If asked, any tattoo artist would list the several things that complete his work, or at least make it easier and faster, for him as well as the client. If you are a tattoo artist, we believe that you want to work much faster and save time while you have more time to earn money.
And you certainly want to create tattoos faster without risking the back pain most artists have, or the long hours. This is not impossible, because we live in modern society, and there are inventions and machines to make this possible, such as the tattoo stencil machines.
Best overall
Premium Pick
Budget Pick
Luckily, we have reviewed some of the best tattoo stencil printers, in order to help you choose the one you find most fit for your budget or work. Tattooing nowadays is simplified and more practical due to such machines, and since there is no need for doing outlines and stencils manually. So, let’s see the machines and their features below.
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Why do our reviews and comments matter?
Our main and most important focus is the audience that reads our articles. With this in mind, our main focus is a satisfied customer, or in other words, a satisfied buyer. Since our niche is about tattoos and tattoo advice, supplies, and news, we always seek the most relevant, practical, and useful updates in the tattoo industry. We always base our research on the majority of popular and experienced opinions, as well as the general satisfaction of a certain product and its features.
Who should get a tattoo stencil machine?
Anyone that is included in the tattoo industry will benefit greatly from a tattoo stencil machine. More precisely, if you are a tattoo artist working with many clients, or you are a part of a large team of artists in a big tattoo shop, you certainly need a tattoo stencil machine to keep up with the bulk and busy schedules. We took care of conducting an in-depth analysis of the products below.
How did we test the tattoo stencil machines?
We have mentioned what you need to look for in a good and dependable tattoo stencil machine. So, for our research and reviews, we focused on several things that complete the usability of a good tattoo stencil machine. Practicality is measured when there are fewer complications that would otherwise hinder work success.
While reviewing the 5 products below, we paid attention to the following, comparing in between manufacturers (details below):
- Speed (whether it is too slow, or it needs rest between printings)
- Noise
- Heat
- Paper usage (jamming)
- Final result and quality of the printed stencil sketch
- Portability (weight and dimensions)
- Simplicity in understanding and using simple commands and buttons
The Best Tattoo Stencil Printers in 2022
These were the top 3 tattoo stencil machines that we have chosen out of many. It was a tight selection, but we have managed to shed light on the ones with the most practical features. Each machine has its perks, so let’s find out more about them in detail below.
1. ATOMUS Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine
Best overall
It is handy to have if you are often called to do tattoos at home, or other premises than your tattoo salon. It is an excellent choice for when you are in a rush and don’t want to be stuck in the salon only. You can do your tattooing work out of the salon as well, efficiently, and just as good.
The manufacturers Atomus had created a practical machine for printing out your stencils. This is a practical, black machine that has been more and more popular by more artists lately, and it comes at an affordable price as well. Whenever you need to print out tattoo designs, especially ones with bold lines, or lots of dark contours, this should do the job.
Its dimensions are 12.9 x 12.1 x 5.3 inches, with a weight of 4.6 pounds, so it would be practical to move around whenever needed. The horizontal resolution is 8 dot/mm, and the vertical is 7.7 line/mm (standard type).
The package includes the printer machine, a power supply cable, and a manual for usage.
Pros
- Simple and easy copying on the paper
- Works with fast speed
- No heat
- Prints clear and nice bold and dark lines
- Comes with a certain amount of paper from the manufacturer
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- In between transfers, the machine has to rest for a few minutes (otherwise there will be paper jam)
2. ZJchao Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine
It is amazing that this product will not work when it is supposed to be idle. If you seek longevity out of a stencil machine, one way to go is to look for machines that preserve their lifespan by the ‘sleep’ mode, like this one. If you are forgetful about whether or not you turn machines off, this could be a fit for you.
Our next premium pick is the machine by ZJchao, which comes with some notable features as well, and might be almost as good as the machine above. Another product that is compact and portable, and to make it even more practical, the manufacturer added a port for USB connecting, with a default US plug.
The machine is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, XP, and Vista as well as Android 4.0 and upward, and iOS 9.0 and upward. It has an adapter AC 110V-220V and requires a power supply of 14V 6A. The resolution it offers is 200 dpi x 200 dpi.
It is a lightweight stencil machine of only 545 g., easy to transport and move.
The package includes the printer machine, power adapter, U disc, USB cable, and a manual for usage.
