Sticker Mule hires inventor of DTG printing

Sticker Mule, the Internet's fastest growing [t-shirt printer](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts), is proud to announce the appointment of Matthew Rhome, the inventor of the Direct-to-Garment (DTG) inkjet printer, to serve as the company’s Director of Quality and Efficiency.

“We like to be the absolute best at everything we do. DTG is a rapidly developing technology that will soon replace traditional screen printing. Matt Rhome is a genius-level innovator that is going to help us deliver the future of printing to everyone on the Internet,” said Anthony Constantino.

Rhome will collaborate with in-house engineering at Sticker Mule and guide DTG printing innovation to help Sticker Mule migrate apparel printing from old-school screen printing to a modern DTG process by continually improving the quality, cost efficiency and turnaround of Sticker Mule’s apparel printing processes.

According to Constantino, “Sticker Mule migrated the world of stickers from traditional printing to a fully digital process. With Matt’s help, we’re going to do the same with t-shirts and apparel. It’s just a matter of improving quality and reducing cost until it makes more sense to print DTG for all quantities. We’ll make that happen sooner than people think possible.”

"Sticker Mule's bold vision and authentic corporate culture motivated me to join the team,” Rhome stated. “Having followed the company's journey for some time, I have come to appreciate how it stands out in the industry. I have known Anthony, Sticker Mule's CEO, for many years, and his steadfast dedication to quality and innovation deeply inspires me. His ability to lead with integrity and having a clear focus on customer satisfaction is inspiring. I truly admire the impactful work he is doing, and I am honored to have the opportunity to join his team and contribute to this exciting mission.”

“Rhome’s journey began when he screen-printed shirts at 14 for his Boy Scout troop. After launching a screen-printing business in the 1980s, he developed the idea for the DTG printer, aiming to create a more environmentally friendly and efficient printing solution. 

In 1996, Rhome invented and patented the first commercially available DTG printer. It became a worldwide sensation that revolutionized the t-shirt printing industry. Prior to joining Sticker Mule, he played a key role in advancing the DTG printer business at both Brother and Epson.

This September, Rhome was honored with the prestigious Joe Clarke Innovator Award at the Printing United Expo to recognize his work to advance the printing industry.

Direct-to-Garment Pioneer, Matthew Rhome, Hired as Director of Quality and Efficiency to Guarantee Sticker Mule is the Internet’s Top T-Shirt Printer. 

Fall 2024 updates

###White label hot sauce
You can now order [custom hot sauce bottles](https://www.stickermule.com/white-label-hot-sauce). Same flavor of Mule Sauce, but designed by you.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="oR6boSqvHQY" />

###Printed transfer stickers
You can now order full-color [printed transfer stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/printed-transfer-stickers). Printed transfer stickers make it easy to apply intricate, full color designs to any smooth surface.

<WistiaVideo videoId="oc38ypapa0" />

###Store growth
Our Stores platform continues to grow, as we keep making improvements.

We now have over 12,000 stores and have paid out [over $18,000 in earnings](https://www.stickermule.com/stats/commission-earnings).

###Markup for Stores
You can now add markup to any item in [your store](https://www.stickermule.com/me).

![stores-markup](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5aebc919-280b-43e2-a4d6-6f830db7be1c)

Set the percentage you want, and you’ll see the new retail price along with the minimum profit you’ll receive on each order. All markup profit goes directly to you, the store owner.

###Store bios
You can now add a bio to your store. This is a great place to tell potential customers about your brand and the type of items you sell.

![Store bios](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/facf5833-c30a-4406-9fa9-1bde5ab1aa7f)

###Improved Store discovery
We moved Stores to the top of our main navigation.

![Store discovery](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c8d8f087-93dc-4fda-833e-4be1bf664b2a)

People can browse by [newest items](https://www.stickermule.com/stores), items from [stores they follow](https://www.stickermule.com/stores/following), or the [most popular items](https://www.stickermule.com/stores/popular). And you can “like” individual items now too.

###Added Store email notifications
If you have a store, you can now get notified when you make a sale, or when someone follows you.

![Store email notifications](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/05dcde7b-199e-4b7f-b47e-3851fba65d4a)

###New press page
We’ve been in the news a lot lately, so we made a [new press page](https://press.stickermule.com/).

