If you're here, you probably already know the story: in early 2026, Inkbox — the brand that basically put semi-permanent tattoos on the map — stopped taking orders. For a lot of people, especially anyone who used Inkbox to test tattoo ideas, accessorize for events, or enjoy body art without the lifetime commitment, that was genuinely frustrating. You had a brand you trusted, and it went quiet overnight.
And the story now has a new chapter: Inkbox is back online. This article covers what actually happened, what the relaunch looks like, and — now that both stores are open — an honest comparison so you can decide where your next jagua tattoo comes from.
We're not going to bash Inkbox. They did great things for this space. But if you need a jagua tattoo right now, whatever Inkbox does next, we'd like to make the case that we're a solid home for it.
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 of acquisition, Inkbox was doing $27 million in annual revenue, had over 10,000 designs from 700+ independent artists, was shipping to 80+ countries, and had just expanded into 1,500 Walmart stores. Gross margins exceeded 60%. On paper, it looked promising.
Then things shifted. BIC's CEO Rob Versloot took a hard look at the numbers. Sales had declined since the acquisition, and profitability wasn't there. On December 4, 2025, BIC announced it would shut down the entire Skin Creative division — Inkbox, Tattly, and the Rocketbook notebook brand — by the end of Q1 2026. The last day to place an order was February 22, 2026; operations ended February 23. Around 50 employees were affected.
Is Inkbox coming back in 2026? (Update: it's back)
Yes — as of July 2026, Inkbox is back online and taking orders. If you joined their mailing list during the shutdown, you probably got the relaunch email too.
Quick recap of how we got here: co-founders Tyler and Braden Handley — who stepped away after the BIC acquisition — submitted a buyback bid in January 2026, partnering with Jason Goldlist, CEO of the tattoo booking app Venue.ink. In Tyler's words to BetaKit, watching the brand shut down was something he couldn't "stand by and watch happen without taking some action." The deal's terms were never publicly detailed, but the store's return speaks for itself.
Here's what the relaunch looks like, as checked on July 9, 2026:
- The catalog is much smaller — for now. Roughly 740 designs are live, compared to the 10,000+ artist-marketplace catalog Inkbox had before the shutdown.
- Custom tattoos are back. The custom designer is live again — Inkbox's signature feature survived the relaunch.
- The duration claim changed. Inkbox now advertises tattoos that last "up to 10 days" — a more conservative promise than the 1-2 weeks the brand used to lead with.
- International buyers pay in USD. The relaunched store runs in US dollars worldwide, so non-US customers deal with currency conversion and possible customs fees on arrival.
- Some corners are still under construction. When we checked, several support pages (shipping, returns, contact) weren't live yet — normal for a fresh relaunch, worth knowing if support matters to you.
The honest read: the comeback is real, and it's good news for jagua as a category. It's also a smaller Inkbox than the one that shut down — at least for now. Which makes the question less "is Inkbox coming back?" and more "now that it's back, which store fits you better?" That's what the rest of this article is for.
Why Inkbox worked — and what made their tattoos different
Before we talk alternatives, it's worth understanding what made Inkbox special. Because not all temporary tattoos are created equal, and a lot of the brands rushing to fill this gap don't offer 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 traveled to Panama, went into the Darién Gap, and worked with indigenous communities to source the raw ingredient.
What made jagua different from regular temporary tattoos:
- It stains the skin, not sits on top of it. Traditional water-slide tattoos are basically stickers. Jagua ink absorbs into the epidermis, creating a stain that looks like real tattoo ink.
- The color is realistic. Jagua produces a deep blue-black tone — the same color range as permanent tattoo ink. Not the shiny, obviously-fake look of a transfer.
- It lasts 1-2 weeks. 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 regenerates.
- It's 100% plant-based. No synthetic chemicals, no PPD (the toxic compound found in "black henna"). Just fruit extract.
This is the technology that made Inkbox feel different from every other temporary tattoo brand. And it's the thing 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. Here's how semi-permanent tattoos actually work if you want the full breakdown.
What to look for in an Inkbox alternative
The Inkbox shutdown created 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. Here's what actually matters.
1. The ink technology
The single most important factor. If you loved how Inkbox tattoos looked and lasted, you need jagua-based ink — not a water-transfer sticker. 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. Not sure how it stacks up against henna? Here's jagua vs henna.
2. Duration: 1-2 weeks, with a real mechanism
Real jagua tattoos last about 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, dig deeper — here's how long temporary tattoos really last.
3. Natural ingredients
Jagua is plant-based and vegan by nature. Watch out for brands using synthetic dyes or hiding their ingredient list. And absolutely avoid anything with PPD (para-phenylenediamine), the toxic chemical in "black henna" that can cause burns and scarring. If safety is a concern, here's whether jagua is safe.
4. Design quality and variety
One thing Inkbox did exceptionally well was curating designs from real artists. Whatever brand you switch to, look at the actual catalog. Do the designs look like something you'd want on your body? Do they offer different styles — minimalist, botanical, geometric, zodiac?
5. Shipping to the US
If you were a US Inkbox customer (statistically likely — most of their base was American), make sure the brand you switch to actually ships to the States with reasonable delivery times and transparent pricing.
Temporalis: same jagua technology, different approach
This is the part where we tell you about ourselves. We'll keep it honest.
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, oxidizes over 24-48 hours, and produces a deep blue-black stain that lasts 1 to 2 weeks before fading naturally. If you loved how Inkbox tattoos looked and felt, you'll get the same experience here. Same ink science, same realistic result, same duration.
Where we're different:
We're independent — and taking orders right now
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, no shareholder pressure to shut us down because temporary tattoos don't fit a quarterly target. And whatever Inkbox does next, we're available and shipping today — and have been all the way through.
