Tattoo Gallery

Airbrush tattoos are painted on the skin much in the way that airbrushed T-shirts are made. Using a CO2 sprayer, a stencil, and specially formulated paint, a person can apply a design that looks convincingly like a permanent tattoo in just a few minutes.

Availability: You can probably find someone locally to apply an airbrush tattoo. Try a carnival, at the beach, or in a beauty salon. There may also be a local independent artist who brings equipment and flash to parties or other functions. Look for them in your yellow pages or by searching online. You can also buy your own application kit and apply tattoos yourself.

Online vendors of airbrush tattoo kits claim that the process is very easy to learn. The price for equipment and supplies vary from around $300 for simple starter kits to several thousand dollars for professional equipment for use in a small business. There are even kits meant for young girls that cost as little as $20. Several colors of paint and instructional materials (book, CD, or video) are usually included in the price.

Suppliers of paint and supplies usually have hundreds of stencils to choose from as well. Some places sell single-use stencils that adhere to the skin and are peeled off and discarded after use. If you are a decent artist, you may also want to create your own.

Ready Made Options: Like decal tattoos, stencils are available in thousands of designs, from geometric and tribal patterns for use with black paint, to colorful designs that will use multiple colors of paints. Just a few ideas: • Chinese Symbols • Patriotic Designs • Skulls • Fantasy • Sports Team Logos • Armbands • Sun and Moon • UPC Codes • Roses and Thorns • Unicorns • Fantastical Creatures • Lettering • UV Tattoos for Clubbing • Glitter Tattoos

Customize It! Online vendors also create custom stencils using your ideas. The cost can be as little as $10 if you have your own design on paper and want it reproduced in a stencil.

Application: The application process is simple. First the skin is wiped with alcohol to guarantee a clean surface, then the paint is applied using a stencil. The process can take up to half an hour if the design is complicated and requires multiple colors. Once the tattoo is finished, any overspray is removed and the design is sprinkled with talc to help it dry. With proper care, the airbrushed tattoo can last for 7-14 days. It should especially be protected from soap and water; before bathing or swimming, you can cover your tattoo with a light coat of petroleum jelly to help prolong its life. Related to airbrushed tattoos are tattoos applied with body paint. Kits including several colors of paint, stencils, brushes, and instructions can be purchased for as little as $20. These designs tend to last for several days and are very easy to apply. Options include paints that shimmer, paints with glitter, and glow in the dark paints.