If you’re looking for a more contemporary style of tattoo artistry, you might want to look into getting a 3D tattoo. Through realistic shading and specific linework, many tattoo artists can create a three-dimensional image that looks like it could be snatched right off the skin.
While some men prefer tattoos that maintain a more animated or artsy look, 3D tattoos are perfect for those who want something different and modern, setting them apart from the more traditional ink style.
From 3D animal tattoos on the forearm to a small yet intricate 3D tattoo on the hand, there are several options to consider when researching this up-and-coming tattoo trend. To help you discover some of the best designs, we’ve put together this list of the top 25 3D tattoos for men.
1. 3D Butterfly Tattoo
3D butterfly tattoos can be done in a way that makes the butterfly look as if it is going to fly right off your skin. Representing many different things, from life to transformation, choosing a butterfly as the image for your 3D tattoo is sure to result in a stunning and special image. 3D butterfly tattoos also provide you with the opportunity to get more creative and bold with various colors and shades.
2. 3D Cross Tattoo
3D cross tattoos place a unique twist on a pretty traditional tattoo for those with religious backgrounds or a strong sense of faith.
3. 3D Nipple Tattoo
3D nipple tattoos are perhaps the most innovative and impactful 3D tattoos. Invented for women and men who have had to undergo mastectomies due to breast cancer, a 3D nipple allows survivors and fighters to feel more comfortable with their bodies after being forced to undergo such a dramatic and difficult change.
4. 3D Spider Tattoo
If you’re looking for something a bit edgy or even creepy, 3D spider tattoos can be made to look incredibly real. So much so that you might end up having a couple of people swatting at you or trying to brush a spider off of your back!
5. 3D Compass Tattoo
If you’re looking to take your compass tattoo to the next level, adding a three-dimensional effect can make all the difference. Whether your compass tattoo represents guidance or staying on course, 3D compass tattoos feature optimal detailing and the intricacy needed to accurately display how distinguished a compass can be.
6. 3D Dragonfly Tattoo
Like a 3D butterfly tattoo, 3D dragonfly tattoos can be done in a way that allows for the dragonfly’s wings to literally shimmer and look as though they could fly off into space. Even the eyes of a dragonfly on a 3D tattoo can look totally realistic, and even a bit unsettling for those who get a bit freaked out by flying insects.
7. 3D Heart Tattoo
Whether you want an image of an organ-like heart or a 3D heart tattoo that resembles the beloved shape, 3D heart tattoos can represent various things from love to life.
8. 3D Lion Tattoo
While lion tattoos are known for promoting a sense of power and authority, 3D lion tattoos bring those energies to life even more through realistic shading and highlighting.
9. 3D Dragon Tattoo
Like the 3D lion tattoo, 3D dragon tattoos are powerful yet sultry. Being that they are usually pretty long and intricate, the three-dimensional aspects of this tattoo really take it to the next level. If you’re looking for a unique location for a 3D dragon tattoo, try designing one to run up the length of the arm, starting at the base of the wrist.
10. 3D Hummingbird Tattoo
With wings that move at the speed of light, a hummingbird makes for one of the best animals to make into a 3D tattoo. 3D hummingbird tattoos are a wonderful addition to a sleeve or already heavily tattooed area since it adds a bit of sweetness and feminine energy.
11. 3D Skull Tattoo
Since skull tattoos are already pretty edgy and dark on their own, 3D skull tattoos create a more intense image that needs to be done with caution and care to avoid looking out of place. If you’d like to add some flair to this otherwise basic image, try doing a 3D skull tattoo in color rather than just black and white.
12. 3D Jesus Tattoo
Though you will certainly be in the chair for a good while, 3D Jesus tattoos are a unique and elaborate way to pay homage to one’s religious beliefs or upbringing.
13. 3D Star Tattoo
While star tattoos were very popular in the 90s and early 2000s, 3D star tattoos bring back the simple yet classic image more updated and hiply.
