9 Best Fake Tattoo Sleeves: Ultimate Buying Guide (2024 Updated)

Tattoo sleeves exploded in popularity 10 years ago. They became even more popular in recent years. Starting from celebrities, to ordinary people, everyone wants to flaunt their tattoo sleeve. Even employers and different companies became comfortable with their employees wearing them. Still, what to do if you’re in love with the tattoo sleeves, but don’t have the guts to get one on your own?

Fake Tattoo Sleeve: Quick Summary

Going through the pain of getting a tattoo sleeve can last for months. More importantly, the process itself is extremely painful if you have a low tolerance to pain, and have difficulties handling it. Also, you’ll have to go through various sessions before your tattoo is complete. If you’re aiming for the summer design, you may not have enough time to heal up.

What’s the solution then? Various businesses came up with an idea to design fake tattoo sleeves. All you have to do is wear it like a T-shirt, up to your arm. It’s made out of transparent nylon, spandex, or some other material. The best part is that they usually come in a bundle so you can change between different sleeves, and even wear two at a time if you want to have sleeves on both arms.

There are also sheet designs. They are abundant on the internet, but not everyone is comfortable wearing them because they get off easily, and could potentially irritate the skin.

Some say that wearing fake tattoo sleeves can feel uncomfortable and hot during the summer. Nevertheless, it’s additional protection from the sun if you work outside, so we see that as an absolute win.

Fake tattoo sleeves come in various designs, and in this article, we’ll list the 9 best fake tattoo sleeves and things to watch over when shopping for a tattoo sleeve. Keep in mind that buying a tattoo sleeve shouldn’t be hard, but it’s still important to get to know the basics. Some are made with different materials that could irritate you during the hot weather, or even worse, contain materials that you’re potentially allergic to.

Note: You can also consider henna tattoo or tattoo printer like Prinker.

Things to Consider When Buying Fake Tattoo Sleeve

Before we review the best fake tattoo sleeves, here are a few factors that you should look into before browsing different fake tattoo sleeves. They’ll undoubtedly make your shopping experience go smoother.

Type

There are two key types of fake tattoo sleeves:

• Sticker/Sheet tattoos that lasts from 3 to 7 days.
• Fake tattoo sleeves that you wear like a shirt.

Most people avoid the stickers because they can be messy, they peel easily, and can cause allergies. Sheeted sleeves are more convenient and more commonly used because you can wash and clean them, while also changing them every day as they come in a bundle.

The sheet tattoos are more durable and can last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. If they were designed by a reputable tattoo artist, they may even last up to 10 days.

Length

Length is an important factor to consider when shopping for a fake tattoo sleeve. Some of them may be too long or too short for your arms, depending on your height, how long your arms are and what’s your biological sex.

For women, the length of a fake tattoo sleeve is about 16-inches long. This is also an appropriate length for men. Still, some tattoo designs span over 18 inches long. There’s nothing wrong with that. Keep in mind that your sleeve may be shorter if your arm is thicker, but that’s more about the stretch of the material that we’ll mention below.

There are also shorter tattoo sleeves, which is why you must pay attention when shopping so you wouldn’t buy the one that is too long or too short for your demands.

Stretch

It’s super-important that the tattoo sleeve that you’ll buy will be stretchable. Sizes vary, and when not stretched the width of the design should be between 4 and 5 inches. That may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The material needs to contain some polyester and elastin to be able to stretch easier.

Note: If the tattoo sleeve is machine-washable, it could result in it shrinking a bit, both in width and length. Some material can also lose a bit of flexibility, so make sure that there’s enough stretch for your needs.

Gender

Usually, fake tattoo sleeves come in different patterns and designs. More importantly, they’re usually bundled into a package of 5 to 6 designs that are packed together. With that in mind, you should consider which designs are more girly and which are not.

Whether something feels too girly or manly is a personal preference. We’re sure that there’s a tattoo design that will meet everyone’s needs. Additionally, we included a diverse selection of fake tattoo sleeve designs that you can use for your needs, and we’re sure that there’ll be at least one that feels just right for you.

