Inkbox Shut Down? Here's What to Know — And the Best Jagua Tattoo Alternative in 2026

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

As of February 23, 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 accessorize for events, or just to enjoy body art without the lifetime commitment — this is genuinely frustrating. You had a brand you trusted, and now it's gone.

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 your attention if jagua is the technology you fell in love with.

We're not going 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 one.

What happened to Inkbox?

Here's 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 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 December 4, 2025, BIC announced it was shutting down the entire Skin Creative division — Inkbox, Tattly, and Rocketbook (a smart notebook brand they'd also acquired) — by the end of Q1 2026.

The last day to place an order was February 22, 2026. Operations officially ended February 23. Around 50 employees were affected.

Could Inkbox come back?

Maybe. 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, relaunching a brand with supply chains, artist relationships, and fulfillment infrastructure takes time. If you're looking for 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 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 deep 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 (the outermost skin layer), 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 cells regenerate.
• 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 this is 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.

What to look for in an Inkbox alternative

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

Here's what actually matters when choosing an alternative:

1. The ink technology

This is the single most important factor. If you loved how Inkbox tattoos looked and lasted, you need jagua-based ink — not a water-transfer sticker, not a regular temporary tattoo with a longer wear 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

Real 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 specify the mechanism, dig 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 absolutely avoid anything containing PPD (para-phenylenediamine), which is the toxic chemical in "black henna" that can cause burns and scarring.

4. Design quality and variety

One thing Inkbox did exceptionally well was curating designs from real artists. Whatever brand you switch to, look at their actual catalog. Do the designs look like something you'd want on your body? Are they detailed enough? Do they offer different styles — minimalist, botanical, geometric, zodiac?

5. Worldwide shipping

Inkbox shipped to 80+ countries. If you're outside North America, make sure the brand you're switching to actually delivers to your country — with reasonable shipping times, tracking, and no surprise fees at your door.

Temporalis: same jagua technology, different approach

This is the part where we tell you about ourselves as an Inkbox alternative. 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 the way Inkbox tattoos looked and felt, you'll get the same experience with Temporalis. Same ink science, same realistic result, 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 shareholder pressure to shut us down because temporary tattoos don't fit a quarterly earnings target.

We're design-focused

We have 500+ designs across categories that actually make sense for how people 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 worldwide

Temporalis ships from our European workshop to countries across the globe. Free shipping on orders over €35 within Europe, with international delivery available at checkout. Orders typically arrive within 3–5 business days in Europe and 7–12 business days for the rest of the world. All prices include VAT for European customers — no surprise fees at the door.

The price point is fair

Most of our tattoos range from €9.90 to €24.90 — comparable to what Inkbox charged for individual designs. 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, and dermatologically tested. No synthetic dyes, no PPD, no animal testing. Safe for sensitive skin (though we always recommend a patch test, just like 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 they had a domestic US warehouse, which made North American shipping faster.

But the core product — the jagua stain, the realistic look, the 1–2 week duration — is the same technology. If that's what you're missing, we've got you.

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 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 →

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 February 22, 2026, and officially shut down on February 23.

What happens to my Inkbox gift card?

If you have an unredeemed Inkbox gift card, reach out to hi-inkbox@getinkbox.com as soon as possible. Since operations have ended, your options depend on local consumer protection laws. Don't wait on this — the sooner you contact them, the better your chances of some resolution.

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

According to Inkbox's goodbye page, all orders placed before February 23 will be honored. If you have an outstanding order and haven't received shipping 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 for support. Many of these artists sell work through their own channels — if you had a favorite Inkbox artist, look them up on Instagram. Their designs may 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. There's no confirmed deal yet. Even if it happens, a relaunch would take time — rebuilding supply chains, rehiring, restarting production. It could be months, and it's not 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 looking for a semi-permanent tattoo like Inkbox — realistic look, plant-based ink, painless application, natural fade — you'll get the same experience from Temporalis. The design catalog is different, the brand is different, but the jagua science is identical.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We ship worldwide from our European workshop. Free shipping on European orders over €35, with international rates calculated at checkout. Delivery takes 3–5 business days in Europe, 7–12 days for the rest of the world. All European prices include VAT — no hidden fees.

Missing your semi-permanent tattoos?

Same jagua technology. Realistic blue-black stain. Lasts 1–2 weeks.
100% natural, vegan, and still very much in business.

Browse the full collection →

Free European shipping over €35 · Worldwide delivery · 10% off your first 3 tattoos

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 really 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 sit here and write about jagua tattoos to an audience that already understands 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 — that technology isn't going anywhere. It existed 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 love for you to give us a try. Same science. Same beautiful, temporary results. Just a different name on the label.

Related reads:

• Semi Permanent Tattoos: The Complete Jagua Guide (2026)
• How to Apply Your Temporalis Tattoo
• FAQ — Shipping, Duration, Aftercare & More

Last updated: February 24, 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.