Tattooing may be what these artists are best known for, but their creativity clearly goes far beyond skin. The Instagram page ‘The Paper Workers’ shines a light on tattoo artists’ work on paper, bringing together paintings, drawings, and flash-style pieces that show just how strong their traditional art skills really are. From bold Japanese-inspired imagery and dark, surreal scenes to colorful character work and classic tattoo motifs, the page offers a look at the ideas and craftsmanship that often exist alongside tattooing itself.
What makes this collection especially interesting is seeing how naturally these artists move between mediums. Even without the human body as a canvas, their work still carries the same precision, confidence, and visual storytelling that make tattoo art so compelling in the first place. Whether detailed and dramatic or playful and graphic, these paper-based works highlight the artistic range behind the tattoo world and remind us that great tattooers are often great illustrators and painters too.
Which of these artworks stood out to you the most? Let us know your favorites in the comments, and feel free to share your thoughts on the styles, details, and pieces that caught your eye.
#1
© Photo: Annie Wenn
#2
© Photo: Juliana Odett
#3
© Photo: Lollo
#4
© Photo: Tom de Vries
#5
© Photo: Raul
#6
© Photo: Sway
#7
© Photo: aj_tattoo
#8
© Photo: Whispering Danny
#9
© Photo: Daryl Jimmie
#10
© Photo: Som Nakburin
#11
© Photo: Alex Rusty
#12
© Photo: Alex Rusty
#13
© Photo: Tyler Eilbeck
#14
© Photo: Diau Yisheng
#15
© Photo: Diau Yisheng
#16
© Photo: Maxime Demarez
#17
© Photo: Federica Ferrera
#18
© Photo: genotattoo
#19
© Photo: Koji Ichimaru
#20
© Photo: mugs_one
#21
© Photo: Sebas Botero
#22
© Photo: Andres
#23
© Photo: Alix Ge
#24
© Photo: methza
#25
© Photo: Michael Rasetti
#26
© Photo: Marcelina Urbanska
#27
© Photo: Abbie Fitzpatrick
#28
© Photo: J.J. Dunbar
#29
© Photo: Michiel van der Born
#30
© Photo: yocamilalu
#31
© Photo: David Poza
#32
© Photo: Chopper
#33
© Photo: Gordon Mccloud
#34
© Photo: Raul
#35
© Photo: Marco Gadda
#36
© Photo: James Yocum
#37
© Photo: joshcartertattoo
#38
© Photo: J Ranno
#39
© Photo: Lucas Tabakov
#40
© Photo: Holly Dixon
#41
© Photo: Ian Wiedrick
#42
© Photo: Nikita
#43
© Photo: Alejo Sayo
#44
© Photo: Nico Acosta
#45
© Photo: Overveneno
#46
© Photo: Dylan Phillips
#47
© Photo: Lesharroyo Tattoo
#48
© Photo: Timothy Hoyer
#49
© Photo: Julian Alexander
#50
© Photo: Romain Tattooing XVX
#51
© Photo: atilio.goes
#52
© Photo: Edmar Santos
#53
© Photo: Andrew Giletti
#54
© Photo: Timothy Hoyer
#55
© Photo: Capilli Tupou
#56
© Photo: Jaume V.
#57
© Photo: Ryan Arnold
#58
© Photo: Matteo
#59
© Photo: Timothy Hoyer
#60
© Photo: Julian Frogon
#61
© Photo: Lesharroyo Tattoo
#62
© Photo: Nico Acosta
