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How to make custom temporary tattoos
Haven’t you heard? Temporary tattoos are cool again. Yes, really. Only now you can create fully custom ones instead of settling for questionable dragons from a vending machine. Here’s how to design temporary tattoos that actually look good on skin, choose the right format, and make the most of your artwork.
TL;DR:
What kind of temporary tattoos can I make?
You can create everything from one large statement tattoo to smaller individual designs or full tattoo sheets packed with multiple pieces.
Should I choose sheets or die-cut tattoos?
Tattoo sheets are great for collections and multiple designs, while die-cut tattoos arrive pre-cut and ready to apply straight away.
How do I order them?
Choose your format first, upload your design, then select the size and shape you want. Creating a tattoo sheet? Just place your designs on the sheet and leave a little space between them for easier cutting.
What design style works best?
Bold colors, strong contrast, transparent details, and cleaner shapes usually work best on skin. Sometimes leaving parts transparent actually makes the tattoo look more natural.
What is a temporary tattoo?
A temporary tattoo is basically a sticker for your skin. Just less permanent! They’re an easy way to turn your designs into something wearable, colorful, and fun, without the lifelong commitment.
Choose temporary tattoos if you want:
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bold colors that pop on skin
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something wearable and shower-safe
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one large statement piece or multiple smaller designs
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flexible sizing depending on your project
Temporary tattoos work especially well for merch, events, festivals, packaging extras, and playful branding. Want more reasons to love them? We’ve got a whole article waiting for you.
Two formats, endless possibilities
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Temporary tattoos on sheet
Tattoo sheets let you place multiple tattoos on one sheet, making them perfect for collections, events, matching mini designs, or testing a bunch of ideas at once. Since the tattoos don’t come with cutlines around each design, you arrange them yourself in the editor and cut them out before applying.
Pro-tip: Leave a little space between each design. A bit of room between the designs makes the whole sheet much easier to work with.
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Individually cut temporary tattoos
Die-cut temporary tattoos arrive already cut and ready to use. No scissors, no prep, no chaotic cutting session at the kitchen table before leaving the house.
They work especially well for single statement pieces, giveaways, branded merch, or designs that deserve their own little spotlight.
If you already know exactly which design you want people to wear, die-cut is usually the easiest option.
Design with skin in mind
Designing temporary tattoos is a little different from designing regular stickers because skin always becomes part of the final look. Colors can appear differently depending on placement, skin tone, lighting, and movement, which means contrast becomes extra important.
A few things that usually make temporary tattoo designs work especially well:
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Strong contrast helps the artwork stay clear and visible on skin
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Solid colors make the design pop instantly on skin (it's giving main character energy in the best way)
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Transparent areas can make the tattoo feel more natural and less heavy once applied
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Design for placement
Since temporary tattoos sit on moving skin, placement matters more than you might think. A design on the wrist will bend and move very differently compared to one placed on the shoulder. Smaller details can disappear from a distance, while larger shapes often feel much bolder once applied.
Smaller tattoos usually work especially well on wrists, hands, fingers, and ankles, while larger designs tend to shine more on arms, shoulders, legs, or backs.
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How to order temporary tattoos
Ordering temporary tattoos is easy peasy once you decide which format you want to go for.
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Choosing a tattoo sheet? Start by selecting the sheet size you want. As mentioned earlier, the sheets don’t include individual cutlines, which means you can place your designs freely across the sheet. Just remember, not to close together. Your future scissor-wielding self will thank you.
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Going for singular die-cut temporary tattoos instead? Upload the single design you want, choose the size, then pick the shape and cut style that fits best.
And if you want something adjusted, special placement help, or just have a slightly unhinged vision you need help bringing to life, leave a comment in the editor. We’ll take a look before production.
Get inspired. Be creative.
Need an extra spark before designing your own? Check out these temporary tattoos.
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