It’s not a surprise that many people want to know how to keep tattoo stencil from wiping off. After all, who wants their design to disappear right before the inking begins? In this article, we will discuss some of the most common ways to help your stencil stay put. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make sure your design is transferred correctly onto your skin. Let’s get started!
What is a Tattoo Stencil?
A tattoo stencil is a template used by tattoo artists to transfer the design onto the skin of the person getting the tattoo. Tattoo stencils need to be placed on the skin before the tattooing process can begin. Otherwise, the artist would have to freehand the entire design, which isn’t ideal (unless you’re getting a very small tattoo).
There are two types of tattoo stencils, thermal and hectograph. The first type of tattoo stencil is the kind that requires heat. This type of stencil is made out of a material that transfers the design onto the skin when heated up. The most common material used for this is thermal paper. Thermal paper is a special kind of paper that turns black when it’s exposed to heat.
With a hectograph tattoo stencil, no heat is required. This type of stencil uses a gel-like substance that’s transferred onto the skin with an applicator. The stencil is then removed, and the ink is applied to the skin.
Tattoo artists use stencils to help them create symmetrical and evenly-spaced tattoos. If you’re getting a tattoo that has a lot of detail, your artist may use several stencils to help them transfer the design onto your skin.
However, many people find that their tattoo stencil wipes off before they’re ready to start the tattoo. This can be frustrating, especially if the tattoo design is complex.
If the stencil wipes off, the artist simply won’t be able to start the tattoo. No one wants to work with faded or smudged lines, so it’s important to find a way to keep the tattoo stencil from wiping off.
Tattoo stencils can smudge or smear for a number of reasons. The most common reason is that the artist didn’t let the stencil dry long enough before starting to tattoo. If the stencil is still wet, it can easily smear when the artist starts to apply the tattoo ink.
Another common reason for smudging is that the artist used too much gel or cream when applying the stencil. This can happen if the artist is trying to save time by not letting the stencil dry completely before starting to tattoo.
If you find that your tattoo stencils are smudging or smearing, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. Let’s discuss them! [1],[2],[3]
Preparing Your Skin for the Tattoo
Some people experience their skin rejecting or pushing out the stencil outlining, which can cause fading or smudging of the design.
Clean the area
Obviously, you will want to start with a clean slate. This means thoroughly washing the area with soap and water. Be sure to remove any oils, lotions, or makeup that might be on the surface of your skin. Once the area is clean, you will need to shave it.
Shave the area to be tattooed
It is important to note that shaving too close to the skin can increase the risk of infection and slow down the healing process. For this reason, it is best to use a new razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. After you have shaved the area, rinse it off with cold water and pat it dry with a clean towel. Shaving helps to remove dead skin cells and gives the artist a clean canvas to work with.
Now that the skin is clean and free of any debris, you are ready to move on to sterilizing the area.
Sterilize the area with a surgical scrub or antiseptic wipes. This will help to reduce the number of bacteria on your skin and lower the risk of infection. Once you have sterilized the area, you are ready to apply the tattoo stencil.
Apply a thin layer of lotion or petroleum jelly to the area where you will be applying the stencil. This will help to keep the stencil from sticking to your skin and making it difficult to remove later on. After you have applied a thin layer of lotion or jelly, place the tattoo stencil onto your skin.
Using a Stencil
After the stencil is in place, use a pen or marker to trace around the design. Doing it properly is easy as long as you follow the following tips.
Use high quality stencil paper
The stencil paper you use is important. If it’s too thin, the ink will bleed through and ruin your design. If it’s too thick, it won’t adhere to your skin properly. Look for a happy medium- something that’s not too flimsy but also not too thick. You should be able to see the outline of your tattoo design through the paper without the ink bleeding through.
Apply a small amount of antiseptic soap to the skin
One of the most common mistakes made when using a tattoo stencil is not applying enough soap. You want to make sure that the area is covered with a thin layer of soap, but you don’t want to use so much that it starts to run off your skin.
If you are having trouble getting the right amount of soap on your skin, try using a cotton ball or Q-tip. Simply dip the cotton ball or Q-tip into the antiseptic soap and then apply it to your skin. Once you have applied a thin layer of soap, you are ready to start tracing the stencil onto your skin.
Press your stencil firmly over the area with a paper towel
Once you have applied the soap, take your stencil and press it firmly onto your skin.
Trace around the stencil with a pen or marker. Be sure to use enough pressure to make a clear outline on your skin. Once you have finished tracing the tattoo stencil, remove the paper towel and set it aside.
Coat the stencil in vaseline
The next step is to coat the stencil in vaseline. This will help to keep the stencil from sticking to your skin and making it difficult to remove later on.
Once you have applied the vaseline, you are ready to start tracing the tattoo onto your skin. Trace around the stencil with a pen or marker.
Blot away the ink instead of rubbing it
Once you have finished tracing the tattoo, remove the stencil and blot away any excess ink with a paper towel.
Do not rub the area as this can cause the ink to spread and make your tattoo look blurry.
Let the stencil dry completely
Moisture is the enemy of tattoo stencils, so after you have traced the tattoo stencil onto your skin, it is important to let it dry completely. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the tattoo and the thickness of the stencil. [2],[3]
FAQ
How do I get my tattoo stencil to stay on?
If you’re having trouble keeping your tattoo stencil on, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure that the area where you’re applying the stencil is clean and dry. If the skin is oily or sweaty, it will make it harder for the stencil to adhere. You can also try using a little bit of petroleum jelly or hand sanitizer on the skin before applying the stencil. This will create a barrier between the skin and the adhesive, making it less likely to rub off. Finally, avoid touching or rubbing the area where you’ve applied the stencil until it’s time to start tattooing.
How long should you let a tattoo stencil dry?
It is recommended that you let your tattoo stencil dry for at least 30 minutes before starting the tattooing process. This will ensure that the stencil stays in place and doesn’t rub off easily.
If you are doing a large tattoo or one that has intricate details, you may need to let the stencil dry for up to an hour.
How do you make stencils stick better?
There are a few things you can do to make your tattoo stencils stick better and last longer. First, make sure the area you’re applying the stencil to is clean and dry. You can also use a bit of petroleum jelly or glycerin on the skin to help the stencil adhere. Finally, let the stencil dry for a few minutes before starting your tattoo.
What can I use to stick a tattoo stencil on?
We recommend using tattoo adhesive because it is specifically made for the skin and won’t cause any irritation. Just make sure to test the adhesive on a small area of skin before applying it to your entire stencil.
Useful Video: What To Do If Your Stencil Rubs Off ?!?
Conclusion
Tattoo stencils are an essential part of the tattooing process. Without them, it would be very difficult to get the tattoo you want. However, they can be a bit tricky to use. In this article, we have provided you with some tips on how to keep tattoo stencil from wiping off. Make sure to clean the skin before applying the stencil, and use a good quality stencil paper. And of course, let your stensil dry completely. With these tips, you should be able to keep your tattoo stencil from wiping off, and get the perfect tattoo!
If you have any other questions about how to keep tattoo stencil from wiping off, or about tattoos in general, feel free to leave a comment below! And as always, thanks for reading!
References:
- https://www.premiertattoosupplies.com/2018/04/04/the-making-of-a-tattoo-stencil-crisp-lines-and-clean-transfers/
- https://www.ehow.com/how_8102196_tattoo-wiping-off-stencil.html
- https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-stop-tattoo-stencils-from-smearing/