How to Make Your Own Temporary Tattoos

Posted on December 31st, 2008 by Carmelia

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Temporary tattoos are a great addition to any party, but think about all the possibilities that come with making your own temporary tattoos! You can temporary tattoos to fit any party theme, the personalities of your guests, and they come much cheaper than hiring a professional temporary tattoo artist. Here are some temporary tattoos that you can try doing:

What You Need

Personal computer
Clipart
Photo editing computer program
Computer scanner
Computer printer
Body paint
Henna
Scissors
Blank stencil paper
Paintbrush
Stencils
Fine-tipped permanent markers
Cotton ball
Clear stick deodorant or hairspray
Alcohol

Rub-On Tattoos

Choose pictures or clipart from the Internet or from your photo editing program. The simpler the design, the more effective the temporary tattoo. Pictures with overly intricate lines and designs have a big chance of not translating well into a tattoo as the colors might run and bleed into each other.
Resize the pictures as you wish in your photo editing program.
Print the pictures on a temporary tattoo paper and apply the temporary tattoo as instructed.
Allow to dry.

Stencil Tattoos

If you don’t have temporary tattoo paper, you can print your pictures on a normal sheet of paper.
With normal paper, what you can do is cut out the areas in the picture that will need to be filled in with scissors or a cutter.
Color in the design of the temporary tattoo with non-toxic henna, washable body paint or even nail polish. Use a new paintbrush to apply on your skin. Allow to dry.
You can also use a stencil paper instead, or use a stencil design for your temporary tattoo.
You can go freestyle by purchasing non-toxic henna cones and imitating designs with a free hand. You can also do the same with body paint by putting them in small squeeze bottles to lay out a design.
After putting the temporary tattoo on your skin, allow it to dry. Put on other colors once the first color you’ve applied has already dried.

Permanent Marker Tattoos

Test for permanent marker tattoos by applying a bit on a portion of your skin , preferably somewhere out of view. Leave on for a few hours. If you notice itchiness, redness or bumps, do not use permanent markers for your temporary tattoos.
Prepare the design the same way you would with your stencil tattoos, by printing and cutting out the design you want on a blank sheet of paper.
Apply deodorant (clear stick)or hairspray on the area of skin where you will be applying the temporary tattoo on.
Place the stencil paper on your skin with the ink side down. Press firmly for the stencil to adhere into place.
Trace the outline left by the stencil with a permanent marker to define and darken it.
Add colors by drawing a line or two into the area you would like to color. Soak a cotton swab with alcohol and use gentle circular motions to blend and expand the color. You can use this technique to achieve shading.
After you’re done shading, re-trace the outline with your permanent marker. Let dry.
Remove the tattoo before going to bed. To remove, soak a cotton ball in alcohol and apply to the temporary tattoo. Erase using circular motions.

Eyeliner Pencil Tattoo

The eyeliner temporary tattoo is great for all-black tattoo patterns. Begin by choosing the design you want. Apply on your skin using stencil paper, in the same way as described earlier.
Trace the outline using eyeliner.
Fill in the colors by using different colors of eyeliner. You can use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to help blend in the colors in the desired area.
Once you’re done, give it one or two spritzes of hairpsray. This will prevent your design from smudging.
Remove the eyeliner pencil tattoo before going to sleep. Simply wash it off with soap and warm water. Pat dry.