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Okay, where do we start with this one? Probably from the beginning - haha. In this article, we’ll not only present you with a comprehensive tattoo gallery but we’ll also try to explain to you all about the trash polka tattoo style, its origins, and possible uses. So keep on reading to learn more, or scroll right down below to check out the incredible trash polka tattoo ideas we’ve rounded up below!

Still reading? Excellent! Trash polka tattoo is a pretty recent style that emerged in Germany in the mid-2000s. It’s best known for its bold and somewhat chaotic aesthetic, usually combining both realistic and abstract imagery. Another thing that sets it apart from other tattoo styles is its limited color palette - just black and red! This duotone creates a very striking visual, adding to the boldness of the designs a great deal. 

In terms of the meaning of these unique tattoos, they’re very open to interpretation. And although some people use this style to express anger and frustration, trash polka tattoo ideas are absolutely not limited to that, and it is really easy to adapt them to your own message. And we think that that is exactly why this style isn’t just a fad, but a long-lasting style with plenty of years ahead of it! 

Overall, trash polka tattoos are an absolutely unique way to use body art and express yourself! And if you’d like to see how they actually look, just scroll down below and check out our gallery. Once you’re done, vote for the tattoo designs you liked the most, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends, too!

#1

Trash Polka Phoenix Full Back Tattoo

Trash Polka phoenix full back tattoo

gianni.disanto Report

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#2

Large Black And Red Ink Back Tattoo

Large black and red ink back tattoo with woman face, cans and typography

mironenko.tattoo Report

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#3

Mickey Trash Polka Style Tattoo On Leg

Mickey Trash Polka style tattoo on leg

jrocktattoo Report

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#4

Large Trash Polka Tattoo With Skull And Cross

Large Trash Polka tattoo with skull and cross

gianni.disanto Report

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#5

Trash Polka Abstract Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Trash Polka abstract arm sleeve tattoo

stefanogalati_royaleink Report

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a lot of black ink lol. Wonder how long it took to do this and heal from it.

#6

Monkey Trash Polka Arm Tattoo

Monkey Trash Polka arm Tattoo

franckrudyy Report

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#7

Trash Polka Chile Tattoo With Eye

Trash Polka Chile tattoo with eye

sherrypodesta Report

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#8

Trash Polka Style Tattoo On Leg

Trash Polka style girl portrait tattoo on leg

danter.77 Report

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#9

Trash Polka Back Tattoo With Numbers

Trash Polka full back tattoo with numbers

manoo_stich Report

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#10

Skull Tattoo On Leg

Skull tattoo on leg

ivantrapiani Report

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#11

Realistic Trash Polka Skeleton Tattoo On Leg

Realistic Trash Polka skeleton and brain tattoo on leg

ivantrapiani Report

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#12

Abstract And Realistic Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Abstract and realistic arm sleeve Trash Polka tattoo

stefanogalati_royaleink Report

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#13

Arm Sleeve Tattoos In Progress

Arm sleeve tattoos with woman faces and geometry

stefanogalati_royaleink Report

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#14

Compass And Flowers Tattoo On Back

Compass and flowers tattoo on back

“Trash Polka Style compass and flowers by Frank Rudy at Central Tattoos Studio in Philadelphia.”

PrincessSharkHat Report

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#15

Johnny Cash Tattoo On Arm

Johnny Cash tattoo on arm

“Second session on a Johnny Cash trash polka piece by David Mushaney @ Rebel Muse Tattoo in Lewisville, TX.”

DJFracture Report

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#16

Red Devil And Black Skeleton Dance Tattoo

Red devil and black skeleton dance tattoo on arm

lennystattooer Report

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#17

Thailand Trash Polka Style Tattoo

Thailand Trash Polka style tattoo with tiger eyes, bird and sword

rts_rangsittattoostudio Report

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#18

Lettering Black And Red Tattoo

Lettering black and red tattoo

cyril.c_tattoo Report

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#19

Animals Trash Polka Tattoo

Animals large Trash Polka tattoo

manoo_stich Report

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#20

Abstract Trash Polka Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Abstract Trash Polka arm sleeve tattoo

franckrudyy Report

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#21

Forever And Ever Text Trash Polka Tattoo

Forever And Ever text Trash Polka tattoo on arms

realistic_trash_polka Report

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#22

Chaotic Trash Polka Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Chaotic Trash Polka arm sleeve tattoo

realistic_trash_polka Report

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#23

Abstract Large Red And Black Tattoo On Leg

Abstract large red and black tattoo on leg

gianni.disanto Report

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#24

Abstract Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Abstract arm sleeve tattoo

