Glitter Tattoo Question

Hi Everyone! I just started playing with glitter tattoos.I love glitter so this could be my latest addiction. I need some advice please. Do you apply glitter while the stencil is in place or do you remove the stencil as soon as you lay the glue then apply your glitter. I am hearing people do it both ways...I keep finding the glue pulls away with the stencil, messing up the design...

I glitter before removing the stencil. Try not to lay the glue on too thick. Also, don't let the glue get under your stencil. I like to let it dry before applying the glitter.

I glue, then remove the stencil, allow the adhesive to go clear, then glitter.....but that's just me.
My daughter prefers to glue, dry, glitter, then remove the stencil.

I prefer to glitter with the stencil on, but it is really gonna depend for some, on what kind of light you are in. I started out removing the stencil first and if I was in good sunlight it's easy to see the design once ithe glue has gone transparent. If the light isn't great outdoors or you are indooors it can be difficult. I have heard some people will add a little food coloring to the glue to tint it so it can be seen when dried. I just find it easier and quicker to stencil glue glitter and remove.

remove stencil before glitter to keep edges neater.... or from my experience it gives you neater edges

I tinted my glue w/ blue face paint shavings. It has just a little tint. I'm trying to learn to free hand the tats. So far they're ok. I've done them on myself, but never for a gig.

Psalm,

I did my first free hand tat just last night. I surprised myself with how good it came out. In my mind I was doing a hummingbird lol....but hey I'm just happy you can look at it and see it is a bird so there is hope for me yet.

I did something simple... Tiger stripes. It looked great but I had to wash it off. I didn't want kids at the bday party the next day saying, "I want that."

Thanks for the answers everyone. I am still fooling with them. Did it both ways and still peeling up a little glue on the stencil edges either way...Gotta keep practicing I guess..

what glue r u using? from what company?

The glue they sell from Glimmer. I wonder if I need to pull up the stencil as soon as I apply the glue so it has no time to adhere to the stencil itself. What glue/adhesive do you prefer?

i have that glue and I have a few dif other brands... I did a test on my hand to see if they lasted any longer than each other and they all lasted the same amount of time I water down my glimmer glue... it is too thick. I tested it also... works the same watered down also Maybe that is the problem... give it a try

I think the problem is you are leaving the stencil on too long. I say this because when I went to FABAIC last year and I took the class with Macky from Glimmer, every time he would do one he removed the stencil as soon as he finishes applying the glue. He waited for the glue to turn clear / get tacky then applied the glitter.

Thanks for all the input! That's interesting that Macky removes the stencil right away. I am going to try that, pulling the stencil off quickly.

I am basically a glitter artist (free-hand) and when I do stencils I also remove asap, wait til they dry and then glam 'em up.

I want to suggest that you guys consider advertising that you do tat detailing for people with tattoos. I LOVE DOING THIS! It's like using a coloring book and makes their ho-hum tats POP OUT!!

Eve