Inkbox shut down: what happened, and where to find jagua tattoos now

If you're reading this, you probably already know: Inkbox is gone.

As of 23 February 2026, the brand that essentially put semi-permanent tattoos on the map has officially shut down. The website redirects to a goodbye page. No more orders. No more custom designs. No more "For Now Ink."

For anyone who relied on Inkbox — to test a design before going permanent, to wear something brilliant for a weekend, or just to enjoy body art without the lifetime commitment — this is properly frustrating. You had a brand you trusted, and now it's vanished.

This article covers what actually happened, whether Inkbox could come back, what to look for in an alternative, and (yes) why we think Temporalis is worth a look if jagua is the technology you fell in love with.

We're not here to bash Inkbox. They did great things for this space. But if you need a new home for your semi-permanent tattoo habit, we'd like to make the case that we're a solid option.

What happened to Inkbox?

The short version: BIC — the French company behind the pens, lighters, and razors — bought Inkbox in February 2022 for $65 million. Inkbox became part of BIC's "Skin Creative" division alongside Tattly (decorative temporary tattoos) and BodyMark (their own tattoo marker brand).

The idea was to build a portfolio in the growing DIY body art market. At the time, Inkbox was doing $27 million in annual revenue with gross margins above 60%, had over 10,000 designs from 700+ independent artists, and was shipping to more than 80 countries — the UK included.

Then things shifted. BIC's new CEO Rob Versloot, who came in mid-2025, took a hard look at the numbers. Sales had declined significantly since the acquisition. Profitability wasn't there. On 4 December 2025, BIC announced it was shutting down the entire Skin Creative division — Inkbox, Tattly, and Rocketbook — by the end of Q1 2026.

The last day to place an order was 22 February 2026. Operations officially ended the following day. Around 50 employees were affected.

Could Inkbox come back?

Possibly. Inkbox co-founders Tyler and Braden Handley — who stepped away from the company after the BIC acquisition — submitted a buyback bid in January 2026, partnering with Jason Goldlist, CEO of tattoo booking app Venue.ink. As of late January, they were reportedly in negotiations with BIC.

Whether that deal goes through is anyone's guess. Even if it does, rebuilding supply chains, artist relationships, and fulfilment infrastructure takes time. If you're after semi-permanent tattoos right now, you'll need an alternative regardless.

Why Inkbox worked — and what made their tattoos different

Before we talk alternatives, it's worth understanding what made Inkbox genuinely good. Because not all temporary tattoos are the same, and plenty of the brands rushing to fill this gap aren't offering the same thing.

Inkbox's "For Now Ink" was based on jagua — a natural dye extracted from the fruit of the Genipa americana tree, native to South America. The Handley brothers literally travelled to Panama, went deep into the Darién Gap, and worked with indigenous communities to source the raw ingredient.

What made jagua different from standard temporary tattoos:

• It stains the skin, not sits on top of it. Traditional water-slide tattoos are essentially stickers. Jagua ink absorbs into the epidermis, creating a stain that properly looks like real tattoo ink.
• The colour is realistic. Jagua produces a deep blue-black tone — the same colour range as permanent tattoo ink. Not the shiny, obviously-fake look of a transfer.
• It lasts a fortnight. Because the stain is in your skin rather than on it, it doesn't wash off in the shower. It fades naturally as your skin cells regenerate.
• It's 100% plant-based. No synthetic chemicals. No PPD (the toxic compound in "black henna"). Just fruit extract.

This is the technology that made Inkbox feel different from every other temporary tattoo brand. And this is what to look for in any replacement: jagua-based ink. If a brand is selling water-slide transfers and calling them "semi-permanent," that's a different product entirely.

What to look for in an Inkbox alternative

The Inkbox shutdown has left a gap, and brands are already positioning themselves as the best Inkbox alternative. Some are legitimate. Others are repackaging basic temporary tattoos and hoping you won't notice the difference.

Here's what actually matters:

1. The ink technology

This is the single most important thing. If you loved how Inkbox tattoos looked and lasted, you need jagua-based ink — not a water-transfer sticker, not a standard temporary tattoo with a bold wear-time claim. Ask what the ink is made from. If they can't tell you it's jagua (or genipin, the active compound), it's probably not the same experience.