gianni.disanto Report

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#25

Red And Black Curves Snake Tattoo

Abstract red and black curves snake tattoo

arminius.art Report

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#26

Large Poppy Tattoo On Leg

Large poppy tattoo on leg

stefanogalati_royaleink Report

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#27

Abstract Trash Polka Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Abstract black and red Trash Polka arm sleeve tattoo

gianni.disanto Report

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#28

Abstract And Realistic Skull Tattoo On Leg

Abstract and realistic tattoo on leg with skull and poppy

franckrudyy Report

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#29

Abstract And Realistic Tattoo On Leg

Abstract and realistic Trash Polka tattoo on leg

mironenko.tattoo Report

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#30

Arm Sleeve Tattoo With Woman Portrait

Arm sleeve tattoo with woman portrait, caduceus and skull

“My finished trash polka sleeve done by Neon at Point of Entry Tattoo in Derry, NH.”

muffin_smusher Report

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#31

Large Floral Trash Polka Style Tattoo

Large Floral Trash Polka style tattoo

caro_karacho_tattoo Report

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#32

Photo-Realistic And Abstract Arm Tattoos

Photo-realistic and abstract arm tattoos

stefanogalati_royaleink Report

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#33

Realistic And Abstract Trash Polka Tattoo

Realistic and abstract trash polka tattoo on leg

Mistyk Report

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#34

Trash Polka Face Tattoo

Trash Polka face tattoo

Mistyk Report

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#35

Woman And Lion Back Tattoo

Woman and lion back tattoo

ivantrapiani Report

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#36

Dark Spider Tattoo On Leg

Dark spider tattoo on leg

arminius.art Report

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JB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be nearly as terrifying as a real spider on my leg

#37

Trash Polka Arm Football Tattoo

Trash Polka Juventus arm tattoo

olga__t_t Report

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#38

Large Tattoo On Leg

Trash Polka tattoo on leg

franckrudyy Report

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#39

Trash Polka Large Tattoo Design

Trash Polka large torso tattoo design

gianni.disanto Report

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#40

Trash Polka Style Heart Tattoo

Trash Polka style heart tattoo

gianni.disanto Report

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#41

Dark Full Back Tattoo With Skull

Dark full back tattoo with skull

buenavistatattooclub Report

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#42

Crow Tattoo On Leg

Crow tattoo on leg

sherrypodesta Report

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#43

Trash Polka Forearm Clock Tattoo

Trash Polka forearm clock tattoo

marchateaux Report

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#45

Itachi Anime Trash Polka Arm Tattoo

Itachi anime Trash Polka arm tattoo

sherrypodesta Report

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#46

Selknam Trash Polka Tattoo

Selknam Trash Polka tattoo

sherrypodesta Report

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#47

Black And Red Ink Head Tattoo

Black And Red ink tattoo on head

mac_simms_tattoo Report

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#48

Vault Symbol Tattoo On Leg

Vault Symbol tattoo on leg

“Thigh trash polka piece including Vault Symbol. Done by Mike in Inkspiration, Inverurie, Scotland.”

Highlander244 Report

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#49

Large Abstract Back Tattoo

 Large abstract back tattoo

manoo_stich Report

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#50

Trash Polka Back Tattoo With Nature View

Trash Polka large back tattoo with nature view

manoo_stich Report

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#51

Chaotic Trash Polka Tattoo

Chaotic Trash Polka tattoo with man and text

stingtattoogr Report

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#52

Calf Tattoo With Deer And Star

Calf tattoo with deer and star

“Trash Polka calf piece done By Taylor Richards, Skin illusions, Sudbury Ontario.”

PrehistoricUnicorn Report

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#53

“Lost Highway” Trash Polka Leg Sleeve Tattoos

Lost Highway Trash Polka leg sleeve tattoos

noiseinternational Report

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#54

Trash Polka Bird Tattoo On Head

Trash Polka bird tattoo on head

noiseinternational Report

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#55

Abstract Arm Sleeve Tattoo In Progress

Abstract arm sleeve tattoo in progress

darlgnau Report

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#56

Realistic And Abstract Tattoo

Realistic and abstract tattoo with woman face and flowers

mac_simms_tattoo Report

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#57

Black And Red Light Bulb Tattoo On Hand

Black and red light bulb tattoo on hand

franckrudyy Report

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#58

Dark Large Trash Polka Style Tattoo

Dark large Trash Polka style tattoo with skull

decrepit_ef Report

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#59

Arm Sleeve Tattoo With Typography

Arm sleeve tattoo with typography

gianni.disanto Report

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#60

Abstract Arm Sleeve Trash Polka Tattoo

Abstract arm sleeve Trash Polka tattoo

gianni.disanto Report

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#61

Large Chest And Arm Sleeve Tattoo

Large chest and arm sleeve Tattoo

franckrudyy Report

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#62

Realistic And Abstract Music Tattoo

Realistic and abstract music tattoo with headphones and cassette

miguelmartins72 Report

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#63

Freya And Cats Back Tattoo

Freya and cats back tattoo

sherrypodesta Report

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#64

Heart Tattoo On Chest

Heart tattoo on chest

“Trash polka style heart. Done by Tiara Gordon at Beneath the Surface, Niagara Falls, NY.”

