If you’ve ever looked at temporary tattoos online and thought “that looks massive” or “I love it but I don’t know where I’d put it”, you’re not alone.
I stock a few different types of temporary tattoos for adults or kids, and while they all do the same job (stick on, look cool, wash off), they’re very different in terms of size, style, and how you wear them. So this is a very relaxed guide to what’s what - no jargon, no pressure.
Most of the temporary tattoos in my shop are roughly A5 size (or close enough to call them that without getting technical).
On the backing sheet they can look huge, especially if you’re imagining them on a kid’s arm — but once they’re on skin, they’re surprisingly wearable. These designs are made to wrap around arms, curve with the body, or sit nicely along forearms and calves.
They work really well as:
Forearm tattoos
Upper arm or bicep wraps
Thigh pieces
Shoulder blade
Neck tattoo wrap around
Even on kids, they’re not as overwhelming as you might expect. You can overlap them, use just part of the design, or position them so they flow with the arm rather than sitting flat.
The tattoos all rip easily as paper, so you can wrap them around the curves/bones of the body and get the placement you want.
If you’re looking for large temporary tattoos that look real, this style is usually what people mean — bold enough to make an impact, but still easy to wear.
At the opposite end of the scale are Siou temporary tattoos.
Siou is a French brand, and the designs are beautifully delicate. Each pack contains five sheets, and the tattoos themselves are small, fine-lined, and very elegant.
These are perfect if you want:
Wrist-sized tattoos
Subtle accents on hands, ankles, or collarbones
Something that feels more like jewellery than body art
They’re especially popular for hen parties and weddings (they even do hen-specific designs), but they’re also lovely as fashion temporary tattoos for festivals if your style leans more polished than chaotic.
If you’ve ever wanted a temporary tattoo that doesn’t immediately scream “temporary tattoo”, these are a great option.
Paper Self sits somewhere in the middle.
They’re a London-based brand, and the designs feel very contemporary — modern, stylish, and thoughtfully designed without being loud. Some are dainty, some are playful, and a few have a slightly quirky sense of humour (text, measuring tapes, bracelet-style tattoos, daisy chains).
The tattoos are generally on the smaller side (though not as tiny as Siou), and packs usually include one or two sheets.
These are great if you like:
Temporary tattoos as accessories
Clean, modern design
Something that feels editorial or fashion-led
They’re easy to style, easy to place, and work really well if you want something subtle but intentional.
They do a lot of designs that wrap easily into bracelets, or can be broken down into finger tattoo designs.
Then there’s Never Have I Ever, which is very much selling a vibe.
These temporary tattoos lean into a Y2K-inspired, playful aesthetic, with designs that work especially well on hands, fingers, and faces. Some of the kits include rhinestones, so you can embellish your tattoos, layer things up, or just fully commit to the look.
They’re fun, bold, and styling-focused — less about one perfect tattoo and more about creating an overall look.
These are especially popular as festival temporary tattoos, and they’ve previously been stocked by places like Urban Outfitters. Very cool, very confident, and definitely designed with younger, trend-led styling in mind - though honestly, if you like them, wear them.
A question that comes up a lot is how long temporary tattoos last. Most transfer tattoos will last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on placement, skin type, and how much friction they’re exposed to. Hands, necks and fingers fade faster; forearms and upper arms tend to last longer.
If you want your tattoos to last as long as possible, placement makes a big difference, and avoiding areas that rub against clothing helps.
Your skin type is the biggest indictator of how long it will last. Dry skin soaks up the glue and really lasts a very long time. If you have more oily skin, it's not going to last as long at all.
If you have any moisturiser, or fake tan, that will affect the glue and it won't last as long. But also if it's a water based fake tan, when you put the tattoo on - you need to be careful you don't wash off the tan around it. Just be mindful!
Any body hair under the tattoo transfer will also prevent the glue from properly adhering to the skin. Sometimes it's not a big deal, or a big tattoo will be able to have enough surface area to compensate. Just keep in mind that it doesn't stick to hair, it has to touch skin to stick down, so if there's too thick body hair, then it may not be possible to get it to work.
They’re also easy to remove when you’re ready — usually with oil, makeup remover, or something similar.
If you’re ever unsure about temporary tattoo placement ideas, I’m always happy to help — sometimes moving a design just a few centimetres makes all the difference.
Glitter tattoos are a whole different thing, and they really deserve a post of their own. I’ll be covering those separately soon — they last longer, apply differently, and suit slightly different situations, but are also fabulour
For now, this guide is all about transfer temporary tattoos and how to choose the right size and style for you.
If you’re still not sure which temporary tattoos will suit you best, feel free to email me - I’m always happy to talk it through.
