Of course, you can always try your hand at original tattoo artwork by tracing your design onto newsprint using an inkblot pencil—A Bottle of Ink in a Pencil. This will result in a temporary tattoo similar to those you can get through Reel Creations, Temptu, or Tinsley Transfers. You will most likely need or want to augment the tattoos with additional color from a source like Skin Illustrator® palettes.
Stencils can be used with either an airbrush or by hand using a sponging technique. Vittorio Sodano used stencils to sponge paint patterns on actors in Apocalypto, which saved considerable time by not using an airbrush. . . though that probably would have been nearly impossible on location in the jungle. In using the sponge technique, it is important that the stencil be flush with the skin and that the sponge not be too saturated with color lest it run and seep between the stencil and the skin, bleeding all over and ruining the stenciled pattern.
Temptu carries a spray called Stencil Tack that helps hold the stencil against the skin without transferring any of the tackiness to the skin.
There is another way, and it’s using an inkjet printer, Photoshop®, temporary tattoo transfer, and adhesive paper. Kits are available in different paper sizes so that you can create custom temporary tattoos of varying sizes from small to rather large.