150 Innovative Biomechanical Tattoos and Meanings

Beautifully colored in blues, purples, and reds, this surrealistic biomechanical foot tattoo is somehow both creepy and romantic. Skin rips and tears away from the top of the foot to expose amazing superhuman bones and android wiring. Artistic and adventurous women will appreciate this gorgeous biomechanical art.

60 Unforgettable Biomechanical Tattoos that Creatively Combine Science and Art – Designs, Meanings and Ideas

Intricate, innovative, and surrealistic body art designs create the best biomechanical tattoos. With the rise of the biomechanical art movement, this relatively new art style blends humans with machines for a look that is both futuristic and realistic. Many biomechanical tattoos incorporate motorized components such as gears, metal rods, nuts, bolts, pistons, and even circuitry and computer chips. These technical units merge with organic human biological elements like bones, muscles, and tissues. Biomechanical tattoos are best suited for people with a modern sense of creativity and adventure. Similarly to faith tattoos, nearly anything in your imagination can be incorporated into the abstract designs of eye-catching biomechanical tattoos.

60 Best Biomechanical Tattoos Featuring Gears, Cogs, and Metal Rods

Men and women who have a passion for science, robots, science fiction, biology, engineering, horror, or human anatomy are particularly drawn to biomechanical tattoos. What better way to transform yourself into a cyborg or android than a full arm sleeve tattoo revealing your true inner workings? Biomechanical style tattoos are extremely versatile and look great inked everywhere from the head and shoulders to the legs and feet. Chest and full-back tattoos are very popular, as well as finger tattoos. No matter where you choose to ink your biomechanical tattoo, here are 60 of the most incredible designs from which to extract inspiration.

1. Biomechanical Forearm Tattoo with Metal Rods

Transform your forearm into a robotic masterpiece with this incredible biomechanical tattoo featuring wires and metal rods. Blue and red colors are included in the mostly grayscale biomechanical tattoo to merge the human and cyborg elements. A cool torn skin effect gives this awesome biomechanical forearm tattoo even more energy.

2. Gears and Rods Ripped Skin Biomechanical Tattoo

Gears, chains, screws, and metal rods are all visible in this amazing ripped skin biomechanical tattoo. Underneath a web of shredded skin, there are the mechanical workings of a robotic being. The black and white machine parts contrast with the reddish hints of human skin for an uncanny realism.

3. Black and White Biomechanical Tattoo with Blue

This cutting-edge black and white biomechanical tattoo stretches from the top of the shoulder and down almost to the wrist. Intertwined within the detailed cyborg parts are superhuman muscles inked in deep, dark blue. The innovative combination of biological and mechanical elements creates an intriguing and attractive biomechanical tattoo.

4. Full Back Biomechanical Tattoo in Grayscale

The unbelievable details and skilled shading in this full-back biomechanical tattoo is really mind-blowing. From the stunning mechanical heart to the intricate etchings in the ribs, there is so much to examine and absorb. This insanely awesome biomechanical tattoo is perfect for strong and confident individuals.

5. Ripped Skin Biomechanical Tattoo on Arm

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A motorized robotic arm is revealed from underneath strips of ripped skin in this creative biomechanical tattoo. The biomech design uses black ink and grayscale shading for the cyborg elements and incorporates color for the human aspect. This is a solid and straightforward example of a cool biomechanical tattoo.

6. Cogs and Wheels Biomechanical Shoulder Tattoo

Compelling and inventive, this grayscale biomechanical shoulder tattoo shows the inner workings of cogs, gears, and wheels. Engineers, science fiction fans, and other creative intellectuals are captivated by the realistic mechanical details. Dark shadows and white highlights give this fascinating biomechanical tattoo a three-dimensional effect.

7. Bleeding Heart Biomechanical Chest Tattoo

Blending mechanical realism with artistic illustration, this biomechanical tattoo depicts a bleeding heart boldly placed on the chest. The bionic heart, with its wires and wheels, is inked in grayscale while the blood and torn skin have red shades. This powerful biomechanical tattoo is not for the faint of heart.

