Dotwork tattoos can take up a lot of time. However, when the tattooing is over, the end result is just mesmerizing and the tattoo becomes a beautiful sight to look at. To create these tattoos, black and gray inks are usually required. Sometimes, shades of color are also used to produce an attractive contrast.
For dotwork tattoos, geometric, spiritual and mandala tattoos are the most common subjects. In some cases, however, decorative designs and animal patterns also look incredibly fabulous when the dotwork tattooing technique is used. These tattoos are basically small dots tattooed together to produce a design. There are several types of dotwork designs artists come up with. You just need to find the right style of tattoo for yourself.
Table of Contents
126 Dotwork Tattoos Designs
Sacred Geometry Dotwork Tattoo
Sacred geometry tattoo designs are generally done in black ink. These tattoos use patterns and shapes found in nature that also bring religious iconography into the tattoo designs.
1. Mandala
Source: gabrieldlimasousatattoo
The mandala dotwork tattoo usually consists of basic geometric shapes, such as squares and triangles, organized in a circular structure. This makes the pattern appear round.
2. Flower of life
Source: enigma_geometricks
If you are looking for a geometric dotwork tattoo that is both ravishing and meaningful at the same time, the flower of life is the perfect option.
3. Fresh Ink
Source: hood.seven
At first glance, this tattoo may seem like a bit too much. However, if you look at it closely, you can see how beautifully and meticulously each segment of the tattoo was inked.
Simple Dotwork Tattoo Designs
Dotwork tattoos don’t always have to be geometric in nature. They can simply consist of basic elements, such as a pumpkin, a bird or a cat, etc.
4. Rebirth
Source: daiseydave_tattoos
Symbolically, pumpkin tattoos are associated with fertility and rebirth. It is also correlated with the theme of Halloween. If done properly, the tattoo can also give off an aesthetic impression.
5. Dove
Source: dinky_doodles_art
Dove tattoos usually indicate peace. People who wish to embrace the spirit of love and peace may get a tattoo that features a dove. It looks even cooler in dotwork style.
6. Soulmates
Source: tigerseye__
This tattoo of two cats is a clear representation of you and your soulmate. The soulmate theory does not apply only to lovers. It can mean your best friend too.
Dotwork Throat Tattoo
Besides getting dotwork tattoos on your arms and legs, you can also get them on your neck and throat. Here are some cool options to help you get a dotwork tattoo on your throat.
7. Dotwork Fanatic
Source: em.inks
A person who is really into dotwork tattoos would get something like this on their neck. Anyone could wear this tattoo with great confidence because of how beautiful it looks.
8. Raise Your Voice
Source: harrylurkstattoo
The spherical shape in the middle indicates the person’s ability to speak up in times of injustice. If done properly, this tattoo can look really stylish and stunning.
Minimalist Dotwork Tattoo
Minimalist tattoos are usually discreet and very difficult to notice on a person’s skin. However, these tattoos are very meaningful and have a great influence on one’s style. Below are some examples:
9. Lighthouse
Source: theblackhattattoo
For an individual, lighthouse tattoos serve as the guiding light. This cool tattoo symbolizes guidance, safety, and protection. To serve as a symbol of guidance in their own life, one may get this tattoo.
10. Linework Magic
Source: theblackhattattoo
In terms of visuals, line tattoos indicate minimalism. This tattoo is a combination of a line (upper part) and dotwork (lower part) tattoos. If done properly, the tattoo can look really stylish.
11. King of the Jungle
Source: theblackhattattoo
This amazing tattoo symbolizes courage and bravery. It is an accurate depiction of the fearlessness of the person bearing the tattoo. A very good choice for sending people a strong message.
Dotwork Flower Tattoo
Flower tattoos also look absolutely gorgeous in dotwork form. These tattoos represent the innocence and purity of an individual. Here are some cool dotwork flower tattoo designs:
12. Happiness
Source: keeanftattoo
This dotwork tattoo design of the lily flower exudes a sense of serenity and joy. The lily flower itself represents contentment and satisfaction in life.
13. Peony Flower Tattoo
Source: turkutattooparlour
The peony flower tattoo symbolizes wealth and elegance. In Japan, this flower is considered as the “King of Flowers”. A very cool tattoo for someone with a bold personality.
14. Beauty
Source: laulau_tattoo
The tattoo of the lily and the butterfly together portray the beauty of women. Each of them stands out for its immense beauty and charm.
Dotwork Bee Tattoo
In a general sense, a bee tattoo represents loyalty. These insects are loyal to their queen of the beehive. Your dotwork bee tattoo will showcase that you are a loyal individual in general.
