# Ornamental tattoos in Seattle

> Ornamental tattoos use decorative patterns such as filigree, lace, mandalas, chandeliers, jewels and henna-inspired motifs, placed to follow and frame the body's lines. They're often symmetrical and made with fine linework and dotwork shading. They suit sternum, spine, hand and shoulder placements for people who want tattoos that look like adornment.

- Also called: ornamental tattoo, jewelry tattoo, filigree tattoo, lace tattoo, henna-style tattoo, mandala tattoo, decorative tattoo
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $350–$850 (About 2–3.5 hours at palm size. Symmetrical layout and dotwork add time.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 3
- Best placements: Sternum, Spine, Shoulder cap, Back of the hand, Thigh
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/ornamental

Ornamental tattooing borrows from many decorative traditions: South Asian and Middle Eastern mehndi (henna) patterns, mandalas, Victorian filigree and lace, Art Nouveau, and jewelry design. The goal is adornment. The tattoo is meant to decorate and frame the body, like a necklace across the sternum or a pattern following the spine.

Placement is part of the design. Sternum and underbust pieces, spine pieces, shoulder caps, and hand and finger designs are classic, and good ornamental artists design symmetrically to the body's center line. The style often uses dotwork for shading and can range from delicate fine-line lace to bold blackwork patterns. It suits people who want elegant, decorative work and are comfortable with somewhat painful placements.

Ornamental gets an aging score of 3 out of 5. Bold ornamental patterns hold up well. Very fine filigree, lace and dot gradients soften over time, and hand and finger ornaments fade fastest because of constant washing and friction. Giving fine elements a little more space and line weight improves longevity.

## Defining traits

- Decorative, often symmetrical patterns
- Filigree, lace, mandala and jewelry motifs
- Fine linework with dotwork shading
- Designed to frame the body's lines
- Black ink, sometimes with subtle color

## Studios listing ornamental work

- [Sorry Mom Ink Tattoos and Piercings](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/sorry-mom-ink-tattoos-and-piercings) — 8120 Freedom Ln NE #102, Lacey, WA 98516 · (360) 522-7740 · https://www.sorrymomink.com
- [Black Flower Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/black-flower-tattoo) — 20015 Highway 99, Lynnwood, WA 98036 · (425) 263-9075 · https://www.blackflowertattoo.com
- [TygerWolf Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tygerwolf-tattoo) — 539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 · (206) 713-2006 · https://www.tygerwolf.com
- [Spirit Flame Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/spirit-flame-tattoo) — 1002 NE Minnehaha St, Vancouver, WA 98665 · (360) 690-0091 · https://www.spiritflametattoo.com
- [Lotus Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/lotus-tattoo) — 1107 College St SE B, Lacey, WA 98503 · (360) 688-7361 · https://www.lotus-tat2.com
- [Bloodstone Tattoo Studio](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/bloodstone-tattoo-studio) — 4002 S M St Suite B, Tacoma, WA 98418 · (509) 940-7773 · https://www.bloodstonetattoostudio.com
- [Gray State Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/gray-state-tattoo) — 1110 5th St #2, Marysville, WA 98270 · (564) 249-3808 · https://www.graystatetattoo.com
- [Ivy Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ivy-ink-tattoo) — 134 Washington Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 · (206) 714-0069 · https://ivyinktattoo.com
- [Legacy Tattoos Co](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/legacy-tattoos-co) — 351 Three Rivers Dr, Kelso, WA 98626 · (360) 703-5301 · https://legacytattoocompany.com
- [Malicious Ink](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/malicious-ink) — 8715 271st St NW, Stanwood, WA 98292 · (425) 377-3080 · https://www.maliciousink.com/contact-us
- [Arboretum Studios](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/arboretum-studios) — 401 W 13th St, Vancouver, WA 98660 · (360) 207-0435 · https://arboretumstudios.net
- [Smitty's Place Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/smittys-place-tattoo) — 322 Callow Ave N, Bremerton, WA 98312 · (360) 479-4908 · https://originalsmitty13.wixsite.com/smittysplace
- [Moon And Mercury Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/moon-and-mercury-tattoo) — 2718 E 57th Ave Suite 103, Spokane, WA 99223 · (509) 443-4245 · https://www.moonandmercurytattoo.com
- [Local Boy Tatau](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/local-boy-tatau) — 601 Main St Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660 · https://www.localboytatau.com
- [Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — 1512 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 · (206) 556-7666 · https://inkdavincitattoos.com