8. Metallic Gold Half Arm Biomechanical Tattoo Sleeve

Ordinary human or bionic cyborg? This eerily realistic biomechanical half-arm sleeve tattoo will have people questioning. The unique combination of ink colors gives the illusion of shiny gold metal plates in place of bones and muscles. This extraordinarily futuristic biomechanical tattoo is a true commitment to art and science.

9. Grayscale Biomechanical Full Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Smooth shading and a contemporary composition give this grayscale biomechanical tattoo sophistication without being too bold or in your face. A full arm sleeve, the awesome robotic tattoo completely covers the shoulder, elbow, arm, and wrist. Lovers of science and engineering will be attracted to this complex biomechanical tattoo.

10. Black and White Biomechanical Tattoo

Breathtaking details, intricate shading, innovative cyborg elements: this modern black and white biomechanical shoulder tattoo has it all. Shocks, coils, cogs, and wheels are just a few of the machinelike components incorporated into the elaborate tattoo. Courage, power, and strength are evoked with this precise biomechanical tattoo.

11. Black and White Biomechanical Tattoo on Leg

Hidden beneath the skin is a remarkably realistic robotic leg. The dark shadows and white highlights in this eye-catching biomechanical tattoo make it appear as though the mechanisms are a part of the body. From the hip to the knee, this futuristic black and white biomechanical tattoo is a showstopper.

12. Wrench as Arm Bone Colored Biomechanical Tattoo

Every good mechanic knows the importance of the practical and multipurpose wrench, an essential in any toolbox. In this artistic biomechanical tattoo, the arm bone is replaced with a wrench. The deep red color is used for the muscles and tissue while white ink highlights give the wrench a metallic glow.

13. Realistic Robot Arm Grayscale Biomechanical Tattoo

This detailed robotic arm tattoo is meticulously inked in varying shades of gray to create an awe-inspiring three-dimensional image. Every screw, spring, nut, and bolt is carefully placed for a compelling biomechanical tattoo that is mindblowing. An insidious radioactive symbol adds to the creative realism in this cool biomechanical tattoo.

14. Metal Rod and Spring Biomechanical Leg Tattoo

In this innovative biomechanical tattoo, the human leg bone is replaced by a metal rod with shock, springs and pistons. An industrialized piece of biomech art, this intriguing leg tattoo beautifully blends organic life with robotic dexterity. Athletes, engineers, and science geeks love this eye-catching biomechanical leg tattoo.

15. Cogs and Wheels Biomechanical Chest Tattoo

A hole rips through the chest to reveal, not a heart, but the mechanical operations of cogs, gears, and wheels. This distinguished biomechanical chest tattoo is inspired by the ingenious steampunk style. Using complex grayscale shading and black shadows, the impressive biomech chest tattoo displays a captivating realism.

16. Extreme Torso and Full Arm Biomechanical Tattoo

It’s hard not to stare at this insanely breathtaking biomechanical tattoo. More than a full arm sleeve, the hyper-realistic biomechanical tattoo also covers half the torso, chest, and neck like a shield of armor. This remarkable piece of biomechanical body art is the exact depiction of half-man, half robot. Neck tattoos don’t get any better than this!

17. Black Metal Biomechanical Tattoo on Shoulder

Confidently inked on the shoulder, this powerful biomechanical tattoo represents strength, innovation, and transformation. The machinelike elements appear as though they are part of the human body. Vibrant red and orange hues in the background of biomechanical tattoo design make the deep dark black metal parts really stand out.

18. Gray and Blue Biomechanical Skull Tattoo on Head

Cool blue wiring and shiny silver metal plates join together in this astonishing biomechanical tattoo inked on the head. The futuristic brain tattoo shows that inside the skull are machinelike cyborg elements. You need a high pain tolerance and insane confidence to rock this amazingly surrealistic biomechanical head tattoo.

