The Cutest Temporary Tattoos

We’ve long been fans of Tattly, the Brooklyn-based line of temporary tattoos (we even share a workspace with them). Today, they’re launching a new collaboration with the amazing Oliver Jeffers…

The exclusive new space explorer set has nine fun designs, featuring illustrations in Jeffers’s quirky, charming style.

You may know the painter, sculptor, author and illustrator for his children’s books, like The Day the Crayons Quit and Stuck.) His studio is in our office building — he once made an “out of order” sign for the bathroom that was so charming, people took photos and wanted to frame it — and our studio mates have been known to lurk near his door for a sighting of the handsome artist. Needless to say, our whole building is excited about this awesome collaboration.

The planet has a little face!

The earth, star and explorer designs are also available individually.

Here are all of Oliver’s Tattly designs, including past collaborations. If you’re new to Tattly, they make many wonderful designs, including metallic tattoos and scented tattoos. Toby loves the taxi, and Anton loves the party watch. :) They make really great birthday party activities or treats for little readers. You can order them here, if you’d like.

P.S. For anyone in New York City this week, Oliver Jeffers is giving a Creative Mornings talk at Cooper Union this Friday. Tickets are free and are available today at noon EST! If you’re interested in attending, you can register online.

(This post is sponsored by our friends at Tattly, a company we love. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)

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Tammy Thiele

January 25, 2019 3:23pm 3:23 pm

Tattly has become a part of so many of our parties, big events, etc that I’ve lost count! We love them so much! They add just the right amount of fun and creativity to anything! Love seeing them featured here!

January 9, 2019 6:17am 6:17 am

Also- has anyone ever worn temporary tattoos as an accessory? Part of me can’t decide if that’s a weird thing to do. The other part of me isn’t sure if I care.

Twins Mama

Reply to E

January 17, 2019 12:05am 12:05 am

My family has! I recently ordered ”death eater” Harry Potter tattoos for Halloween. They looked absolutely real, very cool, terrifying! They lasted several days. It was quite fun.

January 9, 2019 6:12am 6:12 am

The floral tattoos are gorgeous! I’m so impressed by how pretty they are haha. Kind of want to buy one just to see what I’d look like with a tattoo now

Sasha L

January 8, 2019 10:46am 10:46 am

I love that it’s a girl on the package for fun space tattoos. So often all things space, science, tech are packaged and marketed as for boys. Science for all!!!

Cate

January 7, 2019 7:26pm 7:26 pm

I would love to a see a picture of that bathroom sign :)

Eloise

January 7, 2019 5:15pm 5:15 pm

Oh, I didn’t know Tattly was run by Swissmiss! So cool! I did want to order to my neck of the woods in Europe, but shipping is 15.00 dollars- as much as the product I had my eye on. So sadly, not for me. BUT, I did just order 4 Oliver Jeffer books for my 21 month old bookworm! Cannot wait as we have never read any of his books before!

Rams

January 7, 2019 4:54pm 4:54 pm

So fun! Always a bummer though to see just white-skinned folk represented in these pictures. Would be nice to see myself reflected and on a practical note, see what this would look like on my skin.

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to Rams

January 7, 2019 6:22pm 6:22 pm

thank you so much, rams. i know that tattly overall prizes diversity in their models and their company, as well. i’m going to share a few more photos from their campaign. thank you so much, rams.

m+e

January 7, 2019 4:40pm 4:40 pm

We don’t either. I mostly worry about what chemicals will leach into their skin.

Jennifer

Reply to m+e

January 7, 2019 5:23pm 5:23 pm

Yes me too! I always ask myself what is in those things. 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream.

CaraM

Reply to m+e

January 7, 2019 5:30pm 5:30 pm

I was just reading on the Tattly site that their tattoos are non-toxic and made of vegetable dye.

Meredith

January 7, 2019 4:00pm 4:00 pm

I ? Oliver Jeffers AND Tattly! Thanks for this post…can’t wait to get this new set!