###Added Giphy integration to Stimulus
You can now easily add gifs to your [Stimulus](https://www.stimulus.com/) posts with our new Giphy integration.

![Stimulus Giphy integration](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fde958d7-dcb1-4ba7-87dd-8f6e694f6062)



Learn what new things we launched this Fall. Including 2 new products and more updates to Stores.

Introducing full-color, printed transfer stickers

Full-color [printed transfer stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/printed-transfer-stickers) are here!

People already love [transfer stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/transfer-stickers) (aka vinyl decals). But full-color printing has been [one of the most requested features](https://stickermule.canny.io/products/p/printed-transfer-stickers). Our engineers have been hard at work, building the cutting-edge machines that now make this possible.

<WistiaVideo videoId="oc38ypapa0" />

##What are printed transfer stickers?
Standard transfer stickers aren’t actually printed at all. They are cut to the exact shape of each piece of a design. This is why they only come in all-black or all-white. This works fine for many designs, but of course, has its limitations.

![black transfer stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3ef7faf6-2c57-4fbc-8cc7-59b3abef6df2)

Printed transfer stickers are made with the extra step of… printing. This lets you add virtually any color, mix of colors, shades, or gradients you want to your stickers. All made with the same durable vinyl and precise cutting that have made our transfer stickers so popular.

![full color printed transfer stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b331e026-22e8-4e38-9ce5-67d7188be0cb)

##How to apply printed transfer stickers
A special tape holds your design together, making it easy to apply your transfer stickers. To apply, slowly pull the transfer tape from the paper backing. Next, place the sticker on your desired surface and then use your fingers to apply pressure across the face of the sticker, making sure it properly adheres. You can also use a credit card to reinforce the adhesion.

Remember: Printed transfer stickers look best when applied to smooth surfaces — think windows, laptops, or cars.

If your design is particularly delicate, you may want to wait 24 hours before removing the transfer tape. When it’s ready, slowly peel the transfer tape off to reveal your full color design.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="nrCXwMu6qw4" />

##How to order printed transfer stickers
We make ordering full color printed transfer stickers easy.

1. Go to [printed transfer sticker page](https://www.stickermule.com/products/printed-transfer-stickers)
2. Select a size and quantity
3. Upload your artwork
4. Checkout

We’ll automatically set up your artwork for printed transfer stickers, so you don’t need to do anything special to your artwork before ordering. But if you want to do the artwork setup yourself, [these guidelines](https://www.stickermule.com/support/how-do-i-design-a-transfer-sticker) will help.

![printed transfer sticker proof](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b04d0fab-ef72-433a-9c4f-9a0b678af171)

Within a few hours of checkout, you’ll get an online proof, showing how your custom printed transfer stickers will look. You can request changes to the proof for free until you’re happy.

##Order custom printed transfer stickers today
Each printed transfer sticker is printed in full color, precisely cut, and features a durable vinyl that’s good for indoor or outdoor use.

![full color transfer sticker](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b1f5194d-2503-419f-b866-307e716bd1db)

Apply any design to any surface.

<ButtonCta text="Order printed transfer stickers" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/printed-transfer-stickers" />

Printed transfer stickers let you transfer any design in full-color to any smooth surface.

Save up to 80% on UPS shipping rates with Ship

Introducing [Ship](https://www.stickermule.com/ship). A free tool to help you save time and money generating UPS shipping labels.

<WistiaVideo videoId="xc5sb7b35n" />

At Sticker Mule, we ship tons of packages every day. That’s how we learned to negotiate the best shipping rates available. Now we’re passing those savings on to you. Save up to 80% on UPS shipping rates with Ship.

##How it works
Ship has an easy to use interface and is completely free to use – you only pay for the labels.

To get started, add the address you want to ship to and the address you want to ship from.

![Ship addresses](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c444b448-660c-47f1-bd3d-6e2ae9e475f7)

Next, choose what type of package you are going to ship.

![Ship package configuration](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bfd5f888-1f9a-4f50-b620-c2445781f106)

Next, compare shipping rates, and select your desired shipping method.

![shipping methods](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fdb7907f-d0aa-4be3-9795-efeb32d683e1)

Print your label, stick it on your package, and drop it off at your [nearest UPS Store](https://www.theupsstore.com/tools/find-a-store).