Pros
- Eco friendly
- Durable and safe
- Fast printing
- Can be USB-connected with a computer
- Saves power consumption when inactive after 3 minutes
Cons
- Some images are not resized easily
- Paper jams, however rarely
3. BMX Stencil Machine Thermal Copier
This is a machine that is compatible with most of your needs as a tattoo artist. If you have demand for both lines, as well as shades, in an approximate ratio, this machine could do the trick. Its final results are fast and smooth, with fewer complications than with other machines. You will enjoy the quiet printing, and there will be less nerve-wracking moments of paper jams.
Another on the list of good recommendations is the runner up, the BMX stencil machine, which is convenient for use due to several factors.
The practical part comes in with its weight of 1.6 kg; it’s easy to move it if needed. It is a machine compatible with the range between 100 and 240 v., and you can use it with a paper of 8.5 x 11 inches. It has a power consumption of 5W and is supplied by AC 110V-220V; 50Hz/0.46A.
In general, this is a stencil machine that works well in most areas; it is almost equally good for lines, as well as faded lines and some shades. The machine offers a mirror, and a normal copy mode, 2 pairs of depth levels, and commands for copy, power, and stop. The scanning resolution width is 210 mm.
In the package, you get a printer machine, a US Standard power cable, and a manual for usage instructions.
Read also: Best Tattoo Bandage
Pros
- Good quality for the affordable price
- Fast shipment
- Relatively lightweight (1.6 kg)
- Almost no heat
- Reliable performance
- 12 months warranty
Cons
- Maybe not the ideal choice for complex shadow designs
- Some ink spots might be smeared or blurry
4. Prinker Temporary Tattoo Device
If your client wants to make a tattoo in your salon but is doubting regarding the design, with this machine he could wear the temporary design for up to 48 hours, which is more than convenient. Well, at least 5.000 designs should be enough to choose from.
This machine is quite practical when it comes to testing out potential tattoo designs. And, truth be told, not many people would invest in a temporary tattoo printer, simply because of the sustainability of its usage. Once you download the Prinker app, it is good to go – you can start using it.
The dimensions of this product are small; 5.8 x 2.3 x 3.6 inches, with a weight of 12.35 ounces, making it unbelievably portable and practical to use. The resolution of the prints is 1000 dpi.
In the package, you get the device, along with a lithium battery included by the manufacturer.
This is an interesting listing point, especially for those that have a lot of clients with demands for temporary tattoos. It is not uncommon for tattoo artists to hear about these demands, so why not consider this among the repertoire of equipment as well?
And, not just tattoo artists, also cosmeticians in beauty salons, or party organizers, and even parents can purchase this product for all occasions, parties, birthdays, and more. Demand for this would increase if word gets out about the temporary tattoos, so it is a chance for a business level up.
Pros
- Good quality for the affordable price
- Fast shipment
- Relatively lightweight (1.6 kg)
- Almost no heat
- Reliable performance
- 12 months warranty
Cons
- Maybe not the ideal choice for complex shadow designs
- Some ink spots might be smeared or blurry
5. Carejoy Pro Tattoo Printer
If you are a tattoo artist that has a lot to do, a lot to work with, and too often as well, this could be worth considering. You will no longer witness jammed paper or similar mechanical issues, and with the machine’s durability, you could rest assured it has a long time to go until replacements are needed.
The Carejoy manufacturer created a neat and practical tattoo stencil machine with a few highlights worth mentioning. This is a uniquely created machine that is incredibly easy to work with, starting with the easy open/close features.
The material is very durable, so it could save you some money on new purchases down the road.
It is a silent machine, with almost no technical problems in general. Also, it is practical since it has optional plugs, both types; EU and the US plug as well. It is powered by AC 110V, and when it is idle/standby, it has a power consumption of 5W.
It has various buttons for mirror and normal copying, 2 levels of deepness, power, stopping, and error signaling, as well as a choice of resolution. Its scanning resolution (vertical) is 7.7 line/mm, and (horizontal) 8 dot/mm.
In the package, you get the printer, a manual, and a power adapter as well.
Pros
- Good quality for the affordable price
- Fast shipment
- Relatively lightweight (1.6 kg)
- Almost no heat
- Reliable performance
- 12 months warranty
Cons
- Maybe not the ideal choice for complex shadow designs
- Some ink spots might be smeared or blurry
How did we pick these products?
We had the buyer’s satisfaction in mind, or the tattoo artist’s productivity and satisfaction with the tattoo stencil machine of his choice. Overall, while reviewing and selecting several products to present, we have focused mainly on crucial features (the essentials and best ones) to look for when you choose the stencil machine:
The quality of the final stencil print
It goes without saying that this is the most important factor. If a tattoo design is printed badly, it will turn out awful on the client’s skin, of course, if you (the artist) doesn’t correct the stencil before the tattoo session. It is ok if you have to bold out some of the shades, but overall the final print must be clear and show the lines clearly.
