How To Create And Apply Your Own DIY Temporary Tattoos (2024)

Table of Contents

What Are Temporary Tattoos? Why Choose a Temporary Tattoo? Easy To Apply Easy To Remove Extremely Versatile How Do You Make a Temporary Tattoo With Craft Paper? 1. Draw The Design 2. Use Rubbing Alcohol 3. Press The Design On The Skin What Other Types Of Paper Are Good For a DIY Temporary Tattoo? 1. Get Water Slide Paper 2. Create Or Print Your Design 3. Cut Out The Design 4. Soak It In Perfume 5. Soak It In Hot Water 6. Take It Out And Spray It Again 7. Apply The Tattoo Can You Use Eyeliner For Your DIY Temporary Tattoo? How Can You Make All This Even Easier?

DIYtemporary tattoos are an easy and handy way to spruce up your look, explore your self-expression and creativity, and test designs you may want to get on your skin permanently.


What’s more, tattoos give you the chance to show what makes you unique to the world and yourself and to keep good memories close.


Of course, this is all very personal, as every one of us is different. Some may need to test 20 tattoo designs before braving up to the challenge of a real tattoo. Others will simply want an extra something for that party look or occasion. Maybe it’s the theme of your kiddie’s next birthday party. You name it.


In any case, rest assured thatcustom temporary tattoos can help you achieve your vision. And, if you like getting crafty, you can go all DIY and start making temporary tattoos yourself.


Read on as we share with you all the steps involved in making atemporary tattoodesign!

What Are Temporary Tattoos?

If you're new to using temporary tattoos, all you need to know is that they come in several shapes and sizes, are very easy to apply, and just as easy to remove. There are many types you can choose from but the most popular ones are water transfer temporary tattoos.


You can either buy a ready-madetemporary tattoo, order a custom design, or DIY.

Making your own DIY temporary tattoo is super fun and does not require any kind of expertise at all.

Why Choose a Temporary Tattoo?

More and more people are opting out of permanent tattoos, which used to be all the hype until recently, and are veering towards their temporary version — and for good reason too!

Easy To Apply

First of all, temporary tattoos are very easily applicable on the skin, and anyone can do it — we will touch on the steps behind this process later on in this article.

Easy To Remove

Secondly, removing them is no hassle at all. They come off almost just as quickly as it takes to apply them. Use baby oil or pick up a pack of our lemon-scented tattoo remover wipes.


Once removed, these tats will leave no marks on the skin.

Extremely Versatile

Lastly, they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes! You're definitely bound to find one that suits your unique taste. But if not, you can choose to create your own design. After all, the point is toDIYatemporary tattoothat tells your personal story, one that sets you apart from the crowd.

How Do You Make a Temporary Tattoo With Craft Paper?

How To Create And Apply Your Own DIY Temporary Tattoos (3)

As we’ve said before, the good news aboutDIY temporary tattoosis you can create your own design and transfer it onto the skin. Applying the tattoo onto the skin is a pretty straightforward process! Here’s the entire process in a few easy steps:

1. Draw The Design

To begin, you can draw the design on a piece of paper using tracing or parchment paper.


A pencil should be a good enough choice for design tracing, after which you can switch to a gel pen to fill in the colors. Colored ink pens should also complete the task quite nicely. This part of the process can be incredibly fun, so let your creative juices flow!

2. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Next, gently apply rubbing alcohol on your skin where you’d like to tattoo the ink design.


Do not apply rubbing alcohol on the temporary tattoo unless you want to remove it quickly.

3. Press The Design On The Skin

The last step is to press the paper design firmly on the moistened skin and leave it like that for half a minute without moving it. This will ensure the design will transfer correctly, and its effect will be long-lasting.

What Other Types Of Paper Are Good For a DIY Temporary Tattoo?

You can also make aDIY temporary tattoowith water slide paper. The process is pretty similar. Simply follow these tips, and you’ll be able to create a memorable temporary tattoo:

1. Get Water Slide Paper

This type of paper enables the design to better stick onto the skin. You can find it in art supplies stores. If you can’t get it, though, regular paper will also do the job fine.

2. Create Or Print Your Design

Continue by printing your design or drawing it on paper. If you want to print the design on your printer, remember that black always works better. Think of fun, exciting designs that thrill you.

3. Cut Out The Design

When cutting out the design, remember to leave a ½ inch rim around the edges. It’s safer this way if you want yourDIY temporary tattooto come out right.

4. Soak It In Perfume

Now, this is where the process begins to differ as you’ll need to soak your design in perfume. Hairspray works fine too. Apply a generous amount to both the back and front of your design.

