DIY: Temp Tattoos for FREE!

[Indy Magnoli]

This came to me last night in a dream... and I'm sure I'm not the first guy to think of it but when I woke up I was quite please with myself...

So, simply take the tattoo design of your choice, mirror image it and, using an inkjet printer, print it onto a slick piece of paper (I used the backing of a sticker sheet):

Push that onto your arm and voila... the paper "stamps" the image onto your arm:

Instant tattoo! The ink was still a bit wet in the above photo (hence the shine) but when it dries it's very convincing. Depending on the quality of ink you use (water soluble or not) will determine how long this will last on you.

The applications for this are endless. You could do some quick wounds, scars or other surface detailing quickly and easily.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

P.S. The image I used was the one from Mojo's wiki, but colorized to make it a bit more of a dull blue green: http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg291/indy_magnoli/Pirates/tattoo-for-printing.jpg

 

[The Ronin]

Huh. That does give a pretty convincing effect of an older, faded tat. Good job on figuring this out.

 

[Steamboat Spidey]

Awesome! How long does it last for? I would assume not very long. Thanks!

 

[Indy Magnoli]

I haven't "field tested" it yet, but I imagine if it's on a place that doesn't experience constant friction that it would last the day fine. Also, if you're using water soluble ink (such as used by most refill companies) it wouldn't last as long as if using name-brand cartridges (which tend to be more water resistant).

 

[Steamboat Spidey]

Oh, alright! Thanks!

 

[Robert412]

Also, try to set it with a light dusting (or several) of hairspray. It may or may not work.

 

[Wanderer]

The other way to do this is to take a piece of paper any kind will do, and very lightly coat it with deodorant, the stick kind, not the spray. You want a film coat on the paper. Run it through your inkjet printer, and press the design to you. Make sure the image is flipped by the way. And Robert is right, use hair spray and lightly dust the surface.
It's pretty much the same as having a tattoo airbrushed on, just not as perfect.

 

[McGarnagle]

i am going to try this, dream up some other cool stuff lol

 

[Nobby]

Great idea, Indy.
I shall have to try it

 

[skatenapper]

i use to do this to try out tattoos i was thinking about getting.
the best method i found was using vinyl (the kind you'd get for shelving) cutting it to printer paper size and running it through the printer on medium ink quality (high actually put too much and caused puddles). clean the skin thoughly and dry, place the vinyl down and lift away. if placement is wrong quicky wipe away with water if its right seal with hairspray or mat board adhesive for that semi gloss coat and itll look like a new tattoo.

I got a whole lot of people not believing they werent tattoos and i use to play a game of guess which one is the real tattoo with people at bars.

 

[Deelite]

They actually make temporary tattoo sheets for Inkjet Printers

 

[guenthner0315]

sweet. i will have to remember this