Easy commands and practical settings
A simple machine with basic start and end of the commands is doing the work, but it would be even more practical to choose between options. This is important for various types of copying, or visual depth, signaling error in the printing process, and similar. These commands are shown with several buttons and lights as well.
A “cool” printing
Noticing heat when an appliance or machine is working, is usually not a good thing. The least you need before a tattoo session is a broken machine or slow printing due to heat. The pricier the machine, the less risk of heat, as a rule in general. But, this rule applies to most (if not all) crucial features.
Simple usage
This section is a sum of all features in the tattoo stencil machine, and a sum of the above-mentioned sections. Your work should be easier and faster with such a product, not more complicated. Commands must be easy and practical, there should be the least possible editing post-print, the stencil machine should not heat up, and overall, work with it must be simple, easy, and efficient.
Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine Buyer’s Guide
Why do you need a tattoo stencil machine?
You need a tattoo stencil machine in order to make your job much easier, simpler, to save time, and finish a tattoo for a client much faster and better. The tattoo stencil machine (also known as a thermal copier) will cut the prep time in half by letting you work on the tattooing itself, instead of you hand-drawing the sketches and stencils before you apply them on the client’s skin.
Imagine going to the tattoo salon and you have a few clients scheduled for that day or many scheduled in 2-3 days. Some designs will be small and simple, and you can pull off a manual stencil creation. But, what happens when you need to prepare a large stencil design with a complex tattoo for the client? In such a rush, you will need a tattoo stencil machine to let you prepare for the working session, instead of spending time on manual drawing. Your client could come in earlier to try out the stencil, and you could finish earlier as well. Needless to say, with such a tattoo stencil machine, you could do your work only during your working hours, instead of bringing it home during your leisure time.
The benefits of purchasing and using a tattoo stencil machine
You need this machine because you want to speed up the tattooing work. The time needed to make one stencil design manually can now be used to make several with a machine. With a few manual corrections or shading on the final result, you will work faster and much better. Finally, the customers will receive a flawless, permanent design – which is the whole point of the process.
General advice on choosing the best tattoo stencil machine
This one is fairly simple to keep in mind. You want to get the most within the budget you have. This means the most pros, least cons, for a fair and affordable price. First, determine the budget you have. Then, determine how much above that budget you are willing to go. When you have the maximum sum available, simply choose the machine with the least flaws and most perks. And, when choosing keep in mind to pick the one that is the fastest that doesn’t require pausing between prints.
What are the general rules of using tattoo stencil machines?
Each machine works differently and comes with its own manual of instructions. However, there are some basic rules.
What kind of paper do I need for it?
For these machines you need a tattoo transfer paper that comes in 2 types:
- Thermal: It is packed in 3 pieces; top white layer for the design, then milky-white (not usable), the third one is a carbon paper (blue/purple), and the yellow one that fixates the original design.
- Hectograph: Here the middle sheet of paper acts as protection. To start with this paper, place it on a flat and hard surface area. However, this paper requires more working time (these were popular in the past, now not so much).
What do I need to transfer the tattoo stencil design on the skin?
These are the things you need prior to, during, and/or after the stencil printing. Let’s call them the basics of the stencil process.
First, make sure you have your latex gloves for one usage. Then, the thermal copier paper. Also, alcohol or alcohol-based skin cleanser before you apply the paper. For transferring the design onto the skin, you could use certain transfer sprays, but most commonly used is the regular body deodorant (stick or roll-on that lubricates the skin).
How to repair it in case of a defect?
It is crucial to always keep the warranty of the box the machine came in. you can always address the manufacturer in case a defect occurs within the warranty time. All you can do is carefully check for any dirt or debris where the paper goes, if this is not a paper jam, of course. If this is the case, just rest the printer and let it cool off for the printing.
Final verdict
After all of the useful information, in-depth reviews, as well as additional comments about choosing the best tattoo stencil machine, the transparent best of our list is the ATOMUS Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine. This one will be with you for a long time, printing out many excellent designs and boasting durability. Working with it will be pleasant, heatless, and fast – even if you do the efforts of using your own paper.
Of course, there is also the reliable premium pick ZJchao Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine – it does not waste power, it is eco-friendly and efficient, despite occasional resting between prints. And, lastly, even the dependable runner up BMX Stencil Machine; a lightweight machine that prints out your designs fast, with minor needs of bolding out a few lines somewhere.
Good luck with the tattooing progress! From now on it only gets easier!
