Do rib tattoos hurt?

Tattoodo ranks the ribcage as one of the most painful places to get a tattoo. Though each person has an individual pain threshold, tattoos placed on bony areas hurt more than tattoos on fleshy body parts, such as the arms, upper back and buttocks.

A customer who is getting a rib tattoo must lie on her side with an arm over her head, stretching the skin and making the ribs pop out. This position provides a better working surface for the tattoo artist but causes more pain for the customer. However, rib tattoos remain a popular customer choice because they can be covered up easily.