Product test
Tramp stamp or tribal tattoo? I was my own tattoo artist for the day
by Stefanie Lechthaler
Deceptively real? Testing temporary tattoos
20.10.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Stephan Lamprecht
Fake tattoos promise deceptively real-looking results that last for weeks. But do these promises hold any weight? In a bid to find out, I spent two weeks testing temporary tattoos on my own body.
I love tattoos! The kind that are painful to acquire and stay on your body forever, that is. Every single one of my tattoos reminds me of a special person, an encounter or something meaningful to me.
Which makes it all the crazier that I’m about to give temporary tattoos a whirl.
My last foray into the world of fake tattoos was during my school days, when you’d often find them on lollipop wrappers. Back then, a little soap and water was enough to make them look, let’s just say, «unappealing». So I went into this review with a healthy dose of scepticism.
And seeing as a problem shared is a problem solved, I persuaded my colleague and fellow tattoo addict, Anika, to join me.
How to put on temporary tattoos
Applying Minink tattoos is easy. There’s even a QR code linking to a video tutorial printed on the packet, so you really can’t go wrong.
The manufacturer recommends applying the tattoos to a clean, hair-free area. After a quick once-over with a razor, I’m good to go – just like I’d have to do at a real tattoo studio.
Once I’ve done that, it’s time to remove the protective film from the backing paper that the image is printed onto. Using a clean, damp (but not dripping wet) cloth, I gently press the backing paper onto the spot where I want the tattoo. Keeping to the instructions, I hold down the cloth for about 20 seconds until the backing paper is properly wet.
When I carefully peel off the paper, the fake tattoo’s been transferred to my skin.
A word of advice – when you’re applying your tattoo, make sure the paper doesn’t curl. You should also try not to stretch your skin, otherwise the image will look weirdly distorted later on.
The Minink tattoo initially looks pretty nondescript. The super-faint lettering looks nothing like the illustration on the packet (check out the photo at the top of the page). Did I do something wrong?
Nope, turns out I’m just too impatient. According to the instructions, the tattoo will only start to develop over the next 12–36 hours. For this to work, I’ll have to protect it from moisture and friction for the next eight hours. The manufacturer also recommends wearing loose clothing – something I’m used to doing with freshly tattooed skin too.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. While my tattoo turns out well, my colleague Anika’s…doesn’t exactly go to plan.
The tattoo develops over time…or not
To be on the safe side, I decide to give the fake tattoo a little extra time and wait 12 hours before having a shower. And sure enough, the lettering develops.
The tattoo initially looks faint and silvery. Twenty-four hours after application, however, it’s much darker. Like the image on the packet, it’s turned black. At first and second glance, you wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from a permanent tattoo. Well, that’s how my turns out anyway.
The manufacturer didn’t have an explanation for these differing results when I asked about it. Apparently, the ink can run if the tattoo’s exposed to too much pressure and moisture during the first few hours after application. As for why the colours developed so differently? That’s still a mystery.
Showering and sweating aren’t an issue
For the next few days, I didn’t pay the tattoo any special attention. Northern Germany was blessed with a rare spell of warm, sunny weather, so I was basically obliged to wear a T-shirt. And through it all, the tattoo held out against sun, sweat and daily showers. Plus, since the colour was strong enough to perfectly match my real tattoos, I was even asked whether I truly needed another one. Hehe.
So how long did the fake tattoos last?
Well, «temporary» really does mean temporary. Beauty fades – in my case, after 12 days. The fine line across the letter «t» was the first part to show signs of disintegrating. As a result, the tattoo still passed as a permanent one. Just not a perfectly executed one.
After that, the tattoo reached the point of no return. Over the next few days, more and more delicate details faded away. From day 15 onwards, I’d describe the tattoo’s condition as «unsightly». That being said, it really did last longer than I’d expected.
Anika’s test tattoos disappeared within just short of a week. Mind you, given how rubbish they looked, she wasn’t exactly devastated about this.
Who would I recommend this product to?
If you get a tattoo done in a studio, you’ll (probably) be making a lifelong decision. So, in my opinion, temporary tats are ideal for people who’re unsure if they’ll suit the real thing. Or people trying to figure out if they feel comfortable having a tattoo.
If you already have real tattoos and are curious to see how a particular image would look on an un-inked, maybe even risqué part of your body, Mininks tattoos are a good option. Plus, they’re also fun to use and can really top off a party outfit.
In a nutshell
A pleasant surprise
My initial scepticism’s gone out the window. Not only was my tattoo easy to apply, but the end result also looked really similar to a permanent tat. However, since my colleague’s tattoo turned out to be disappointing, I’m only giving the Minink tattoos four stars.
Pro
- Easy to apply
- Can withstand showering
- Long-lasting
- The ink doesn’t run
Contra
- End results varied during our test
- Tattoo needs time to develop. You can’t just stick it on and hit the ground running.
Header image: Stephan Lamprecht
Hamburg local, bookworm, and ice hockey fan. Dad and granddad. Constantly tinkering around with my smart home setup. I love DIY, the outdoors, fashion, and cosmetics.
Beauty
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