19. Best Friend Tattoos Idea: Honeycomb Style Biomechanical Tattoo on Chest

This amazing biomechanical chest tattoo combines the abstract art of honeycomb designs with the futuristic style of contemporary biomech ink. An anatomical human heartbeats red within the depths of a black and white cage. Organic elements and mechanical components effortlessly blend into a cyborg biomechanical tattoo masterpiece.

20. Blue Metal Ripped Skin Biomechanical Tattoo

Instead of bones underneath the skin, this modern biomechanical tattoo reveals the robotic parts of a cyborg. With a ripped skin effect and use of blue and red colors, there is an energy and life to this typically machinelike tattoo. This imaginative biomechanical tattoo looks great on men and women.

21. Dark Torn Skin Biomechanical Forearm Tattoo

A dark hole is ripped into the forearm to expose the mechanical inner workings of a robotic being. Black shading and deep shadows give this compelling biomechanical tattoo a dystopian science fiction presence and appeal. Smaller than common biomech body art, this arm tattoo is an excellent small tattoos option for women.

22. Half Human Half Robot Heart Tattoo

An anatomical human heart melds together with an organ built of metal gears in this entrancing biomechanical chest tattoo. Dark shadows and rips are behind the half human half robot heart to create a three-dimensional effect. Lovers of science fiction and horror are often attracted to this semi-realistic biomechanical tattoo.

23. Black and White Biomechanical Tattoo

Covering the shoulder and top of the arm, this awesome black and white biomechanical tattoo has both modern and traditional aspects. With its intricate shading and composition, the gears in this stunning biomechanical tattoo almost seem to be turning. Even without any color, this intriguingly technical tattoo is eerily realistic.

24. Metal Rods Under Forearm Biomechanical Tattoo

In this cool biomechanical tattoo, the human forearm skin is ripped apart to uncover the mechanical robot below. The resulting biomech art is a unique depiction of replacing human body parts with metal rods and pistons. Whoever wears this striking biomechanical tattoo becomes a part of the machinery.

25. Wires and Tendons Biomechanical Arm Tattoo

Humans and robots become one in this creatively sophisticated biomechanical tattoo on the forearm. Wires and metal rods form with dark shading and highlights. Red ink represents the underside of the skin with muscles and blood running along with the biomechanical parts. This is intense biomech body art for hardcore fans.

26. Biomechanical Robotic Full Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Circular plates, coils, pistons, and bolts are some of the machinelike components in this comprehensive biomechanical tattoo. Most of the full arm sleeve is inked in black and shades of gray so the colored elements pop. This striking biomechanical tattoo is for the man who knows he is part machine.

27. Sharp Edges Biomechanical Full Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Inspired more by science fiction than traditional mechanics, this mind-blowing biomechanical tattoo features jagged edges and sharp cuts. Your entire shoulder and arm become the body parts of a strange yet exciting alien creature. The color blend and intricate details of this powerful biomechanical tattoo create incredible futuristic imagery.

28. Shiny Metal Biomechanical Tattoo on Leg

This avant-garde biomechanical tattoo features blue ink with white highlights for a shiny metallic effect. Shreds of skin are inked about the mechanical bones of the leg so it looks like you are looking inside the body. Fans of robots and cyborgs feel the power of this cool biomechanical tattoo.

29. Spring Loaded BioMechanical Leg Tattoo in Color

Give your body an upgrade with a spring-loaded biomechanical leg tattoo. Exquisitely detailed machinery components mixed with brilliant use of color give this awesome biomechanical tattoo its visual appeal. Inked on the back of the leg, it’s up to you when to show off your robotic side.

30. Biomechanical Chest, Shoulder and Arm Tattoo

Instead of muscles and tendons, intricate wires and cables stretch across the body in this eye-catching biomechanical tattoo. The human body is merged with an android being for a surrealistic combination of designs. Anyone interested in robotics, mechanics, or anatomy is suited for this futuristic biomechanical tattoo.

31. Realistic Shoelaces Biomechanical Tattoo on Foot

Far from dainty, this spellbinding woman’s biomechanical tattoo for the foot is both glamorous and powerful. Exquisite details, intelligent design, and meticulous shading create the optical illusion of actual shoelaces being tied into your foot. From the metal eyelets to the fabric laces, this biomechanical tattoo is amazingly realistic.

