The body is essentially a limitless canvas for a tattoo artist, and the collarbone area is a beautiful but sometimes overlooked location for new ink. There’s something alluring about the clavicle, and it offers a few different placement options. Collarbone tattoos can be placed right on the bone, extend to the shoulder and down the arm, and even be incorporated into larger chest pieces.

If you’ve been tooling with the idea of getting a collarbone tattoo but are still trying to figure out what exactly you want to get, this gallery is full of ideas that are perfect for the boney location, whether you’re looking for an inspiring quote in script, colourful butterflies, or something more minimalist. While these tattoos look incredible, photo inspiration is not the only thing you should show up to your appointment with. “It’s always important to get a good night’s sleep, stay well hydrated — I think this is one of the most important ones — and eat a good meal,” Michigan-based tattoo artist Carrie Metz-Caporusso previously told Allure. Nobody wants a needle poking into their skin while they’re fighting sleep or their stomach is growling, so plan accordingly.

Don’t forget about aftercare, either. “A tattoo takes approximately four to six weeks to completely heal,” Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, said. “And one of the biggest mistakes you can make after getting a tattoo is to let it dry up.”

Whether you’ve already decided on your artist and body art or you’re just starting to research your design, let this gallery of collarbone tattoos be your guide for your next ink appointment. And of course, if one of these designs catches your eye, you should always reach out to the original artist for permission to have it recreated if you can’t make an appointment with them yourself.

This article originally appeared on Allure.

• Instagram/@amare.with.loveGo Big or Go HomeCollarbone tattoos don’t just have to be minimalist figures right on or next to the bone. They can also extend into larger chest pieces. This intricate body art from France-based tattoo artist Amandine Barbet is a perfect example.

  She says she takes inspiration straight from her imagination for her unique and eye-catching tattoos. “I love to create poetic, fairy-like things, inspired by nature and the power of love,” she says.

• Instagram/@flesh_and_fluidBraided DelightPut your ink on one collarbone or both, like this detailed line work tattooed by New York City-based artist Doreen Garner. She 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed these weaving-inspired designs, and you might notice that some actually resemble a hair braiding pattern. If you scroll through her Instagram or check out #protectivestyletattoos, you’ll catch a few more of these braided masterpieces.
• Instagram/@𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦.phagFluttering WingsIf you’ve been hesitant about getting a tattoo with color, let these two captivating blue butterflies by New York City-based artist Ocean Gao convince you. Yes, taking care of colorful ink can seem intimidating, but it’s not as difficult as you think. “You care for a watercolor tattoo like you would care for any tattoo,” tattoo artist Lorri “Lady L” Thomas said. “Make sure that your new art is clean and stays moisturised — I suggest using vegan or non-petroleum-based products — and keep it out of direct sunlight. Also, remember not to keep it submerged in water during the healing process.”
• Instagram/@halloweeninkEmbrace the FloralsYou’ve probably seen plenty of flower tattoos while scrolling through your social media feeds, and you’ll see plenty more in this gallery. Florals may seem basic to some, but there’s a reason for their popularity — they make absolutely beautiful tattoos.

  This elaborate piece was created by Toronto-based artist Rachel Weldon. Rather than keeping the tattoo as a simple peony on the shoulder, her client asked to extend the ink down into the collarbone area with more detailed flowers and leaves.

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• Getty ImagesLook Into Your HeartJust because the collarbone area is sizable doesn’t mean your tattoo needs to be. Hailey Baldwin’s micro heart ink is smack dab on the bone, which is ouch, but it looks super cute. You can substitute it for a different shape or switch where on the bone it lies.
• Getty ImagesSeeing StarsThere are quite a few ways to tattoo someone’s name on your body, whether it’s in bold block letters or a delicate script. This cursive ink was etched alongside a quartet of colorful stars on rapper Yung Miami’s clavicle area in tribute to her mother Keenya.
• Instagram/@gabiemoraFlap Your WingsThis spot right underneath the collarbone is perfect for your next ink. Queens-based artist Gabriela Mora carved these delicate birds along her client’s clavicle. With detailed lines and shading, these winged creatures look like they are flying right off the client’s shoulder.
• Instagram/@limbforestTraveling VinesAsk for body art that extends from the tip of the collarbone to halfway down the arm if you’re looking for something a bit more eye-catching. Tiny people climb up the vine on this whimsical tattoo, which was created by Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Celeste Lai.

  “I have been drawing these little people trekking through different terrains for a long time in my paintings and animation before I started tattooing. To me, they symbolize our inner self and the journey we go on,” she says. “That’s why they often are in weird terrains and when I began tattooing they naturally transitioned to crawl on people. They are so instrumental in telling stories for each of my clients, and I was pleasantly surprised that people really responded to them on an intimate level.”

