One of the most common dilemmas facing anyone considering a tattoo is the question of size. Should you go bold with a statement piece that commands attention, or opt for something smaller and more subtle? At Northern 92 Tattoo Studio in Burnley, we help clients navigate this decision daily, understanding that there’s no universally “right” answer—only what’s right for you, your lifestyle, and your vision.
Understanding the Fundamentals
What Constitutes “Small” vs. “Large”?
Before diving deeper, let’s establish what we mean by these terms:
Small Tattoos:
- Typically under 2-3 inches in any direction
- Can usually be completed in one short session (1-2 hours)
- Examples: delicate symbols, small text, minimalist designs, tiny portraits
Medium Tattoos:
- Roughly 3-6 inches, the “sweet spot” for many first-timers
- Usually completed in one session (2-4 hours)
- Examples: detailed flowers, medium portraits, substantial symbols
Large Tattoos:
- Anything over 6 inches, extending to full body coverage
- Often require multiple sessions
- Examples: sleeves, back pieces, chest panels, thigh pieces
The Case for Small Tattoos
Advantages of Going Small
Lower Initial Investment: Small tattoos are more budget-friendly, typically ranging from £50-£150 depending on complexity and artist. This makes them accessible for those testing the waters or working with limited budgets.
Minimal Time Commitment: A small piece can often be completed in an hour or two, making it easier to fit into busy schedules. You’re not committing to multiple lengthy sessions or extended healing periods.
Discreet and Professional: For those in conservative work environments or uncertain about visible tattoos, small pieces can be easily concealed. Behind the ear, inner wrist, or ankle placements offer personal meaning without professional complications.
Perfect for Beginners: First-time tattoo clients often appreciate starting small to understand:
- Their personal pain tolerance
- How their skin takes ink
- The healing process
- Whether they enjoy having tattoos
Easy to Add to Collections: Small tattoos allow you to build a collection gradually, creating a “patchwork” effect over time rather than committing to one large design immediately.
Quicker Healing: Smaller surface area typically means faster, simpler healing with less disruption to daily activities.
Potential Drawbacks of Small Tattoos
Limited Detail: Fine details, intricate shading, and complex imagery become difficult or impossible at small scales. What looks stunning at 6 inches might be a blurry mess at 2 inches.
Ageing Considerations: Small, delicate tattoos—particularly fine line work—may blur or fade more noticeably over time. Lines placed close together can merge as ink naturally spreads in the skin.
Less Visual Impact: Small tattoos don’t command attention or make bold statements. If you’re seeking dramatic visual impact, small might not achieve your goals.
Higher Price Per Square Inch: Paradoxically, small tattoos often cost more per square inch due to minimum charges and the precision required for tiny work.
Design Limitations: Many designs simply don’t work at small scales. Complex scenes, detailed portraits, and intricate patterns require space to shine.
The Case for Large Tattoos
Advantages of Going Large
Artistic Freedom: Large canvases allow artists to showcase their full capabilities:
- Intricate detail and shading
- Complex colour gradients
- Narrative compositions
- Realistic textures and depth
At Northern 92, our artists’ award-winning work truly shines when given space to execute their vision fully.
Visual Impact: Large tattoos make statements. They’re conversation starters, artistic declarations, and bold expressions of personal style that command attention and admiration.
Better Ageing: Larger tattoos with appropriately sized elements typically age better. Lines have space to spread naturally without compromising the overall design integrity.
Narrative Possibilities: Substantial space allows for storytelling through imagery. Japanese sleeves, for instance, can depict entire mythological scenes across the arm’s landscape.
Value Proposition: While more expensive overall, large tattoos often offer better value per square inch once past minimum charges. A sleeve might cost £1,500-3,000 but represents 20+ hours of skilled artistry.
Cohesive Design: Large pieces allow for unified compositions rather than disconnected small tattoos. The design can flow with your body’s natural contours, creating harmonious results.
Potential Drawbacks of Large Tattoos
Significant Financial Investment: Large pieces require substantial financial commitment, often £500-£3,000+ depending on size, complexity, and artist. This can be prohibitive or require careful financial planning.
Time Commitment: Multiple sessions spanning months or even years are often necessary. Each session requires:
- 4-8 hours in the chair
- Scheduling coordination
- Healing time between appointments
- Ongoing commitment to the project
Less Discretion: Large, visible tattoos like sleeves, neck pieces, or hand tattoos can’t easily be hidden. This affects:
- Professional opportunities in conservative fields
- Social situations
- Family dynamics
- Travel to countries with tattoo stigma
Higher Regret Risk: The bigger the tattoo, the more challenging and expensive removal or cover-up becomes should your feelings change. This makes careful consideration crucial.
Physical Endurance: Long sessions test pain tolerance and physical stamina. Not everyone can comfortably sit for 6-8 hours, regardless of how much they want the finished piece.
