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Did you pledge to get a gear tattoo? Explore 10 such interesting gear tattoo ideas and some phenomenal Instagram links along to get inspired.
Gear tattoos are becoming popular with time and are among the most good-looking tattoo designs on the skin.
Gear tattoo ideas have been on the cards from day one if you’re a gear lover. These mechanical gear tattoos come in various shapes and sizes, which can fascinate a tattoo addict.
This illustration shows that there are times when we feel down. Just shift the gears of life and rise akin to a phoenix. Now let’s dive in to explore some fascinating tattoo ideas you can look for in 2021 (with Instagram links).
Gear Clock Tattoo
This beautiful clock piece adding to the bearer’s half sleeve makes a great tattoo. The tattoo artist has added a 3D impact in the motif with black ink. With the use of halftone method, a gradient effect is produced. Many dots of varying sizes and spacing in the exterior parts have softer edges. The softer the edges, the blurrier the tattoo looks. This brings out the concept of focus blur. The gear clock is in the focus made with great details and precision. The inner part is exposed to bring out the working and fundamentals of the clock. This tattoo needs a clean and professional hand similar to @otchch to bring the design to life.
If you’re a retrophile, you’ll love this combination of an old clock (After all old is gold!) and the gear tattoo, giving a realistic look.
Geometric Gear Tattoo
A classic hourglass with the sand sliding from the upper to the lower glass bulb makes a fantastic tattoo. It reflects that time is still passing, but life is short. It’s a reminder of the transient nature of human life. But you must never forget, the gears of life are always in your hands. You can manage the speed and spirit of your life’s motto. This tattoo holds this meaning with great simplicity. It’s a minimal artwork with many geometric structures to add details to the design.
The inner part of the hourglass is designed with dot work, and the outer parts comprise linework. Different sizes of gears surround the hourglass to favour the meaning behind this motif. Few of the gears are drawn with the stippling method, and some others have a silhouette effect. The circuit vector art on the top left corner adds a personal touch to the motif. The bearer is a software engineer, and this forearm geometric gear tattoo is an amazing piece depicting a professional personality.
Bike Gear Tattoo
This illustration perfectly signifies ‘Look like a princess, ride like a pro!’. Hold on, did you say what about tattoos for men? It’s a gender-neutral tattoo, but the bearer kind of likes glorifying the lady riders (pun intended).
This motif is a treat for all the bike gear family out there! Moreover, a racing addict can never say a no to this gear tattoo. The 6th gear is highlighted with the emotional colour red. This colour resonates with the feeling of the rider. It either shows a liking towards speed or a sign to hold your horses. In life, just like a rider on the road, a red colour will signify a pause to chew over your decision about something. Whatever your thoughts are behind this motorcycle gear tattoo design, it will always be a token of love from a gear lover. This tattoo bearer is on the Yamaha team. Which team are you on?
Biomechanical Gear Tattoo
This amazing tattoo on the leg is a biomechanical gear tattoo. It is inked on the leg to transform this portion of the body into a mechanical body part. The central elements of the tattoo portray many mechanical parts such as gears, timing belts, rods, and pipes. These elements make the leg look more like a machine and less like a human body. It looks like the flesh is torn, exposing the mechanical parts underneath the skin. It is an attractive motif created with 3D effects to bring the tattoo to life.
It’s a great combination of artistry, mechanics, and technology. This gear tattoo is the best choice for a person looking for creativity and sophistication in the design. The inner portion is smartly filled with black and grey ink, whereas the red sides give a ripped flesh impression. A tattoo expert can only make this sinuous design with great diligence. So choose your tattoo artist wisely!
Black And Grey Tattoo
This design is the best ink inspiration for a gear lover. The Spanish phrase added at the bottom gives personal meaning to the tattoo. It reads “Piensa y trabaja” meaning think and work. The hidden meaning behind this phrase is to think wise and work smart. To put it another way, to work smart, you have to make your brain work hard. It is a sign to become innovative and bold.
