The following four-color process inks series, formulated entirely from colorants suitable for cosmetic use, have been successfully used by several printers to produce high quality transfers similar to the type of product which you wish to manufacture:
BLACK-OX
YELLOW PRO
RED PRO MAG-7
BLUE BASE - 1
You will note that the above inks are not true color equivalents to conventional four color process printing inks. This is due to the severe restrictions placed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This is the US agency that oversees and regulates all products that are for human consumption or that will be in close contact with humans in this country. The FDA’s restrictions upon pigments and colorants whose intended use is to be part of a food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic (such as skin transfer tattoos) product. However, our customers have been able to produce good graphic reproductions of original artwork using the above referenced inks.
Another litho product is generally used when printing transfers of this sort. Known as Varnish Matte this product is printed as a first down coating on the substrate. Its intent is to serve as a coating which will hold the entire tattoo together while providing added toughness and resistance properties to the tattoo after it has been affixed to the skin.
At this point, it is probably a good time to discuss how these transfers tattoos have been printed in the past. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, an underprint varnish is first deposited on the paper. Then, the actual graphic design of the tattoo is printed, in reverse. Generally wet-trapping is used when presses with adequate decks are available.
After allowing the litho printed sheets to day, a cosmetic grade adhesive must be applied directly over the tattoos. This is most commonly done by passing the sheets through a screen printing press. The resultant sheets are then slip-sheeted as they come off of the press in order to prevent blocking due to the binding effects of the adhesive.
Standard decal paper is commonly used for this type of project. This paper normally possesses a water-soluble coating which functions as a release layer between the stock and the tattoo. Transfer of the tattoo to the skin is normally achieved, then, by placing the tattoo, adhesive side down, on the skin and thoroughly wetting the back of the paper with water. After 10 - 15 seconds, the paper will slide away and the tattoo is affixed to the skin. We have had reports that these tattoos last for periods greater than one week, withstanding showering, perspiration, etc. Should an individual wish to remove the tattoo prior to its “wearing-away”, rubbing alcohol or cold creme can generally be used.
NO-TOX sheetfed inks normally perform just like conventional oil-based litho inks on press. However, we have found over the years that certain press conditions allow for the production of optimum graphic results.
TEMPORARY TATTOO PRINTING WITH FLEXOGRAPHIC INKS
The following prototype four-color process solvent based inks, formulated entirely from colorants and polymers suitable for cosmetic use, have been successfully tested by several printers to produce high quality transfers similar to the type of product which you wish to manufacture:
BLUE - 1
BLACK - OX
RED PRO MAG - 7
YELLOW
Please note that the above inks are not true color equivalents to conventional four color process printing inks. This is due to the severe restrictions placed by the FDA upon pigments whose intended use is to be part of a food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic (such as a skin transfer tattoo) product. However, printers have been able to produce good graphic reproductions of original artwork using the above referenced inks.
Another ink product is generally used when printing transfers as a first-down coating on the substrate. Its intent is to serve as a coating which will hold the entire tattoo together during transfer to the skin while providing added toughness and resistance properties to the tattoo after it has been affixed to the skin, thus increasing the lifespan of the transfer image.
At this point it is a good time to discuss how flexo printers have produced this type of tattoo. As mentioned previously, an “underprint” varnish (FGN-4121) is first deposited on the paper. Then, the actual graphic designs is printed in reverse. Between station dryers are adequate to allow for in-line trapping provided they are used and are in good working order.
After printing the image, a cosmetic grade adhesive must be applied directly over the tattoos. It is this product that affixes the tattoo to the skin. Testing should be done to determine the film thickness of adhesive needed to achieve the desired and result (such as resistance to washing, sweating, etc.).
After depositing the adhesive, it is critical that during sheeting or rewinding a slip sheet is utilized to prevent blocking due to the binding properties of the adhesive. The configuration of your press will determine the best way to accomplish the requirement.
NO-TOX NT 19 series inks for printing tattoos utilize an alcohol soluble polymer as a binder. As such, alcohol should be used as thinner to achieve the desired viscosity and drying rate for a given set of printing conditions. Use the following diluent guide when printing these inks:
| Alcohol | Effect |
| Ethyl Alcohol | Lowers viscosity while accelerating drying rate |
| Isopropyl or Normal Propyl Alcohol | Lowers viscosity while maintaining drying rate |
| Isobutyl or Normal Butyl Alcohol | Lowers viscosity while retarding drying rate (to be used with very slow press speeds only). |
It has also been seen that the thicker the printed ink film, the greater the tendency for the transfer to crack once on the skin. Care should thus be taken to always deposit as thin a film as possible to maximize the amount of time that the transfer remains intact on the skin.
Standard decal paper is commonly used for this type of project. This paper possesses a water soluble coating which functions as a release layer between the stock and the tattoo. Transfer of the tattoo to the skin is normally achieved, then, by placing the tattoo adhesive-side-down on the skin and thoroughly wetting the back of the paper with water. After 10 - 15 minutes, the paper will slide away and the tattoo is affixed to the skin. We have had reports that these tattoos can last for periods greater than one week. Should an individual wish to remove the tattoo prior to its “wearing-away”, rubbing alcohol or cold creme can generally be used.
TATTOO PRINTING USING SILK SCREEN METHOD
I would like to take a few moments to discuss the use Screen Printing method to print temporary tattoos. Non toxic inks, for this application, produce dry films after printing which consist entirely on ingredients compliant with current FDA regulations regarding the components of cosmetic products (it has been learned that the FDA considers on-skin tattoos to be, indeed, cosmetic items).
Non toxic inks are solvent based formulations not unlike the lacquer based inks many screen printers use for printing onto paper substrates.
Screen size and mesh composition can be chosen just as you would for printing with ordinary lacquer inks. In most instances, artwork requirements are the greatest influence upon choice of such materials. Emulsions resistant to the solvents present in our inks (i.e. glycol ethers) should be used when processing the screens. Any tape used on the frames and screens must be resistant to these solvents as well.
We can supply “tattoo” inks in four basic shades. While custom colors can be blended, most of the shades can be obtained with the four color process shades. In addition there is a varnish which is used as an underprint. This product provides overall integrity and strength to the tattoos after it has been placed onto the body.
I now want to briefly address the manner in which most screen printers have produced these tattoos. To begin, a water-release (“decal”) paper must be chosen. The initial print is made using underprint varnish. After drying, each subsequent color is printed and dried. (Note: the artwork must be such that the desired tattoo image is printed in reverse). At this point a cosmetic grade adhesive must be deposited over the entire tattoo. Finally, slip sheets must be placed between the sheets prior to stacking in order to prevent blocking due to the presence of the adhesive.
Application of the tattoo to the skin is quite easily accomplished. Place the tattoo adhesive side down directly onto the skin. Thoroughly wet the back of the tattoo with water. Wait about 30 seconds and then gently slide the paper away.
Our current customers have indicated that the tattoos they produce last from 5-14 days, withstanding perspiration and numerous washings. Should the tattoo need to be removed prior to its natural erosion, rubbing alcohol and/or cold creme generally provide satisfactory results.
