Updated
Fancy dress, stag dos and festivals all ask for a bold look that is ready on the night. At InkToday we make realistic temporary tattoo sleeves, so this guide covers when to apply one, how it lasts a weekend and how to organise a group.
Shop tattoo sleeves or browse all designs
In this guide
Fancy dress, stag do, festival: what the words mean
In the UK, people search for a fake tattoo sleeve for fancy dress or a stag do; in the US, the same thing is a costume sleeve or a bachelor party sleeve. It is the same product: a tattoo that covers the arm for a few days.
This guide covers the UK words. For a Halloween costume, see our Halloween tattoo sleeve ideas; for the steps, see how to apply a temporary tattoo sleeve.
When to put it on, by event
Put the sleeve on the day before the event. The ink turns matte in 24 to 36 hours, which is the look of real ink, and it lasts 10 to 14 days.
| Event | Put it on | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fancy dress party | The day before | Matte ink for the photos, 5 minutes to apply |
| Stag do weekend | The day before you travel | Ready for the first night, still there on Sunday |
| Festival (2 to 4 days) | The day before you leave | One application covers the whole festival |
| Wedding or photo shoot | Two days before | More time for the ink to turn matte |
Stag do: matching sleeves for the group
On a stag do, matching sleeves are a group look that takes less effort than T-shirts. Each person applies theirs in about 5 minutes the day before you travel.
- Matching sleeves: everyone wears the same design, the groom included.
- Theme sleeves: Totem Dragon for the groom, Dragon & Koi for the best man.
- One for the groom only: a joke sleeve he cannot take off until next week.
Hen do instead? See our custom bachelorette tattoos.
Festival weekend: how a fake tattoo sleeve holds up
A fake tattoo sleeve lasts 10 to 14 days on the arm, so one application covers a festival weekend. Short showers are fine; long hot baths, chlorine, scrubs and oily lotions shorten its life.
Pat the skin dry after washing instead of rubbing. On the hands the sleeve lasts about a week.
Light designs suit festival outfits: the Lotus & Snakes sleeve or the Maori Tribal Armband (18 x 5 cm, forearm only). See also the Maori and tribal sleeves and Japanese sleeves.
Matching a costume
For fancy dress, pick a dense, dark design so it reads from across the room, and match it to the character.
| Costume | Design | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate, sailor | King of Time | Skulls and a clock on the arm |
| Biker, rock star | Polynesian Maelstrom | Dense black shapes |
| Viking, warrior | Totem Dragon | A dragon wrapped around the arm |
| Gothic, witch | Third Eye Relic | Occult eye, dark lines |
Group checklist before the event
A short checklist avoids last-minute problems: count the sleeves, apply early and keep the skin clean.
- Order one sleeve per person, plus a spare.
- Check the size: 17 x 49 cm, from the wrist toward the shoulder.
- Wash and dry the arm; skip oil and lotion on the area.
- Apply the day before; it takes about 5 minutes.
- Take photos after 24 to 36 hours, when the ink is matte.
- Take it off with oil or makeup remover once the event is over.
Full steps: how to apply a temporary tattoo sleeve.
FAQ
Can I wear a fake tattoo sleeve for fancy dress?
Yes. A fake tattoo sleeve is one of the quickest fancy dress add-ons. It is a 17 x 49 cm transfer that goes on with water, turns matte in 24 to 36 hours and lasts 10 to 14 days (about a week on the hands).
When should I put on a fake tattoo sleeve before a party?
The day before. The ink turns matte in 24 to 36 hours, which is when it looks like real ink, and it lasts 10 to 14 days.
Are fake tattoo sleeves good for a stag do?
Yes. A group can wear matching or different sleeves for the weekend, because one lasts 10 to 14 days. Order one per person and put them on the day before you travel.
How many fake tattoo sleeves do I need for a group?
One per person per arm you want covered. Each sleeve is 17 x 49 cm and goes from the wrist toward the shoulder, so order a spare in case of a misplaced one.
Will a fake tattoo sleeve last a whole festival weekend?
It lasts 10 to 14 days on the arm, so a festival weekend is well within that. On the hands it lasts about a week. Pat the skin dry after washing instead of rubbing.
Can I shower with a fake tattoo sleeve on?
Short showers are fine. Long hot baths, chlorine, scrubs and oily lotions shorten the life of the sleeve, so avoid them on the arm.
What is the difference between a fake sleeve and a temporary tattoo sleeve?
People use both words for the same thing. The point is the material: ours is a water-applied transfer on the skin, not a fabric tube. See the comparison guide.
About InkToday
InkToday makes realistic semi-permanent temporary tattoos, applied with a damp cloth in about 5 minutes and worn for 10 to 14 days. Our plant-based, vegan ink, with no PPD, develops into a deep color over 24 to 36 hours and looks like real ink. Pick from more than 200 designs or send your own. See all our temporary tattoo sleeves.