Machine-Washable

Cleaning your fake tattoo sleeve may be more difficult if it’s not machine-washable. We made sure that most of the designs are. Make sure to read the instructions that come with the product, so that you won’t wash it at a temperature that is too low or too high, as that could either shrink the material and make it appear shorter and less stretchy.

A worse scenario would be that the pattern washes away, or even rips from the pressure caused by the high temperature. The safest bet is washing on hands or spot cleaning, but having a machine-washable fake tattoo sleeve simply feels more convenient.

Waterproof

If you’re going for the sheeted tattoos rather than slip-on tattoos, it’s good to know whether the tattoos you’ll be using are waterproof. Usually, most of them are safe to use in the shower or bath. Most of them are also resistant to sweat if you’re going for a run or workout in the gym.

However, if you plan to swim in the pool or ocean, they may not live up to the challenge due to chlorine and salt in the water.

4 Best Fake Tattoo Sleeves: Detailed Reviews

Now that we clarified the basic requirements for shopping for a good bundle of fake tattoo sleeves, let’s list the best ones that we could find.

Best Overall: Sports Arm Sleeves

• Material: Nylon spandex
• Length: 18-inches
• Width: 3-5 inches
• Machine-washable: Yes

There are not many sheet tattoo sleeves that you can slip on your arm and wear throughout the day. Nevertheless, this design comes with 12 tattoo sleeves that you can easily and comfortably wear, stretch and wash.

The best thing is that it comes with 12 different designs that you can use interchangeably. First, you can wear a design on each arm that adds to your appeal and looks. Additionally, it has great protective properties if you’re cycling or working on the sun, especially in the summer when the UV rays are strong and you’re risking having a sunburn.

What’s also interesting about them is that they’re quite stylish and easy to wear. They’ll stretch easily and allow an even thicker arm to spread it and wear it effortlessly.

With 12 designs out of the box, there’s sure at least one design that will go well with your personality and fit. They’re made out of spandex and nylon fabric, so they won’t cause any sort of irritation on the body. Washing it in the machine will also help save time, and if you have to wash some of them, you can still rely on the other ones in the package.

They’re the next hottest things on parties and Halloweens, as well as cosplays.

Editor’s notes: Something that we noticed with these designs is that they’re not too girly. It’s quite literally a design that will look better on men than girls. Nevertheless, if you’re a fan of this kind of design, you’re more than welcome to wear it.

Runner Up: Benbilry 6pcs Art Arm Fake Tattoo Sleeves

• Material: Nylon spandex
• Length: 15.4-inches
• Width: 3.4-inches
• Machine-washable: Yes

You may notice that some designs look remarkably similar. However, it’s worth noting that there are fewer designs, and the price proportionally drops too. The material that they’re made of makes 92% Nylon and 8% spandex. Thanks to its great stretching properties, it’s worth noting that the tattoo will also blend perfectly with your skin tone, regardless of the color.

It’s great for people who are in love with tribal and abstract designs such as dragons and others. It’s also worth that they’re waterproof, which is great if you’re looking for a design that can absorb sweat while you’re outside.

It’s also made so that the design would be both appropriate for men and women. However, due to the length of 15-inches which is more applicable to women, some men with longer arms will end up with shorter sleeve tattoos.

Nevertheless, they can change the designs every day, and even wash them using the washing machine. The material is durable and premium at an affordable price, so you don’t have to worry about the fading design after some time.

Editor’s notes: The bad thing about these tattoos is that they can get hot in the extremely hot summer. Also, even though the design was more adjusted to women who want to wear it, the designs are more manly, and less approachable to women.

Best Budget: Pinkiou Temporary Tattoo

• Material: Nylon spandex
• Length: 16-inches
• Width: 3.4-inches
• Machine-washable: Yes

This relatively affordable fake tattoo set of designs for arm sleeve can be used with ease and great comfort. Moreover, it’ll serve as an amazing piece of protective clothing for the outdoor, especially when it comes to skiing, and cycling. Some people who are recovering from deep scars can also wear these for protection.

