How to Make Temporary Tattoos at Home: Easy Ways to DIY Tattoos

Having a simple method of creating tattoos at home helps test designs you may still be on the fence about. The same applies to starting a fun side hustle selling funky tattoos of your own designs from home or setting the stage for a fun and engaging activity at a kid’s birthday party.

Making temporary tattoos at home is easier than you might think. This guide covers the most reliable printable tattoo paper method, plus simple alternatives when you do not have tattoo paper or a printer.

No matter your experience level with temporary tattoos, there are simple methods that are accessible given your materials, time, and budget.

What You'll Need to Make Temporary Tattoos at Home

When you’re just starting to explore how to make temporary tattoos, think about the style and design you want that'll work with the contours of your target body part. Different materials are better for different styles. Most will begin with the basics that include:

• Temporary tattoo paper
• Printer compatible with your temporary tattoo paper
• Scissors
• Water
• Sponge or damp cloth
• Clear adhesive sheet (usually included with tattoo paper)
• Computer or smartphone for creating artwork

If tattoo paper isn’t available at your local hobby shop or you don’t have a printer handy, don’t worry. There are several alternatives. For example, if you don’t have tattoo paper, a little eyeliner and skin-safe markers can help. If you don’t have a printer and design software, try doing a drawing by hand or creating graphics with free online design tools.

Be creative with your project and don’t be afraid to use some trial and error. You never know when combining techniques from a few household items can lead to fantastic results.

Temporary Tattoo Supply Comparison

How to Make DIY Non-Permanent Tattoos: Step-by-Step Guide

The easiest way to make temporary tattoos at home is with tattoo paper. This is the self-application paper you probably came across at a carnival or at a small kids' entertainment store when you were younger. They produce the cleanest results.

Step 1: Create Your Design

Start with the highest resolution design you can get. The better the image quality, the more contrast and detail will appear on your skin after application. You also want to “mirror” the design before printing. This will ensure the numbers, letters, logos, or other directional elements in the design aren’t backwards when you apply the temporary tattoo paper to your skin.

Step 2: Print Your Artwork

When you print onto tattoo paper, make sure to follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions. Most temporary tattoo paper is better with a printer compatible with that specific material, but double-checking ahead of time saves you a lot of hassle and lost resources.

Identify the printable side of your temporary tattoo paper as well. That will ensure any directional artwork is mirrored on the paper the way you want from the software you use. It helps to test the paper-feed orientation or print onto plain white paper first as another check in your process.

When you’re done printing, give the temporary tattoo plenty of time to dry. A good rule of thumb is about 2-3 minutes of dry time, but wait for 1-2 minutes more if it’s really humid outside. Most temporary tattoo paper will have manufacturer instructions outlining the best dry time. You don’t want smeared ink to ruin the design you love.

Step 3: Apply the Adhesive Sheet

Most printable temporary tattoo paper kits include a clear adhesive sheet with a removable liner. This layer gives the printed design the adhesive surface it needs to transfer and stay on the skin. Just be careful to remove all bubbles as you smooth them onto the printed sheet. That air pocket can create gaps that leave the final artwork transferred with smudges.

Step 4: Cut Out Each Tattoo

Cutting out tattoos is simple. Cut around each design, leaving a narrow border unless the tattoo paper instructions recommend otherwise. That helps when you’re transferring to the skin, so you have room for your fingers and thumbs instead of rubbing the artwork.

Step 5: Apply the Tattoo

Remove the protected backing and place the temporary tattoo design face down on clean, dry skin. Don’t wet the skin first. You want to use a wet/damp sponge or cloth to hold against the paper that’s against the skin. Leave it there for around 30 seconds to a minute. The more still you are, the better the result.

Step 6: Peel Away the Paper

When you begin “the peel,” start with one carefully lifted corner. That will let you check whether the design has transferred. If it’s ready, gently lift off the paper from one corner to the other. If it’s not ready, just press it back down and apply a little more water and time before checking again.

Step 7: Let It Dry

Try to let the temporary tattoo air-dry for at least 30 seconds. Any touches might lead to a not-so-pretty result. That includes flexing arms and near joints like elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. That is where the skin will stretch and compress when moved.

How to DIY Temporary Tattoos Without Tattoo Paper or Printer

If you don’t have a ton of specialty supplies like a printer, temporary tattoo paper, or the patience for designing your own work, try a few creative alternatives.

Eyeliner is fantastic, but you want waterproof eyeliner to really stay on clean skin. You can draw whatever you’d like, then lightly dust some translucent setting powder and finish with a light mist of hairspray. It’s a great method for testing out a hand-drawn, fine-line, or unique piece of artwork before a tattoo.

