Tattoos are a great way to beautify your appearance and can help you express your creativity and individuality. If you're not ready to have a permanent tattoo, don't worry. Try a temporary tattoo to see if you're ready for the commitment. Design a tattoo, then use tracing paper or plain paper to draw a basic outline on your skin. Use eyeliner or marker to thicken it, then strengthen the ink with baby powder and hairspray or liquid bandage. If you want a more professional look, try using tattoo paper!
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Method 1 of 5: Designing Your Tattoo
Step 1. Look for inspiration from other people's tattoos
Look for tattoo designs on famous figures that you like. If one of your friends has a tattoo that you find interesting, search the internet for an image of a similar style. Understand tattoo culture so you can have a better idea of what looks good on you. Visit blogs about tattoos and follow tattoo enthusiasts on social media.
- Browse portfolios of tattoo artists online or visit a tattoo studio and ask to see their work. Seeing the work of a professional can inspire yourself to create something unique.
- Most of the tattoo artists are Kaiyu Huang, Kaiyu Huang, Mo Ganji, Paco Dietz, and Chen Jie. You can also get inspiration from artists like Lucy Hale, who specializes in watercolor tattoos.
- Tattoo styles include traditional American style, traditional Japanese style, realism, black and gray, and illustrative.
- Popular tattoos include images of arrows, flowers, semicolons, and tribal art.
Step 2. Focus on something personal
Think of visuals that relate to important phases or events in your life. Other great ideas include pictures that remind you of family or friends. Think of a metaphor that can be used and can be applied in your life.
- For example, if Edgar Allan Poe is your favorite writer, you can draw a crow tattoo to represent your love for his work.
- Draw a temporary tattoo of your mother's name.
Step 3. Start simple if you are just learning to draw
Make simple designs that will help you get used to drawing. Try geometric shapes like rectangles or triangles before moving on to more complex and detailed drawings.
Other simple designs include a puzzle piece, a star, a sentence or word, or a musical note
Step 4. Sketch your ideas
Use sketch paper and pens to create ideas and shapes on a piece of paper. Visualize what you want to create for your temporary tattoo and try drawing it on a plain piece of paper. If the result is a mess, start over until you make the mistake again. The goal is not to produce a perfect image, but to explore different ideas, shapes, and looks that can be used for your temporary tattoo.
Step 5. Draw the basic outline of your tattoo first
For starters, don't focus too much on small details or shadows. Start by drawing the outside of the basic outline of the image before moving on to the more complicated parts. Try to draw continuous and stable lines and avoid scratches or nicks in the image.
Step 6. Add the smaller details and fill them with color
Once you've drawn the basic outline, you can start adding finer details. Complete the drawing slowly and add smaller details. Once you are satisfied with your design and drawing, you can proceed with placing the temporary tattoo on your skin.
Use a marker with a smaller tip to draw finer details
Method 2 of 5: Use Paper to Outline Your Skin
Step 1. Trace the tattoo design on tracing paper for easy use
Tracing paper is thin so you can see through the paper. Use a pencil to redraw the design, and make bold, dark lines. You'll need to make it bold otherwise the image won't transfer easily to the skin.
Don't forget that the design will look upside down when you move it on the skin. If necessary, trace on one side, then flip it over to trace it backwards on the other side. You will be placing the “upside down” side of your skin, which will flip the design over to the correct side
Step 2. Use printer paper if you don't have tracing paper
You can use plain paper, but you won't be able to see the image. Try tracing the design lightly on a lighted screen, such as a tablet. To move it to the other side so that the design is reversed, rub the pencil repeatedly on the other paper until it produces a solid line. Put your design on the top right side. Trace it using a pen thickly, then turn it over. You'll get a thin, pencil-lined baseline that results from your scribbles.
Trace it more heavily with a pencil or even a pen for a darker image before trying to apply it to your skin
Step 3. Add rubbing alcohol on the skin
The rubbing alcohol will help to stick the pencil to your skin. Rub repeatedly on the area of skin where you want to apply the tattoo, and make sure your skin is still damp when applying the paper to it.
