How to Make a Tattoo Stencil
Print the design at the right size, put it on stencil or carbon paper, then press it onto clean skin with a thin layer of transfer solution.
Three ways to do it
| Method | You need | Difficulty | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print, then thermal stencil paper | Printer, thermal stencil paper, a thermal copier or stencil printer, transfer solution | Easy | Sharpest lines, lasts longest |
| Print, then trace with carbon paper | Printer, hectograph or carbon transfer paper, a ballpoint pen, transfer solution | Medium | Good lines, depends on your tracing |
| No transfer paper | Printer, tracing paper, a skin-safe stencil marker | Harder | Fine for simple designs |
Method 1: print and transfer with stencil paper
- Pick a design and download the PDF for your paper: Letter in the US, A4 almost everywhere else. Browse printable tattoo stencils to find one.
- Print at 100%. Choose "Actual size" in the print dialog, not "Fit to page". Measure the 1 inch bar on the printout; if it is off, your printer is scaling the page.
- Make the stencil. Feed the printout and a sheet of thermal stencil paper through a thermal copier or stencil printer. Without one, use method 2.
- Prepare the skin. Clean the area and let it dry completely.
- Apply transfer solution in a thin, even layer. Too much makes the lines spread.
- Place the stencil face down and press it in one go without sliding. Hold for a few seconds, then peel it off from one corner.
- Let it set for 10–15 minutes before you start, so it doesn't wipe away.
Method 2: trace with carbon paper
Put a sheet of hectograph or carbon transfer paper under the printout, carbon side facing the back of the printout, and trace every line with a ballpoint pen. Press firmly and keep lines continuous. Then follow steps 4–7 above.
Method 3: without transfer paper
Trace the printout onto tracing paper with a skin-safe stencil marker, press the wet ink onto prepared skin, or draw the design directly on the skin using the printout as a guide. This works best for easy, simple designs with only a few lines.
Getting the size right
Every stencil on this site lists its printed size, and every PDF has a 1 inch and a 2 cm bar. To make a design bigger or smaller, set a custom scale in the print dialog, for example 120%, and measure the bar again; it scales with the design.
Where to get designs
- Printable tattoo stencils: the full collection, free as Letter or A4 PDFs
- Easy tattoo stencils and practice sheets for beginners
- Outline stencils with clean lines and no shading
Questions
My stencil came out blurry. What went wrong?
Usually too much transfer solution, or the paper moved while you pressed it down. Wipe it off, let the skin dry completely, use a thinner layer and press the stencil once without sliding it.
How long does a stencil stay on the skin?
A thermal stencil that has been left to set for 10–15 minutes usually lasts through a session if you wipe gently. A hand-traced carbon stencil fades faster, so line the main outline first.
What can I use if I have no transfer solution?
Many people use a thin layer of stick deodorant or petroleum jelly. These work, but can transfer less cleanly and may irritate sensitive skin, so test on a small area first.
Can I reuse a stencil?
Thermal stencil paper is single use. Print a fresh copy each time; that is the advantage of having the PDF.
Do I need a stencil printer?
No. A normal home printer plus hand tracing onto carbon paper works. A thermal stencil printer just makes the transfer step faster.