You won’t get charged for the label until it’s received and scanned by UPS.

From the [Ship dashboard](https://www.stickermule.com/ship/home), you can track the status of all your shipments and easily share tracking information with your customers.

![Ship dashboard](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c923fb3b-87b9-47c9-882a-9ca25c4a3758)

Save time and money on your next shipment with Ship.

<ButtonCta text="Try Ship today" href="https://www.stickermule.com/ship" />


Introducing Ship. A free tool to help you save time and money generating UPS shipping labels.

Introducing Ship

Sticker Mule launches white label hot sauce

##Create your own brand with award-winning Mule Sauce

![ricky berwick custom hot sauce](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a349c5df-d7a9-40b3-b548-3f58306cf025)

*Globally recognized social media sensation Ricky Berwick is partnering with Sticker Mule to captivate audiences worldwide.* 

__AMSTERDAM, NY, Aug. 14, 2024__ – Sticker Mule, the Internet's most kick-ass brand, is excited to announce the arrival of its new White Label Hot Sauce, allowing customers to customize Sticker Mule's award-winning “Mule Sauce” with their own branding. 

To boost the debut of White Label Hot Sauce, Sticker Mule partnered with Internet personality Ricky Berwick. Together, they launched a [marketing campaign](https://x.com/stickermule/status/1823491742986850535) to promote this major new product. Berwick is a globally recognized social media sensation, celebrated for his creative and hilarious video content that captivates audiences worldwide.

"Mule Sauce started as a dare but it's become a sensation with 1 million bottles shipped annually. Now, with white label hot sauce, we're allowing everyone to use our award-winning recipe to promote their business, brand or just have fun," said Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule. 

Since launching in 2019, Mule Sauce has become a fan-favorite condiment, earning a loyal following with its unique sweet heat and versatility that enhances any dish. Mule Sauce has quickly positioned itself as an everyday hot sauce, rivaling iconic hot sauces like Tabasco, Frank's RedHot, and Sriracha.

“If you’re an influencer, you’re an idiot if you don’t buy white label mule sauce to grow your brand. I’m buying it and selling it because I’m not an idiot and because it’s delicious,” said Ricky Berwick. 

Sticker Mule’s white label hot sauce is perfect for restaurants, brands, influencers, or as a unique gift. Customers can easily upload their design, and Sticker Mule will prepare an FDA-compliant label. Or, start with a design template and create a label using Sticker Mule's intuitive [design tool, Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio). Once the order is placed, customers receive an online proof showing how their hot sauce will look, with free revisions until they are happy.

Mule Sauce is featured in every White Label Hot Sauce bottle. It’s known for its perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a three-out-of-five heat intensity. It pairs well with nearly any dish and adds almost zero calories, making it a guilt-free addition to any meal.

For more information visit [Sticker Mule’s website](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-hot-sauce).

###About Sticker Mule
Sticker Mule is the best way to buy and sell custom merchandise, including stickers, t-shirts, magnets, buttons, labels, packaging, keychains, temporary tattoos, and an award-winning hot sauce. Founded in 2010, it’s now powered by 1,200+ people in 30+ countries, with factories in New York, South Carolina and Italy.

###About Ricky Berwick
Berwick is a globally recognized social media sensation, celebrated for his hilarious video content that captivates audiences worldwide. He was born with a physical disability (called Beals-Hecht syndrome) that limits his movements. Ricky embodies the message that “disability is not inability,” using his creative talents to entertain and inspire through his skits and witty reporting via the 'Crippled News'. The Canadian entertainer has also established himself as an entrepreneur, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to build his brand and connect with millions.

###For media queries, please contact: 
James Colistra, Director of Public Relations, Sticker Mule

Email: james@stickermule.com


Create your own brand with award-winning Mule Sauce. Sticker Mule, the Internet's most kick-ass brand, is excited to announce the arrival of its new White Label Hot Sauce.

Make your own hot sauce bottles!

Make your own hot sauce brand with [white label hot sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-hot-sauce)!

<WistiaVideo videoId="zejycuu1gc" />

##Our sauce. Your label.

We already make [kick-ass hot sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce) and [kick-ass labels](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-labels). So we decided to combine the two and let everyone make their own kick-ass hot sauce bottles.

