A half sleeve covers part of the arm and is the easier first sleeve. A full sleeve runs most of the arm's length and makes a bigger statement. At heytats, half sleeves are 9×7 inches for Rs. 2,300, and full sleeves are 19×7 inches for Rs. 2,500.
Both use the same plant-based ink as every heytats design: it develops in 24–48 hours and lasts 1–2 weeks. The real choice is about coverage, the design and how much arm you want to show.
Half sleeve vs full sleeve
| Half sleeve | Full sleeve | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 9×7 in (about 23×18 cm) | 19×7 in (about 48×18 cm) |
| Price | Rs. 2,300 | Rs. 2,500 |
| Coverage | Upper arm or forearm | Most of the arm's length |
| Applying | Manageable solo | Easier with help |
| Wear time | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Best for | A first big piece | Events, shoots, a full look |
The price gap is small. A full sleeve costs Rs. 200 more than a half sleeve for more than twice the length. If you already know you want the full look, the full sleeve is the better value.
The current sleeve designs
Half sleeves, 9×7 in
- Japanese Oni
- Japanese Tiger
- Samurai: Code of Silence
- Mask of Water
Full sleeves, 19×7 in
- Crane & Clouds
- Lucky Koi
- Japanese Warrior Legacy
- Hypnotic Meditation
- Forest of Lost Things
The sleeves draw on Japanese tattooing: oni masks, tigers, koi, cranes and cloud work. Browse the half sleeves, the full sleeves, or the wider Japanese collection.
Which one is right for you
Choose a half sleeve if it is your first large tattoo, you want something you can cover with a T-shirt sleeve, or you're applying it alone.
Choose a full sleeve if you want the full-arm look for a wedding, a shoot, a festival or a trip, you have someone to help you apply it, and you're sure about the design.
Testing a permanent sleeve? This is exactly what semi-permanent ink is for. Wear the full size for two weeks, at work, at home and in photos, before an artist ever touches your arm.
Getting a sleeve on straight
Large sheets are less forgiving than small tattoos. A few things make the difference:
- Start with clean, dry skin. No lotion, oil or sunscreen on the area.
- Plan the placement first. Hold the sheet against your arm in a mirror before you peel anything.
- Get help for a full sleeve. One person holds the sheet flat while the other presses.
- Press the whole surface. Edges and the inner arm are where contact is most often missed.
- Leave it alone after. Wait 4 hours before showering, and avoid sweat, creams and swimming for the first 24–48 hours while the ink develops.
Watch the sleeve video on our How It Works page before your first application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a half sleeve and a full sleeve?
Size and coverage. A heytats half sleeve is 9×7 inches (about 23×18 cm) and a full sleeve is 19×7 inches (about 48×18 cm), so the full sleeve covers roughly twice the length of arm.
How much does a semi-permanent sleeve tattoo cost in Pakistan?
At heytats, half sleeves are Rs. 2,300 and full sleeves are Rs. 2,500.
How long does a semi-permanent sleeve last?
About 1–2 weeks. The ink develops to full colour in 24–48 hours, then fades naturally as your skin renews.
Is a full sleeve hard to apply on your own?
It is easier with a second pair of hands, because the sheet is long and needs to sit flat against the arm. Watch the sleeve application video on our How It Works page first.
Which sleeve should I try first?
A half sleeve. It is easier to place, easier to cover with a shirt sleeve if you want to, and shows you how a large piece looks on you before you go full length.
Pick your length.
Half sleeves are Rs. 2,300 and full sleeves are Rs. 2,500, with standard delivery across Pakistan.
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