Flowers I tattoo most
Most of the floral work in my portfolio is roses, lilies, peonies, hibiscus, chrysanthemums, magnolias and wildflowers. I also tattoo plants that aren’t flowers at all, like Swedish ivy, succulents and trailing vines.
Flowers pair well with other subjects, and some of my favorite pieces mix the two: a hummingbird with peonies, a jellyfish with cherry blossoms, a lamb with a sunflower and a lily, a skull with roses.
Florals that follow your body
A floral tattoo looks best when it moves with the body instead of sitting flat on it. A vine can run down the spine, a bouquet can cap a shoulder, and a half sleeve can grow around the forearm. I plan the overall shape around the area first, then fit the flowers into it.
- Forearm and half sleeve: long, vertical designs and wraps.
- Shoulder and upper arm: clusters that follow the curve of the shoulder.
- Spine: single stems and stacked bouquets.
- Thigh and hip: larger pieces with room for detail.
- Collarbone and ribs: thin vines and sprays.
Birth flower bouquets
Birth flower bouquets are one of the floral requests I get most. Each month has a traditional flower, so one bouquet can hold a flower for each person in your family. Tell me the months, plus any flowers that mean something to you, and I’ll arrange them into one piece.
The most common birth flower list in the US:
- January: carnation
- February: violet
- March: daffodil
- April: daisy or sweet pea
- May: lily of the valley
- June: rose
- July: larkspur or water lily
- August: gladiolus or poppy
- September: aster or morning glory
- October: marigold
- November: chrysanthemum
- December: narcissus or holly
Fine line, stipple or color?
Fine line florals use thin outlines and little shading, which suits small, delicate pieces. Stipple shading builds soft shadows out of tiny dots, so petals get depth without heavy black. Color florals range from soft pinks to bright traditional palettes.
If you’re not sure which to pick, tell me the look you like and I’ll suggest the style that fits your placement and size.
Size and detail
A small tattoo can’t hold as much detail as a large one. Over the years ink settles slightly into the skin, so very fine lines packed close together can blur. If you want several flower types or lots of small details, give the design enough room, or keep a small piece simple. I’ll tell you if a design needs to be bigger.
What affects the price
Every custom floral piece is quoted after I see your idea and placement. The main things that change the price:
- Size
- Amount of detail
- Color or black and grey
- Placement
- Whether it needs more than one session
How to book
Fill out the request form on my booking page with your idea, where it’s going, roughly how big, and any reference photos. I read every request myself and reply with any questions, a price estimate and open dates. I tattoo at Revival Tattoo Studio, 5911 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, Iowa.
Questions about florals
Can you combine my family’s birth flowers into one tattoo?
Yes. Send me the months and any flowers you’d like to swap in, and I’ll design one bouquet that includes them. Birth flower tattoos →
Do floral tattoos need to be big?
No, but detail needs room. A single stem can be small. A bouquet with several flower types usually needs more space so each flower stays readable as it ages.
Can you add flowers to a tattoo I already have?
Yes. Flowers are one of the easiest ways to fill out a sleeve or tie separate tattoos together. Send a photo of what you have.
Do you tattoo flowers in color?
Yes. I do color florals as well as black and grey. Hibiscus, carnations, daffodils and irises are all in my color work.