Reviewed & updated: March 30, 2023 by Jamie Wilson BA
Sleeve tattoos have always been a popular option for tattoo lovers everywhere. It is usually the tattoo guys get after getting tattooed before. They are also very popular since they can be very creative. Maybe you just wanna see how these tattoos look or you are looking for your next tattoo inspiration. Either way, you came to the right place! Today we are bringing you 13 Half Sleeve Tattoo Designs For Guys you will fall in love with!
What Is Considered A Half Sleeve Tattoo?
Sleeve tattoos, as the name suggests, mean that you get one tattoo or several tattoos that end up covering your arm. A half sleeve tattoo is something like a short-sleeve shirt. It does not go all the way, it only covers half of your arm. Many people start with half sleeve tattoos and gradually build their way up to a full sleeve tattoo.
1. Rose Half Sleeve Tattoo
A great half sleeve tattoo is one that involves flowers. For instance, you can get a rose tattoo at first. After some time add more flowers to it and extended it into a half sleeve tattoo. Floral designs are not that hard to do and can look pretty when done in black and white, but in colors as well. If you trust your artist enough you can even let them freestyle your roses since it can turn into beautiful artwork.
2. Tiger Half Sleeve Tattoo
Tiger is an animal that many consider being the symbol of strength and wisdom. There are many styles you can to the tiger in. One of the more popular is the Japanese tiger. Tigers can be great upper arm sleeve tattoos because of the structure of the tattoo. They can be done in all black ink and are one of the amazing animals which will give you a total badass tattoo.
3. Amazing Half Sleeve Tree Tattoo
Trees are great sleeve tattoos because you can do them in any style you want. One tree or a whole forest, the choice is yours. You can start them from your wrist and extend them to your elbows. Tattoos are a symbol for life and are the perfect tattoo if you want to do a simple design in all black,
4. Quotes Sleeve Designs
Most people associate sleeve tattoos with a lot of creative design ideas, but a sleeve tattoo can be also done by just adding simple quotes that have a lot of meaning to you. If you feel like doing something artsier you can always add geometric elements, a flower or anything else you would like behind or next to the quote. Just be careful when picking out the font for your tattoo because the tattoo will fade over time.
5. Dragon Shoulder Sleeve Tattoo
Dragon tattoos have always been popular sleeve tattoos designs. They are mostly done on the upper arm or shoulder because of the complexity of the tattoo and since in those cases you can extend it to your chest. This tattoo is a perfect choice for people who like colorful tattoos since a dragon tattoo looks way better when it is done with a lot of colors rather than just black and white.
6. Tribal Half Sleeve Tattoo
Tribal tattoos work amazing as sleeve tattoos because they are usually very big with a lot of details. They do take a lot of time to do and have a lot of meaning behind them. Sleeve tattoo designs like these work great as tattoos for women and men. You will definitely wanna share this sleeve tattoo with everyone around you.
7. Polynesian Half Sleeve Tattoo
Polynesian tattoos are amazing tattoos for those people who like details and simple lines. These are often looked at as tattoos for men tribal. They are great because you can always start small and then extend them over time. Polynesian tattoos are an awesome piece of art. These sleeve tattoos also hold a lot of meaning behind them, therefore they truly are an amazing tattoo choice.
8. Samurai Half Sleeve Tattoo
Samurai sleeve tattoo designs originated in Japan and are very popular all around the world. Samurais represent honesty, loyalty, commitment, and patriotism. These tattoos can be done in all black ink design or you can add a few colors to make it pop. Samurai tattoos aren’t very popular as tattoos for women because of their manly design.
9. Owl Half Sleeve Tattoo
Owl tattoos can be done anywhere on your body. They can be a shoulder tattoo, an arm tattoo, leg tattoo, neck tattoo, etc. They are great as sleeve tattoo ideas because they can cover-up old tattoos, they can be very realistic and they are very cool. Owls do have a lot of details on them, so be prepared to sit for a few hours while you get your tattoo.
10. Fish Half Sleeve Tattoo
If you like colored tattoos this one is for you. People usually get fish tattoos because they mean happiness, health, and transformation. They can be done as awesome all black half sleeve tattoos, but what makes them special are the colors.
Watch A Video Of The Best 100+ Half Sleeve Tattoos You Need To See!
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11. Scary Portrait Half Sleeve Tattoo
A portrait tattoo makes the perfect sleeve tattoo since it can be done in full size. They are great half sleeve tattoos if you want to get a tattoo of your loved one, or if you want a cool looking portrait tattoo of something else. For instance, this guy got the scary Penny Wise as his half sleeve tattoo. We are certain you are going to want to share your portrait tattoo, whether it is your loved one or something scary.
12. Skull Half Sleeve Tattoo
Skull tattoos are not for everyone, but there is no denying that they look very powerful and cool. A tattoo like this often means that one is celebrating life rather than worshiping death. You can even often find across on this tattoo and some even consider it to be a religious tattoo. They work great as sleeve tattoos and are mostly done in black ink. Since there is a lot of coloring, be prepared to tolerate the pain.
13. Space Half Sleeve Tattoo
Space sleeve tattoos are great for those people who like color and want to do a piece of art on their bodies. You can make this space tattoo meaningful or just get it because of the cool design. They can be done in all black ink as well, but they look better when done in color.
How Long Does It Take To Do A Half Sleeve Tattoo?
After seeing all of these amazing sleeve tattoos designs, you only have one question left: how long does it take to do a half sleeve tattoo? It takes a very long time. When we say that, we mean it. Half sleeve tattoos require a lot of time and the reason for that is simple: these sleeve tattoos designs cover a lot of areas on your body. Depending on the artist and the design of your tattoo it might be done in one take, but usually, it takes a few sessions. For more complex sleeve tattoos it can take up to several weeks to get them fully done. For more simple ones, it is possible to get them done in 6-8 hours. Also, be prepared for the pain since it does take such a long time for half sleeve tattoos to be done.
On That Note,
In case the time of the tattoo and the pain level didn’t scare you away, you won’t regret getting a half sleeve tattoo. These sleeve tattoo designs are great if you love tattoos and want to get super creative with your next tattoo. They can be done in all sorts of styles and you will be happy with them in the end. Therefore, we hope you found inspiration for your next tattoo in today’s article or just some helpful information.
Still looking for inspiration, then checkout this sleeve tattoo ideas.
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