The shoulder is an iconic, masculine place for a tattoo. In fact, the shoulder is probably the first place that many people get their tattoos. It seems like a good place for many men to start, and this spot offers a unique versatile nature; these tattoos are easily seen when you want them to be and hidden when you need to cover up. It’s a safe place for almost any man to start his tattoo collection.
Shoulder tattoos can easily be incorporated into a chest tattoo or a sleeve, so keep that in mind as you’re choosing a design. A good tattoo artist will be able to connect two different tattoos, even if they aren't similar at all, into one continuous design. Many men start with a shoulder tattoo and will eventually transform it into an arm-length sleeve. With the addictive nature that a well-designed tattoo has, we wouldn't blame you at all for expanding upon a small shoulder tattoo.
Shoulders are a popular spot for tribal tattoos or other designs that are simply done for the aesthetics. When done in pairs, one on each side, these shoulder tattoos can often make you feel as though you are wearing strong armor that will keep you safe. Put some thought into your shoulder tattoo, especially if it’s your first one, so that you can be proud to show it off whenever possible.