32. Feminine Foot Bone Tattoo in Biomechanical Style

Beautifully colored in blues, purples, and reds, this surrealistic biomechanical foot tattoo is somehow both creepy and romantic. Skin rips and tears away from the top of the foot to expose amazing superhuman bones and android wiring. Artistic and adventurous women will appreciate this gorgeous biomechanical art.

33. Grayscale Biomechanical Back, Butt, and Legs Tattoo

All of a woman’s natural curves are complimented in this extraordinary biomechanical tattoo done in grayscale. The human skeleton is seductively depicted from the ribs and spine down through the legs and to the ankles. Provocative and prominent, this is a glamorous biomechanical tattoo designed for a confident woman. Ankle tattoos like these will never go out of style!

34. Ripped Skin with Robot Leg Biomechanical Tattoo

Metal rods, bolts, and pistons replace the femur, tibia, and fibula bones in this crazy cool black and white biomechanical leg tattoo. Torn skin rips like flames throughout the anatomically correct robotic biomechanical art. This is a creative and sophisticated depiction of viewing the human body in terms of mechanical parts.

35. Full Chest and Arms Woman’s Biomechanical Tattoo

A woman’s entire top half is transformed into a sexy futuristic creature in this breathtaking biomechanical art. The black and white futuristic tattoo is inspired by the aliens and otherworldly beings in science fiction and horror films. There is a supernatural flow throughout this astonishing biomechanical tattoo. If you are looking for sister tattoos or love tattoos, this could be a unique but definitely awe-inspiring design choice.

36. Woman’s Biomechanical Arm Tattoo

Although full sleeve biomechanical tattoos are commonly associated with men, this pair of exceptional shoulder to wrist tattoos look divine on a woman. Bewitchingly feminine elements are interwoven within the robotic arm tattoos. Dark and dramatic, these tattoos make a bold statement of power and confidence.

37. Female Biomechanical Arm Tattoo in Grayscale

Sophisticated wiring, protective metal plates, and incredible realism, this stunning biomechanical tattoo has it all. Each element in the tattoo is rendered with a high level of precision and accuracy to create an overall image that looks realistic despite being unreal. This stylish biomechanical tattoo exudes female empowerment.

38. Hand Tattoos Idea: Unzipped Back Man with Wrench Biomechanical Tattoo

It’s rare to find a biomechanical tattoo with humor or whimsy, but this amusing full-back body art is just that. Along the spine, a zipper unzips to reveal a grinning man reaching out to hand off a wrench. There are much personality and creativity in this delightful biomech tattoo.

39. Rib Bones and Ribbon Woman’s Side Tattoo

On a woman’s side, an open wound is tattooed exposing her rib bones, red muscles, and other insides underneath. A pretty pink ribbon tries desperately to pull the laceration back together and ends up hanging delicately in a bow. This beautiful biomechanical tattoo is the epitome of romantic horror.

40. Biomechanical Spine and Wings Full Back Tattoo

This enchanting biomechanical full-back tattoo combines alluring fantasy and semi-realism with a contemporary mechanical spin. Along the spine is a metal replication of the actual human spine bones while exotic angel wings spread across the back. The imaginative biomech tattoo for women is an impressive and artistic vision.

41. Black Serpentine Biomechanical Tattoo on Face

Wickedly awesome, this bold biomechanical tattoo has a futuristic serpentine feel that science fiction and horror fans will love. Inked prominently on the face, this detailed tattoo weaves above the ear with tentacles reaching over and under the eye. Only the bravest of the brave can rock this biomech tattoo.

42. Full Back Biomechanical Tattoo with Woman’s Face

From within the mixed media of metal components and earthly elements, a woman’s face emerges looking confident and proud. This innovative biomechanical full-back tattoo blends sharp edges with curved lines for energy and dynamism. The bursts of turquoise color add a spirituality rarely found in common biomech art.