Alongside, the mechanical elements added to bring a strong impression to the thought behind the tattoo. Gears, shafts, and bolts take a significant part of the motif. The black and grey ink delivers a realistic impression with various shading techniques. The outer aspects of the design are completed with a watercolour spill effect.
Mandala Gear Tattoo
A mandala is a simple geometric design that holds significant symbolic meaning in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It is a Sanskrit word signifying “magic circle”. This art form is quite popular, acquiring its roots from ancient times, and has gained significant space in tattoo designs.
Imagine saying gears and mandalas to a tattoo artist. It must have been compelling and perplexing at the same time. But it turned out fantastic! This illustration depicts five gears in a curvilinear manner joined mechanically. The gears on the forearm are artistically depicted as mandalas with great details. These gears are connected by dots and a few unique designs that are hanging from the rim. The radial balance is quite symmetrical yet the features flowing into each other makes the structure appealing. As you move towards the centre, you’re illuminated by the cosmic process of transformation from agony into a joyous world. This mandala gear tattoo is a great way to reinstate inner peace and wisdom in oneself.
Anatomical Heart Gear Tattoo
Anatomical heart tattoo designs are a classic choice if you want to show your love romantically. You can get matching couple tattoos to celebrate your bond with your partner. Perhaps, it can be the best choice to honour your best mate. Adding a name or your bro/girl code will bring a personal touch to the motif. But if you’re a gear lover, then this combination will be perfect for marking your passion on your skin forever.
This motif is easily figured out where to be placed, but it is not necessary to ink on your chest. The meaning of this tattoo will not get shortened if the placement of the tattoo is made anywhere else. This gear tattoo is inked on the upper arm with minimal effort yet with perfection. The valves, veins, and other parts of the heart are transformed into mechanical parts. Gears, pipes, pistons, timing belts, crankshaft, and connecting rods are drawn to give a realistic picture of the mechanical functions. So, here’s presenting a mechanical heart for you!
Graphic Gear Tattoo
Graphic tattoo designs are the most popular and innovative styles of all the designs. It is a contemporary style giving full-fledged freedom to the tattooist. This illustration combines different styles from black and grey, geometric, dot work, reality to abstract art. A quarter-sleeve creation by @noiiaberlin is named “A curious mind”.
The central part of the motif is captured by a bulb wearing a hat. The hat is made up of many small cubes which are joining together to create an interactive element. At the bottom of the bulb, there is a big question mark drawn, giving a hanging impression. This signifies invention, originating from an eccentric mind about a fragment of nature or reality. The backdrop is covered with various sizes of spheres and geometric shapes. These elements do not stand out of the design; instead, they blend well with the focused components. And the complete picture gives justice to an amazing thought, science and, innovation.
Neo-Traditional Gear Tattoo
Introducing you to a mechanical dragonfly. A steampunk dragonfly gear tattoo on the thigh is an amazing neo-traditional tattoo design.
The wide variety of vibrant colors and detailed work brings a realistic dimension to the tattoo. This tattoo idea is so cool, with more extensive vans and gears in the wings on one side. The right wings are portrayed as gears with black and white ink. The use of the shading method brings out a realistic impression of gears shown to be placed one after another. The left wings have an attractive charm drawn with minute intricacy. The bug is sitting on a thorny branch signifying that life is full of difficulties, but the way to deal with them is our decision. This mechanical gear tattoo is a simple tattoo design best for those who want to affirm and embrace love, growth, new development, and adaptability for the years to come.
Dot Work Gear Tattoo
This dot work gear tattoo is a bang for the buck! If you want a mechanical half sleeve, this is the best option to go for. A realistic mechanical gear tattoo with minimal effort will make you fall in love at first sight. The focus element in the motif is the piston. The inner parts are characterized by fine line tattooing and dot shading technique. This mechanical gear tattoo in the forearm is the result of diligence and experience. The mechanical motif looks easy, but the details need acceptable practice, which comes with years of hard work. The gears at the back of the piston are made with the stippling method. It is inked in a way portraying a crown on both the ends of the piston.