![bottles of white label hot sauce](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/61d0bd49-a0c5-4f0f-af33-6c6d18d29169)

White label hot sauce is perfect for local restaurants, marketing events, weddings, or gifts for your team.

Upload your design and we’ll automatically prepare an FDA-compliant label for your hot sauce. Or, start with a design template and design your hot sauce label with [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio). After ordering, we’ll send you an online proof showing how your bottles will look. You can request changes to the proof for free until you’re happy.

![custom hot sauce with tacos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9679d2f0-4286-41fe-bdc3-7a2e8b6f7377)

Each bottle features our award winning [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce). It’s the best everyday hot sauce, pairs well with anything, and adds almost 0 calories. It features a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, measuring 3/5 in heat intensity.

Get your own hot sauce bottles today.

<ButtonCta text="Order white label hot sauce" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-hot-sauce" />


Introducing custom white label hot sauce. Our sauce, your label. Create your own everyday hot sauce brand. Free shipping.

July 2024 updates

###New stores
We added over 400 stores this month, including big names like [Mike Tyson](https://www.stickermule.com/u/tyson) and [Ricky Berwick](https://www.stickermule.com/u/rickyberwick). We now have [over 7,300 stores and counting](https://www.stickermule.com/stats)!

###Sell on your store
We made it easier to add items to your store.

![sell items from the proofing screen](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e466cba8-a10a-4a5e-b6c5-07e61400c235)

As soon as you approve a proof, add it to your store with the click of a button. Or easily add previously ordered items from [your store page](https://www.stickermule.com/me).

###Goodbye profiles
All Sticker Mule Public Profiles are now [Sticker Mule Stores](https://www.stickermule.com/stores). This is a simple change that helps clarify our new mission of becoming the Internet’s favorite place to buy *and sell*.

###Studio updates
Now you can paste images directly to [your canvas](https://www.stickermule.com/studio), browse fonts by category, and search fonts on mobile. We improved image rendering and upgraded our Trace model for [better background removal](https://www.stickermule.com/trace).

###New video
We made a fun commercial to show off [custom tattoos](https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos).

<YouTubeVideo videoId="b7eb_L3cBPA" />

###X giveaways
We started giving away $500 for [every post we made on X](https://x.com/stickermule/status/1814824791699788072). Rumor has it, more crazy giveaways are coming soon.

###Redraw reviews
People love [Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw). We made reviews public to show just how much (4.7 stars). [Convert any image to vector for $14](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) and see for yourself.

###What’s next?
We’ve got more exciting Store features & partnerships to announce soon. And a spicy update to [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce).

Don’t forget to be nice to people!


Learn about what we did in July. Including some exciting updates to Stores.

How to make custom QR code stickers

QR codes make it easy to direct people to a specific webpage, share WiFi, share contact information, and more.

With QR scanners being built directly into iPhone and Android cameras, there’s never been a better time to add custom QR codes to your IRL marketing and promotions.

As easy as QR code stickers are for people to use, they’re just about as easy for you to make.

##How to generate a custom QR code (free)
Generating a QR code is simple and doesn’t require any technical expertise.

First, head to [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio). Studio is a completely free and easy to use online design tool for non-designers.

![design online, fast](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/065a5f14-5761-456f-81c9-20655af02b2b)

Click the *Create design* button.

Next, click the *Graphics* tab on the left side.

Here, you’ll see a handful of QR code styles. Each one is completely customizable. Select the design you want and it will get added to your artboard.

With the QR code design still selected you can choose between 4 different QR code types:
- URL
- WiFi
- Contact
- PDF

Select the type you want, fill out the necessary fields, and then click Generate QR code. The QR code on your artboard will automatically be updated. You can pull out your phone and instantly test the QR code for yourself.

With your custom QR code made, you can adjust the size, design, and colors however you like. Just be sure that the QR code itself has enough contrast with the background so it remains easily readable.

When you’re happy with your design, you can share it, download it, or immediately order prints.

##How to order custom QR code stickers
If you designed your QR code in Studio, click the Order prints button.