## Artists listing ornamental work

- [Andrea](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/andrea-dying-wish-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Dying Wish Tattoo (SoDo, Seattle) · Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knight.owl.tattoo
- [Diego](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/diego-andromeda-studio) — Tattoo artist · Andromeda Studio (Renton, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diegoart.tattoo
- [Hailey Elixman](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/hailey-elixman) — Owner and tattoo artist · Auralite Art Collective (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aura222tattoos
- [Heysus](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/heysus-local-boy-tatau) — Tattoo artist · Local Boy Tatau (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Tribal, Chicano, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heysus94
- [Jimi DeRosa](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jimi-derosa) — Owner and tattoo artist · Ohana Ink (Everett, WA) · Black and Grey, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withered_rose_tattoo
- [Jordi B](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jordi-b) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Realism, Micro-Realism, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordi.b_tattoo
- [Kamile Jordan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kamile-jordan) — Owner and tattoo artist · With Love Tattoo (Bellingham, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamilejordantattoo
- [Madelyn Roberts](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/madelyn-roberts) — Tattoo artist · Red Sparrow Tattoo Collective (Bellingham, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madelart_
- [Manuel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/manuel-local-boy-tatau) — Tattoo artist · Local Boy Tatau (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Script and Lettering, Chicano, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/que.sera8
- [Matisse Maugh](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/matisse-maugh) — Owner and tattoo artist · Bloodstone Tattoo Studio (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Realism, Geometric, Dotwork, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matisses.pieces
- [Meg](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/meg-tygerwolf-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · TygerWolf Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Micro-Realism, Geometric, Ornamental, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghaneedles
- [Nata Lee Doud](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/nata-lee-doud) — Tattoo artist · Kintyre Ink tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Ornamental, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataleetattoos
- [New York](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/new-york) — Tattoo artist · Dying Wish Tattoo (SoDo, Seattle) · Geometric, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosby.newyork
- [Peachy](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/peachy-andromeda-studio) — Owner and tattoo artist · Andromeda Studio (Renton, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachy.ink444
- [Sarina](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/sarina-noble-studio) — Tattoo artist · Noble Studio (Tacoma, WA) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rottenrabbitink
- [Teri Hayner](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/teri-hayner) — Tattoo artist · Madame Lazonga's (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Ornamental, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbyteri
- [Abby](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/abby-spokane-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Spokane Tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkedinmay
- [Jor Koffel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jor-koffel) — Tattoo artist · Kintyre Ink tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Blackwork, Ornamental, Cover-Up
- [Ricky](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ricky-local-boy-tatau) — Tattoo artist · Local Boy Tatau (Vancouver, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Blackwork, Tribal, Ornamental
- [Sam](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/sam-legacy-tattoos-co) — Owner and tattoo artist · Legacy Tattoos Co (Kelso, WA) · Blackwork, Black and Grey, Illustrative, Ornamental
- [Takayla](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/takayla-arboretum-studios) — Tattoo artist · Arboretum Studios (Vancouver, WA) · Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takayla.tattoos
- [Taryn McIntyre](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/taryn-mcintyre) — Owner and tattoo artist · Kintyre Ink tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Dotwork, Ornamental
- [Velma](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/velma-arboretum-studios) — Owner and tattoo artist · Arboretum Studios (Vancouver, WA) · Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velmatattoos
- [Ariah](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ariah-ivy-ink-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Ivy Ink Tattoo (Kent, WA) · Black and Grey, Watercolor, Geometric, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariah.christine.tattoo
- [Chris Velesara](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chris-velesara) — Tattoo artist · Moonlight Tattoo (Roosevelt & Maple Leaf, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Dotwork, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velesara_tattoo
- [David](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/david-black-flower-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Black Flower Tattoo (Lynnwood, WA) · American Traditional, Black and Grey, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dubious_tattooer
- [Judy Ricci](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/judy-ricci) — Tattoo artist · Jurassic Ink Tattoo Co. (Kent, WA) · Illustrative, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judes_draws
- [Enzo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/enzo-ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — Tattoo artist · Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Geometric, Minimalist, Tribal, Ornamental, Cover-Up
- [Mr. Vick Phan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mr-vick-phan) — Tattoo artist · Mom's Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing (Spokane, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Black and Grey, Watercolor, Anime, Ornamental, Color
- [Shannon](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/shannon-gray-state-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Gray State Tattoo (Marysville, WA) · Fine Line, Black and Grey, Minimalist, Ornamental
- [Sierra Clark](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/sierra-clark) — Tattoo artist · White Lotus Tattoo (Lake City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Blackwork, Ornamental
- [Tim McCarthy](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/tim-mccarthy) — Tattoo artist · Tsunami Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Geometric, Ornamental · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmccarthytattooing
- [Court Landrus](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/court-landrus) — Tattoo artist · Spirit Flame Tattoo (Vancouver, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Ornamental
- [Michael T. Gardner](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/michael-t-gardner) — Tattoo artist · Tattoo Garden (Everett, WA) · Blackwork, Ornamental

## FAQ

**Do sternum tattoos hurt?**
Usually more than average. The sternum has thin skin over bone and many people feel vibration through the chest, so it's often rated among the more painful placements. Slow breathing and short breaks help.

**Will ornamental hand tattoos last?**
Hand and finger tattoos fade and blur faster than almost anywhere else because the skin regenerates quickly and gets washed and rubbed all day. Bold ornamental designs hold up better than fine lace, and most people need touch-ups. Some artists won't do very fine work on hands for that reason.

## Sources

- [The Tattoo Trends of 2026 Will Have You Feeling Nostalgic](https://www.allure.com/story/tattoo-trends-2026)
- [Mehndi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehndi)
- [Mandala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala)