You don't need a full sleeve or an eight-hour tattoo session to get something meaningful.
Sometimes the tattoo you want is small, simple and straight to the point.
At Moon & Ash Tattoo Co. in Merritt Island, Florida, we welcome walk-ins looking for small tattoos, flash, matching tattoos, lettering and custom designs.
Flash tattoos start at $25, and custom tattoos start at $50.
Walk in, show us your idea or check out the available flash.
Small tattoos are often a great fit for walk-ins.
Depending on the design and artist availability, many smaller tattoos can be completed during the same visit.
Popular small tattoo ideas include:
Hearts
Flowers
Stars
Moons
Suns
Animals
Initials
Dates
Numbers
Symbols
Small lettering
Daggers
Skulls
Butterflies
Matching tattoos
Minimalist designs
Already have an idea?
Bring a reference image and show us what you're thinking.
Don't know what you want yet?
Check out our available flash.
Flash is one of the easiest ways to get a small tattoo.
The artwork is already designed and ready to tattoo, which makes flash especially convenient for walk-ins and spontaneous tattoos.
At Moon & Ash, flash tattoos start at $25.
Available artwork changes, so stop by and see what's currently available.
For more information about how flash works, check out our Flash Tattoos in Merritt Island guide.
Want something that's yours?
Our custom tattoos start at $50.
Bring us your idea, reference image or concept and talk with one of our artists.
Pricing depends on factors including the tattoo's size, detail, placement and complexity.
Read our Tattoo Pricing Guide for more information about what affects tattoo cost.
One important thing to understand about small tattoos:
Making a tattoo smaller doesn't always make it better.
A design containing a large amount of detail may need additional size so the individual elements have enough room.
Trying to squeeze too much detail into a tiny space can affect readability and how the tattoo ages.
Your artist may recommend making a design slightly larger or simplifying certain details.
That's not because we're trying to sell you a bigger tattoo.
It's because the design needs enough room to work as a tattoo.
Fine-line tattooing can work beautifully for certain smaller designs.
Thin, clean lines can create delicate tattoos without requiring a large amount of space.
But fine-line doesn't mean every highly detailed image can simply be shrunk down.
The design still needs to work at the size you're considering.
Talk with your artist about the appropriate balance between detail and size.
Black and grey works at many different scales.
Small black and grey tattoos can use linework and shading to create depth without requiring color.
Depending on the design, this can work well for:
Flowers
Animals
Religious imagery
Symbols
Skulls
Small illustrative pieces
The amount of detail possible depends on the size of the tattoo.
American traditional tattooing is known for bold outlines and readable designs.
That can translate extremely well to smaller tattoos.
Classic imagery such as roses, daggers, hearts, skulls, swallows and other traditional subjects can often be adapted into smaller standalone pieces.
Names, words, dates and short phrases are popular choices for small tattoos.
But lettering needs enough space to remain readable.
Extremely tiny letters can lose clarity over time.
Your artist can recommend an appropriate size and font based on the wording and placement.
Getting tattooed with someone else?
Small matching tattoos are popular with:
Couples
Friends
Siblings
Family members
Wedding parties
Travel groups
You can choose identical tattoos or designs that relate to each other.
Flash can also make choosing matching tattoos much easier when nobody can agree on a custom idea.
One advantage of smaller tattoos is placement flexibility.
Common areas include:
Easy to see and provides enough room for many small designs.
A versatile placement that can also leave room for future tattoos.
Popular for small symbols, lettering and minimalist designs.
Works well for many compact designs.
Offers plenty of space while still working well for smaller standalone pieces.
Provides flexibility if you later decide to build additional tattoos around the piece.
Another versatile location for smaller tattoos.
Placement also affects pain.
If you're deciding between several areas, our Tattoo Pain Chart explains which common placements tend to be easier or more sensitive.
Small tattoos are a popular choice for first-time clients.
A smaller piece can let you experience the tattoo process without committing to a several-hour session.
But don't choose something you don't actually want just because it's small.
Your first tattoo can be any size that makes sense for the design and for you.
If you're nervous, talk with your artist beforehand.
There's no universal answer.
A very simple tattoo may be relatively quick, while a small tattoo containing detailed linework or shading can take considerably longer.
Setup, placement and stencil adjustments also take time.
Your artist can give you a better idea after seeing the design.
Yes—but usually for less time than a large tattoo.
Pain depends more heavily on placement than physical tattoo size.
A small rib tattoo can be more uncomfortable than a considerably larger outer-arm tattoo.
If pain is one of your main concerns, placement is worth discussing before getting started.
Visiting the Space Coast and want something to remember the trip?
Moon & Ash is located in Merritt Island, near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
Small tattoos and flash can be particularly convenient for visitors because many designs can be completed as walk-ins when an artist is available.
If you're visiting the area, check out our Tattoo Shop Near Cocoa Beach guide for more information.
And remember: a fresh tattoo needs to heal.
Swimming in the ocean or pool and exposing a new tattoo to strong sunlight can interfere with aftercare, so consider your vacation plans before getting tattooed.
Small tattoos still need proper aftercare.
Don't assume a tattoo requires less care simply because it covers less skin.
Follow your artist's instructions for cleaning and caring for the area.
Our Tattoo Aftercare Guide explains washing, moisturizing, showering, swimming, sun exposure and other basics.
At Moon & Ash, flash currently starts at $25 and custom tattoos start at $50. Final pricing depends on the design, detail and placement.
Yes. Small tattoos are often well suited to walk-ins, depending on artist availability.
Absolutely. Bring your reference image or idea and talk with an artist about whether it works at the size you're considering.
That depends on the design. Tattoos need enough space for lines and details to remain readable. Your artist may recommend increasing the size or simplifying the artwork.
Possibly, but detail requires room. Extremely detailed designs often need to be larger than clients initially expect.
They can be. Smaller tattoos generally require shorter sessions, but you should still choose a design and placement you actually want.
Often, yes, depending on the designs, group size and artist availability.
Size can affect healing, but every tattoo still needs proper care. Placement, skin, irritation and other factors also influence healing.
Whether you've been planning your tattoo for months or decided you want one today, come talk with us.
Moon & Ash Tattoo Co.
76 E Merritt Island Cswy, Suite 210
Merritt Island, FL 32952
Upstairs above Tijuana Flats
Walk-ins welcome.
Flash tattoos starting at $25.
Custom tattoos starting at $50.
Open until midnight Friday & Saturday.
Come find your next tattoo.