2. Duration: 1–2 weeks, not 2–3 days

Proper jagua tattoos last 10 to 14 days because the stain is in the skin. Basic temporary tattoos last 2–5 days because they're on the surface. If a brand promises "long-lasting" but can't explain the mechanism, it's worth digging a bit deeper.

3. Natural ingredients

Jagua is plant-based and vegan by nature. Watch out for brands that use synthetic dyes or don't disclose their ingredient list. And steer well clear of anything containing PPD (para-phenylenediamine) — that's the toxic chemical in "black henna" that causes burns and scarring.

4. Design quality and range

One thing Inkbox did brilliantly was curating designs from real artists. Whatever brand you switch to, have a proper look at their catalogue. Do the designs look like something you'd actually want on your body? Is there enough range — minimalist, botanical, geometric, zodiac?

5. Delivery to the UK

If you were ordering Inkbox to the UK, you already know the cross-border delivery question. The key things: does the brand ship here, is it tracked, and — crucially post-Brexit — are there surprise customs charges? Transparent delivery and no hidden fees matter more than speed.

Temporalis: same jagua technology, different approach

This is the part where we tell you about ourselves. We'll keep it straight.

Temporalis uses the same core technology as Inkbox — natural jagua ink from the Genipa americana fruit. The active compound (genipin) works identically: it bonds with proteins in the epidermis, oxidises over 24–48 hours, and produces a deep blue-black stain that lasts 1 to 2 weeks before fading naturally.

If you loved the way Inkbox tattoos looked and felt, you'll get the same result with Temporalis. Same ink science, same realistic look, same duration.

Where we're different:

We're independent

Temporalis isn't owned by a conglomerate. We're an independent European brand — small team, focused on one thing: making the best jagua tattoos we can. No corporate restructuring risk, no shareholders deciding semi-permanent tattoos don't fit a quarterly earnings target.

We're design-focused

We have 500+ designs across categories that actually reflect how people browse: butterflies, roses, stars, couple tattoos, fine line work, realistic pieces. Whether you're after something small and subtle or a larger arm piece to test before committing to permanent ink, chances are we've got it.

UK delivery is sorted

Free tracked delivery on orders over £30. Parcels typically arrive in 4–6 working days from our European workshop. And the bit that matters most: no customs charges, no surprise fees at your door. The price at checkout is the price you pay, full stop. We know cross-border shopping post-Brexit can feel like a bit of a question mark — we've made sure it isn't one.

The price point is fair

Most of our tattoos range from £7.90 to £21.90 — comparable to what Inkbox charged. And we run volume discounts: 10% off 3 tattoos, 20% off 5, 30% off 10.

Everything is natural and vegan

Our jagua ink is 100% plant-based, cruelty-free, EU-certified, and dermatologically tested. No synthetic dyes, no PPD, no animal testing. Gentle on sensitive skin (though we always recommend a patch test, just as Inkbox did).

Temporalis vs Inkbox: how we compare

We'll be transparent about where Inkbox had us beat: their artist marketplace was massive (10,000+ designs from 700+ artists), and they offered individual custom tattoos from personal uploads. We currently offer custom designs for business and event orders, not one-off personal customs. And their catalogue was simply bigger.

But the core product — the jagua stain, the realistic look, the 1–2 week duration — is the same technology. And for UK customers specifically, our delivery is actually faster and simpler than Inkbox ever was (they shipped from Canada, which meant longer waits and the occasional customs hiccup).

What about TATTD?

If you've been searching for UK-based semi-permanent tattoos, you've probably come across TATTD — a British brand using genipa ink (the same plant family as jagua). They're a legitimate option and they ship domestically from the UK, which is a genuine advantage for speed.

We're not going to pretend they don't exist. If fast domestic delivery is your top priority, they're worth a look. Where we think Temporalis holds its own is in design range (500+ designs across 20+ themed collections), the depth of our botanical and fine-line catalogue, and our volume pricing for anyone who likes to switch things up regularly.

The good news for you: the fact that multiple brands now offer proper jagua-based tattoos in the UK means the technology Inkbox championed isn't going anywhere. You've got options.

