Does size matter?
For choosing the right tattoo size absolutely, but there’s something more important to consider too… proportions. This is the aspect ratio of your image – so when you change the size of its width or height, it will proportionally change the other.
So if you have, for instance, a rectangular shaped image you want to make square – the proportions won’t work, unless you either stretch the image or change it.
Our website only ever asks for the longest side (length or width – whichever is longest), as that’s all we need! The other side of the tattoo will then be relative to that – unless you specifically want us to stretch / modify your design to change its proportions.
Here’s an example to illustrate; a customer uploads the following image and asks for the size to be 8cm x 5cm:
This is then how that image looks at 8cm x 5cm:
This is because the actual proportions or aspect ratio when you make the image 8cm wide, is only 8cm x 2cm. To make the height 5cm leaves you with a stretched out, ugly image.
If you needed the rose to be exactly 8cm x 5cm then the best way is to modify the image to be less wide – we could shorten the stem, make the rose fatter, tighten and reduce the text for instance – but we would need to know from you specifically what you’d want changed.
Here’s an example of making the design 8cm x 5cm without stretching the image too much, instead making various changes and you can see the amount of changes that would need to be made to do so:
We improve images where we can and where it’s obvious / necessary but cannot directly change an image upload without specific direction, otherwise we are just second guessing every time and could end up changing something you didn’t want changed.
If you need this type of change, simply select “image not print ready” when ordering and mention in the notes what you’d like altered.
A good way to test the proportions of your image is to simply measure it out on your screen (phone or computer). Then use a tool like this free link below to change the width to what you actually want in real life and it will show you what the new height would be at that size:
https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/technology/resize-calculator.php
For instance; with the rose design – if I measure this on my phone it is around 4cm x 1cm. If I make the new width of my rose 8cm (the size I want) that website tells me the height will only be 2cm! So I’d know 5cm tall won’t work.
Obviously all this can get confusing just to order a tattoo and it’s usually unnecessary, which is why we only ask for one size. It is only unless you specifically need a tattoo to be an exact proportion – such as a coverup tattoo, to hide a scar or to fit around a part of the body for instance. But it’s good to get a feel for size and to bear in mind that wider images can look smaller relative to their height if very narrow – so test out with a piece of paper on your skin and order slightly bigger if needs be.
If you still have any questions, you can always speak to our helpful team here >