![Use QR codes for custom prints](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/600f507f-998e-45b0-8801-865f494c5d08)

From here you can adjust the size and quantity, then order your [custom QR codes stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/die-cut-stickers). Or browse other products to make [QR code magnets](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-magnets), [QR code floor graphics](https://www.stickermule.com/products/floor-graphics), and [more](https://www.stickermule.com/more).

If you already have a QR code design, simply order any of our [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers), then upload your design file.

Shortly after checkout, you’ll get an online proof showing how your custom QR code stickers will look before they’re printed. You can test the QR code and request changes to the design for free until you’re happy.

##Use QR code stickers today
QR code stickers are a great way to direct traffic to your site, share online restaurant menus, generate sales, share contact information, and engage with your customers.

![QR code stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/96ea79e0-60f9-4e81-bf1d-8d7d1a5be80d)

Start generating QR code stickers for your business today.

<ButtonCta text="Generate QR code sticker" href="https://www.stickermule.com/studio" />


Learn how to quickly generate custom QR codes for free. Then use your QR codes to make custom stickers.

June 2024 updates. More ways to earn money with Sticker Mule.

Hopefully you find some time to kick back and relax this summer. And with our June updates you might even be able to earn money while doing so.

##New ways to earn passive income
![easily make money online](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f350d906-cf30-4ce9-94f4-66185c9ad831)

###Commissions
We launched [Commissions](https://www.stickermule.com/commissions). Refer people to Sticker Mule and earn 10% on every order they place in their first year. Currently available in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with more regions coming soon.

###Stores
We launched [Stores](https://www.stickermule.com/stores) (beta). Stores makes it easy to sell your designs on custom products — and works alongside Commissions. Visit [stickermule.com/me](https://www.stickermule.com/me) to create your store and add items. Markup coming soon.

###Stats
We added [Stats](https://www.stickermule.com/stats). We love transparency so we’re making all the internal stats related to Commissions and Stores public! See total earnings, total products sold, and more.

##Improved design tools
![remove backgrounds with Trace](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fa32e671-0de1-4da4-a0db-3e89d9605110)

###Trace
We made big improvements to [Trace](https://www.stickermule.com/trace). We updated the underlying AI model, resulting in cleaner, more precise background removal. Try Trace for free and see for yourself!

###Print
We made improvements to [Print](https://www.stickermule.com/print). Now all the functionality from Trace and [Upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale) are built directly into Print – so you can remove the background and increase the resolution before ordering your custom products. And now you can also customize your artwork in [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio) from Print with a single click.

##So many giveaways
![Tesla Cybertruck](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ef314af8-5a5d-4b5d-8929-6daebf9cf174)

###Cybertruck giveaway
We are [giving away a real Cybertruck on X](https://x.com/stickermule/status/1805719962767569062). Repost to enter.

###Stimulus giveaways
We added product giveaways to [Stimulus](https://www.stimulus.com/). Connect your Stimulus account to Sticker Mule and [give away products](https://www.stimulus.com/stimulus/p/FcqnuBulSiud7wsgTEZ1jg) from your store. We also [added a $50 giveaway option](https://www.stimulus.com/stimulus/p/sEoBsagSTASnfv1aMFw6fA) to Stimulus. And you can now [see how many giveaways are running](https://www.stimulus.com/giveaways) on the platform at any given time.

###Stimulus Credit
We added [Stimulus Credit](https://www.stimulus.com/referrals). Now referrers and referrals both earn credit. The credit can be used for product giveaways – and soon for Stimulus Stores. Speaking of referrals, we also added [referral stats](https://www.stimulus.com/stats), so you can see how many people have signed up via referrals and how much has been given away.

##What’s next?
We’re continuing to focus on ways to help you earn money. We also have some exciting updates to our existing products. And of course, more giveaways.


With our June updates we introduced more ways to earn money with Sticker Mule.

How to make custom temporary tattoos from a photo

The Sticker Mule array of custom products just got a new addition: [custom temporary tattoos](https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos "custom temporary tattoos")!

![make custom temporary tattoos from photos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9616189a-b832-41d0-ae98-97dd7f5ed354)

These newcomers are exactly what the name suggests: tattoos that you get to sport for a couple of days but that, just like an ephemeral Sunday afternoon, will eventually vanish without a trace.

The thing about temporary tattoos: they're a fantastic way to express yourself, with no limits to your creativity — and no commitment to wearing them the rest of your life. 

