How to Buy Tattoo Stencil Supplies

Before tattoo artists permanently inks their clients' skin they use a stencil as a guideline for each piece of body art. Whether a stencil is created by mechanical means or drawn by hand, both require specific supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Install photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, on your computer. Use this software to manipulate a tattoo design, such as resizing to desired dimensions or removing the color since you only need the outline. Run it through a printer to create a stencil.
2. Buy the right printer. A Thermofax (thermal copier) printer or a Dot Matrix (impact) printer can transfer a design from a computer to a sheet of stencil paper.
3. Use Spirit Master Stencil Paper to transform tattoo designs into stencils. Whether you use a machine or hand draw a stencil, this paper creates a carbon copy of the design which you can transfer to skin. Run Sprit paper through either of the printers from Step 2 or trace the design onto the paper using any standard drawing pencil.
4. Get hectograph pencils. For hand drawn stencils, use hectograph pencils to trace a design onto regular tracing paper. Place a piece of tracing paper over the top of a tattoo design and trace the outline with a purple hectograph pencil to create a stencil like those created with Spirit paper.
5. Make changes, darken lost lines or freehand additional details with a Skin Scribe Surgical Marker. These sterile markers contain non-toxic Gentian Violet ink that stays visible during the outlining process once dry. These pens work well for smoke or flames used in backgrounds that artists choose to freehand so they match both the main tattoo design and contours of the client's body.
6. Purchase the tattoo stencil supplies. Thermofax machines are hard to find, but frequently are available at online auction sites such as eBay and Dot Matrix printers can be purchased new from Okidata and Epson. Most tattoo supply companies sell Spirit paper, hectograph pencils, Skin Scribe markers and may have used or refurbished Thermofax machines. Spirit paper and hectograph pencils are sometimes also available from local art supply stores and Skin Scribe markers at medical supply stores. Photo editing software can be found wherever you normally purchase software.

Tips & Warnings

• When tracing a tattoo design, some tattoo artists also buy or make a light box to make the job easier.
• To apply a stencil, you also need stencil applicator, disposable gloves, green soap or other cleanser and a new disposable razor. For more information on application read the eHow article, "How to Apply a Tattoo Stencil."
• Stencils created with hectograph pencils are applied the same as with Spirit paper, but typically cost less.
• When applied correctly and allowed to dry completely, stencils made with Spirit paper, hectograph pencils and Skin Scribe markers should all stay visible long enough to complete the outline.