A Top Tattoo Artist in NYC Reveals the Ink Worth Pinning This Year

The future in colored tattoos, according to Lines, is looking colorful — and wildly realistic. "2019 was the year of boundless possibilities of micro tattoos, which started in black and gray and will turn into a trend of hypercolor realism done with single needles," she said.

Henri Matisse need not apply; modern objects are getting their own callouts in tattoo form come 2020. "We'll be seeing traditional flash designs simplified and re-created in a modern way — like everyday objects such as a coffee mug, or a planted pot — which are a meaningful or ironic choice to the person wearing it," Lines said.

"People are getting more visible areas tattooed, but not extensively," she said. "Delicate and simple tattoos in visible and unique placements that aesthetically emphasize the body part are going to be a major trend this year. For example, a flying bird, placed off-centered on the back of the hand as opposed to placing it on a more discreet body area."