Ruman17 Report

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#65

Full Forearm Music Themed Tattoo

Full forearm music themed tattoo

“My first tattoo - Full forearm trash polka music themed tattoo by Andy Jung at Tattoo Lous in Selden, NY.”

deletedscenes Report

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#66

Hawk Moth Tattoo On Arm

Hawk moth tattoo on arm

“Trash Polka Death's Head Hawkmoth by Aura at North Main Tattoo Studio, Plymouth, MI.”

stupidcooper33 Report

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#67

Arm Sleeve Tattoo With Eye

Arm sleeve tattoo

franckrudyy Report

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#68

Large Tattoo Collaboration

Large tattoo Collaboration

trashpolkaoriginal Report

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#69

Geometric And Realistic Trash Polka Arm Tattoo

Geometric and realistic Trash Polka arm tattoo

sherrypodesta Report

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#70

Trash Polka Full Back Tattoo With Compass

Trash Polka full back tattoo with compass and ship

bonni_ink Report

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#71

Trash Polka Wolf Tattoo

Trash Polka wolf tattoo

bonni_ink Report

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#72

Monkey Jungle Back Tattoo

Monkey jungle back tattoo

lennystattooer Report

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#73

Large Abstract Back Tattoo

Large abstract back tattoo

noiseinternational Report

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#74

Realistic And Abstract Large Tattoo

Realistic And Abstract Tattoo with woman eyes and text

Mistyk Report

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#75

Wolf Trash Polka Shoulder Tattoo

Wolf Trash Polka shoulder tattoo

onglee_tattooer Report

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#76

Large Black And Red Back Tattoo

Large black and red back tattoo

bonni_ink Report

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#77

Marilyn Monroe Black And Red Arm Tattoo

Marilyn Monroe black and red arm tattoo

paultlbt Report

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#78

Fibonacci Geometry And Skull Tattoo On Leg

Fibonacci geometry and skull tattoo on leg

justinnordinetattoos Report

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#79

Phoenix Calf Tattoo

Phoenix Calf tattoo

“Asian/Trash Polka Phoenix on my calf done by Chen (Artist at Up2UTattoo Bangkok, done at Trust in Mannheim, Germany).”

Greentras Report

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#80

Imperial Emblem (Star Wars) Tattoo

Imperial Emblem Star Wars tattoo

“Trash Polka Imperial Emblem (Star Wars) - by James Greenway at Capital Tattoo - Edmonton, AB.”

turnbased Report

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#81

Robin Tattoo

Robin tattoo

“Trash polka / watercolor Robin by Ali at White Rabbit Tattoo Studio in NYC.”

hyperforce Report

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#82

Triangle, Rooster And And Fish Tattoo On Back

Triangle, rooster and and fish tattoo on back

“Trash Polka and watercolor tattoo style on my back by Mojsa, Tattoo Club Erdoglija, Kragujevac, Serbia.”

ChamplooAttitude Report

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#83

Large Trash Polka Toronto Tattoo

Large Trash Polka Toronto tattoo with skull and heart

csabajoe Report

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#84

Octopus And Compass Arm Tattoo

Octopus and compass tattoo on arm

csabajoe Report

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#85

Owl Tattoo On Leg

Owl and text tattoo on leg

csabajoe Report

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#86

Large Chaotic Tattoo

Large chaotic tattoo

lennysfastidio Report

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#87

Trap Trash Polka Tattoo On Leg

Trap Trash Polka tattoo on leg

lennysfastidio Report

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#88

Heart And Bat Tattoo

Heart and Bat Tattoo

“My first tattoo! Trash polka heart/fruit bat/barbells by Chris Rogers in San Francisco.”

shinerai Report

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#89

Large Skull And Bone Tattoo On Chest

Large Skull and bone Tattoo On Chest

cyril.c_tattoo Report

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#90

Octopus And Compass Arm Tattoo

Octopus and compass tattoo on arm

“Octopus vs Trash Polka, done by Jason at Rising Dragon, NYC.”

Greenie3226 Report

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