Creating temporary tattoos at home might sound like a whimsical idea, but with Tattoo Paper, it becomes a tangible and enjoyable activity, especially when you’re looking for a unique way to express yourself or entertain kids. Recently, I decided to explore this creative avenue using Disney Easter clip art to make some small temporary tattoos. It was a first-time experiment, and here’s how it went.
Getting Started with Tattoo Paper: Printing and Preparation
The initial step involves printing your chosen design onto the tattoo paper. It’s crucial to remember to reverse the image, especially if it includes text, so it appears correctly when applied to the skin. The printing process itself was straightforward. After printing, allowing ample drying time is essential before proceeding to the next stage – applying the adhesive sheet. This is where a bit of careful handling is required. My partner took charge of this part, and we discovered that cutting the clear adhesive sheet into sizes slightly larger than each printed image was the most efficient approach. We even used a test print page to gauge the appropriate adhesive size for different images. Interestingly, we had almost half of the adhesive sheet left over, suggesting that a little goes a long way.
Applying Your DIY Tattoo: A Simple Process
The application process was surprisingly simple. After peeling off the clear cover from the adhesive side, you apply the tattoo to your skin, image side down. Then, using a wet cloth or sponge, you thoroughly soak the paper backing until it easily slides away, leaving the tattoo adhered to your skin.
My daughter decided to sport a temporary tattoo featuring a picture of herself with Koda and Kenai from a past Disney trip. She wore it on her arm starting from Good Friday. I had cropped the photo to roughly the size of a FastPass ticket, and the resolution turned out to be quite impressive, with vibrant colors that really popped.
Tattoo Removal: The Baby Oil Challenge
Of course, with temporary tattoos, removal is inevitable. After a few days, it was time to take off the tattoo from my daughter’s upper arm. If you’ve ever removed duct tape from a child’s skin, you can imagine the slight apprehension. The tattoo was about that size. The instructions suggested baby oil for removal, so we started by soaking the area with baby oil and gently working at the edges. We managed to lift about a third of the top edge before my daughter had enough for the night. The next morning, we reapplied more baby oil, hoping it would loosen further, but there wasn’t much progress. Finally, a bath seemed to be the answer. After soaking in the tub for nearly ten minutes, the tattoo peeled right off without much trouble. The key takeaway here is to ensure the removal process happens underwater for smoother results.
It seems that while baby oil is recommended, it might not be entirely sufficient, especially on slightly hairy skin like an arm. Despite her arm not being particularly hairy, baby oil alone wasn’t quite enough for easy removal in our experience.
Final Thoughts: Would We Use Tattoo Paper Again?
Despite the slight challenge with removal, the answer is a definite yes. The adhesive on this tattoo paper proved to be stronger than that found in typical store-bought temporary tattoos, which means they are quite durable. This strength does mean being more mindful of placement, especially for children. However, knowing that a good soak in warm water is the ultimate removal solution, I’m confident in using tattoo paper again. Next time, I’ll be sure to pre-soak the tattoo with baby oil before bath time to make the removal even gentler.
As for my initial idea of using these for temporary IDs – I believe it’s feasible, perhaps on her inner lower arm. The only remaining question is how well these tattoos will hold up in a pool or water park. That’s an experiment for another day!
