Patchwork Tattoos: The Most Complete Guide You Are Going To Read

Patchwork tattoos are a tattoo technique (or a tattoo style) very particular, and, in the last few years, their popularity is going up, and I do understand why.

But, patchwork tattoos are just “the unknown ones” and, because of this, I had to write this guide for you.

On this guide, you are going to learn about:

• What are patchwork tattoos.
• Their key features.
• Some advice to get the perfect patchwork tattoos.
• The difference between patchwork and sleeve tattoos.
• And, of course, a lot of designs for you!

What Are Patchwork Tattoos

The point of patchwork tattoos is very easy, you know.

It is just to have a lot of different (usually) small tattoos separated one from another, with visible gaps and styles among them.

So, if a tattoo sleeve is just a complete design with the elements flowing one from another, patchwork tattoos are something more eclectic and different.

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This is the first example of a patchwork tattoo I want to show you, as you can see, it is a complete arm filled with large tattoos for a patchwork design, but it has all the key features to be a perfect patchwork tattoo.

The gap selection is perfect, and all the tattoos are different, but they work together because of the size, color palette and style, all in American Traditional tattoo style.

This tattoo is done by Alex Duquette, working at Montréal Classique, in Canadá, of course, and very focused on this American Traditional tattoo style.

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Some Key Points For Patchwork Tattoos

As I told you just a few lines above, there are no rules for patchwork tattoos, never.

But there are some considerations if you want the perfect patchwork tattoo, and I think you should know about it.

There are just three of them:

Each Tattoo Is A Different Tattoo

That is the key point.

In patchwork tattoo, each tattoo is a separate one, it is a stand alone piece in all the composition, so you have to see all the details to get all the perfect tattoos for each one.

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This is another example of a perfect patchwork tattoo with large tattoos and, this time, in arms, chest and stomach.

As you can see, all the tattoos have a common look&feel, with the same style and only black ink and, if you add the placement of each one and the gaps, you have another perfect patchwork tattoo.

This one is done by FXBLD, another wonderful tattoo artist, working at Iron & Lace, in Nottingham, UK. 

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Space Is Another Key

The other key point for patchwork tattoos in the space among tattoos. You know, the gap!

In patchwork tattoos, the gap is intentional and, in fact, this space among tattoos is what tells your brain “this is a patchwork”.

Customization Is Very Wellcome

One of the most popular pieces of advice is to get some common elements in the patchwork tattoo, and this is fine, but usually patchwork tattoos are made from a variety of tattoo styles, keep this in mind.

And, of course, you can always choose a personal theme, interest, symbol or whatever to make this tattoo completely yours.

Some Advice To Get The Perfect Patchwork Tattoos

First of all:

There aren’t rules for patchwork tattoos, you can do whatever you want, and I think it’s beautiful.

But I want to tell you some advices, or key features for patchwork tattoos so they can help you with your design:

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This is a bold one, isn’t it?

This time, it is a complete patchwork for an arm, but in a realistic style, with a lot of botanical and animal tattoos.

Key points here, a lot:

First, they are all from the same theme, in fact, all the tattoos are about Oregon’s nature.

Secondly, all the tattoos are made in the same realistic style, in black ink.

And, finally, the gap between the tattoos is perfect, as well as the placement.

This tattoo is done by Ula, working at Luna And Sol Tattoo, in Bournemouth, UK.

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You May Plan Your Patchwork Tattoo

Yes, patchwork tattoos are a lot of different tattoos on your skin, but you have to plan it very well.

The key point here is the balance, you have to think about how much of a gap you want to have among tattoos, the different sizes, and then, go for it.

Just a pro tip: It is easier if you have some larger pieces, so you can surround them with smaller ones.

Choose Common Elements

I think I need to explain this.

Patchwork tattoos’ top feature is to mix styles, sizes and concepts, and this is fine, but (there is always a “but”), if you choose a common element, the composition seems much more balanced.

For example, you can choose different common elements like:

• The same tattoo style for all the composition.
• All the larger tattoos are surrounded by small ones.
• The same colors (or complementary colors).
• Of just a combination, like “all the tattoos are black ink with a little red.
• Last one: you can always choose the same theme for all the tattoos.

Do Not Connect Tattoos

This is a patchwork, not a tattoo sleeve, so leave the different tattoos free!

Patchwork composition usually works best with all the elements separated but, of course, you always can do some visual paths running through your leg or your arm.

What Are The Differences Between A Patchwork Tattoos And A Sleeve Tattoo?

Well, easily speaking, a patchwork tattoo and a sleeve tattoo are just different things, so there are plenty of differences between these two concepts.

