3D tattoos are becoming some of the coolest ink to get. The most badass 3D tattoo designs can make your head turn with awesome optical illusions, while other inked images are so realistic, you’ll want one yourself. Tattoo enthusiasts inking their bodies with these detailed realistic tattoos are sure to draw the attention of any onlooker.
Ranging from stars to dragons to mechanical gears to religious depictions on your arm, chest, back, sleeve, forearm, shoulder, leg and hand, we’ve found a cool collection of designs to inspire you. For small and simple ink, we recommend choosing the forearm, hand or wrist; but guys who want big, intricate artwork will need to pick a larger canvas and get a sleeve, shoulder, back, or chest tattoo.
If you have no idea what a 3D tattoo would look like on you, this gallery below will give you a little perspective on potential ideas. Check out these awesome three dimensional tattoo designs for inspiration and we’re sure these images will find a way to make your next piece of body art pop!
Best 3D Tattoo Designs
3D tattoos are more a type of style or representation of a technique than a standalone motif. Because of this, your ink can represent whatever you want it to. It can be a portrait, your favorite quote carved in stone, your spirit animal, or your fascination with fantasy and science fiction.
Here are some popular tattoo designs you may want to get.
Body Part Tattoos
The second heart, ripped through ribs or broken spine are all cool ideas of 3D tattoo concepts for guys. This is a popular trend these days, showing specific body parts or organs as they would look without being covered up by skin and tissue. This ink looks even better when it’s combined with bio-mechanical features.
Biomechanical Tattoos
Biomechanical tattoos are one of the most popular designs for men. The human mind has been fascinated by the idea of merging man and machine for a long time, way before Arnold became the Terminator. 3D designs with steel, gears, and wires that appear to turn men’s bodies into machines have been trendy. Especially when inked on a very fit and muscular guy, the illusion of skin and veins meet wires and gears can be mind-bending.
Realistic Portraits
It takes time to ink an accurate portrait of someone, and even more time to give the tattoo a 3D effect. If you’re looking to commemorate a loved one or show your fascination with an idol, there’s no better way than getting a 3D picture of them.
Jesus Tattoo Scenes
Inking a page from the Old Testament on one’s back is nothing new. However, it does have more meaning when instead of words it is represented by a lively 3D image. With how realistic tattooing looks these days, it can certainly do justice and satisfy all believers.
Like most tattoos, you aren’t too restricted when it comes to placement. However, some 3D tattoo ideas are dependent on using a specific body part. For instance, inking a realistic heart on a forearm hardly has the same effect as tattooing it on the chest. Here are some of the hottest places to get a 3D tattoo.
If you ever wanted to have super-human strength or speed, you’re still out of luck. However, you can make yourself look like a futuristic superhero with realistic 3D biomechanical enhancements on your legs. Skilled artists can transform an entire limb into a robotic extension, making 3D leg tattoos an awesome option for guys who want a badass look.
The arm and forearm are both highly visible areas, ensuring your ink is prominently displayed. The dimensions of your arm often creates the perfect canvas for longer yet narrow tattoos that would be ill-fitting elsewhere. If you’re willing to consider some cool arm ink, check out these popular sleeve tattoos below.
The back offers plenty of room to work with. Some of the most popular 3D tattoo choices for the back either focus around exposing the spine or depicting realistic huge monsters. Think big, mean-looking dragons that look as alive as the person wearing them. If this type of artwork is something that interests you, then 3D back tattoos are worth reviewing!
Why stick to just your arm or forearm when you can get a full sleeve? 3D sleeve tattoos are the perfect opportunity to bring together many related designs or piece together a mural that representatives different aspects of your life.
It’s not uncommon these days to see a pierced heart inked on top of your actual heart. It’s also cool when the artist adds gears to it and turns it into either a steampunk device or a futuristic android heart.
3D head, face and neck tattoos can offer badass designs. For instance, the eyes at the back of your head is a classic tattoo choice. It looks even better when your artist inks a realistic face instead of just a 2D tattoo with some shadows and light texturing.
Cool 3D Tattoo Designs
Below you’ll find some classic and modern 3D tattoos that are sure to get your mind in a twist. This picture gallery showcases some of the amazing talents of tattoo artists, so pick your favorite design and get inked!
