Temporary tattoos with an NFC tag
A thin, skin-friendly tattoo with an integrated NFC tag: hold your smartphone to the design – and a website or digital information opens.
Illustration: NFC link between tattoo and reader
Real NFC tattoo
01 — Product
An NFC tattoo is a temporary tattoo that combines design and technology: beneath the artwork sits a small NFC tag that a smartphone can read with a simple tap.
NFC is a standard provided by the NFC Forum. Limitations due to specific smartphone hardware or operating systems may apply.
02 — How it works
Apply, tap, connect: this is how a design on your skin becomes a gateway to digital content.
The video shows how an NFC tattoo is applied, step by step – from the film to the finished design on the skin.
03 — Who it’s for
For individuals
Tattoos are a trend for the body. NFC tattoos add a new dimension: change your style, get in touch.
For businesses
Connect customers with your website or special information. The tattoo carries your design – and the customer carries it for you.
NFC tattoos can point to personalised information (ID) or standardised content (e.g. a website).
04 — Applications
From tickets to campaigns: these are the uses described by the existing NFC-TATTOO website. Further ideas are labelled as such – we deliberately show no invented references.
Interactive, digital, authentic: the NFC tattoo as a personal ticket – smartphone to tattoo, done.
Smart flyer and advertising medium: link to your website, promote products and feature your best sellers.
The tattoo carries your design or brand to the customer – and the customer carries it on for you.
Content can be stored as personalised (ID) or standardised (website) information.
For example a link to a video, a playlist or an event page.
For example a promotion page or a prize draw that opens with a tap.
Documented – Application already described by NFC-TATTOO.Idea – Possible idea, not an existing reference.
05 — Technology
NFC stands for Near Field Communication – a radio standard for very short distances. NFC tattoos use thin NFC tags integrated into the tattoo film.
An NFC-enabled smartphone generates a weak radio field over a short distance.
The tag’s antenna draws energy from the field. Passive NFC tags usually need no battery of their own.
The smartphone reads the stored information – for example a link – and opens it.
Design and logistics support included: easy to create and use. The N-Mark is a trademark of NFC Forum, Inc.
06 — Designs & inspiration
NFC tattoos can have any shape and design – from a size of 50 × 50 mm. Here is a look at samples and patterns.
Photos and graphics: original material from the previous website. Tap an image to enlarge it.
Request your own design07 — Custom NFC tattoos
Any design, any shape, individual content: we turn your artwork into an NFC tattoo – for your company, your event or your personal project.
Request a custom projectAny design and any size from 50 × 50 mm can be printed – from a sample motif to a completely original artwork.
Your logo and colours on skin: the tattoo carries your brand to the customer.
Together we define which content is stored in the NFC tag – such as a website or an individual ID – and we support design and logistics.
Describe your idea in the contact form. We get back to you to discuss the application and implementation.
08 — Benefits
A very thin, flexible and skin-friendly film as carrier.
A tap with your smartphone opens digital content.
Any design, any shape – from 50 × 50 mm.
Integrated NFC tag, almost invisible within the design.
Applied as a thin patch – the video shows how.
Preprogrammed or reprogrammable: website, ID or information.
09 — About NFC-TATTOO
NFC-TATTOO is lightweight, thin, flexible and easy to use – a printed-electronics product by MSWtech.
MSWtech is the home of various competences. Originally coming from software development, MSW now brings together the skills to analyse technologies – especially printed electronics – for customers, to educate them to make the best use of them, and to develop programmes and actions that deliver the greatest value for them and their customers.
Smart Tattoos were shown at LOPEC 2019 together with Smart Books and MSWtech’s RFID projects and competence.
FAQ
An NFC tattoo is a temporary tattoo with an integrated NFC tag. It is made of very thin, skin-friendly films and carries an individual design. When an NFC-enabled smartphone is held to the tattoo, it can read the stored information – for example a link to a website.
It is neither a permanent tattoo nor an implanted chip.
A small NFC tag sits inside the tattoo. When you hold an NFC-enabled smartphone close to it, the phone reads the tag’s content and opens it. The content can be preprogrammed or reprogrammable.
Use with NFC-enabled Android smartphones is documented. According to the manufacturer, the tags are compatible with almost every NFC reader/writer. Limitations may apply depending on the device’s hardware and operating system. We make no binding statement here about specific devices (e.g. iPhones) – feel free to ask us for your project.
Yes. Any design and any size from 50 × 50 mm can be printed. Company designs and logos are possible too. Simply describe your idea in the contact form.
NFC tattoos can be supplied preprogrammed or reprogrammable. Whether and how the content of a specific tattoo can be changed depends on the chosen tag – we are happy to advise you.
The NFC tattoo is applied to the skin as a thin patch. The video in the “How it works” section shows the application. If you have questions about applying it, get in touch via the contact form.
We do not currently publish binding wear-time figures, as they depend on the material, the application and how the skin is used. We are happy to advise you on your project.
Your question isn’t listed? Write to us.
10 — Contact
Bring your idea to digital life. Tell us what you have in mind – we’re happy to share more information about applications and use cases.
