How-to

How to Apply a Temporary Tattoo: The Complete Guide (With Video)

Q: How do I apply my tattoo correctly?

Done in under a minute: Choose – Pick a smooth spot, wash it and dry it well. Hairy? Give it a quick shave. No oil-based products on it (cream, lotion, sunscreen). Unpack – Unpack the tattoo and peel off the clear protective film on the back. Place – Put the tattoo on your skin with the Tattup logo facing up. Wet – Dampen the paper with a wet cloth until it’s completely soaked, and press gently. Peel – Slowly peel off the paper. It still looks light now – that’s normal. Let it rest – No water and no rubbing for the first 8 hours. On the first day avoid contact as much as you can and wear loose clothes. For the first 2 nights wear something loose to sleep in – especially with a sleeve. Done! – The full colour develops within 24–48 hours.

Q: Can I hit the sauna with my Tattup?

Yes, from the next day on. Sweating even helps the colour develop – whether sauna, running or sports. 💦 Afterwards gently pat dry. From 48 hours on, once the colour has fully developed: apply a light, oil-free lotion daily.

Heidi By Heidi Updated October 21, 2026 4 min read

Person holding a Tattup tattoo pack before applying it

In short

Clean and dry the skin, peel off the clear film, place the tattoo with the logo facing up, soak the backing paper completely with a wet cloth, press for a few seconds and peel it off slowly. Then leave it alone for 8 hours: no water, no rubbing, loose clothes. The full dark color appears after 24–48 hours.

Applying a 2-week tattoo takes less than a minute. Most problems – smudged lines, a half-transferred design, a tattoo that seems to vanish – come from the minutes and hours around it. Here is the full routine, from preparing your skin to removing the tattoo early if you want to.

How to apply your Tattup – step by step

What do you need?

Your Tattup tattoo
A cloth or small towel soaked with water
Clean, dry skin – without lotion, oil or sunscreen
Optional: a razor, if the spot is hairy

How do you apply a 2-week tattoo step by step?

Choose. Pick a smooth spot, clean it and dry it well. A little hair? Shave it for the best result.
Unpack. Take the tattoo out and gently peel off the clear protective film from the back.
Place. Put the tattoo exactly where you want it, with the Tattup logo facing up. Do not move it once it touches your skin.
Moisten. Soak the backing paper completely with the wet cloth and press gently for a few seconds. The whole paper must be wet.
Remove. Peel the wet paper off slowly. The design looks light and faint now – that is normal.
Wait. Leave it alone for 8 hours: no water, no rubbing, loose clothing. The full look develops within 24–48 hours.

What should you avoid in the first 8 hours?

Avoid	Why
Water and showering	The ink has not bonded yet and can be washed off.
Rubbing, scratching, tight sleeves	Smears the lines or transfers ink to other skin.
Intense workouts and heavy sweating	Moisture under the design can blur it.
Sleeping on it	For the first 2 nights, wear loose sleeves so nothing transfers to other body parts.

Faint after applying?That is how it should be. The color comes from a reaction with your skin and darkens over 24–48 hours. If you washed it off within the first 8 hours, it may not have had time to set.

How do you avoid smudging?

Wash and dry the area before applying. Oils and lotions stop the ink from bonding.
Soak the paper fully so the whole design releases at once.
Do not shift the tattoo after placing it – commit.
Keep cool and move little for the first 8 hours.

How do you care for it afterwards?

After 8 hours: shower normally. A warm shower or light sweat can even help the color develop deeper.
From 48 hours on, once the colour has fully developed: apply a light, oil-free lotion daily. Oily products make it fade faster.
Swimming and sport: no problem – it is waterproof. Frequent water and friction make it fade a bit sooner.
Sun and sauna: sun is fine after the first 8 hours. Skip the sauna on the day you apply it – from the next day on, a light sauna session is no problem and can even make the color darker. Pat it dry gently.
Avoid scrubs: peelings and exfoliating gloves remove the top skin layer – and your tattoo with it.

Why some spots hold longer than others is explained in how long a 2-week tattoo lasts.

When should you apply it before an event?

Ideally 1–2 days before. Right after applying, the tattoo is barely visible; it needs 24–48 hours for its full color. For a wedding, a festival or holidays: apply it two evenings before.

How do you remove it early?

Right after applying, you can simply rinse it off before it sets. Once the ink has developed, warm salt water and a gentle exfoliation with a body scrub or washcloth speed up fading. Do not overdo it if your skin gets sensitive.

Good to know

Question	Answer
Can I use a tattoo twice?	No. The ink transfers from the paper to your skin once.
Same spot again?	Wait until the old design is fully gone to avoid irritation.
How long can I store them?	About 12 months unopened, cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
Does it hurt?	No. No needles, no pain.

Woman with a fern 2-week tattoo on the upper arm — Real customer photo.

Is a 2-week tattoo safe for your skin? Everything about ingredients and allergies is in are temporary tattoos safe?

Matching tattoos

View all

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply my tattoo correctly?

Done in under a minute:

Choose – Pick a smooth spot, wash it and dry it well. Hairy? Give it a quick shave. No oil-based products on it (cream, lotion, sunscreen).
Unpack – Unpack the tattoo and peel off the clear protective film on the back.
Place – Put the tattoo on your skin with the Tattup logo facing up.
Wet – Dampen the paper with a wet cloth until it’s completely soaked, and press gently.
Peel – Slowly peel off the paper. It still looks light now – that’s normal.
Let it rest – No water and no rubbing for the first 8 hours. On the first day avoid contact as much as you can and wear loose clothes. For the first 2 nights wear something loose to sleep in – especially with a sleeve.
Done! – The full colour develops within 24–48 hours.

Do I need to shave before applying a Tattup tattoo?

We suggest a hair-free zone to reduce the risk of smudging.

How can I avoid smudging?

It’s usually caused by moisture, cream or hair under the tattoo. Here’s how to get it right:

Before: wash the spot and dry it well, shave any hair, no oil-based products on it.
Dampen the paper until it’s completely soaked – then the whole design transfers.
Don’t move the tattoo once it’s on your skin.
First 8 hours: no water, no rubbing, no sports.
First day: avoid contact as much as you can, wear loose clothes.
First 2 nights: wear something loose to sleep in so nothing transfers to other parts of your body – especially with a sleeve.

I washed my Tattup, and it vanished!

If it gets wet in the first 8 hours, the ink can’t soak in properly.

And don’t worry if it looks pale at first: the full colour only shows after 24–48 hours.

Can I hit the sauna with my Tattup?

Yes, from the next day on. Sweating even helps the colour develop – whether sauna, running or sports. 💦

Afterwards gently pat dry. From 48 hours on, once the colour has fully developed: apply a light, oil-free lotion daily.

How do I remove a Tattup tattoo?

Warm salt water and a gentle scrub (body scrub or washcloth) make it fade faster. Don’t overdo it if your skin is sensitive.

Right after applying you can still simply wash it off.

All answers in the Help Center

Heidi Tattup Team

Heidi is part of the team behind Tattup, the 2-week tattoo brand from Switzerland. We write about what we know from thousands of orders and our own tests – no hype, just facts.