Airbrush Tattoo Stencils - TO STICK OR NOT TO STICK
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In the process of applying airbrush tattoos, stencils are quite often a very important factor, and using the right kind of stencils can mean the difference between you applying a great tattoo that your customer will love, and applying a sub-standard, blurry tattoo that you will just have to re-do to keep your customer happy.
Now, there are a few different types you can use, each with it's advantages and disadvantages.
Adhesive-backed Stencils
Adhesive-backed stencils, are common, can be purchased from various companies, and are a great tool to have and use. Quite often they resemble a thick vinyl, that is stuck to the customer's arm sprayed through, and then peeled away, leaving a perfect image everytime. Because of the sticky back, they are great for multi-colour tattoos and more complicated applications that you will need an extra hand for changing colours, or applying products over the top.
Advantages :
- They stick to your customer, so you dont have to worry about them squirming about.
- Much easier to apply multi-colours, and advanced shimmer or glitter applications.
- The resulting image is perfect everytime.
- If in the case of trouble with your airbrush, you can simply fix your airbrush, and get back to it where you left off, without the fear of messing up the tattoo.
- They are very easy for beginners to use.
- Very easy to apply to most parts of the body, they simply mould to the shape of the area.
Disadvantages :
- They are disposable. They can break or need replacing more often because of their sticky nature.
- Some claim that they are unhygenic, transferring dirt or skin particles from customer to customer, although there is no proof of this. And your customer's skin is cleaned prior to the application of the stencil. So this is an unsubstantiated claim.
NON ADHESIVE-BACKED STENCILS
Can be found all over, and used for various applications. Henna artists have been using these type for years. They can be used more, because they are essentially not disposable, although nothing is indestructable. They can also be flipped to apply a mirror image. These type of stencil are a little more difficult to use however, and beginners especially will have trouble applying an airbrush tattoo with them. Armband designs are very hard to master, even for a seasoned professional.
Advantages :
- They last longer
- They dont stick to your stencil book, when filed away.
Disadvantages :
- They are difficult to use.
- They don't allow you the ability to apply multicolours without lining the stencil up again.
- Very hard to use on a squirming customer. (kids move around alot!)
- Artists tend to not clean these as often, because they last for ages.
- Hard to apply to certain parts of the body, (contours, curves)
So there you have it, there are the advantages and dis-advantages of both. Remember there are many different versions of both of these types, some may stick more, some may stick less, some may be black, some may be white or clear. Some may be thicker than others, some may be thinner than others and so on and so on. Each manufacturer has their reasons for producing the stencils that they produce, and each airbrush tattoo artist, has their personal preference.
It really is up to you to try them all and decide for yourself, which stencils you want to use on an everyday basis.
Here is a list of things to consider when deciding.
• Do I want to offer multi-colours, and does the stencil allow me to do this easily?
• Will I be tattooing children, is the stencil easy to use on children?
• How durable is the stencil? Will I have to replace it very often?
• Customers ask for tattoos on all parts of the body, is the stencil allowing me to apply a tattoo there easily?
• Will it be easy for me to use?
And the most important question of all.............
• Quality is essential to my business. Which type will give me quality results everytime?