Wash and disinfect the area of skin where the tattoo is being applied with germicidal or “green” soap. Use a razor to shave hair off the area where the tattoo will go to prevent hair from being pushed into ink holes and causing infection.
Remove soap and hair from skin using a damp, clean washcloth or disposable wet wipe. Apply germicidal soap to the skin once again. Wipe it away and dry the skin with a dry towel or paper towels. Dry the skin so that it is not dripping wet but is still moist.
Use a mimeograph stencil consisting of three layers of paper and the design that the person has chosen to apply to his skin. Place the design or image in between the backing sheet and the carbon carrier sheet. Run the image through a thermo fax machine to transfer the design to the carbon master sheet.
Make sure the skin is moist. Rub a deodorant stick or a little germicidal soap onto the area being tattooed to moisten the skin, if necessary. Place the carbon master sheet onto the moistened skin and press it down firmly against the skin. Leave the transfer sheet in place for 30 seconds.
Pull the transfer sheet away to leave an outline of the drawing or design you will be tattooing onto the skin in the exact spot where the customer wants the tattoo created.