Bold Orange Tattoos Inspired By The 70’s
Color lovers, get ready: orange tattoos are coming our way! Color tattoos are everything these days, but not necessarily the traditional coloring that we’ve seen over the years.
Most of my tattoos are black, but I have a few pops of minimalist red ones, and am considering this idea of a bold, bright orange!
Of course most of the orange tattoos out there are of an actual orange, but I love all of the different images that you wouldn’t expect to be done in orange. It’s such a cool and creative look that reminds me of the 1970’s for sure.
Looking for some other funky color ideas? These silver ink tattoo ideas might just do the trick.
Orange Ink Tattoos
Here’s something so delicious about getting something in a unique color that just makes it stand out. Orange is a specific color, you either love it or hate it… so long term I know I’ll be happy about my new tattoo.
1. Butterfly
I adore this little butterfly in a subtle ink color.
2. Gunsmoke
The tattoo overall is a really unique look, but adding a unique color to emphasize the gun smoke is a really cute detail too.
3. Fox
Foxes are some of my favorite animals, and this one is fierce and ready to fight and protect.
4. Koi Watercolor
Watercoloring is a trendy style of color tattoos these days, and it just makes so much sense with a piece of a koi fish! Their vibe and the simple fact that they live in water (obviously) makes it feel so right to add orange watercolor to the fish.
5. Modern Art
This one gets pretty funky, but all of the pieces pulled apart in a modern art story creates an interesting geographic piece, and colors that pop just make it even better.
6. Orange Rose
Orange roses symbolize admiration or excitement, so this is a great symbol to tattoo to stay in the energetic mode.
7. Broken Pieces
Another example of cool modern pieces that are only made better in the bold, bright orange!
8. Spitting Flowers
How cute is this fish just spitting flowers?
9. Traffic Cones
Have an affinity for stealing traffic cones with your friends on a night out? You’re not the only ones!
10. Serene Tiger
Tigers can be tattooed in plenty of different visions: aggressive, prowling, at rest… And this one relaxing in a bed of flowers is just too sweet.
11. Fine Line Sun
I’m loving all of the fine line pieces with little orange details, and this one is so 1980’s Miami!
12. Bound Hands
Holding hands, bound by an invisible (orange) string.
Orange Tattoo Design Shades
A color shade shift can change the entire vibe of a tattoo. Looking to get something bright and exciting? Getting it done in bright orange vs a more peachy style ink is the way to go.
13. Details
The details in these abstract faces is so subtle since it’s added with orange ink, but that just makes it more interesting that it isn’t an aggressive pop.
14. Dragon
Have big love for dragons?
15. Toucan Beaks
I love everything about this piece, from the geometric framing, the wild flowers, the stunning birds, and the pop of color.
16. Bright Blue Bikini
Seeing this one stopped me in my tracks. A bright blue bikini with little oranges on it is way too fun.
17. Orange Grafitti
The fun part about colors is you can use it to look like any kind of art or style that you want. Using orange to look like graffiti? So cool.
18. Snake Dreamsicle
I’ll be honest and say I’m not sure where the vision came from for this little guy, but it’s a cute idea!
19. Contrast
The contrasting light on the plant with a bright orange orb makes this more interesting than the standard plant tattoo.
20. Amplifier
This is for you rock stars out there.
21. Phoenix Flames
Of course you can’t talk about orange tattoos without some flames. And with the phoenix rising from the ashes, you know it’s a powerful tattoo.
22. Sunset
The lack of outline on these makes it so much more beautiful. I love the pop of these warm tones right against the skin.
23. Color Blend
Is it a tail? Is it a wand stroke? No one knows, the but the color blend on it is magical.
24. Nemo
Love a good clown fish, and the use of negative space here is so cool.
25. Big Bow
A big bow is perfect for a cute thigh tattoo.
Oranges As Fruit Tattoo Ideas
Still contemplating getting a classic orange (the fruit) tattoo? Some of these are done in a style that’s pretty unique too, even for such a popular tattoo idea.
26. Market Tote
A little market tote holding some oranges reminds me of a warm spring day.
27. Orange Phases
This reminds me of a moon phase piece, but with orange slices instead.