Some markers are great for temporary tattoos. Others may cause some rashes. Look for “cosmetic skin markers” specially designed for body art. You can use them to draw directly on the skin. But like tattoo paper, let things dry before moving around or touching the design.

Another fun way to make temporary tattoos is to use tracing paper. You can pick up a soft graphite pencil and copy over designs you find on a tablet, in a magazine, or even from an old photo. Then you can place the design on slightly damp skin and rub the back until the image transfers. If it’s not quite as dark as you’d like, follow up with some cosmetic and waterproof eyeliner.

Bonus Tips for Customized Temporary Tattoos

Dipping your toes into the warm water of body art doesn’t have to mean piercings and permanent tattoos. Designing your own temporary tattoo makes it easier to create matching tattoos for parties, weddings, school events, or promotional giveaways. It lets you test all kinds of fun ideas, so take your time. It’s also a great way to see where you want something longer lasting. Maybe try your ankle, your arm, or your sleeve. Some great ideas for design inspiration include:

• Matching family tattoos
• Wedding favors
• Birthday party activities
• Sports team designs
• School spirit tattoos
• Small business promotional giveaways
• Holiday-themed artwork

Atomm Community Designs

Check out design communities like Atomm to get ideas and find excellent seasonal artwork, personalized pictures, or tattoos themed around specific fandoms.

As for the results themselves, it’s all about patience. It doesn’t matter how often you go over the same lines if you’re moving around a lot. The best designs for your temporary tattoos are the result of:

• Washing and drying your skin completely before any application
• Avoid heavy lotions or oils before you try a temporary tattoo
• Letting the tattoo “set” completely by allowing it to completely dry before touching
• Not rubbing the area so the artwork smears
• Keeping temporary tattoos away from areas of the body with flexible joints so the skin squishes and stretches
• Avoiding broken or irritated skin and eye and mouth area for safety purposes

How to Remove Temporary Tattoos Safely From Your Skin

If you feel or see any skin irritation when using temporary tattoos, stop using the method you’re testing out. You can remove the tattoo using the product instructions.

For example, if you use temporary tattoo paper, usually some warm water and a small amount of soap will do the trick. If you use eyeliner, makeup remover and gentle exfoliation may be the best solution.

It’s best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations based on the method you tested. You want to keep your skin safe, especially when working with younger participants.

Take Your Temporary Tattoo Ideas to the Next Level

The more you learn how to make temporary tattoos, the easier it becomes to refine your designs, test different colors, and create consistent results for parties, events, or small-batch projects. For compatible temporary tattoo paper, the xTool M2 Color Craft Laser Cutter and Engraver can support a more streamlined print-and-cut workflow. You can print full-color tattoo designs, and cut them out in one machine, and speed up the whole process.

Once you have created your temporary tattoo designs, the same artwork can also be adapted for stickers, greeting cards, personalized gifts, layered paper projects, and other custom creations. This makes temporary tattoos not only a fun project on their own, but also an accessible starting point for exploring a wider range of creative ideas with the xTool M2.

xTool M2

Smart Color Craft Laser For Temporary Tattoo 

The best craft laser engraver with color printing. Ideal choice for both DIY and Business Projects.

FAQs

What kind of printer do you need to make temporary tattoos?

Most temporary tattoos you’ll find in stores and online work best with a printer compatible with your temporary tattoo paper. That will hold the design well before transferring it to your skin.

Is printer ink safe for temporary tattoos?

Regular printer ink is not recommended to be applied directly to the skin. Use only temporary tattoo paper specifically designed for skin application, with a compatible printer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Stop using the product if redness, itching, or irritation occurs.

How long do homemade temporary tattoos last?

It depends on a lot of factors, but you can expect temp tattoos to last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending mostly on exposure to water, sweat, and friction.

How do you make temporary tattoos last longer?

Always apply to clean, dry skin and avoid any lotion or sudden movements. Let the tattoo dry completely, and you should be all set.

Can temporary tattoos be used for kids' parties?

Temporary tattoos are a popular, fun way to jazz up kids’ birthday parties, especially since you can customize them to the event's theme.

What other custom projects can you make with your temporary tattoo designs?

Tattoo designs are pretty universal. They can easily be repurposed for greeting cards, personalized gifts, tote bags, ornaments, scrapbooking, and starting a side hustle. Having a versatile device like the xTool M2 Color Craft Laser will open up the door to even more possibilities.