The "Sticker Sleeve" Trend Makes the Most of Spontaneous Tattoos (2024)

Getting a tattoo sleeve was once a huge deal. Historically, tattoo sleeves were dark and foreboding swaths of ink. A lot has changed in recent years, thanks to sticker sleeves, a light, whimsical alternative that leaves a lot of skin blank.

Essentially, sticker sleeve tattoos are when you have a bunch of small tattoos in one area of your body, such as your arm or leg. It's a trend growing in popularity for various reasons, which we'll dive into with tattoo artistsPilar ZuritaandNano Ponto, ahead. Read on to learn more.

What Are Sticker Sleeves?

A sticker sleeve is a collection of small tattoos on one part of your body, typically covering the whole area. Examples of body parts for sleeves are calves, forearms, and upper arms. A sticker sleeve differs from a traditional sleeve because there is no background tattooed, bringing the individual tattoos together. Additionally, sticker sleeves involve many more tattoos than a conventional sleeve because each tattoo is tiny. Zurita explains that sticker sleeves provide a unique opportunity for creativity. "You can get tattoos in a more tiny and delicate way and share multiple motifs and stories by mixing them," she says.

Sticker tattoo sleeves don't have to be acquired all at once, and won't look strange if you collect them slowly. "It's a different approach to decorating your body and a chance to collect small tattoos and experiences as time goes by, like little badges or gems," says Ponto.

Benefits of Sticker Sleeve Tattoos

In addition to the ability to collect tattoos slowly, sticker sleeves offer additional benefits.

• Less time in the chair: "Getting small tattoos could also mean fewer sessions," Zurita tells us.
• Less forethought needed: "It's exciting not to know how your arm will end up looking as you'll discover it over time. You´ll experience a sort of endless improvisation and that's completely different from the traditional approach," says Ponto.
• More variety: Sticker sleeves give you the opportunity to combine multiple styles. "You can mix more elements in the same placement and get the tattoos at different points in your life as you continue to form your story," says Zurita.
• A unique look: Both artists note that sticker tattoo sleeves look totally different from traditional ones, which some people may prefer.
  

How to Create a Sticker Tattoo Sleeve

Sticker tattoo sleeves can be conceptualized all at once or done over time in a series of sessions. The choice is up to you, and the beauty of a sticker sleeve is that you don't even have to decide you'll get one initially. You can start with a tiny tattoo and build upon it over time. Choose what you get based on your color, style, and content preferences, then discuss your ideas with an artist before moving forward.

Once you select an artist to work with, you should schedule a consultation to ensure your vision aligns. You'll want to know if you will add pieces slowly or all at once, and you'll want to consult with them about what styles and shapes will work together well. "If you have a few ideas when you book the appointment, you can ask your tattoo artist if they can be done in one session. The artist can help you with the placements, too," says Zurita.

"If you opt into one tattoo at a time with different artists, it'll take more time to fill up your sleeve," Ponto explains. "You may not know your final look beforehand, and it could probably be more expensive overall." Because of this, you should talk to your artist about what your long-term plans are for your ink.

Maintenance and Care for Sticker Tattoo Slaves

Sticker sleeves should be cared for similarly to all other tattoos. However, the healing process may be easier. According to Ponto, healing smaller areas of skin might speed up the process. "If your stickers are smaller than the traditional lining, shading, and coloring of the whole sleeve, this could potentially be less traumatic to the skin, and you'll have a milder experience with pain and skin healing."

Once healed, maintenance is just as important. "I always recommend avoiding the sun, always wearing sunscreen, and moisturizing ink with lotion daily," suggests Zurita.

The Final Takeaway

Sticker tattoo sleeves are a series of small tattoos placed on an area of your body without a background. You can get them individually or all at once. Regardless, our artists say that you'll want to work with an artist for a cohesive look, or you can draw from various styles depending on your personal taste. Sticker tattoos may heal more quickly than larger tattoos due to their size but should be maintained similarly to large pieces. Now that you know the ins and outs of this sleeve type, you can start brainstorming the tiny elements of your new ink.