Mac

January 7, 2019 3:53pm 3:53 pm

Have you seen the Oliver Jeffers animal Tattly’s? I died.

Lashley

January 7, 2019 3:17pm 3:17 pm

I used to read How to Catch a Star with a gal I babysit and now my own kids are huge Oliver Jeffers fans! They’re also the best books to gift, so exciting to have tattoos to go along with them!

Abesha1

January 7, 2019 3:12pm 3:12 pm

Are we the only parents that don’t allow these? I see neither the appeal nor the cuteness.
Anyone else?

Reply to Abesha1

January 7, 2019 5:03pm 5:03 pm

I don’t see the appeal or cuteness for myself… But I can well imagine how a child would love it :-) Kids have been known to draw on their hands / arms / casts etc. for ages! Kinda annoying to wash off (as a parent trying to make your kid presentable), but in the grand scheme of things, no big deal. And these temporary tats are about a bajillion times cooler than a pen drawing, haha! So I say – why not? It’s an entirely harmless pleasure, so it’s not something I’m interested in denying my kids (as a special, occasional treat).

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to Abesha1

January 7, 2019 6:23pm 6:23 pm

my sons are in LOVE with them. they get so excited. they go nuts for the party watch:)

https://tattly.com/products/party-watch

Reply to Abesha1

January 7, 2019 9:00pm 9:00 pm

They come off easily with a bit of olive oil.

Sasha L

Reply to Abesha1

January 8, 2019 10:44am 10:44 am

Abesha, is it because of a general dislike of actual tattoos?

As a mom I said no to a lot of things – junk food, play make up, Barbie, most Disney movies, video games…. But pretend tattoos were always a big hit.

Courtney

Reply to Abesha1

January 8, 2019 10:56am 10:56 am

You must run a very serious household. That said, make sure you never, ever, ever allow them the pleasure of owning chalk pens for the purpose of using them on your windows!

Posie

January 7, 2019 2:24pm 2:24 pm

Please do a home tour with Oliver Jeffers! I bet it is full of color and beautiful things to look at!

Alison Briggs

Reply to Posie

January 7, 2019 3:55pm 3:55 pm

i second this!

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to Posie

January 7, 2019 6:23pm 6:23 pm

what a great idea! we’ll see if he’s up for it!

Helen

Reply to Posie

January 8, 2019 1:01pm 1:01 pm

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/house-tour-oliver-jeffers-beautiful-brooklyn-home-254734

^he did a tour here!

would still love to see the Cup of Jo version though xo

Isahrai

January 7, 2019 1:57pm 1:57 pm

We order a huge stack of Tattlys every year and they are our #1 birthday present for friends of all ages. We are on our last few packs so I’m stoked for new designs. A friend that we’d already gifted tattoos to complained when we gave her something else last year!

Side Oliver Jeffers super fan story: My 7-year-old daughter happily met Oliver Jeffers last fall when he was in our hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico. When she saw him she Spanglished, “Ay dios, he is a handsome hombre.” He totally heard her but instead of embarrassing her, asked about her super cool felt book cover. She was stoked when, after telling him that she made it herself, he said, “You’re an artist, just like me!” Double swoon from kid and mamá.

Julie

January 7, 2019 1:51pm 1:51 pm

Aiie – just love Oliver Jeffers! For Halloween I wanted to dress my 1yo up as the boy from Lost and Found. Our caregiver Mimi had the brainwave that the boy was too simple, he needed to go as the Penguin. She made the costume including a little doll of the boy (with red stripes and a hat). He still carries the boy everywhere. What I’m saying is I basically contributed nothing to the whole experience but Oliver Jeffers is our fave and our caregiver is amazing.

Rae

Reply to Julie

January 7, 2019 7:06pm 7:06 pm

Ha! Love your comment Julie! Brilliant halloween costume idea : )

Katherine

January 7, 2019 1:49pm 1:49 pm

Omg he shares your building?! Is this real life?! I was already jelly with you knowing Julia and Jenny but this is just too much. What an awesome office mate to have.

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to Katherine

January 7, 2019 6:24pm 6:24 pm

he keeps to himself/his team usually because he works really hard and seriously with painting, etc., but we are always peeking in on his gorgeous work!! he’s so talented.

Jess

January 7, 2019 1:48pm 1:48 pm

Brilliant! We love Tattly…used them as simple, fun favors for our sons 4 year old birthday party

tina crisas

Reply to Jess

January 7, 2019 4:34pm 4:34 pm

My daughters 2nd birthday is in April. I would LOVE a post regarding cool party favours for children of all ages, and I was thinking for parents, too! I’m stumped for ideas.

Hilary

Reply to Jess

January 7, 2019 5:40pm 5:40 pm

I second that post idea! My little one is turning 1 this summer and I’m still wondering if favors are still a thing? Like the environmentalist and parent in me is wondering if kids need more cheap crap?? Something consumable would be awesome! Also any ideas on simple birthday parts for kids? I’m hoping to keep it small but I don’t want an expensive Pinterest-esque party. Just something sweet and simple!

Hali

January 7, 2019 1:45pm 1:45 pm

Our friends sprinkled temporary tattoos all over the tables at their wedding. I’ve never seen grown adults express such outward joy and unhindered silliness! Everyone got so into it- dipping table napkins into ice water and tatting up all exposed areas with funny photos of the couple’s faces, classic black floral illustrations, and cute motifs pulled from their invitations. We all left that night with full sleeves and the dancefloor photos turned out extra phenomenal because of the neck tats on some people. I might order a mix of some to keep on hand for a dinner party!

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to Hali

January 7, 2019 6:24pm 6:24 pm

what a fun idea!!!!

Lisa

January 7, 2019 1:30pm 1:30 pm

I love tattly! I am considering getting a watercolor floral tattoo and bought every flower tattoo they make to try out before I commit to the real thing. It’s been a lot of fun to trying different shapes and sizes to see what I like!

Alison Briggs

January 7, 2019 1:14pm 1:14 pm

my son (5) just got SUPER into temp tattoos so this post was perfectly timed! Ordered these (and some others!) I can’t wait to give them to him! ;)

Jamie

January 7, 2019 1:09pm 1:09 pm

AMAZING! I LOVE HIS ILLUSTRATIONS! Those tattoos are adorable!!
Thanks for sharing!

lauren

January 7, 2019 1:04pm 1:04 pm

Don’t leave us hanging on that “Out of Order” sign, man! (And these are adorable. My niece and nephews will be all over them.)

Erin

Reply to lauren

January 7, 2019 5:04pm 5:04 pm

Googled “Oliver Jeffers Out of Order bathroom” to no avail!! Humph!

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

Admin

Reply to lauren

January 7, 2019 6:25pm 6:25 pm

hahaha i’ll see if i can find it in my old phone photos!

Alexandra

January 7, 2019 12:48pm 12:48 pm

Awesome! My daughter wanted a “tattoos and nailpainting party” for her 10th birthday last summer. I absolutely fell in love with Tattly tattoos and the girls had a riot and got wildly “tattooed”. Looking forward to this new collaboration!

January 7, 2019 12:29pm 12:29 pm

Omg my 3 year old LOVES both of the Crayons books! These are so lovely <3

I could really use an "Out of Order" tattoo to be plastered on my forehead today..Mondays aargghh!!!!

Kim

January 7, 2019 12:15pm 12:15 pm

Wow, your office must be the funnest to work! Oliver Jeffers, tartly and snacks.
We’re big fans of Oliver Jeffers. I can’t believe your office is in the same building as his studio. So cool. His new book has been a favorite Christmas gift. We’ve read and loved all of his other children’s books, and of course, I follow him on Instagram.

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