• Instagram/ @snaxinkThe Perfect DuoTwo tattoos are better than one, right? East Atlanta-based artist Debbi Snax used real flowers as her reference to create this bundle of super realistic-looking plants.
• Getty ImagesIn Memory of Lost OnesRed ink tattoos are a popular alternative to the usual black. As a tribute to her late older brother, singer-songwriter Jhene Aiko got his name, Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo, written along the underside of her collarbone in bright red pigment.
• Getty ImagesSwirly ScriptRico Nasty shows another way to tat someone special’s name on your body. Instead of underneath the bone, she got the cursive ink right above the clavicle. The black font spells out her son’s name, Cameron.
• Instagram/ @amare.with.loveRadiate LoveSticking along your collarbone may not be your vibe, so try ink that extends from the neck to the sternum. Barbet drew on this lovely tattoo with three main elements: leaves, flowers, and a heart right in the center of the chest. The detail on this tattoo is incredible — if you look closely, you’ll notice that the shading is actually a series of minimscule dots.
• Getty ImagesIt’s the Simple LifeAnother unique placement option? Right at the front of your collarbone. Zayn Malik’s simplistic tattoo looks perfect at the base of his neck. Though it’s in a visible spot, the ink is so small someone may mistake it for a beauty mark.
• Getty ImagesBeware of the StingerEven if you’re not a Scorpio, scorpion tattoos look fire. Tove Lo shows you one way to do it with this small, shaded-in scorpion near the upper corner of her collarbone.
• Instagram/@flesh_and_fluidSeashells by the SeashoreThere are a few lovely tattoos here, but we’re focused on the tiny cowrie shell right on the bone, tattooed by Garner. She has painted these cute shells on multiple clients’ bodies in various sizes and shapes.
• Instagram/@halloweeninkFly AwayThe tiny script name adds a delicate, personal touch to this trail of tiny black doves. The deep shading is a bold contrast to the more typical outline style of a flock of birds.
• Instagram/@creativexcellenceFlower PowerLas Vegas-based artist Brandon “Blaze5ive” Anderson is responsible for this stunning floral ink. The simple but detailed rose sits near the client’s shoulder while the stem includes the words “love yourself” written out in script.
• Getty ImagesBump on a LogSZA’s log ink shows another way to showcase nature with body art. Her tattoo artist gave the log just enough shading to add some incredible detail to the piece, and the little green leaf that juts from the top is a cute pop of color.
• Instagram/@flesh_and_fluidEtched in BraidsThis very detailed braided ink was also etched by Garner. If you looking to go big, consider something like this that extends from the back all the way across the collarbone to the chest.
• Instagram/@thisislapoDetails of NatureLong Beach, California-based tattooer Lauren Potts enjoys creating pieces inspired by nature, like this fern she drew for a client. She captured the essence of the plant perfectly in this realistic-looking design. It truly feels like the leaf is growing from her back onto her collarbone.
• Getty ImagesMinimalist MusingsThis quote etched in swirly font belongs to none other than Queen Rihanna. The Bajan princess’s tattoo reads, “Never a failure Always a lesson.” The six words form a simple but meaningful phrase that fits perfectly underneath her collarbone.
• Instagram/@thisislapo It Takes TwoThere are multiple ways to get two tattoos on your chest, and we like these slightly mismatched branches. The slight asymmetry and fruit details are what make them extra special.
• Instagram/@jaidentattooFor the Love of PetsOregon-based tattoo artist Jaiden Sky Brouhard is the mastermind behind this complex bird and flower tattoo. The client wanted a large piece on the shoulder and chest to honor their pet bird, and we think Brouhard nailed it with this elaborate tattoo.
• Instagram/@semper.blush.tattooOpen Your HeartWhile we love extremely detailed artwork, simple shapes are also classic. The teeny tiny hearts and stars look like they are floating right along the collarbone.
• Instagram/@studioseeLet It ShineBrighten up your day every time you look in the mirror with an expressive sun. This one was created by San Antonio-based tattoo artist Shanell Nicole.
• Instagram/@inforstyleEmbrace TraditionRoses are a classic tattoo flower and decorate the collarbone beautifully. We love how this one looks with “fierce” in a swirly script as the stem.
• Instagram/@artby.nellForever ApartGeometric shapes make for excellent tattoos because you can play around with dimensions and figure types to find the design you want. You can do overlapping triangles, squares, or circles in various colors or never let the shapes touch at all.
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