One-Line Tattoos Are the Latest Trend Sweeping Instagram & They’re Absolutely Gorgeous

There's something about minimalism that still manages to pack a punch, and can sometimes be more eye-catching than a maximalist approach. Now, the minimalist trend is taking over theĀ tattoo world — and we're not mad about it at all.

Enter: one-line tattoos, or when a tattoo is comprised of a thin, continuous line.

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nothingwildtattoo/Instagram

New Yorkā€“based tattoo artist Laura Martinez, who works at Fleur Noire Tattoo Parlor in Brooklyn, told Refinery29 that one-line tattoos, which are done by using up to three very thin needles, are all the rage right now, especially with younger clients who want something delicate.Ā 

"Old-school tattoos were heavier because the needles were heavier," she said.

But don't let the name fool you. One-line tats require a lot of precision -- and often time -- in order to get the clean, minimalist look.

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According to Martinez, a tat like this "muse" one that she did could take a while to complete. "Sometimes one line can take up to one hour, but a huge piece with all fine lines takes more," she said.

The challenge with one-line tats is keeping the line continuous and even.

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"If you lift your needle, you have to make sure you hit the same spot when you put it back down, and that can be difficult," she continued.

This makes one-line tats no less painful than heavier, old-school ones. "A long line can hurt just as much as other tattoos," she said.

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But the pain might be worth it, because we can't get over how elegant one-line tats are.

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"The continuous one-line technique reflects life at its best," Dutch tattoo artistĀ NielsĀ KienĆ© toldĀ Metro. "Don't stop until it's perfect and a mistake can turn out to be something wonderful as long as you go with the flow and trust your skills."

One-line tats may be simple, but they're no less beautiful than more detailed works. Just look at this bundle of flowers.

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One-line tattoos are perfect for making more abstract pieces, like this cool wolf.

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We also love how a hint of color can make a one-line tat really pop.

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Now, who else is inspired to get inked?

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