43. Woman’s Shoulder and Biomechanical Arm Tattoo

With its sharp edges and abstract patterns, this woman’s biomechanical shoulder and arm tattoo have a dystopian militaristic feel. Much of the biomech tattoo is inked in black, white, and grayscale while red shading lends an eerily human aspect. This is an attractive and compelling biomechanical tattoo for women.

44. Female Biomechanical Double Full Arm Sleeve Tattoos

Both arms are inked from shoulders to wrists in these biomechanical double full arm sleeve tattoos. There is much to look at and absorb in these intricately detailed biomech tattoos, from the bones and muscles to the gears and cables. The blending of organic elements and mechanical pieces is amazing.

45. Black and White Biomechanical Woman’s Leg Tattoo

This breathtaking black and white biomechanical leg tattoo extends from the woman’s hip to below her knee. Fit for a female with a sense of modern creativity and an adventurous side, this powerful biomech tattoo depicts a superhuman robot leg. Gears, rods, and coils are all incorporated into this design.

46. Woman’s Shoulder Tattoo in Grayscale Biomechanical Style

Creative and sophisticated women look great inked in this exquisite black and white biomechanical shoulder tattoo. A beautiful blend of machine and organic elements unite for an absolutely captivating piece of biomech body art. This transformative and artistic biomechanical tattoo exudes confidence and strength.

47. Revealing Woman’s Ribs Biomechanical Tattoo in Grayscale

Through ripped skin, a woman’s rib bones and complex internal workings are exposed in this surrealistic biomechanical ribs tattoo. Mixed in with the anatomical elements are cables, gears, and even a screwdriver. This aesthetically compelling tattoo shows a true appreciation of body art and the biomech movement.

48. Five Open Cuts Biomechanical Tattoo on Spine

Incredibly detailed, this astonishing biomechanical tattoo exemplifies perfect grayscale shading and realistic highlights. Up and down the back are five gaping holes exposing a humanlike mechanical spine surrounded by wheels, gears, and other moving parts. This impressive unisex biomech tattoo works well on both men and women.

49. Black and White Biomechanical Tattoo on Back

This spellbinding black and white biomechanical full-back tattoo is an intense melding of the human with the machine. Industrial robotic parts are seamlessly intermixed with organic mortal elements to produce a surrealistic mechanized spine. This visionary biomech tattoo actualizes the amazing artistry of creating mind-bending three-dimensional effects.

50. Ribs with Screwdriver Mechanical Tattoo in Grayscale

Among the most popular biomechanical designs, especially for women, is the exposed ribs tattoo. Less industrial and more whimsical, this creative biomech side tattoo incorporates gears, wires, and even a screwdriver. The tool left behind in the rib cage gives the feeling that the person is a work in progress.

51. Swirling Grayscale Mechanical Tattoo on Woman’s Side

Swirls of smoke and steam wind around and within this gorgeous biomechanical-themed tattoo inked on a woman’s side. Abstract seashell and water elements give this grayscale biomech tattoo an enchantingly aquatic feel. This beautiful tattoo is perfect for a woman with a great sense of wonder and creativity.

52. Biomechanical Spine and Corset Full Back Tattoo

With the wearer’s hands in position, you would swear she was tearing her back apart to reveal her unbelievably infinite spine. This gorgeous biomechanical body art turns the woman’s skin into a corset tightened to contain the beautiful beast within. The intricacy and artistry of this biomech tattoo are breathtaking.

53. Gears and Flowers Woman’s Biomechanical Shoulder Tattoo

An interesting combination of organic elements and mechanical pieces blend together in this aesthetically pleasing biomechanical shoulder tattoo. With its gears and flowers, the energetic ink shows a true appreciation of the biomech art movement. The wearer of this avant-garde biomech tattoo is ready to explore new and innovative ideas.

54. Dark Fantasy Corset Full Back Mechanical Tattoo

Fans of dark fantasy, horror, and science fiction are going to be amazed by this surrealistic full-back biomechanical corset tattoo. The eerily romantic skin corset is tied at the bottom, then opens to reveal an impressive mechanized spine. Show the world you are a mix of human and machine.