28. Abstract Style
I love the different styles on display here with this tattoo, the contrast of the branches with the lack of outline on the orange itself.
29. Soft
This guy is just a little softy.
30. Smiley Face
Talk about a Cutie!
31. Off Placed Color
The off-placed color for this orange makes it almost look like it’s in front of a brilliant sunset.
32. Orange Blossom
The orange blossom on this one really adds more contrasting detail to make the little oranges pop.
33. A Tattooed Orange
This orange covered in tattoos is a quirky little addition to a classic tattoo image.
34. Keep It Light
The white blossoms brighten this piece right up, and makes it feel like summer all the time.
35. Reverse Shading
Adding negative space instead of shading really makes this one a dreamy piece.
36. Sticker And All
Such a fun detail!
37. Outline
I love when the outline doesn’t quite match up with the color. It makes it so visually interesting.
38. Bat Buddy
A dark creature with a bright fruit makes for the perfect pair.
Colorful Accents To Orange Ink
I’m a big fan of living life in color! It makes life brighter and more vibrant.
39. Cat
If you have an orange cat, you love your orange cat.
40. Embroidery Patch
This embroidery patch tattoo is so cool. And if you get it of your favorite orange character like this, it pops so effortlessly.
41. Gradient Rose
A rose that has a gradient from yellow to orange makes it so unique.
42. Serene Fox
This fox is more at rest than our last one. She looks so peaceful!
43. Itty Bitty Rainbow
I love the rainbow that ends in a star instead of a cloud. Funky!
44. Neon Outline
A neon glow is just what this butterfly tattoo needs.
45. Paintbrush
Perfect for any of the art lovers out there, a paintbrush in motion with a stunning blend of colors really inspires me to start painting.
46. Monarch Butterfly
A monarch butterfly is recognized by their colors, and this just makes it even more noticeable how stunning their wings are.
47. Peony
Peonies are some of my favorite flowers, and large, orange one just reinforces that.
48. Blood Moon
If you’re into astrology, you know that a blood moon is a big deal. This piece is bold.
49. Dreamsicle
Orange creamsicles were always my favorite popsicle flavors as a child.
50. Harley Logo
If you’re into motorcycles, you know how cool this Harley piece is.
51. Skull Beanie
This skull in a beanie is such a character piece. I love it.
Whimsical 70’s Tattoos
Get creative and have fun with it. That’s all that tattoos are, anyway, so why not get something cute that is very 1970’s vibes.
52. Tiger Portrait
She’s so beautiful, ready for her portrait.
53. Tiger Lily
A tiger lily just feels right in a brilliant orange.
54. Puff Of Fire
Just a little puff, that’s all.
55. Tiger Eye
A piercing look from a jungle cat is enough to really get your heart racing.
56. Flat Florals
While something three dimensional is, of course, always really impressive, sometimes a cluster of flat florals like this just really pop.
57. Charmander
Any Pokemon lover than appreciate this guy!
58. Johnny Bravo
The color block geometric background gives this one the perfect 90’s feel to it.
59. Eye Sketch
This one wowed me. An eye sketch with colored detailing, beyond just the coloring of the eye itself is stunning. This is how you take sketch work to the next level.
60. Outlining
Outlining all of your tattoos with an orange swatch keeps them all cohesive, even when they’re not.
61. Fox Eyes
The eyes on this fox being orange instead of his body is a fun mix up.
62. Penguin Beaks
Just a touch of color in the beaks of these cuties.
63. Little Lightning Bolt
This one truly looks electric!
Cons To Using Orange Ink
Every decision has pros and cons, and your tattoo color is no different.
The only real con here is that just like black ink, our orange ink is going to fade over time. But unlike black ink, it’s going to be pretty faint and hard to see when it does. Especially if you’re getting this piece in a spot that gets exposed to a lot of sun or brushed up against quite a bit, like your hands or ankles, you’re likely to see a quick fade in this tattoo.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it! It just means you will likely need some touch ups over time.
Whether you already have color tattoos or not, this is a beautiful idea for your next one! It could be a cool filler piece, a sizable eye-catching piece, or a minimal piece for fun.
