Turtle tattoo

Every design here is a sea turtle, and every one is small enough for the wrist, the ankle, the side of the neck, a finger, the upper arm or the back of the calf. At that size, a clear shape matters more than detail, so the drawings stay simple and bold.

How the turtles are drawn

• Geometric: a shell broken into hexagons, seen from above.
• One line: head, flippers and shell traced in a single unbroken stroke.
• Outline: a soft, rounded contour, sometimes in a thicker line with a few waves around it.
• Filled and blackwork: solid or spotted shells in heavier ink, for a bolder look.

Sea turtles live for decades and cross huge distances at their own pace. That's why many people read these sea turtle tattoos as a reminder to be patient, or as a wish for a long life. Others simply wear one to mark a trip.

On your skin

Each turtle is printed with jagua ink, which develops in the top layer of skin instead of sitting on it like a sticker. Application takes two minutes at most, and the design looks faint at first, which is normal; over the next 24 to 48 hours it darkens to blue-black. Keep it dry and don't rub it for 8 hours. After that it's waterproof: showers, laps in the pool and workouts are fine. Expect up to two weeks on the shoulder or the back of the neck; on a finger it fades sooner, because hands get washed all day. The ink is vegan and contains no PPD.

Thinking about a permanent piece? Small turtle tattoos are an easy way to try a placement before you commit. For more sea life, browse our ocean tattoos, or head to animal tattoos for other wildlife. Got your own turtle drawing? We can print it as a custom tattoo (minimum 3 copies).