by Southern Tattoo Supply

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The purpose of this guide is answering the most common questions we receive about Spirit Master Thermal and Hectograph paper including usage and Step-by-Step instructions. 

We will cover the following topics:

What are Spirit Masters?
Brands of Spirit Master Paper
Using Thermal Paper
Using Hectograph Paper
How to Make a Tattoo Stencil using Hectograph Paper
How to Apply a Tattoo Stencil to the Skin
Feature Comparison
All content Copyright© 2008 Southern Tattoo Supply.  Do not copy or duplicate without permission.

What are Spirit Masters?

Spirit Master Units (the ones in the purple box) produce sharp, clean copies on all makes of duplicators or using one of the alternate methods discussed in this guide.

There are two general types of Spirit Master Paper Units: Thermal and Hectograph.  There are chemically and compositionally different from each other.  Thermal Spirit Masters are designed to be used with all one-step thermal copy machines. In seconds, you can image these masters from any original that is suitable for thermal imaging.  Not all models of Thermal copiers will work though, so beware.  Hectograph Paper is used to create stencils or Tattoo Transfers by hand or using a dot-matrix printer.  Neither paper works in an Inkjet or laser printer

Brands of Spirit Master Paper

You will see a few brands of paper for producing Spirit Masters.   The purple one in the following box is considered the “Original” one and is preferred by Tattoo Artists and Tattoo Studios.  There are cheaper brands available, but the transfer media is a harder compound, which is more difficult to work with and doesn’t produce as sharp or as long –lasting transfers on the skin.

Find Thermal Paper or Hectograph Paper

Using Thermal Paper

Thermal Paper has four pieces of paper:.

1) Top layer is white. This is the layer that your image will be transferred onto.
2) Second Layer is not connected and is a milky white. Typically this layer is thrown away.
3) Third Layer is the Carbon (purple/blue paper). By pressing on this layer the purple/blue coating is transferred to the upper sheet.
4) Fourth bottom sheet is yellow and holds the original in place when using a stencil copy machine.

Using Hectograph Paper

Hectograph paper has three pieces of paper. Remove the center piece of protective tissue. Place the hectograph paper on a flat, hard surface with the white side up. Place your drawing on top of the white paper. Trace over your drawing with a hard lead pencil or pen. When you are finished, your stencil will be on the back side of the white paper.

Step-by-Step How to Make a Tattoo Stencil by Hand using Hectograph Paper

You can draw out your design yourself and, once complete, use it to create a tattoo transfer so that it leaves its outline on your skin. Follow these steps to make a tattoo transfer (tattoo stencil).

1.    It is easiest to draw or print your design on regular paper first. Then, take your time reviewing the design, making sure all details are as you want them.
2.    Remove the center piece of protective tissue from the Hectograph Paper set.
3.    Place the transfer paper on a smooth, flat surface such as a light box or a piece of glass on a table.  Place the hectograph paper with the white sheet on top.
4.    Place your design on top of the white sheet of paper.
5.    Tape your design to the white sheet so that it doesn't move around. If it able to move, your final result might not be usable.
6.    Trace over the design by pressing firmly on the design to ensure that you transfer it completely.  Use a regular pencil or ball-point pen to trace with. Press hard enough to make sure the outline of the design is transferred
7.    Check to see if you have traced all the lines.  Once you have completed tracing over the whole design, your stencil will be on the back side of the white paper.
8.    Cut the stencil  out of the white paper close to the edges. This makes it easier to position and produces a cleaner result.
9.    The skin needs to be moistened in order for the transfer to stick onto the skin, so put some deodorant (glycerin-based) on the area where you want to place your design.   See instruction later in this guide…
10. Place the transfer paper on top of the moistened area and rub gently onto the skin.
11. Remove transfer paper slowly from skin. 
12. Allow to dry a few minutes before you apply petroleum jelly to begin tattooing.

Enjoy!

How to Apply a Tattoo Stencil

Correctly applying the stencil is essential to begin the tattoo procedure. Read on to learn more about how to apply a tattoo stencil. These instructions overlap a bit with the instruction on how to create a stencil or tattoo transfer using hectograph paper.

1.    After making your stencil take a pair of sharp scissors and cut out the design. Cut close to the design for better handling during application.
2.    Wash your hands and put on disposable gloves. Anytime you're touching the client, you should be wearing gloves.
3.    Clean the area to be tattooed. Use green soap or other similar cleanser and clean the entire area where the stencil will be applied. Follow this general cleaning with another cleaning using rubbing alcohol to ensure the area is clean and free of body oils or residual soap.  Clean in a circular motion from the center outward.
4.    Shave the area being tattooed…always. Clean the area once more to make sure you haven't left any loose hair behind. Be sure the area is dry before continuing.
5.    Have the client stand up. The client's body should be in its natural position. This is especially important on arms, legs, lower backs and abdomens. For arms and legs, never have the limb raised or bent in any way; make sure it's straight and relaxed before applying your stencil.
6.    Apply a thin layer of the stencil applicator agent. You can go the old-fashioned way and use regular, unscented Speed Stick deodorant. This technique has been used successfully for years, but be careful about the spreading of germs.
7.    Apply the tattoo stencil to the prepared area. Be sure you've got the right side facing the area you applied the stencil applicator; this should be the purple side. Make sure the stencil is flat and placed in the location it needs to be and gently press it onto the skin. Be careful not to rub, smudge or smear the stencil as your applying it to the skin.
8.    Slowly peel the paper away and, if done correctly, you should now have a stencil outline to follow.

Feature Comparison of Thermal vs Hectograph Paper

Waht works and doesn't work for creating tattoo transfer stencils:

                                     Thermal Paper         Hectograph Paper
Thermal Copier                   Yes                           No
Dot-Matrix Printer              Yes                            Yes
Trace by Hand                    Yes                           Yes
Freehand                            Yes                            Yes
InkJet Printer                      No                             No
Laser Printer                       No                             No

Hopefully this guide has helped you.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or suggestions.

Susan Cobb
Southern Tattoo Supply

   

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