5. Soak It In Hot Water

Fill a bowl with hot water and let your paper tattoo soak in it for around three minutes.

6. Take It Out And Spray It Again

After three minutes have passed, you can take the wet paper tattoo out of the bowl and spray it again.

7. Apply The Tattoo

The final step of the process requires you to simply press the tattoo firmly on the skin, and voila, you’ll have yourself a beautiful design to show off on your body.

Can You Use Eyeliner For Your DIY Temporary Tattoo?

Yes! When considering aDIY temporary tattoo, a thing that comes to mind is using liquid eyeliner. This will help you draw freely on the skin, as long as you let it dry and control the pressure on the skin. You can add some extra effects by using eye shadow.


Moreover, you can still create a transfer as described above and then finish it up with the eyeliner.


Once you are happy with your results, let it dry and apply translucent powder — you can use baby powder or make-up fixing powder.


The last step for extra durability is to use hairspray for an extra layer of protection.


Avoid using too much powder or hairspray as these can end up drying the skin too much and causing your design to crack sooner rather than later.

How Can You Make All This Even Easier?

The good part is that although DIY temporary tattoos can be fun, you can create your body art even faster and without needing to go through the steps we’ve described above.


Wondering how? Simply order from TemporaryTattoos.com! Choose from our huge range of motifs — we can also personalize these for you — or send us a design you like, and we’ll create it custom for you.


Whether they’re classic, glitter, metallic, or glow in the dark, we can create temporary tattoos that enhance your personal vision and will thrill once delivered to your doorstep.


Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll support you in sharing your own vibrant and unique story with the world.


Customize your own tattoo →

For more inspiration on temporary tattoos you might also enjoy:


  • Awareness Ribbons: A Guide To Causes By Colors And Months
  • How To Style Temporary Tattoos For Adults
  • Glow In The Dark Party Ideas

What materials do I need to create DIY temporary tattoos?

To create DIY temporary tattoos, you will need tattoo paper, a printer, scissors, and rubbing alcohol. Optional materials include a pencil, tracing paper, and skin-safe markers for freehand designs.

Can I create temporary tattoos using a regular inkjet printer?

Yes, you can create temporary tattoos using a regular inkjet printer. Just ensure you use tattoo paper specifically designed for inkjet printers for the best results.

How do I design my own temporary tattoo?

You can design your own temporary tattoo using graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or free online tools like Canva. Create your design, print it on tattoo paper, and cut it out to apply.


Or you can create one using our design tool! Get started here.

What is the best tattoo paper to use for DIY temporary tattoos?

Look for high-quality, skin-safe tattoo paper that is compatible with your printer type (inkjet or laser). Popular brands include Silhouette and Sunnyscopa.

How do I apply a DIY temporary tattoo to my skin?

To apply a DIY temporary tattoo, clean and dry the skin area, peel off the clear backing, place the tattoo face down on your skin, and press a damp cloth over it for about 30 seconds. Gently peel away the paper to reveal your tattoo.

How long do DIY temporary tattoos last?

DIY temporary tattoos can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on factors like skin type, location, and how well you care for the tattoo.


Check our our INKFINITY™ Semi-Permanent Tattoos for long-lasting wear up to 2 weeks!

Can I make temporary tattoos with household items?

Yes, you can make temporary tattoos with household items like tracing paper, a pencil, and skin-safe markers. Draw your design on tracing paper, transfer it to your skin, and color it in with markers.

How can I make my DIY temporary tattoo last longer?

To make your DIY temporary tattoo last longer, avoid excessive rubbing, keep the area dry, and apply a layer of petroleum jelly or a clear adhesive bandage over the tattoo.


Check our ourINKFINITY™ Semi-Permanent Tattoos for long-lasting wear up to 2 weeks!

Are DIY temporary tattoos safe for children?

DIY temporary tattoos can be safe for children, but always use non-toxic, skin-safe materials and supervise the application process to prevent any potential skin reactions.

How can I remove a DIY temporary tattoo if I no longer want it?

To remove a DIY temporary tattoo, apply baby oil, rubbing alcohol, or an adhesive remover like our Tattoo Remover Wipes to the tattooed area. Gently rub the area until the tattoo begins to dissolve, then wash with soap and water.

How To Create And Apply Your Own DIY Temporary Tattoos (6)

Riana King

Web Marketing Manager at TemporaryTattoos.com, where she leads digital strategy to enhance brand visibility. Riana combines creative content with data-driven techniques. Her skills in design, social media marketing, and customer engagement have played a key role in establishing TemporaryTattoos.com as an industry leader.

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