15. Detailed Bee Tattoo
Source: sunderlandbodyart
As mentioned before, bee tattoos stand for loyalty and faithfulness. Although this looks like a simple bee tattoo, it can tell a person a lot about yourself.
16. Simply Dotwork
Source: beckypopetattoo
This tattoo is just another variation of the previous bee tattoo. People get this tattoo mostly because of its powerful meaning. If inked properly, this simple bee tattoo could look astonishing.
17. Queen Bee Tattoo
Source: jabbedbyjashi
In a beehive, the queen bee is the most powerful figure. So for that very reason, this dotwork style tattoo stands for feminine energy, power, growth, and motherhood.
Dotwork Fish Tattoo
You can also get tattoos of fish in the dotwork style. Generally, fish tattoos stand for strength, prosperity and abundance. Here are some dotwork fish tattoo ideas below:
18. Weever Fish Tattoo
Source: jasmineroseellery_tattoo
The weever fish tattoo in this photo represents strength and abundance, as discussed before. If the tattoo bearer wishes to keep his/her tattoo simple, this is a very good choice.
19. A Dotty Fish
Source: sahanatattoos
This tattoo design is pure dotwork. One may think it’s just a simple fish tattoo but if looked closely and carefully, it becomes clear that a lot of effort had been put into this tattoo.
20. Mackerel Fish Tattoo
Source: jasmineroseellery_tattoo
This is another variation of the dotwork fish. As you can see, this concept can be applied to all kinds of fish tattoos. It’s actually a matter of your own choice.
Dotwork Linework Tattoo
Over the past few years, linework and dotwork tattoos have grown in popularity. They can be delicate and pretty or bold if a lot of ink is incorporated. Below are some cool designs to choose from:
21. Livewire
Source: chrischrismith
The tattoo in this photo closely resembles a livewire, which can be really harmful if it is touched with bare hands. The amount of details here makes it look surreal.
22. Nightmare
Source: fyodorpavlovtattoo
Horrifying creatures, such as the one in the photo, can only be seen in nightmares or in one’s imagination. These dotwork style tattoos don’t really have a significant meaning but, even so, look really cool.
23. Heartbroken
Source: worldwidenoza
As we all know, cupids stand for love and affection. However, a cupid stuck in a pile of thorns means the exact opposite of that. Someone who is really heartbroken can get something like this.
Dotwork Snake Tattoo
Snake tattoos symbolize the changing seasons of life. Since snakes shed their skin from time to time, they stand for transformation, immortality and rebirth.
24. Snake and Sword Tattoo
Source: black_fox_tattoo
This is a common tattoo design where the snake is wrapped around the sword but the meaning is very powerful. It represents life and wisdom together with courage and fearlessness.
25. Strength
Source: nikita.jaded.tattoos
This is a better and a lot cooler version of the previous tattoo. It is heavily detailed and takes up your entire back. A very cool tattoo on the woman’s back to tell people about your bold personality.
26. Protection
Source: tattoosbyzara
A tattoo of a snake also indicates protection against bad luck or illness. The way the skin and its eyes are inked is absolutely sublime and the dotwork style makes it look very stylish.
Dotwork Sternum Tattoo
Sternum tattoos are those tattoos that are located right below the chest area. If the placement of the tattoo is right, it can look really stylish. Below are some options to choose from:
27. Enchantress
Source: nevermoretattoo
This tattoo almost gives off a vibe that is associated with magic, hence the name. As you can see, the positioning of the dotwork tattoo is just perfect and it looks absolutely stunning.
28. Creative much?
Source: flo_tatts
We have seen a lot of creative and stylish dotwork tattoos so far but this one definitely beats them all. If all the details are perfectly captured, the tattoo will look absolutely ravishing.
Dotwork Style Tattoo
If done properly, a simple dotwork style tattoo will give you a whole new look, making you feel much better about yourself. Here are a few more tattoo designs in dotwork style:
29. Dotwork Floral
Source: nurburgink
As we all know, floral tattoos stand for love and affection between two people. Although they’re commonly seen everywhere, floral tattoos are beautiful and they get a lot of attention.
30. Dotwork Neck
Source: adrisanchez_tattoo
Previously, we went through a couple of cool neck tattoo designs and this is another one of them. Just like floral tattoos, a good-looking tattoo will make you feel really confident.