I want to show you just a few of them:

Patchwork Is Separate, Sleeve Is Continuous

Patchwork tattoos are just separate pieces inked in near places, but a tattoo sleeve usually is a complete design for all (or half) of arm or leg, and this design usually has no negative space, you know, not much skin without getting inked.

A tattoo sleeve usually tells you a complete story, flowing, a patchwork is more like separated pieces.

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This arm patchwork has a common element too, all the patchwork tattoo is about Alice in Wonderland movie, so the elements are truly connected.

Moreover, all the tattoos are done in black and gray, realistic/cartoon style, fineline and with the same shadowing.

So, the result of this is just a perfect tattoo.

This time, the tattoo artist is Maria Fernandez, a fantastic woman tattoo artist with perfect realistic tattoo works, working at Haus Elevn, in Hamburg, Germany, and I think you should follow her right now.

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Patchwork Tattoos Are For Gaps, Sleeve Is Not

The main point of patchwork tattoos is the gap among the tattoos, and a tattoo sleeve usually does not have a gap at all.

And this is because a tattoo sleeve is usually one complete design or concept, but patchwork tattoos are a lot of different designs together.

Tattoo Sleeve Is For Cohesion, Patchwork Is For Freedom

Yes, a tattoo sleeve is a complete piece about a story, theme or style, and I think this is fine, but just some people are searching for another thing.

In patchwork tattoos you can be more free to set up different designs or tattoo concepts in the same places.

In fact, it is not usual to see a tattoo sleeve with different tattoo styles or themes, but it is very usual in patchwork tattoos.

Some More Patchwork Tattoos For You

Yes, I know there are a lot of different patchwork tattoos spread in this guide, but here you can see some more.

Realistic Two Arms Patchwork

Nice one, isn’t it?

This time, it is a complete patchwork in the two arms, with a main connector: The ink color and the tattoo style, all in a realistic one.

We do like the detail level of each tattoo, my favorite is the most classical one, and the botanical, of course.

The point here is a very aesthetical composition, made by Delphin Musquet, working at Sens Patrie, in France.

Botanical (And Farm) Patchwork Tattoo

Let’s try something different, but in a botanical tattoo style, with some animals and very related to the farm and the vegetable garden.

As you can see, there are a lot of different tattoos like a cow, some strawberries, garlic or an acorn.

The point here: same theme, same tattoo style, and all the tattoos, perfectly finished with a nice gap study.

With these elements, you have a perfect patchwork tattoo.

This tattoo is done by Caleb Colpitts, tattooer at Lucky’s Cambridge, and we can say he has his own personal style for tattooing so you may follow his account now.

You Start With Small Tattoos, And You End With A Patchwork

This may be the summary of the story for a lot of patchwork tattoos and, if you think about it, it is very common.

You know, one day you want to get inked in the forearm with something small, and then you get another, another and, if you do it properly, you end with a perfect patchwork tattoo, like this one.

This tattoo is done by Corina Weikl, founder of Bottle Nº30 And Cefory Inc, in Austria, and in New York City too. She is a wonderful tattoo artist, focused on realistic tattoo styles, and you should follow her.

Two Legs Classic Americana Patchwork Tattoo

In this guide there is space for legs too!

As you can see this is a very nice two leg patchwork tattoo, the common element should be the style, an old style in Classic American tattoo style, all in black ink with the perfect separation among tattoos, isn’t it?

This tattoo is done by Peter Thorne, a tattoo artist working at No Man Lands Tattoo, in Perth, Australia. He is very focused on this Classic American tattoo style and he has a lot of different tattoo styles at his Instagram account.

Flash Patchwork Tattoo

This one is a flash patchwork tattoo, and you know, flash is a very fast tattoo, usually done in one session, and with tattoo designs made previously by the tattoo artist.

Moreover, the final result, for me, is perfect, because it matches all the key points for a patchwork tattoo.

You know, there are a lot of small tattoos, the gap is perfect, all in the same tattoo style, so the composition is truly harmonic.

The tattoo is done by Lenni, another wonderful woman tattoo artist, this time working at Below Zero Tattoo, in Tampere, Finland.

Yes, this is the best name for a tattoo studio in the list!

Classic Patchwork Arm Tattoo

And here you can see another very nice and classical patchwork arm tattoo. I do love it!

This time I want you to see about the spacing among all the different small tattoos, because this is the point to have the perfect patchwork tattoos.

The tattoo is done by Hannah Earley, a fantastic woman tattoo artist working at Diablo Studio Tattoo, in Killyleagh, Northern Ireland.

Some FAQs About Patchwork Tattoos

Patchwork Tattoos Are A Very Nice Thing

So, patchwork tattoos are a very nice thing to get inked, they have a lot of possibilities and I think they are for almost everyone on earth.

I hope you have enjoyed this guide!