found that more than a third of Americans have a tattoo. Whether it’s a beautiful pattern of flowers or a collage of the names of your exes, here’s what’s getting people inked up.
Jamari King, a senior double-majoring in criminology and sociology, has 11 tattoos.
“I got them because I wanted to look cool,” said King, jokingly. “I’m just kidding. I got the tattoos because I wanted them to convey a message that meant something to me as opposed to just getting what looked cool.”
Although he likes to think of them as one giant tattoo, King’s largest designs are on his arm, beginning at his wrist and spanning to his chest. The others are on his upper back and behind his neck and ear.
For some, body art in the form of tattoo design is a form of self-expression, a canvas on which to paint their stories and beliefs. Others use tattoos to commemorate important life milestones or pay tribute to loved ones.
King says his tattoos follow a general “king” theme.
“My last name, King, is also on my back beside a lion because it represents who I view myself as, which is the king of the jungle,” said King. “Jesus Christ is also the king, so I have him on me, too.”
Experts advise that designs should be chosen to stand the test of time and retain their meaning. It offers a simple three-step structure to begin designing your perfect sleeve.
First, you should decide between a full sleeve or a partial sleeve.
When going in for his first tattoo, King says he did not plan on going in for a full sleeve. “One thing led to another and, once I got one, I couldn’t stop going back,” said King.
Next, pick your tattoo style. While there is a myriad of different styles that different tattoo shops specialize in, a few popular styles are tribal, traditional, watercolor and Japanese. With crafting a sleeve in mind, stick to one to two styles for a more uniform and clear flow.
The final step is to decide on a major theme for your sleeve. Motivations for permanent ink range from sentimental attachments to social ties and important life decisions. The decision to get permanent ink also brings about various concerns including family judgment and corporate discrimination lingering in the minds of many as they prepare to sit in the chair for their first — or 14th — tattoo.
“I was never advised not to get them, but I was warned to make sure that I knew what I wanted,” said TreVonte’ Citizen, the Miami Hurricanes’ running back. Citizen says he got his first tattoo at 17 and now has a total of 13.
“The one on my forearm, a dove and a praying hand, represent my loved ones that have passed,” said Citizen.
If a full sleeve of tattoos is the end goal, be prepared to schedule multiple sessions with the artist of your choice. Some tattoo artists will charge by the size of the chosen design while some will charge per hour. Small tattoos can range from $50 to $200, while a two-hour session can cost up to $600.
“I do my tattoos in tap-out sessions, so I’m able to get as many pieces as I would like as long as I do not quit,” said King. “The most I have ever paid for a session was like $600. In total I’ve probably spent about $3,000.”
While traditional and tribal tattoos remain a staple for many, Gen Z has led the movement of a new style that is slowly taking over social media and high-end tattoo shops — fine line patchwork.
From Harry Styles showing off his perfectly constructed left arm designs during his international tour to Emma Chamberlain’s minimalistic tattoos peeking through as she walks Fashion Week red carpets all over the world, patchwork tattoos have attached themselves to the celebrities consistently influencing Gen Z.
Just by scrolling through a tattoo hashtag on TikTok or Instagram reels, tattoo enthusiasts can find local artists and tattoo shops that will release pages of patchwork designs to their followers. These minimalistic designs help fill space as tattoo enthusiasts build a sleeve of various small designs.
This style has risen in popularity as it takes away the idea that one must think through the “major theme.” Instead, people can choose various small designs that can symbolize an even wider variety of different ideas to represent whatever they want. Whether it’s emotional or just funny, the patchwork style promotes general freedom within self-expression.
If you decide to cover your entire arm in self-expressions, many brave souls can attest warnings of social stigma and discrimination against exposed tattoos from their parents and members of elder generations.
“I was absolutely advised not to get them, especially at 16 in high school in South Dakota,” said Aren O’Kelso, a second-year film production graduate student. “I was the only kid in my high school with a sleeve.”
