So, you’re thinking about getting one of those tattoos on side for guys that you’ve seen all over Pinterest or Instagram. It looks cool. It’s masculine. It follows the natural lines of the body in a way that’s basically impossible to replicate on a flat surface like the back. But honestly? There is a lot of garbage advice out there about side pieces. Most "guides" make it sound like a walk in the park, when in reality, the rib cage is widely considered one of the most brutal spots on the human body to get inked.
I’ve talked to dozens of artists and collectors. They all say the same thing. The side is a commitment.
It’s not just about the pain, though that’s a massive factor we’ll get into. It’s about how the skin moves. Think about it. When you breathe, your ribs expand. When you reach for something on a high shelf, your torso stretches. If your artist doesn’t understand anatomy, that badass lion or geometric script is going to look like a distorted mess the second you move your arm.
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The Reality of the "Side Piece" Pain Scale
Let’s be real. It hurts.
If anyone tells you tattoos on side for guys are "totally fine," they are probably lying to you or have nerves made of steel. Scientifically, the skin over the ribs is incredibly thin. There’s almost no fat or muscle acting as a buffer between the needle and the bone. When the machine starts running, the vibration doesn't stay on the surface; it echoes through your entire skeletal structure. It’s a rattling sensation that some people find more nauseating than the actual sting of the needle.
Tattoo artist Ami James, known from Miami Ink, has often pointed out that the torso is where even the "tough guys" tend to tap out.
It's a different kind of burn. Near the armpit, the skin gets hypersensitive. Lower down, near the hip bone, the vibration becomes jarring. You’ve got to be mentally prepared for a long session of controlled breathing. If you twitch, the line is ruined. This isn’t like a forearm tattoo where you can scroll on your phone and forget it’s happening. You are in it.
Design Choices That Actually Work With the Male Torso
Not every design works here. Since the canvas is vertical and curved, you want something that flows.
Large Scale vs. Minimalist
Most guys go for something large. We’re talking Japanese traditional (Irezumi) dragons or massive black-and-grey realism pieces that span from the armpit down to the waist. These look incredible because they utilize the "negative space" of the body. A dragon winding around the ribs creates a sense of movement.
On the flip side, vertical script—like a meaningful quote or a list of coordinates—is a classic choice for tattoos on side for guys. It’s cleaner. It’s easier to hide if you work a corporate job but want something significant. Just a warning: long lines of text on the ribs are notoriously difficult for artists because they have to keep the letters perfectly straight while you are breathing and potentially shaking.
Biomechanical and Organic Shapes
Biomechanical tattoos, which look like machinery under the skin, are making a huge comeback. The side of the body is the perfect "engine room" for this style. Because the ribs already look like a cage or a series of pistons, a skilled artist can overlay mechanical designs that move as you move.
Organic shapes like snakes, vines, or smoke also work well. Anything that doesn't require a "perfect circle" is your friend. Why? Because the human body isn't symmetrical. If you put a perfect geometric circle right on your floating rib, it’s going to look like an oval the second you sit down or slouch.
The Logistics Most People Forget
Placement is everything. If you go too high, you’re hitting the armpit, which is a nightmare of sweat and sensitive nerve endings. If you go too low, you’re dealing with the waistband of your jeans rubbing against a fresh wound for two weeks.
- Clothing choice: You cannot wear a tight shirt for at least five to seven days after getting tattoos on side for guys. You’ll need loose tanks or, better yet, no shirt at all while you’re at home.
- Sleeping: Hope you like sleeping on your other side or your back. If you’re a side sleeper and you get your left ribs done, you’re in for a rough week of restless nights.
- The "Stretch": During the session, your artist will likely have you throw your arm over your head to pull the skin taut. Holding that position for four hours is a workout in itself. Your shoulder will probably be more sore than your ribs the next day.
Aftercare Challenges Specific to the Side
Healing a side tattoo is its own beast. Unlike a leg or arm, you can't really "rest" your torso. Every breath moves the skin. This means the scabbing process can be a bit more finicky.
Professional aftercare advice from shops like Bang Bang in NYC emphasizes the importance of a thin layer of ointment. Do not over-lotion. Because the side is often covered by clothing, it’s prone to "smothering" the tattoo, which can lead to infection or "leaking" ink. You want that skin to breathe.
Also, watch out for "dime-sized" scabs. If you’re moving too much, the skin can crack. If a crack forms in a large black-work piece on your ribs, it might pull the pigment out, leaving a light spot that will need a touch-up later. And trust me, you don't want to go back for a "quick touch-up" on your ribs if you can avoid it.
Why Placement Impacts Your Future Ink
Think about the "beach view." If you eventually want a full back piece or a chest piece, the side is the connective tissue.
A common mistake is getting a small, isolated tattoo right in the middle of the ribs. It looks like a "sticker" floating in space. If you ever decide to get a full bodysuit or even just a larger stomach piece, that little tattoo is going to be a hurdle for your next artist to work around.
If you aren't sure if you'll want more later, try to keep the design "open-ended." This means avoiding hard borders or frames. Let the edges of the tattoo fade out or use "smoke" and "clouds" to leave room for future expansion.
Costs and Timing
Side tattoos are rarely cheap. Because the skin is difficult to work with and the artist has to deal with your breathing, the work takes longer than it would on a flat limb.
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Expect to pay a premium. Most high-end artists charge by the hour, and a full-side piece can easily take 10 to 20 hours across multiple sessions. Don't try to marathon a side tattoo. Your body’s cortisol levels will spike after about three or four hours, making the pain significantly harder to manage. Break it up. Your artist—and your nervous system—will thank you.
Actionable Steps for Your First Side Session
If you’re dead set on joining the club of guys with side ink, do it right. Don't just walk into a shop with a blurry photo of a celebrity’s tattoo.
- Hydrate and Eat: This sounds like "mom advice," but it's literal science. Low blood sugar makes you more sensitive to pain. Eat a heavy, carb-rich meal two hours before your appointment.
- Exfoliate the Week Before: Clean skin takes ink better. Don't show up with a sunburn or dry, flaky skin on your torso.
- Research Your Artist’s "Torso Portfolio": Not every artist is good at side tattoos. Look for photos in their portfolio where the client is standing naturally. If the tattoo only looks good when the client is stretched out like a yoga instructor, find a different artist.
- Practice Your Breathing: Deep, stomach-based breathing helps keep the rib cage steady. Avoid "chest breathing," which moves the ribs up and down excessively.
- Buy the Right Aftercare: Get a fragrance-free, medical-grade ointment (like Aquaphor or specialized tattoo balm) and loose-fitting cotton shirts before you even head to the shop.
The side tattoo is a rite of passage. It shows a level of dedication to the craft that a forearm "banger" just doesn't convey. It’s hidden when you want it to be, and incredibly impactful when you don’t. Just respect the process, expect the pain, and choose a design that respects the way your body actually moves.