They have a little dark design which may not appeal to everyone. However, that’s usually how these designs are. It’s also worth noting that the design is quite stretchable, thanks to the spandex and nylon materials that make it. That also means that you’ll be able to wear your sleeve even on legs, and not just arms, although it won’t cover the entirety of your leg.

It’s also worth mentioning that these designs can be washed in the washing machine so you’ll be able to put them together with other laundry without worrying that the sleeve will shrink too much, or that the texture on it will fade.

There are total of six pieces. We must add that they’re specifically suitable for parties, especially those darker ones. We have no doubt that they’ll make you feel like a true pirate, while also absorbing sweat and other fluids from your arms.

Editor’s notes: One of the major turnoffs is that the design may appear too dark and gothic to some people. However, if you’re a fan of darker tattoo sleeves that you want to flaunt around, this design is perfect for you.

Best for Kids: Ispeedytech Kids Fake Tattoo Sleeve

Material: Nylon spandex

Length: 11.8-inches

Width: NA

Machine-washable: Yes

Does your little one have sensitive skin or they saw a cool-looking tattoo sleeve outside or on TV? Since you can’t get them a real tattoo sleeve, neither do we think they’d enjoy the process of getting it, there is an epic-looking package of fake tattoo sleeve designs that stands out in every view.

Your little one will feel tough in stretchable material made out of nylon and spandex. Whether your child is small or big, the sleeve will easily fit their arm and stretch if needed. They’re also great for keeping your little one hot during the cold winter days while protecting them from the strong summer sun.

While they’re not suitable for babies and young toddlers, any child from 2 to 8 years old is more than welcome to wear this one. The material is also waterproof, so it’ll easily and effortlessly collect the sweat while your child is active outside. There are a total of eight pieces so they can easily change them if they want to flaunt a new design.

If it gets dirty, don’t worry. You can easily put it in the washing machine with other clothes and wash it effortlessly. The design won’t fade away and it’ll look just like new, even after it got dirty with dirt or spilled juice.

Editor’s notes: Just like with the previously mentioned designs, we didn’t like that this one doesn’t have enough inclusion for girly tattoos. Most of these tattoos look a little darker and tougher and may not be everyone’s cup of tea to wear.

You Can Also Consider

Some slip-on tattoo designs are quite dark and not everyone’s cup of tea. Also, some people don’t like the idea of having a slip-on tattoo that would slide down all the time. That’s why we also dedicated a list of temporary tattoos that can stay from 3 to 10 days on your arm. Keep in mind they’re a bit harder for maintenance.

Best for Men: COKTAK 11 Sheets Cool Full Arm Temporary Tattoos

• Count: 11 pieces
• Duration: 3 to 5 days
• Dimensions: 8 sheets with 18.1 x 6.6-inches and 3 sheets with 7.8 x 5.9-inches

We found a design that will look great on men. Still, that doesn’t stop ladies from wearing it. The tattoos are vibrantly full of colors and details, as if you made a real tattoo, except that it lasts shorter. The good news is that all you need is 15 seconds to apply it.

It’s also easily removable, thanks to the baby oil, which you can easily swab and scrub against your tattooed skin. If applied properly, it can last anywhere from 3 to 5 days. That makes it ideal for people who need a one-time thing for some social or music event, a birthday party of Halloween.

There are also a little gentler designs with roses, but that doesn’t make it any less manly than it should be. All tattoos were approved by FDA tests and they don’t contain any toxic compounds. More importantly, they won’t hurt and you can even put them in other locations if you’re not satisfied with how they look on your arm.

Editor’s notes: When removing it, it can cause irritable redness and even rash in case of allergy. But it’ll disappear within a few hours, or the next day. Also, some tattoos may not belong and wide enough to cover the entire arm in case the arms are wider or longer.

Best Animal Print Fake Tattoo Sleeve: Leoars Extra Temporary Tattoo

• Count: 6 pieces
• Duration: 2 to 5 days
• Dimensions: 7 x 19-inches

Animals have been an inspiration for arm tattoos for a long time. They’ve become an inspiration even more with the emergence of tattoo sleeves. But, what if you don’t want to go through the pain and time of getting a full tattoo sleeve inked? In that case, you can get temporary Leoars tattoos that look great on sleeves.