##Why choose temporary tattoos?

As most millennials will remember, temporary tattoos were big with kids in the '90s, and lately they've found a new burst in popularity — largely [driven by social media and influencer trends](https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/john-yuyi-instagram-artist "social media trends in custom tattoos").

It was time to bring that trend back, as temporary tattoos have plenty of fun applications (no pun intended!). You can use them to:

- Find out __how you would look like with tattoos__ (if you've never got one)
- __Try out a design before you commit__ to getting it inked on your skin forever
- Surprise everyone at work or at a party (and __let them think for a while you got an actual tattoo__)
- Use them as a fun way to incorporate your branding at __parties or events__ — you can even consider swapping party wristbands for party tattoos!
- Copy __tattoos from celebrities__ or movie characters for a bit of cosplay fun (we're partial to the John Wick 'Fortuna Fortis Adiuvat', not gonna lie)
- __Indulge the mean streak in you__ and horrify a purist family member, because why not
- Conversely, if you *are* the purist family member (oops), __let your kids play around with temporary tattoos__ — maybe this will keep them away from the real thing?

But really, the uses you can have for temporary tattoos from photos are limited only to your imagination and to how much fun you're prepared to indulge in.

##Choosing the right photo for your custom tattoo

![choosing the right photo for a custom printed tattoo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1508610e-e35b-45b3-9f48-5d4164dc3766)

One thing to keep in mind as you plan your awesome new temporary tattoos: your output is only as good as your input. (Or, as they say, "garbage in, garbage out".)

Here, this means you want to look for high-quality, sharp photos that will print well and look great as a tattoo. If your image has a low resolution or is pixelated, it won't translate well into a printed design — it may look blurry or simply not print clearly enough. 

If you found the perfect photo, but don't have it in a decently-sized file, remember you can leverage our free Upscale service to [increase the resolution of pictures with AI](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "upscale image ai free").

##Design considerations for temporary tattoos

Keep a few elements in mind when designing your custom temporary tattoos — these will help you get optimal results for your design.

- __Contrast__. A high-contrast image where at least one color pops out from the rest is a great way to craft a compelling and attention-grabbing tattoo.
- __Silhouette__. The more nitid a silhouette you get, the better your tattoo will look on your body. You want it to show clearly, not edges that fade into your skin.
- __Visual hierarchy__. Make sure you plan what parts of the tattoo you want to give more emphasis to, and which ones will be more immediately visible. For that, you can benefit from our free proofing process, which gives you a chance to check out your design before pulling the trigger on your custom tattoo order.
- __Color choices__. There is [plenty to be said about colors](https://www.glamour.com/gallery/cute-watercolor-tattoo-ideas "colorful tattoo ideas") and their impact on your tattoo design. For instance, small tattoos don't do so well with too many colors (as they can blend into each other and lose their sharpness); grey and black can be great for intricate, contrast-replete designs, and so on. One thing to note is that if there are [any white segments in your tattoo, they will print as transparent/see through](https://www.stickermule.com/support/can-you-print-white-ink-on-custom-temporary-tattoos "what happens when you print white ink on custom tattoos").
- __Scale/detail interplay__. More intricate designs tend to do better for larger tattoos, whereas less detail-rich graphics can be printed in a wider variety of sizes.
- __Design elements__. Pay attention to how the different design elements come together to form a nice tattoo. Lines, space, texture, balance, movement — these and other aspects will help in creating a tattoo that truly stands out.

##Using design software to create your tattoo

There is no shortage of options for designing your custom temporary tattoo. If Photoshop is your thing, you can of course craft your design there.

However, in case you're looking for an easier-to-use option, you'll find [Studio by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool for printing") is a handy tool that should more than meet your requirements. 

Studio is:

- __Browser-based__, meaning you can use it on pretty much any device
- Requires __no downloads__
- Allows you to __order with just a couple clicks__ once you finish your design
- Is free!