Investment Comparison
Financial Considerations
Small Tattoo Costs:
- Typical range: £50-£150
- Usually one-time payment
- Immediate completion
- Deposit required upfront
- Lower aftercare product costs
Large Tattoo Costs:
- Typical range: £500-£3,000+
- Multiple payment instalments across sessions
- Deposit required upfront
- Ongoing aftercare investment
Hidden Costs to Consider:
- Touch-ups (more frequent for small, delicate work)
- Premium aftercare products for larger healing areas
- Time off work for lengthy sessions
- Travel if your artist is far from home
Time Investment
Small Tattoos:
- Design consultation: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Tattoo session: 1-2 hours
- Healing: 2-4 weeks
- Total project time: 1 month
Large Tattoos:
- Design consultation: 1-2 hours
- Multiple sessions: 20-40+ hours total
- Healing between sessions: 4-6 weeks each
- Total project time: 6 months – 2 years
Impact Assessment
Personal Impact
Small Tattoos:
- Intimate and personal
- Often hidden, revealed selectively
- May feel like a “starter” rather than definitive statement
- Easy to forget you have them
Large Tattoos:
- Become part of your identity
- Constant visual presence
- Define how others perceive you
- Impossible to ignore
Social Impact
Professional Considerations: While workplace attitudes have evolved dramatically, visibility matters:
Small, Concealable Tattoos:
- Generally acceptable in most professions
- Can be covered for interviews or conservative clients
- Minimal impact on professional opportunities
Large, Visible Tattoos:
- May affect opportunities in conservative industries (finance, law, corporate)
- Increasingly accepted in creative fields, hospitality, retail
- Consider long-term career goals when planning visible work
Social Dynamics: Large tattoos inevitably become part of how people perceive you:
- Conversation starters (constantly)
- Subject of unsolicited opinions
- Can strengthen or complicate family relationships
- May affect romantic opportunities (both positively and negatively)
Making Your Decision
Questions to Ask Yourself
For Small Tattoos:
- Am I choosing small due to genuine preference or fear?
- Will this design work at small scale?
- Am I prepared for potentially more frequent touch-ups?
- Is this part of a larger collection plan?
For Large Tattoos:
- Can I financially commit to multiple sessions?
- Do I have the time for a long-term project?
- How will this affect my professional life?
- Am I confident in this design for decades to come?
The Northern 92 Consultation Approach
At Northern 92 Tattoo Studio, we help you make informed decisions through comprehensive consultations:
Design Assessment: We honestly evaluate whether your concept works at your proposed size. Some designs simply require space to succeed.
Lifestyle Consideration: We discuss your work environment, lifestyle, and long-term plans to ensure your tattoo choice aligns with your life.
Artist Matching: Different artists excel at different scales:
- Megan Rose Hall: Specialist in delicate fine line work that shines at smaller scales
- Elliott Maxwell: Master of large-scale Japanese work requiring substantial canvas
- Aidan Howarth: Geometric work that can scale beautifully from small to large
- Paul Ashcroft: Traditional work that’s bold at any size but spectacular at larger scales
- Elliott Spencer: Our maestro of dark and macabre black and grey realism – better suited to larger scale pieces
Phased Approach: For those uncertain about commitment to large pieces, we can plan designs that start small and expand over time, allowing you to build toward your vision gradually.
The Middle Ground: Medium Tattoos
Often the best answer lies between extremes:
Benefits of Medium-Sized Tattoos:
- Enough space for detail and impact
- Manageable single-session completion
- Moderate investment (£200-£500 typically)
- Visible but not overwhelming
- Professional yet personal
Medium pieces offer substantial artistic freedom whilst remaining financially and temporally accessible to most clients.
Special Considerations
First Tattoo Advice
If this is your first tattoo, consider:
- Starting medium-sized rather than tiny (allows better technical execution)
- Avoiding highly visible areas until you understand your tattoo tolerance
- Choosing a design with expansion potential
- Working with an artist whose portfolio demonstrates consistency across scales
Building a Collection
Some clients prefer multiple small tattoos creating a “collected over time” aesthetic, whilst others pursue cohesive large pieces. Neither approach is superior—they’re simply different philosophies of body art.
Patchwork Approach: Many small to medium pieces accumulated over years, creating organic, personal collections.
Planned Composition: Large, cohesive pieces designed as unified artworks from the outset.
Hybrid Strategy: Combining both approaches—some areas featuring planned large pieces, others showcasing meaningful smaller tattoos.
Conclusion: There’s No Wrong Answer
The “right” size for your tattoo depends entirely on your personal circumstances, aesthetic preferences, and life situation. At Northern 92 Tattoo Studio in Burnley, we’ve seen clients achieve profound satisfaction with tiny wrist tattoos and with full back pieces—what matters is that the choice aligns with your vision, lifestyle, and goals.
Small tattoos offer accessibility, discretion, and the opportunity to build collections gradually. Large tattoos provide artistic impact, detailed execution, and bold self-expression. Medium tattoos often strike the perfect balance for those seeking both detail and manageability.
Whatever size you’re considering, our experienced team at Northern 92 will provide honest guidance about what will work best for your concept, help you understand the investment required, and ensure your finished tattoo—regardless of scale—represents the highest quality artistry Lancashire has to offer.
Ready to discuss whether small, large, or somewhere in between is right for your next tattoo? Contact Northern 92 Tattoo Studio to book your consultation. Our award-winning artists will help you make the decision that’s perfect for your unique vision and circumstances.