14. 3D Glasses Tattoo
If you’re looking to add some ink on the funkier and more psychedelic side, 3D glasses tattoos can be done in red and blue ink to evoke the perspective you have while wearing a pair of 3D glasses. From a cat wearing 3D glasses to an image in the same style of an object viewed through the lens of said glasses, this is one of the quirkier, yet cooler tattoos on our list.
15. 3D Geometric Tattoo
3D geometric tattoos are perfect for those who simply like the look and style of three-dimensional art yet don’t have a particular preference for the image.
16. 3D Wolf Tattoo
One of the cooler 3D tattoos on our list, 3D wolf tattoos, brings this dominant and loyal animal to life. In general, wolf tattoos tend to turn out rather stunning, so adding the three-dimensional element only contributes to the image’s overall power and intensity.
17. 3D Letters Tattoo
From the name of someone special to a meaningful or impactful acronym, 3D letter tattoos appear to pop right off the page (or skin). If you want a larger set of letters, try designing the tattoo either for the chest or back.
18. 3D Black Widow Tattoo
Another form of 3D spider tattoos, 3D black widow tattoos, can look incredibly real. So much so that you might end up having a couple of people swatting at you or trying to brush a spider off of your back!
19. 3D Clock Tattoo
3D clock tattoos are best done in areas of the body that allow for a decent amount of space. Though you could design a smaller clock tattoo, the detailing of the hands, hours, and dials is best done on a larger scale, especially when the clock is done in the three-dimensional style.
20. 3D Flower Tattoo
Though flower tattoos are pretty common, 3D flower tattoos carry a unique style that sets them apart from traditional roses and daisies that are so often tattooed. 3D flower tattoos can also be done in a way that maintains a more contemporary and modern style, keeping the ink on brand and in alignment with current trends.
21. 3D Sleeve Tattoo
Out of all the different ways to accomplish a unique sleeve, 3D sleeve tattoos allow designers to get extra creative as they curate an entire scene that covers the arm. Whether you want a half-sleeve or a full-sleeve, 3D is certainly the way to go when making such a dramatic addition.
22. 3D Leg Tattoo
Leg tattoos are great for men who want the option of hiding their ink in more formal or business settings. When it comes to 3D leg tattoos, the lengthy space of the leg opens up the door for virtually any design, from three-dimensional geometric patterns to an entire 3D scene that runs across the thigh or down the calf.
23. 3D Shoulder Tattoo
Since the ball of the shoulder creates an interesting curve that isn’t found anywhere else on the body, 3D shoulder tattoos open up the door for one-of-a-kind designs that are not easily replicable. From geometric shapes coating the shoulder to
24. 3D Hand Tattoo
3D hand tattoos are some of the most eye-catching 3D tattoos that exist. Because of the obvious and virtually un-hidable location, we constantly use our hands when meeting people and interacting with others. All 3D hand tattoos require attention to detail and carefully curated design so that the finished product turns out exactly as intended.
25. 3D Wrist Tattoo
Though they cannot be too large, 3D wrist tattoos can be done in various ways to create a cool and noticeable illusion. While you can definitely go for some sort of smaller-sized figure on the inside of the wrist or even the outside, wrist tattoos also give designers the option to play with the idea of a 3D bracelet or band tattoo that creates a full circle.
3D Tattoo FAQ:
Where to get a 3D tattoo?
A 3D tattoo can be done virtually anywhere on the body. Basically, it all comes down to your own personal style and the level of realism you want to achieve with your tattoo.
What is the meaning of 3D tattoos?
Due to their unique and dynamic look, 3D tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among younger generations. Though the 3D aspect of the tattoo doesn’t mean anything, in particular, these tattoos can be seen as a more modern and hip approach to the art of tattooing.
How long do 3D tattoos take?
Though one might assume that a 3D tattoo might take longer than a traditional image, they actually don’t add much time at all. For a relatively small 3D tattoo, expect to be in the chair for about an hour or so. As with any larger tattoo, 3D tattoo designs on the bigger end of the aisle can take anywhere from two to ten hours.