These are the 10 best gear tattoo ideas that you will always be proud to wear on your skin. You can also check out related gear tattoo designs to get the best of your experience.
- Tribal gear tattoo
- 3D gear tattoo
- Yin and yang gear tattoo
- Gearbox tattoo
Feature Image from Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo
What is a gear tattoo?
A gear tattoo is a popular body art design that incorporates interlocking gears as a way to symbolize the concept of progress or movement. It is often seen as a representation of ambition and hard work, with the idea being that each gear can be thought of as individual steps in the pursuit of success. Gear tattoos can also be seen as a reminder to stay on track and never give up, since it’s easy to lose motivation or get sidetracked. Some people also view the design as a reminder that life is an ongoing journey, with each gear representing a part of the process. Gear tattoos can be done in various sizes and colors, whether alone or incorporated into other designs such as a clock, for example. Many people like to add special symbols or words to their design as a way to personalize it and make it unique. Gear tattoos are often seen as a symbol of strength and determination due to the visual representation of progress. For those looking for an inspirational design, gear tattoos could be the perfect choice!
What are some common designs for gear tattoos?
There are many different ways to incorporate gear tattoos into a design. Common designs often involve several gears interconnected with chains or other elements, such as clock hands or screws. Some people also like to add words and symbols like stars, hearts, and arrows as accents to their tattoo. Other popular designs include incorporating gears into larger pieces that feature images of planets, galaxies, and even skulls. Gear tattoos can be done in traditional black ink or color for a more vibrant look. For those who want to keep it simple, one gear with intricate detail is usually enough to make an impactful tattoo design. No matter what type of gear tattoo you choose, it’s sure to be a unique piece of artwork that expresses your individual style and ambition.
Are gear tattoos only for men?
No, gear tattoos are not just for men. Anyone can get a gear tattoo regardless of gender, as it is a popular design choice among people of all ages and backgrounds. Many women choose this type of tattoo to represent their strength and determination in reaching their goals. The design also looks great on both sexes and can be customized with colors or symbols to express a personal message. Gear tattoos can be used in a variety of ways, so no matter who you are, there is sure to be the perfect design for you!
Where is a gear tattoo typically placed on the body?
Gear tattoos can be placed practically anywhere on the body, but some of the most popular locations are the arms, chest, back, and legs. The size and complexity of the design will determine where it should go since many people like to have large designs that cover a significant area. Smaller designs can look great on wrists or ankles as well. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide where they would like to place their tattoo. But wherever you choose, a gear tattoo is sure to make a bold statement!
How big is a gear tattoo typically?
The size of a gear tattoo can vary depending on the individual’s preference. Some people like to get larger designs that span across the arm or back while others prefer smaller, more subtle pieces. Most designs are between 4-6 inches in size and can be customized with other elements such as symbols or words for a personalized look. Smaller designs can also be easily hidden if need be, making them perfect for more discreet ink lovers. No matter the size, a gear tattoo is sure to make an impact!
How much does a gear tattoo cost?
The cost of a gear tattoo will depend on the size and complexity of the design as well as the artist’s fees. Smaller designs will typically cost less than larger ones, but prices can range anywhere from $50-$500 or more depending on the details. It is important to shop around and compare prices before settling on an artist to ensure you get the best deal possible. Ultimately, the cost of a gear tattoo will be worth it for the unique piece of artwork that you’ll have as a lasting reminder of your strength and determination!
How long does it take to get a gear tattoo?
The time it takes to get a gear tattoo will depend on the size and complexity of the design. Smaller designs can typically be done in one session, while larger tattoos may require multiple sessions. On average, most gear tattoos can be completed in 2-3 hours depending on how detailed the artist wants to make it. It’s important to have realistic expectations and plan ahead before getting a gear tattoo, as they can take more time than simpler designs.