##Step-by-step guide on transforming a photo into a tattoo-ready design
![custom tattoo online design tool free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/78772eaa-f46a-4ae4-8134-98825ba2f9d7)

Depending on the picture in question, it can be easy enough to make it into a design ready for your skin. But regardless of difficulty, the following steps should see you through to your desired goal:

1. To begin with, __clean up your image__. This likely means removing any background that interferes with your design — and here, too, you can benefit from Sticker Mule's very own [background remover tool](https://www.stickermule.com/trace "free background remover").
2. __Adjust the contrast and saturation__. Make sure your design gets to the desired level of sharpness and color intensity.
3. __Upscale your image__. If your image has a low PPI (pixel per inch) ratio, you may want to upscale it using our AI-leveraged tool, [Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "upscale image for free with ai"). This only takes a minute and can significantly improve your final result.

##Preparing your design for printing

With your image looking just the way you want it, it's time to prepare it for printing. This is a simple enough process:

- Make sure the __file format is an accepted one__. At Sticker Mule, we work with most common formats such as .jpg, .png, and .img.
- Preferably, use [vector artwork](https://www.stickermule.com/support/file-formats "best practices when printing with vector file formats"). If your file is not vector, it should have a PPI ratio of 300 or more
- Make sure your graphic __margins are not too large__
- Submit your design and sit tight — our team will get back to you with a __digital proof showing what your print will look like__

Additionally, you may want to try doing a test print on paper with your home printer before you approve the proof and we start the production process. If, as usual, your home printer isn't working, just chuck it out the window and proceed with your order. You should be fine!

###Creating a design from scratch

While [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design studio") may be super easy to use for creating tattoos from photos, sometimes it may be hard to get the creative juices flowing if you are designing a brand new design from scratch. In that case, a little-known trick to spudding potential custom tattoo designs is that you can hire professional digital artists to [design custom tattoos for you for as little as $5](https://www.fiverr.com/categories/graphics-design/tattoo-design "hire professional designers for tattoos"). 

Even if you don’t like the final result, the whole process can still be rewarding by helping you fine-tune your idea so you can eventually get an amazing result from what was just a little seed of an idea!

##Applying your custom temporary tattoo
![custom temporary tattoos application](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7c865f48-b191-4277-903c-cfe12c9a5414)

Now I hear you say, "This is just a temporary tattoo — no brainer!" Well, yes, but keep a couple things in mind to avoid smudging your design, ensure your tattoo keeps looking great on your skin for a little longer, and ensure safety.

- Make sure you __clean the area of application__ beforehand. Consider using a light moisturizer half an hour before you apply your tattoo
- __If you have thick/coarse hair, shave the area__ in question before application
- __Avoid heat, water, or dirt__ in the tattoo area for a couple of minutes after applying
- If you're concerned about potential allergic reactions, __try testing the tattoo on a small patch of skin__ before making the final application. If you're allergic to adhesive, avoid applying to sensitive or broken skin areas

When your temporary tattoo has served its term and it's time to take it off, any of the below methods works fine (and better than soap and water, which we don't recommend):

- Baby oil/olive oil/other analogous oils
- Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
- Scotch tape (but if you have thick hair, [you know what to expect](https://youtu.be/6CTSUjT4Xuk?si=yb7a9HVe1zg618xC&t=44 "funny ripping hair scene from 40 year old virgin")!)

##Creative uses for your custom temporary tattoos
![custom fake tattoos from sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ff1940d0-2578-412e-a7a2-360147816c95)

There is no lack of creative ideas for your temp tattoos. Try these personal ideas:

- Give out as swag to promote your own personal brand
- Flaunt at festivals and parties
- Experiment and test your looks before committing to a real tattoo
- Incorporate as part of your cosplay
- Challenge yourself or friends to wear bold tattoos publicly — for a day!
- Have fun with your kids
- …and many more!

And that's not all. Temporary tattoos also have quite a few professional applications, not least of which is their use as branding for business, in giveaways, as part of promotional events or commemorations, and, of course, as merchandise.

##Conclusion

Just as with any of our other main products, [custom temporary tattoos](https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos "custom temporary tattoos") are above all about having fun. Whether as a conversation starter or a way to have a few laughs with friends, temporary tattoos are the perfect way to exercise your creative side a little.

Now is the time to tap into your creativity and explore new avenues for your style. Try our custom temporary tattoos — the quality is on us, and the fun is on you!

<ButtonCta text="Create your own custom tattoos from photos today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos" />

 Learn to transform any photo into a custom temporary tattoo with our easy guide. Perfect for personal use or events. Click for full instructions!

Blog