You can drip a little, then rub with a cotton swab
Step 4. Press the paper against your skin, with the pencil-spotted side facing the skin
Place a damp cloth over the paper, and hold it for a few seconds. Peel off the paper a little to see if the bottom line is stuck. If not, hold it again for a few seconds. Remove the paper once the baseline is visible on your skin.
Now you have a tattoo that you can trace
Method 3 of 5: Drawing with Markers and Hairspray
Step 1. Try the marker on your skin first
You can use permanent marker, but don't forget that some markers are not made for use on skin. Always try the marker on a small area of your skin first. That way, if a reaction occurs, you'll know not to use the marker.
- For example, try a little on the inside of the elbow to see if there is a reaction.
- Temporary tattoo pens are the best option for you, which can be found on the internet.
Step 2. Draw a basic outline with a light marker
Use a pen with a thin tip to draw the outside of your design. That way, you can include subtle details that cannot be produced with a larger marker. Draw the design without a guide, or trace the design with a pencil pasted to your skin.
Step 3. Fill in the larger parts with a thick-tipped marker
After creating the baseline, save time by using a thick-tipped marker to fill in parts of the drawing. Also use a marker of this size to fill in large sections.
You can fill the lines with a different color like in a coloring book, if you want
Step 4. Rub baby powder on the tattoo design
Sprinkle baby powder on the design until it is completely covered. Rub gently using your fingertips. After covering it, shake it and brush off the excess powder.
- The baby powder will help the tattoo design adhere to the skin.
- You can even apply multiple layers of baby powder, then ink, then baby powder, then ink, over and over again to create a strong tattoo.
Step 5. Spray the design with hairspray
Hold the hairspray at a distance of about 15 cm from the tattoo. Spray a dense layer of hairspray on the tattoo, moving it around. Make sure you cover the entire tattoo and make a thick layer.
Allow the tattoo to dry on its own
Method 4 of 5: Try Liquid Eyeliner and Plasters
Step 1. Draw the tattoo with eyeliner
Start by tracing the basic outline of the tattoo, so you know where the edges are. Use a thin-tipped pen for this section. Once the basic outline is drawn, fill in the tattoo with eyeliner, using a thicker tip, if applicable.
Using the Freehand design, draw or trace the pencil baseline you created on the paper
Step 2. Press baby powder on your tattoo
Sprinkle baby powder over the tattoo until it is completely covered. Use your fingers to gently rub it over the tattoo. Make sure to rub it all over the tattoo.
Baby powder will help hold the tattoo firmly in place
Step 3. Spray the liquid wound plaster over the tattoo
Spray a small amount of plaster over the tattoo. Make sure to hit all the parts, because the tattoo won't stick well without it. Let it dry completely before you try to wash it.
- You can buy liquid wound dressings in the plaster section of your drugstore or supermarket.
- Liquid wound plaster will make the tattoo waterproof.
Method 5 of 5: Using Temporary Tattoo Paper
Step 1. Upload the design to a temporary tattoo website for a professional print
On many temporary tattoo websites, you can create your own design and upload an image. Then, buy the tattoo from the website, and they will send it to you in the mail.
How to put a temporary tattoo like the one you had as a kid in your Halloween basket
Step 2. Print temporary tattoos with an inkjet printer to produce large quantities of tattoos
Purchase temporary tattoo paper for a printer online or at a large supermarket. Design your tattoo or even download the image you want to use. Flip the image before printing it, as it will turn upside down again when you place it on your skin.
Any inkjet printer can be used for this project
Step 3. Draw an image on temporary tattoo paper for an easy project
Purchase special temporary tattoo paper for a printer or for drawing. Use a pen or permanent marker to draw your tattoo, but remember that this image will turn upside down on your skin. That means any word you write will appear upside down.
Step 4. Cut out the tattoo image
Place a layer of plastic on the tattoo paper, which will make it easier to cut. Use scissors to cut around the tattoo. You can leave a little space around the edges, as they will appear transparent.
Some tattoo paper is made to be machine cut so you can cut it with a Silhouette or Cricut machine
Step 5. Put a temporary tattoo on your skin
Peel off the plastic on the back of the paper, then press the tattoo against your skin. Then press with a damp cloth on the tattoo until it is completely damp, then hold for about 30 seconds. Peel off the paper, leaving the tattoo on your skin.