Designs Inkbox fans tend to love

If you're coming from Inkbox, here are the collections that'll feel most familiar:

• Minimalist tattoos — clean lines, small symbols, subtle placement. The bread and butter of semi-permanent ink.
• Flower tattoos — from roses to lotus flowers to cherry blossoms. Botanical fine-line was Inkbox's most popular category, and it's one of ours too.
• Zodiac tattoos — every sign, constellation patterns, astrology symbols. If you were an Inkbox zodiac regular, you'll feel right at home.
• Butterfly tattoos — still one of the most searched-for designs in the semi-permanent space.
• Finger tattoos — tiny placements that jagua does especially well, because finger skin takes the stain beautifully dark.
• Couple tattoos — matching designs for partners, mates, siblings. Commitment to each other, not to the ink.
• Geometric & mandala — bold patterns, sacred geometry, the sort of designs you'd want to test before going permanent.
• Nature tattoos — mountains, waves, trees, wildlife. For anyone who wants body art that reflects where they'd rather be.

Fancy seeing the lot? Browse the full collection →

FAQ: what Inkbox customers are asking right now

Why did Inkbox shut down?

BIC acquired Inkbox for $65 million in 2022, but the brand saw significant declines in sales and profitability under BIC's ownership. In December 2025, BIC's CEO announced the closure of the entire Skin Creative division. Inkbox took its last orders on 22 February 2026 and officially shut down the following day.

What happens to my Inkbox gift card?

If you have an unredeemed Inkbox gift card, get in touch with hi-inkbox@getinkbox.com as soon as possible. Since operations have ended, your options depend on your local consumer protection rights. Don't sit on it — the sooner you reach out, the better your chances of some resolution.

I had an order placed before 23 February. Will I get it?

According to Inkbox's goodbye page, all orders placed before 23 February will be honoured. If you have an outstanding order and haven't received a dispatch confirmation, contact hi-inkbox@getinkbox.com.

What about the artists who sold on Inkbox?

Inkbox's artist marketplace supported over 700 artists worldwide. Affected artists can reach Inkbox at artists@getinkbox.com. Many of these artists sell work through their own channels — if you had a favourite Inkbox artist, look them up on Instagram. Their designs may well live on elsewhere.

Will Inkbox come back under the founders?

Tyler and Braden Handley submitted a buyback bid in January 2026 and were in negotiations with BIC. No deal has been confirmed. Even if it happens, a relaunch would take time — rebuilding supply chains, rehiring, restarting production. It could be months, and it's far from guaranteed.

Is Temporalis the same as Inkbox?

We're a different brand with a different origin story. But we use the same core technology — natural jagua ink that stains the skin for 1–2 weeks. If you're after a semi permanent tattoo like Inkbox — realistic look, plant-based ink, painless application, natural fade — you'll get the same result from Temporalis. The design catalogue is different, the brand is different, but the jagua science is identical.

Do you deliver to the UK?

Yes. Free tracked delivery on orders over £30. Parcels arrive in 4–6 working days from our European workshop. No customs charges, no surprise fees — the price at checkout is the price you pay.

A note on what Inkbox meant for this space

We want to end on this, because it matters.

Inkbox didn't just sell temporary tattoos. They legitimised an entire product category. Before Inkbox, "semi-permanent tattoo" wasn't really a thing most people had heard of. They brought jagua technology to a mainstream audience, built an artist-driven marketplace that properly paid creators, and proved that body art could be flexible, commitment-free, and still look brilliant.

The fact that we can sit here and write about jagua tattoos to an audience that already understands what they are — that's largely down to what Inkbox built over ten years.

We're not trying to replace them. Nobody replaces a brand that shaped a market. But the technology they championed — natural jagua ink, realistic results, a fortnight of wear — that technology isn't going anywhere. It existed long before Inkbox, and it'll exist long after.

If you're looking for where to go next — whether you call it an Inkbox replacement or just a new go-to for jagua tattoos — we'd be glad if you gave us a try. Same science. Same beautiful, temporary results. Just a different name on the label.

Last updated: 24 February 2026. Facts sourced from BIC corporate announcements, BetaKit, Beauty Independent, Retail Dive, and Inkbox's official sunset page. Temporalis is not affiliated with Inkbox or BIC.