55. Red Ripped Skin Biomechanical Woman’s Side Tattoo

This semi-realistic biomechanical tattoo makes excellent use of color to distinguish the gray and black machine parts from the red organic human elements. As the skin tears away the woman’s side, muscle, and tissue are exposed along with industrial cables and wiring. The resulting biomech tattoo has an uncanny verisimilitude.

56. Intense Blue Full Arm Sleeve Mechanical Tattoo

Not all biomechanical tattoos are machinelike greys and blacks or human flesh tones. This eye-catching robotic full arm sleeve tattoo is vibrant and bold in intense shades of blue with white and silver details. The entire arm is given a complete bionic makeover in this super cool biomech tattoo.

57. Black and White Exposed Gears Mechanical Tattoos

In this captivating biomechanical tattoo, holes in the skin are opened to show the gears and cogs of metal workings underneath. The abstract design and three-dimensional shadow effect will catch the eye of anyone who glances. This striking biomech stomach tattoo is a popular choice for lovers of steampunk imagery.

58. Black and White Mechanical Tattoos on Forearm

This black and white biomechanical tattoo is for people passionate about technology and innovation with a desire to showcase their love in their physical appearance. With its levers, gears, nuts, and bolts, creative thoughts and ideas are represented in this biomech design. Show the world what really makes you tick.

59. Biomechanical Shoulder Tattoo with Military Emblem

Incredible inkwork and creative color blends make this mesmerizing biomechanical shoulder tattoo shine in black metal and copper. This cool-looking biomech tattoo includes the distinguished military emblem and is a great way for the wearer to express themself. Motorcycle enthusiasts will be especially drawn to this biomechanical ink.

60. Words Underneath Stitched Skin Biomechanical Tattoo

Taking the biomechanical style in a more romantic direction, this bewitching tattoo shows words hidden below the skin. Like pages of a burning book, the skin appears to be twisting and ripping from the body to reveal the script underneath. Stitches appear at the top of this frighteningly alluring tattoo.

60 Best Biomechanical Tattoos for Lovers of Science Fiction, Mechanics and Technology

With unlimited possibilities, modern biomechanical tattoos can turn you into a cyborg or expose your inner self. These innovative tattoos can give entire body parts a complete makeover or simply reveal a peek of what’s under the skin. By mixing mechanical themes with human anatomy, biomech designs can easily become quite complex and intricate. When it comes to this type of contemporary body art, it is best to seek talented tattoo artists who have experience with meticulous details and outstanding color blends. No two biomechanical tattoos come out the same, making them a great option for unique, unconventional individuals.

About the Author

Based in Miami, FL and I’m a tattoo artist. I work hard and learn new techniques every day to improve my tattooing skills.On my website, you will find an amazing tattoo collection which I use myself too for inspiration and help my clients to find the perfect piece of masterwork.

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150 Innovative Biomechanical Tattoos and Meanings

Biomechanical tattoos are one of the most popular contemporary tattoo art movements. As indicated by the name, they involve a combination of organic elements and mechanical pieces – a blending together of a living being and a machine.

Origins of biomechanical tattoos

Biomechanical art, also known as Biomech, originates from the 1970s and is closely tied to Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien. The Swiss artist H.R. Giger is credited with being the originator of the biomechanical art movement. Giger produced the artwork and conceptual designs for Alien, and the widespread success and popularity of the film sparked an interest in his style and imagery.

The first biomechanical tattoos were inspired directly by Alien and Giger’s other artwork, published in his Necronomicon series of books. With increasing popularity of biomech, tattoo artists began designing their own art. Though each biomech tattoo may be different, the feature they all share is the combination of organic and mechanical elements. Commonly, this involves creating a tattoo that makes it look as if the person’s skin has been torn off, to reveal mechanical parts (rather than bones and muscle) beneath. Biomech is a surrealistic style of art, which in short means that unexpected combinations of elements are rendered with high levels of precision and accuracy – as in hyper-realistic art – creating images that look realistic despite showing something unreal.

