A Guide to "Matching" Tattoos That Aren't Identical

(Banner Image: Matching tats from the flash of @tony_t_tattoo and tattooed by @tattoosbykoala (left) and @missngnmbr (right) at the world famous @lombardstreettattoo)

Getting a tattoo with a partner, a sibling, or a best friend is a powerful way to celebrate your bond. For years, the go-to idea for a "matching" tattoo was to get the exact same design. But a more modern, artistic, and deeply personal approach has taken over: getting tattoos that are thematically connected, but not identical.

This "complementary" style allows each person to have a unique piece of art that stands on its own, but tells a shared story when seen together. If you're wondering what tattoo should you get with a loved one, this is your guide to the art of creating matching tattoos that are anything but identical.

1. The "Two Halves of a Whole" Concept

This is a classic and powerful approach. You choose a single image or concept and split it between two people. When you are together, the image is complete.

• Classic Examples: A lock on one person and a key on the other; a sun and a moon; two halves of a single mandala.

• Why it works: It’s a beautiful, literal representation of two individuals coming together to create a whole.

2. The "Complementary Pairs" Concept

This method involves choosing two separate images that are thematically linked and naturally belong together. The key is to design a tattoo for each person that is in the exact same artistic style.

• Classic Examples: A bee and a flower; a wolf and a raven; a sword and a shield; a lighthouse and a ship.

• Why it works: It allows for more individual expression. Each person gets their own "hero" image, but the two tattoos create a shared narrative.

3. The "Shared Theme, Different Designs" Concept

This is a more subtle and sophisticated approach. You both agree on a single theme—like a favorite book, a shared memory, or a mutual passion—and then you each get a different tattoo that represents that theme.

• Example: If you both love the ocean, one person could get a whale, and the other could get an anchor, both done by the same artist in the same style.

• Why it works: It's an "if you know, you know" connection. The tattoos are deeply personal and connected, but the meaning isn't immediately obvious to an outsider.

The Most Important Step: The Artist and the Consultation

The secret to a successful complementary tattoo is finding the right artist and having a great tattoo consultation.

• Find an Artist You Both Love: You must find a tattoo artist whose style you are both genuinely excited about. This shared artistic taste will be the ultimate unifying element.

• Go to the Consultation Together: Work with the artist as a team. Explain your shared story and your vision. A great artist will be able to take your concept and design two unique pieces that are perfectly balanced and feel like they are part of the same universe.

The Shared Experience: Pain and Aftercare

Getting tattooed together is a bonding experience from start to finish. You can be each other's support system through the pain. And once you leave the studio, you get to heal together.

• The tattoo aftercare is a shared responsibility. A great way to ensure you both have what you need for a perfect heal is to get our No Pain Tattoo Aftercare Bundle. It's the perfect "couples kit" with the Cleansing Foam and Aftercare Balm to ensure both of your new, meaningful tattoos heal beautifully.

The Verdict: A "matching" tattoo doesn't have to be an identical one. By exploring these more creative and personal options, you can get a piece of art that is both a testament to your unique bond and a beautiful tattoo that you will individually love for a lifetime.