But the number of teens with tattoos is growing, and the body art is seemingly becoming a rite of passage into adulthood. In a 2018 study, Dr. Gary L. Freed, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan, found that more than 25% of teens between 16 and 18 had asked their parents if they could get tattoos.
Tattoos are no longer taboo, industry analysts say. The global tattoo market is expected to grow from $2 billion this year to $3.92 billion by 2030 according to Fortune Business Insights. Not only are they becoming more socially acceptable, but the number of workers with tattoos in the professional careers is growing.
Michael French, a professor at UM’s Herbert Business School, conducted a comprehensive research study analyzing workplace discrimination concerning tattoo wearers in 2018
One of French’s areas of study is risky behaviors, including topics like texting and driving and binge drinking. French also studies the different outcomes of sensation seeking behavior like extreme sports, skydiving and race car driving. French says studying tattoos was an extension of his research into risky behavior.
“I’ve always been kind of curious about it,” said French. “My grandfather had a tattoo and I thought that was cool, but no one else had tattoos.”
French’s study, which surveyed more than 2,000 people from all 50 states, found that having a tattoo is not significantly associated with one’s ability to get a job compared to those who don’t have tattoos, even for visible or offensive designs. French says whether people take offense to a tattoo is subjective.
In the years after he published his study, French said he has often been asked by friends and colleagues if he will re-open the study for a new generation of data and results.
“We’ve been hesitant to do that, because I don’t think the results are going to change,” said French
King spoke to avoiding certain work environments with strict policies regarding tattoos in the workplace. King says he has worked as a registered pharmacy technician, freelance photographer, tutor and private security. “If it’s an issue then I just won’t go there, because it’s not where I fit,” said King.
“In some jobs that I’ve had if I wasn’t wearing long sleeves and if my tattoos were exposed, they would almost think that I wasn’t intelligent or I wasn’t up to par,” said Syriah Delgado-O’Neil, a senior majoring in criminology.
Delgado-O’Neil has been employed at a bar and most recently, an internship in the U.S. Capitol, despite having a full sleeve on her arm and large designs on her thigh, foot and back. Delgado-O’Neil says she had company on Capitol Hill, and not necessarily with just other interns.
Sen. John Fetterman has nine tattoos on his forearm, each representing a day on which someone died violently while he was mayor of Braddock, Pa., said Delgado-O’Neil. The former intern also said that Rep. Rosa DeLauro debuted her first tattoo this summer when, at age 80, she helped celebrate her granddaughter’s high school graduation. They both got inked to celebrate.
As attitudes evolve, many employers prioritize skills and qualifications over physical appearances. Even large companies spanning industries — from Disney to Bank of America — have relaxed their rules regarding visible tattoos in the workplace.
Citizen said he had no worries regarding his tattoos, boasting his 13 body art accessories which cost him upwards of $2,000.
“Even if it wasn’t in my profession,” said Citizen. “I would still be tatted up. I’d probably be more tatted now if I had more time on my hands.”
As more of Gen Z adventures into adulthood, we will likely see tattoos become a larger part of our culture as members stand by their decisions, proudly showing the world their artistic investments.
A City of Ink: Tattoo Shops in Miami
Whether you’re seeking vibrant colors or intricate fine lines, Miami’s tattoo scene has it all. Explore these shops that showcase the city’s tattoo diversity.
Gregos Tattoos
Specialties: colored tattoos
7203 SW Eighth St., Miami
Instagram: @gregostattoos
Monchi Art
Specialties: black & gray realism, geometric, sketch
3250 NE First Ave., Miami
Instagram: @monchiart
Inked Life Miami
Specialties: tattoo artistry, body piercings
1247 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
Instagram: @inkedlifemiami
Tattoology Lounge
Specialties: fine-line tattoos, micro-realism, watercolor tattoos
6421 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
Instagram: @tattoologylounge
words_sidney roberts, lauren ferrer & carter richardson. photo_sharron lou. design_drew morris.
This article was published in Distraction’s Winter 2023 print issue.
Follow our Social Media: