If you want to create a real eye-catcher with your tattoo, you can consider 3D designs. Although 2D designs can undoubtedly be very attractive, three-dimensional motifs make you look at least twice. There are incredibly realistic variants where you would hardly expect a tattooed image at first. And we would like to introduce you to some of these impressive designs for a 3D tattoo in this article. There are inspiring ideas for men and women who can be copied or used as a basis for their own ideas. Create a unique highlight by using the trendiest body art of the last decades!
Motifs from nature
Motifs from nature are very popular for tattoos. And roses in particular, with their romantic look, are a frequently chosen motif. The lush flowers are also perfect for interesting 3D designs in any color. Those who prefer the classic black and white design can get an impressive motif, as can those who are looking for something colorful.
Tattoo colored rose
You can see a beautiful rose motif with bright colors in this example. It also proves that roses are not only suitable for shaping women's bodies, but are also popular among men and are no less attractive. Properly placed tattoo shading creates the desired 3D effect. Motifs can also be wonderfully combined with certain parts of the body to enhance the effect. So in the cover photo the fist is part of the tattoo, so to speak, but on the other hand it isn't, because it wasn't tattooed.
Subtle fern leaf
Here you can also see a wonderful 3D tattoo that is subtle and delicate, but at the same time an eye-catcher due to its realistic implementation. With motifs from nature you can undoubtedly create breathtaking designs with which you can decorate your body. This tattoo can look even more realistic if it is given shadows like those cast by the real leaf.
Rose on hand
This rose is also on a man's body and this time on his hand. Instead of bright colors, neutral ones were used, but they don't make the tattoo any less attractive. The rose takes up the entire surface of the hand and has two drops of water on it. A striking design that is associated with nature and also with romance or even nostalgia.
3D butterfly tattoo
Insects are equally popular tattoo motifs, as they are particularly suitable for subtle and smaller tattoos. A very impressive implementation for a butterfly, you can see in the picture above. The butterfly was tattooed on one shoulder. Of course, the shading creates the realistic effect. It seems like a real butterfly is sitting on your shoulder.
The 3D tattoo with a butterfly can of course be designed on any part of the body. Decide for yourself where you want to display it. Some prefer an area of the body that can be easily hidden by clothing if necessary, while some prefer to show off their tattoo at all times. The size of the tattoo also plays a crucial role.
Real looking spider
You may have seen a 3D tattoo with a spider before. The spider is one of the most popular motifs and can scare many people with its realistic look. But scorpions are at least as popular. Both tattoo motifs are suitable for different sizes and any part of the body.
Ladybug on wrist
Such a 3D tattoo with a ladybug is great for those who prefer something subtle. Of course, any motif can be depicted small, but for some designs a larger area is more advantageous in order to better illustrate smaller details. Not so with insects. In most cases, these also look great in small format.
Dragonfly in pastel colors
The dragonfly is like the butterfly and most other insects: they are perfect for subtle women's tattoos. The idea above was chosen for the shoulder and is decorated with light pastel colors. Such colors are again a good alternative to bold ones, which are not for everyone. Get advice from the tattoo artist and look at examples with and without color to find the best option.
Tattoo snake
If you stand in front of this person, you might at first think that a real snake is coming towards you. With a little color the tattoo could look even more realistic. The snake is on one foot, but can look equally interesting on other areas of the body. The forearm, for example, is very suitable.
Little starfish
This light blue starfish looks no less realistic, despite its small size. It is the perfect motif for the foot, wrist, neck and similar areas of the body. The 3D effect is achieved in a subtle way through light shading. The starfish also looks particularly delicate due to its light pastel color. All sounds that occur in nature are suitable.
Abstract 3D tattoo ideas and motifs
Instead of natural motifs, you can of course choose something very unusual, abstract and crazy or other everyday motifs for a 3D tattoo. An original idea that we absolutely had to show you is this double zipper chosen for the back. The design looks so real that you think the skin is really just dressed and can be opened and closed at will.
You can see a colorful and abstract motif here. Several stars of different sizes, which were also designed in rainbow colors, lie on top of each other and in this way form a step shape, so to speak. It is a true work of art that adorns the inside of an upper arm. Get inspired by the idea if you are looking for an abstract design.
It's hard to put into words how impressive this idea is. It is a tattoo for the thigh that makes the leg look like it is made of wood. The 3D tattoo itself creates a pattern familiar from carved works of art. No matter how many times you look at the motif, you can hardly believe that it is “just” a tattoo.
Tattoos can also wonderfully imitate natural materials. In this case, stone with cracks was simply created. Inside is the Suzuki Hayabusa logo. In this way, lettering made from any Chinese characters can also be showcased. The black and white design is great for this idea and emphasizes the naturalness of stone.
In this example, instead of a rose, a compass adorns the hand. It is particularly popular with sailors because the maritime symbol is said to bring good luck and protect them. This compass is combined with a star in the middle, which can probably be associated with the North Star, an important guide in the sky for sailors.
Tattoo with writings
This tattoo represents skin that has been torn open, so to speak, revealing writing. Shading was designed along the edges to create a three-dimensional look. The important things in life can be used for the lettering. In this case, these include family, love, honesty, joy and friendship.
This 3D tattoo in the shape of a star is also equipped with writings. In principle it is the same idea, only a different basic form was chosen. Shading on the inside of the tattoo creates the three-dimensional effect. It seems as if the writing is under the skin and as if the skin is cracking and crumbling like stone.
Hobbies and preferences tattooing
You can wonderfully show off your preferences and hobbies with your tattoos. A great example is this 3D leg tattoo depicting a lace ribbon and a sewing machine. The colors were also used great. They subtly highlight the sewing machine without drawing too much attention to it, which is a good decision especially if you don't want a colorful design but can't do without colors entirely.
Bicycle as a motif
Sports that are your hobby can also be shown in the same way. If you are interested in cycling, you can, for example, get a tattoo of a bicycle. If you like running, you can choose running shoes and if you like dancing, you can also think of something suitable for that. Designed in a 3D look, your personal motif will look even more attractive.
Patriotic
If you are particularly proud of your country or have a particular favorite country, then you can show everyone this with a suitable 3D tattoo. Very original are these cracks that appear to have been added by claws, revealing the American flag. Of course, this can also be done with any other flag or you can come up with your own design.
Record player
A record player was tattooed very effectively on this hand. For the three-dimensional tattoo, use the natural shape of the different areas of the body and play with tattooed and non-tattooed areas. The motif exudes a certain nostalgia that you can also achieve with other retro items.
Original tattoo ideas with 3D effect
This tattoo combines abstract with optical illusion and 3D effects. A half-shadowed, half-illuminated face is framed by three-dimensional steps that lead upwards on the one hand, but also downwards at the same time if you follow their course. Also depicted is the silhouette of a man descending the stairs.
Idea for believers
Instead of wearing a real anklet, you can simply choose a tattoo that is very close to a real one, but is less annoying. Of course, you can decide for yourself exactly what the chain should look like. If you are a believer, you can, for example, choose such a rosary and permanently decorate your ankle.
Interesting piece of the puzzle
A puzzle piece removed from the foot to reveal fish scales. That's what this interesting tattoo represents. But it doesn't just look good on the feet. You are also welcome to choose a more noticeable area. The puzzle piece and the resulting “hole” were designed in 3D style and are very close to real objects.
Elaborate 3D tattoo on the back
This gentleman's back imitates a stone tablet with interesting motifs and elaborate patterns. The tattoo also takes up the entire back. As is typical for natural stone, this motif consists of gray nuances. Only one plant, which appears to grow out of the stone, was designed in green and complements the design wonderfully.
Pistol
This pistol, which was tattooed on a forearm, looks very real. You are welcome to combine 3D tattoos with other tattoos. However, if you want a particular motif to stand out particularly well, it is best to leave it alone. In principle, as you can see, you can have any motif designed in 3D, provided you find a suitable tattoo artist.