Biomechanical tattoo meaning

Biomechanical themed tattoos are associated with sci-fi and horror genres and tend to have a dark, dystopian, even slightly unsettling feel to them. They are a popular choice for fans of futuristic imagery. The main reason why people opt for biomechanical tattoo designs is for aesthetic purposes and as means of appreciation of the Biomech art movement. Most of the time, there is no particular hidden or symbolic meaning – these kinds of tattoos simply look awesome, and that’s all they’re meant to do. Biomech only came into being relatively recently, so when compared with symbols that have been around since the earliest human civilizations, it’s unsurprising that it doesn’t carry that much symbolism.

Things to keep in mind

When thinking about getting a biomech tattoo, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind. Firstly, the vast majority of tattoos in this style are large – they have to be, to reach the desired visual effect. A large tattoo means three things: one, it will be more expensive; two, it will be more painful; and three, it will be much more difficult (or downright impossible) to change or cover up with another tattoo in the future.

Another thing to consider is that not every tattoo artist will be able to adequately render a biomechanical design. Many of these make for a very difficult job for the tattooist, and choosing the wrong tattoo artist could end in disaster. Ideally, look for an artist who has experience in this kind of work and whose past examples you’ve seen and liked.

If you can’t find an artist with a specific biomech tattoo portfolio, look for someone who is at least experienced in 3D tattoo art – biomechanical designs almost always incorporate a hyper-realistic, 3D look, and this is the hardest thing to get right when tattooing this style. 3D tattoo artists should have the abilities and expertise to produce a great-looking biomechanical design.

Popular design options

Biomechanical art is a highly distinctive style, involving some key common elements. Mechanical parts such as chips, pipes, rods, pistons, rods, gears, and levers are important in making the design instantly recognizable as part of the movement. While the details will vary hugely between different art pieces, the one characteristic that defines biomech is the combination of organics and mechanics. For a tattoo to be considered a biomechanical design, it needs to show the melding together of a living being and a machine. As mentioned above, this is usually done through the visual effect of ‘ripping’ of the skin to reveal machine parts underneath – often mechanical pistons instead of bones, combined with realistic-looking organic muscle and sinew.

Another common way of combining organics and mechanics in a tattoo is a standalone image, for instance of a heart or of an animal, modified to include mechanical parts. Biomechanical tattoos can also take the form of images of mechanical devices, tattooed to look as if they’re attached to the body.

Placement Guide

• Back– The back is the largest flat area on the body, and as such, it’s perfect for a big, complex tattoo. Biomechanical tattoos done on the back usually involve a ‘skinless’ look – appearing to expose the spine, ribs, and internal organs, either entirely mechanical or combining a realistic organic look with mechanical elements.
• Legsand arms– Legs are also perfect locations for a biomechanical tattoo. Piston-like ‘bones’ combined with realistic-looking muscle are often tattooed on legs and arms to create the illusion of being part-machine. These can either wrap all the way around the leg or arm, or take the ‘ripped-off skin’ route. On arms, they are usually sleeves. Keep in mind that tattoos on arms are particularly bothersome to cover up if you need to keep them hidden, for example at work.
• Chestand Stomach– …or both. The chest and stomach area offers a large space for complex tattoos. Biomechanical designs on the chest often involve an image of the heart, either mechanical or part-mechanical.
• Hand and Palm – One of the most common placements for smaller biomechanical designs. They look awesome and can be added to in the future, extending the tattoo up the forearm. Tattoos on hands are some of the most difficult to hide though. If that’s your placement of choosing, be warned: it’s going to hurt. A lot.

Final Words

Though lacking in definitive symbolic meaning, biomechanical tattoos are a great choice purely for their aesthetic value. Done well, they’re nothing short of art pieces, and let’s face it: they look insanely cool. And limited symbolism is not necessarily a bad thing: your Biomech tattoo can mean anything you want it to mean, without pre-defined ideas and immediate associations. Plus, with the help of a talented artist, it’s going to be totally unique to you.