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Source: ouija_tattoo
Dotwork Elephant Tattoo
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Source: vicki_carpenter_tattoo
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Source: ai.datattoo
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Source: vicki_carpenter_tattoo
Dotwork Sun Tattoo
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Source: parlourtattoo
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Source: kay_b_adelman_tattoos
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Source: smileycharrtattooz
Flower Of Life Tattoo Dotwork
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Source: simermg
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Source: rorschach.tattoo
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Source: inkbabatattoostudio
Dotwork Head Tattoo
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Source: alex_santucci_tattooer
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Source: custom.cult.tattoo
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Source: sonjapunktum
Dotwork Dragonfly Tattoo
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Source: _nikhee_tattoos_
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Source: renee.parenti
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Source: fishcaketattoo
Dotwork Half Sleeve Tattoo
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Source: muggel.ink
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Source: guillot_ink
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Source: louistherrien_tattoo
Dotwork Portrait Tattoo
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Source: mini_mouse_tattoo
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Source: pikalilly.tattoo
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Source: melejuana
Dotwork Animal Tattoo
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Source: thebelladonnatattoo
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Source: libbygracetattoo
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Source: thebelladonnatattoo
Dotwork Dragon Tattoo
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Source: nikita.jaded.tattoos
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Source: jasmineroseellery_tattoo
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Source: flanes.tattoo
Dotwork Owl Tattoo
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Source: saeidroyaltattoo
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Source: mitchin.tattoos
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Source: atomiccustomtattoos
Dotwork Tattoo on Forearm
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Source: sashakiseleva
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Source: yg.tattooing
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Source: alicekjacobstattoo
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Source: maticcakstattoo
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Source: shalladoretattoo
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Source: shalladoretattoo
Black Dotwork Tattoo
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Source: mony.tattoo
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Source: solspectra
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Source: kingdomtattoosalkmaar
Lotus Tattoo Dotwork
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Source: muniz.ttt
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Source: sudama_tattoos
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Source: celi_dot_tattoo
Tribal Dotwork Tattoos
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Source: coultstudio
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Source: fmurback
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Source: ostara.tattoo
Dotwork Chest Tattoo
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Source: richiecustomink
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Source: rose_tattoo
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Source: alex_santucci_tattooer
Dotwork Color Tattoo
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Source: patry_yop
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Source: mrhillstattoo
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Source: doud.inker
Dotwork Compass Tattoo
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Source: dollyrai
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Source: timothycretney
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Source: jasonlaiking
Dotwork Cover-Up Tattoo
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Source: 22sixtyink
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Source: kikedots
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Source: nimketattoo
Dotwork Feather Tattoo
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Source: _nikhee_tattoos_
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Source: _nikhee_tattoos_
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Source: annastella_tattoo
Dotwork Finger Tattoo
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Source: mikey_onedeep
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Source: eastcoasttattoobarberstudio
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Source: tattoosbysarahh
Dotwork Forest Tattoo
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Source: tattookadeh
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Source: oldtimescollective
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Source: warszawatattoostudio
Dotwork Hand Tattoo
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Source: amybirdart
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Source: alex_santucci_tattooer
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Source: zoefrasertattoo
Dotwork Octopus Tattoo
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Source: georginaleightattoo
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Source: libbygracetattoo
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Source: chelswelbtattooer
Dotwork Ornamental Tattoo
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Source: elle_priselle
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Source: elenalaro
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Source: elenalaro
Dotwork Realism Tattoo
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Source: mikaink
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Source: bcgl_tattoo
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Source: bcgl_tattoo
Dotwork Rose Tattoo
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Source: kimba.tattoo
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Source: zoefowletattoo
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Source: guillot_ink
Dotwork Shading Tattoo
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Source: phoebe.collins
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Source: megi_gin
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Source: thestars_andmoon
Dotwork Shoulder Tattoo
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Source: footefoote_tattoo
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Source: jadejay.ink
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Source: ericharetattoo
Dotwork Space Tattoo
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Source: ale.celiz
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Source: dszilard_tattoo
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Source: jasmine.eichmann.tattoo
Dotwork Sunflower Tattoo
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Source: nutterstattoos
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Source: jade_arteternaltattoo
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Source: georginaleightattoo
Conclusion
And that is it! You’re probably overwhelmed by the amount of cool tattoo designs you’ve seen in this article. It is highly recommended that you take your time when choosing your tattoo design as it’s going to be there for a long, long time. Before getting your tattoo, consult your tattoo artist and make sure they’re absolutely professional and really good at their work.
Dotwork tattoos require a lot of patience and attention to every single detail. For this very reason, go with an artist who is highly experienced in dotwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dotwork tattoo last?
Of course, it does.
Is dotwork tattoo more painful?
Dotwork style tattoos are one of the least painful tattooing techniques.
What does 3 dots in a row in a tattoo mean?
When 3 dots are inked in a straight line, it means that a sentence has not yet been completed.