The Sticker Tattoo Sleeve Is The Latest *Cool Girl* Ink Trend You'll Want To Try

When we think of "tattoo sleeves," what usually comes to mind are huge swaths of densely packed designs all over someone's arm or leg. Think tribal, art deco, or painting-like ink all over the arm. Tattoo sleeve designs usually cover the arm. We consider those who are ink "pros" to choose this type of ink mainly because it takes a few sessions to see the finished results. (Imagine the pain and patience one has to go through to get a tattoo sleeve done!)

But in recent years, this concept has greatly changed, thanks to the rise of certain fashion aesthetics like fairycore and the coquette style. These whimsical aesthetics have led to the sticker tattoo sleeve trend. Read more about it below:

READ MORE: 10 Subtle Inner Arm Tattoo Ideas You Can Easily Hide

What is a sticker tattoo sleeve?

Think of it as the tattoo sleeve's daintier, more ~*whimsical*~ younger sister. A sticker sleeve often involves fine lines, minimalist designs, and subtle shading that can either follow a theme or tell a story, or they could be completely random, too! This iteration leaves a lot of gaps and negative space in between designs, which makes them look like fun stickers.

Why should you get a sticker tattoo sleeve?

• You'll spend less time in the chair: Since you'll only be getting one to two (or maybe three if you're feeling ~*brave*~) tattoos per session, this means that you'll be spending less time in the chair compared to if you were getting a traditional sleeve tattoo. It's the perfect alternative for those with a low pain tolerance!
• You can play with a variety of styles: Sticker sleeves don't really require cohesion (unless that's the look you're really going for), so you can definitely pick from a variety of different styles for your ink, whether it's intricate linework, soft shaded pieces, or even colored designs.
• You have more creative freedom: The usual tattoo sleeves are made of carefully planned out designs that you discuss with your tattoo artist to ensure a seamless overall look. The beauty of a sticker sleeve, however, is that it's usually improvised—a different route from the traditional approach. It's fun to see how your chosen body part for a sticker sleeve will turn out as you add more over time!
• It's a less intimidating process: The idea of committing to a full tattoo sleeve can definitely be daunting for some people, both in terms of pain and just how "permanent" it can be. Sticker sleeve tattoos are often lighter and less dense, and can be a less intimidating alternative to this.

Ready for some inspo for your sticker sleeve tattoo? Check these out:

1. Adding a pop of color to one of the tattoos on your sleeve will undoubtedly make it more eye-catching.

2. We love how evenly spaced her tattoos are.

3. Here's proof that morena skin girlies will look good with a collection of intricate fine-line tattoos.

4. A sticker sleeve is not just limited to, well, your arm or leg. Check out how this person made their back their canvas!

5. Here's more proof that sticker sleeves aren't just limited to the usual body parts they're usually on. Hand tattoos FTW!

6. Initials, words, and phrases will always look good together on a sticker sleeve—they're perfect for those who want a more minimalist approach.

7. Sticker tattoo sleeves don't always have to mean small and dainty. You can play around with sizes while still keeping negative spaces between the designs.