A tattoo artist shares 11 of the most common designs people ask for

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Tiana AttrideJul 29, 2020, 23:39 IST
A tattoo artist shares 11 of the most common designs people ask for

Tiny heart tattoos are popular, according to this artist.Shutterstock

  • Insider spoke with a tattoo artist to find out about the most popular designs customers ask for.
  • She said a lot of people come in asking for landscapes or flowers.
  • Tiny tattoos, especially of hearts or moons, are also very popular.
  • It's common for people to ask for matching tattoos with someone else or request designs honoring their pets.

In her many years working as a tattoo artist at Ascension in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kelly Kapowski has seen thousands of tattoo requests.

But with so many people getting inked, there are bound to be some customer-favorite designs.

Although the individual tattoos always vary a little, here are some of the most popular tattoo styles and requests she gets.

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Landscapes and nature-themed tattoos are popular.

Landscapes and nature-themed tattoos are popular.
Her clients often ask for trees or wave designs. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Kapowski said many people come in wanting tattoo designs inspired by the landscapes that surround them.

"In North Carolina, everyone adores the trees and the mountains and the scenery, so I do a lot of mountains and trees that are common in North Carolina," she told Insider. "Wave tattoos are also a popular choice."

Similar to landscapes, tattoos of insects are also common.

Similar to landscapes, tattoos of insects are also common.
Queen Latifah's butterfly tattoo is part of a common theme. Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images

A variety of insect designs are also common in the tattoo world.

"I do a lot of bees and butterflies and moths and lightning bugs," Kapowski told Insider.

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Tattoos showing school spirit are especially popular in university towns.

Tattoos showing school spirit are especially popular in university towns.
Many people get tattoos for their alma maters. Lon Horwedel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Since her shop is located in a college town, Kapowski said she sees a lot of students, alumni, and locals looking for school-themed tattoos.

"Most of them would get their frat or sorority logos and symbols," she said. "We also get a lot of school-pride tattoos."

Floral designs are a classic request.

Floral designs are a classic request.
Flower tattoos have been common for a while. Shutterstock

Kapowski said she's found that women are often interested in getting simple, floral designs.

"Girls will come in wanting something very delicate, so they get simple lines of a flower under [their] ribs," she told Insider.

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Matching tattoos of all shapes and sizes are common at her shop.

Matching tattoos of all shapes and sizes are common at her shop.
Pairs or groups sometimes get matching tattoos. Carlos Chiossone / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images

According to Kapowski, groups of people often come into her shop looking for matching tattoos to symbolize their love and connection to one other.

Pet tattoos are a way to show devotion to a furry friend.

Pet tattoos are a way to show devotion to a furry friend.
She said paw-print tattoos are pretty common, too. Shutterstock

People often get tattoos to memorialize their love for their pets.

Kapowski said that the most common pet-memorial tattoo she sees is a paw print resembling the customer's beloved animal.

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Infinity symbols have been popular in recent years.

Infinity symbols have been popular in recent years.
The infinity symbol sometimes represents loved ones. Shutterstock

Infinity tattoos have become an increasingly common trend over the years.

Many people who get matching tattoos with someone or get ink to honor loved ones will ask for an infinity symbol to be incorporated into the design.

"We get mothers and daughters coming in and wanting infinity symbols or pet owners wanting the infinity symbol with paw prints," Kapowski said.

Hearts are also a common tattoo request.

Hearts are also a common tattoo request.
Kapowski said customers often ask for small tattoos of hearts. Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty Images

Hearts are a simple and universally popular tattoo design that can symbolize love or simply make for fun body art.

Kapowski told Insider that people are often interested in getting hearts inked on their hip or behind their ears.

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Getting inspirational words and quotes is another popular trend.

Getting inspirational words and quotes is another popular trend.
Single words and multi-word phrases are common in tattoo designs. Shutterstock

Kapowski said her customers often want inspirational words or quotes promoting strength and good virtues.

She said the words "faith," "believe," and "always" are some of the most common ink requests that she gets.

Tiny tattoos are all the rage.

Tiny tattoos are all the rage.
Finger tattoos have become popular. Taylor Hill / Contributor/Getty Images

Rather than doing large, complex pieces, many people opt for tiny tattoos.

Kapowski said she regularly tattoos "lines and dots and random symbols" on the insides of customers' fingers.

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Moons and other celestial designs are also a staple at her shop.

Moons and other celestial designs are also a staple at her shop.
Stars, moons, and planets are popular tattoo designs. Onnie A. Koski/Getty Images

Kapowski said her clients often come in asking for crescent-moon tattoos, which have been known to symbolize things like life, death, and change.

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