The package consists of six pieces of great-looking black and white tattoos that depict different animals, starting from lions to snakes and tigers. There are some other designs in the package, but the majority of them consist of animal prints which are exactly why we grew to be fond of it. It’s also worth mentioning that it takes less than 20 seconds to put them on, and a bit longer to remove them.

They’re also designed so that they’d be fully adjustable for both men and women who share the love for tough and often vicious animals like lions and tigers.

Editor’s notes: Although we’re aware that this type of tattoo doesn’t last long, we find that these prints can last only 2 days if they aren’t set properly or if they’re going through wear and tear. That said, they may not be as durable as other tattoos, which may turn away people who want to get them.

Best for Women: Temporary Tattoos Sleeve for Women

• Count: 7 pieces
• Duration: 2 to 5 days
• Dimensions: 6.9 x 19-inches

Sleeve tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among girls too, which is why we can often see them wearing floral or some other designs. Although no tattoo sleeve classifies as 100% girly, it’s worth mentioning that there are a total of 7 pieces, so if you’re not satisfied with one design, you can easily swap for another one.

All of the designs are FDA-approved. Additionally, they don’t contain any toxic materials that could compromise your health or cause a strong reaction. They look fashionable and will look great regardless of the outfit you combine them with.

It takes no more than 20 to 30 seconds to apply it using water. Removing can be just as easy, although it’ll take a bit longer if you’re scrubbing the whole tattoo. All tattoos are colorful, vibrant, and detailed, as if the real tattoo artist inked them on your body.

Editor’s notes: Unfortunately, they don’t last long. If you’ll be wearing long sleeves by any chance, it’ll wear off easily. They’re the best for a one-time occasion like a party or some other event. The next day, the design will already begin to peel off.

NEZAR Tattoos

• Count: 11 pieces
• Duration: 3 to 7 days
• Dimensions: 6.6 x 18.1-inches

For those who want to give an impression that they’ve gotten the real sleeve inked, this is the best temporary tattoo sleeve that you can go for. One package will consist of 11 sheets that combine some of your favorite designs, patterns, and textures in one. Starting from geometrical patterns to floral patterns, everyone is guaranteed to find what they like the most. There are also some cool 3D designs we’re sure you’ll like.

They’re large and can not only be used as a sleeve, but as leg and back tattoos too. They’re safe and FDA-approved, which means that anyone can use them, both women and men, as well as children.

What we also like about this tattoo is that it lasts long, from 3 to 7 days. Moreover, it’s easy to apply and you can remove it with baby oil.

Editor’s notes: We want to add that these tattoos are not recommended for those with extremely sensitive skin as they could cause redness and irritation when taking the tattoo off.

Rejaski 9 Sheets 3D Full Arm Temporary Tattoos

• Count: 9 pieces
• Duration: 3 to 7 days
• Dimensions: 6.6 x 18.1-inches

If you’re looking for a little larger design, you’ll love the offer that Rejaski’s unique designs have. There are four extra-large sheets, as well as 5 those that are medium-sized. The designs are also diverse, you can find anything from wild and dangerous animals like tigers and lions to more realistic designs like flowers and others.

Besides the arms, you can easily place these large tattoos on your back or leg. It’s also designed so that it’s suitable for both and women. Thanks to its non-toxic composition, it’s also safe to use on children. They are incredibly easy to apply. Using water, you can glue the tattoo on your arm within 30 seconds. The tattoo easily comes off if you use body oil or an alcohol swab.

Editor’s notes: Even though it states that the tattoo is waterproof, keep in mind that you shouldn’t go swim with it, as it could easily come off due to chlorine in the pool water, as well as the salt in the ocean. They’re nevertheless, safe to use in the showers.

More Sleeve Design Ideas:

• 40+ Best Viking Tattoo Sleeve Ideas & Symbolism (2023 Updated)
• Half Sleeve Tattoos For Men: 30+ Best Design Recommendations
• 50+ Most Popular Leg Sleeve Tattoo Models in 2023

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