We're design-focused
We have 500+ designs across categories that match how people actually shop: butterflies, roses, stars, couple tattoos, fine line work, realistic pieces. Whether you want something small and subtle or a larger arm piece to test before going permanent, we've probably got it.
We ship to the US
You can order jagua tattoos online and get them delivered to the US with free shipping over $75. Delivery typically takes 5-10 business days from our European fulfillment center — not as fast as a domestic warehouse, but faster than you'd expect, and no surprise customs fees.
The price point is fair
Most of our tattoos range from $9.90 to $27.90 — comparable to what Inkbox charged for individual designs. We also run volume discounts: 5% off 3 tattoos, 10% off 5, 15% off 10.
Everything is natural and vegan
Our jagua ink is 100% plant-based, cruelty-free, and dermatologist tested. No synthetic dyes, no PPD, no animal testing. Safe for sensitive skin (we always recommend a patch test, just like Inkbox did).
Temporalis vs Inkbox: how we compare
| Temporalis | Inkbox (before shutdown) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ink technology | Natural jagua (genipin) | Natural jagua ("For Now Ink") |
| Duration | 1-2 weeks | Up to 10 days (current claim) |
| Color | Blue-black | Blue-black |
| Waterproof | Yes (once developed) | Yes (once developed) |
| Vegan & cruelty-free | Yes | Yes |
| Design catalog | 500+ designs, 20+ categories | ~740 at relaunch (10,000+ before shutdown) |
| Custom designs | Available (individual + business) | Yes (individual + business) |
| Price range | $9.90 – $27.90 | $12 – $30 pre-shutdown (new pricing TBC) |
| US shipping | Free over $75 (5-10 days) | Pre-shutdown: free over $35 (post-relaunch TBC) |
| Available now | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes — relaunched July 2026 |
We'll be transparent about where Inkbox historically had us beat: their artist marketplace was massive (10,000+ designs from 700+ artists), and their US fulfillment was faster. The relaunch resets part of that — the catalog restarted at roughly 740 designs — though knowing them, it will grow. On custom work we're now on equal footing: you can upload your own design and get it printed in jagua ink here too. And the core product — the jagua stain, the realistic look, the 1-2 week duration — is the same technology either way. Compare and pick what fits.
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 at home.
- Butterfly tattoos — still one of the most searched designs in the semi-permanent space.
- Finger tattoos — tiny placements that jagua does especially well, because finger skin takes the stain dark.
- Couple tattoos — matching designs for partners, friends, siblings. Commitment to each other, not to the ink.
- Geometric & mandala — bold patterns, sacred geometry, the kind of designs you'd test before going permanent.
- Nature tattoos — mountains, waves, trees, wildlife. For the outdoorsy crowd who wants body art that reflects it.
Want to see everything? Browse the full collection →
Same ink. Available now.
Same jagua technology. Realistic blue-black stain. Lasts 1-2 weeks. 100% natural, vegan, and shipping today.
Free US shipping over $75 · 5% off your first 3 tattoos
FAQ: what Inkbox customers are asking right now
Is Inkbox coming back in 2026?
It already has. As of July 2026, inkbox.com is live and taking orders again, with roughly 740 designs at relaunch (down from 10,000+ before the shutdown) and the custom tattoo designer back online. The comeback follows the buyback effort by co-founders Tyler and Braden Handley with Jason Goldlist of Venue.ink — the deal's terms haven't been publicly detailed.
Is Inkbox gone forever?
No — it came back. Inkbox stopped taking orders on February 23, 2026 when BIC closed its Skin Creative division, and relaunched in July 2026 following a buyback effort led by its co-founders. The store restarted with a smaller catalog (roughly 740 designs) and its custom feature intact.
What's the best Inkbox alternative right now?
Now that Inkbox is back, "alternative" means choice rather than necessity. The closest equivalent is any brand using the same jagua ink — a natural fruit dye that stains the skin for 1 to 2 weeks rather than a sticker on top. Temporalis uses that same jagua technology, is independent, ships to the US, and has been shipping jagua tattoos throughout the shutdown.
Will my old Inkbox designs work elsewhere?
Inkbox's designs belonged to its artist marketplace, and the relaunched store restarted with roughly 740 designs — so your old favorite may not be back yet. Many of those artists sell through their own channels; if you had one, look them up on Instagram. For a similar look, most Inkbox styles (fine-line, botanical, zodiac, geometric) have close equivalents in other jagua catalogs, and you can also upload your own design.
Does Temporalis do custom tattoos like Inkbox did?
Yes. You can upload your own design and have it printed in jagua ink, the same way Inkbox's custom feature worked. It's available for individuals and for businesses.
Is jagua the same as Inkbox's For Now Ink?
Yes. Inkbox's For Now Ink was based on jagua — a natural dye from the Genipa americana fruit. The active compound, genipin, bonds with the top layer of skin and oxidizes into a deep blue-black stain that lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Temporalis uses the same jagua technology, so the look, color and duration are the same.
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 legitimized an entire product category. Before Inkbox, "semi-permanent tattoo" wasn't a thing most people knew about. They brought jagua technology to a mainstream audience, built an artist-driven marketplace that paid creators, and proved that body art could be flexible, commitment-free, and still look incredible.
The fact that we can write about jagua tattoos to a US audience that already knows what they are — that's largely because of 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, 1-2 week duration — isn't going anywhere. It existed before Inkbox, and it exists beyond any one brand — that's truer than ever now that the market has more than one home for it.
So 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 love for you to give us a try. Same science, same beautiful temporary results, just a different name on the label.
Last updated: July 9, 2026. Facts sourced from BIC corporate announcements, BetaKit, Beauty Independent, and inkbox.com (checked July 9, 2026). Temporalis is not affiliated with Inkbox or BIC. We update this page as Inkbox's status changes.
