Ephemeral Tattoos
Ephemeral Tattoos is a New York-based company that develops and sells proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink based on medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers, distributed via direct e-commerce, approved artist partners, and radiotherapy applications. The product primarily serves first-time tattoo wearers and licensed tattoo artists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ephemeral Tattoos does
Ephemeral Tattoos is a New York-based private company that has developed and commercialized a proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink built on medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers — the same class of materials used in dissolvable sutures. The ink, now in its Gen 3 formulation, is applied with a conventional tattoo machine by approved artist partners but is designed to degrade naturally in the body so that 90% of tattoos fade within two years and 98% within three years. The formulation is 100% vegan, free of heavy metals, and positioned as FDA-cosmetic compliant. Beyond the core consumer tattoo use case, the company has developed a specialized radiotherapy tattoo solution for cancer treatment positioning and has extended its bioabsorbable technology into medical applications via a partnership with Plus Therapeutics.
The company's business model combines direct e-commerce sale of single-use 0.5mL ink packs to professional tattoo artists and consumers ($29 per pack with 5% and 10% bulk discounts), a partner-driven B2B2C distribution model through approved artist studios, and company-affiliated studio services. Marketing is anchored in TikTok virality, earned media coverage (Paper Mag, Esquire, Allure, Insider), and content marketing via a 20,000+ tattoo lookbook. Customer segmentation is led by first-time tattoo wearers (reportedly 70% of customers) and includes design/placement testers and a niche medical segment of radiotherapy patients.
Since 2016, Ephemeral has raised approximately $27 million across seed and Series A rounds, with a $20M Series A in July 2021 led by Anthos Capital LP alongside prior backers Canaan Partners, Foundation Capital, Slow Ventures, Primary Venture Partners, 1517 Fund, Kima Ventures, Village Global, Firebrand Ventures, Right Side Capital Management, and Techstars. The company operates with a small team of 1-10 employees, ships ink only within the United States, and is increasingly diversifying into medical and oncology-adjacent applications of its underlying polymer technology.
Ephemeral Tattoos firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ephemeral Tattoos
- Legal name
- Ephemeral Tattoo
- Website
- https://ephemeral.tattoo
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ephemeral Tattoos is a New York-based company that develops and sells proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink based on medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers, distributed via direct e-commerce, approved artist partners, and radiotherapy applications. The product primarily serves first-time tattoo wearers and licensed tattoo artists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ephemeral Tattoos industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Made-to-fade tattoo ink
- NAICS
- Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)
- SIC
- Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Permanent Makeup Removal & Correction Services (Saline/Laser/Color Correction) (HSALAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Permanent Makeup Consultation, Design & Patch Testing Services (HSALAKAL), Body Makeup (Body Coverage/Shimmer/Tattoo Cover) (HSALAHAM)
Keywords
Where Ephemeral Tattoos is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Ephemeral Tattoos business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Ink Sales: Sale of proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink in packs (0.5 ML per pack) directly to professional tattoo artists and consumers. Bulk pricing available with 5% discount for 5-pack and 10% discount for 10-pack.
- Studio Services: Tattoo application services through company-owned or partnered studios where customers can get Ephemeral tattoos from approved artist partners.
- Artist Partnership Program: Professional tattoo artists become approved partners to offer Ephemeral tattoos to their clients, creating a B2B2C distribution model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single pack for small to medium tattoos |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 2-pack bundle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5-pack bulk bundle (5% discount) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 10-pack bulk bundle (10% discount) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ephemeral Tattoos product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ephemeral Tattoos develops and sells a proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink formulated from medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers, applied with a standard tattoo machine and designed to naturally fade from the skin within approximately two to three years. The company distributes this ink directly to consumers and to a network of approved professional tattoo artist partners who apply Ephemeral tattoos at their own studios, and also offers a specialized temporary tattoo solution for radiotherapy treatment marking.
Product overview
Ephemeral Tattoos offers the world's only commercially available made-to-fade tattoo ink and associated tattoo application service. The core product portfolio consists of the Ephemeral Tattoo Service (delivered through a network of approved artist partners who apply the proprietary ink), the Ephemeral Ink Gen 3 formulation (sold directly to professional tattoo artists and consumers in single-use 0.5mL packs), and a specialized Radiotherapy Tattoo Solution for cancer patients requiring temporary radiotherapy positioning marks. All products use the same bioabsorbable polymer-based ink technology that naturally degrades in the body over up to three years, providing a semi-permanent alternative to traditional permanent tattoos. The company also offers recommended aftercare products to ensure optimal healing and fade outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ephemeral Tattoo Service Made-to-fade tattoo application service where approved tattoo artist partners apply Ephemeral's proprietary semi-permanent ink with a standard tattoo machine; tattoos naturally fade from the skin over up to three years. Available to consumers via the website's artist finder directory.
- Ephemeral Ink (Gen 3) The company's proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink (Gen 3 formulation), sold in 0.5 mL single-use sterilized packs. Made from medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers and food/cosmetic color additives; vegan, plant-based where possible, and heavy-metal-free. Used with a standard tattoo machine by approved artists and advanced consumers.
- Radiotherapy Tattoo Solution Specialized application of Ephemeral's bioabsorbable ink technology designed for cancer radiotherapy patients who require temporary tattoo markings for radiation treatment positioning, eliminating the need for permanent radiotherapy alignment tattoos.
- Aftercare Products Recommended aftercare materials—including hydrocolloid patches, fragrance-free moisturizers, and soaps—intended to support optimal healing and fade outcomes of made-to-fade tattoos applied with Ephemeral ink.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of tattoos fade within 2 years with Gen 3 formulation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ephemeral Tattoos
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ephemeral Tattoos technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
Ephemeral Tattoos partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Plus TherapeuticscorePlus Therapeutics partnered with Ephemeral Technologies to develop an AI-enabled CNS oncology platform. The platform aims to integrate and analyze complex biomedical data to enhance research and clinical outcomes in CNS cancers, leveraging Ephemeral's temporary tattoo technology for medical applications.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ephemeral Tattoos competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inkbox: Makes semi-permanent 'made-to-fade' tattoos using a topical (non-needle) technology that lasts 1-2 weeks. The most direct competitor to Ephemeral in the temporary/semi-permanent tattoo category, though Inkbox uses different application technology.
- Tattly: Sells designer temporary tattoos (paper-based, applied with water) targeting the same self-expression and event use cases. Different technology (surface-applied vs injected) but directly competes for the 'no-commitment body art' customer.
- Mad Rabbit Tattoo: Tattoo aftercare and skincare brand sold through tattoo studios and direct-to-consumer. Operates in the same tattoo-adjacent consumer category, leveraging similar artist network distribution channels.
- Hustle Butter Deluxe: Premium tattoo aftercare products sold through professional tattoo artists. Shares Ephemeral's artist partnership B2B2C distribution model and serves the same tattoo customer base.
- Bishop Rotary: Manufactures and sells high-end tattoo equipment and supplies directly to professional tattoo artists. Comparable B2B distribution model targeting the same approved artist network that Ephemeral leverages.
- Critical Tattoo Supply: Tattoo equipment and supply manufacturer selling grips, tubes, and machines to professional artists. Comparable B2B ink/supply category and artist customer base, though different product focus.
- TattooGoo: Tattoo aftercare brand sold through tattoo studios and retailers. Competes in the tattoo-adjacent consumer products space and shares similar artist-driven distribution dynamics.
- Electric Ink Tattoo: Tattoo equipment and supply retailer serving professional tattoo artists. Comparable B2B supply channel targeting the same approved artist network that distributes Ephemeral's ink.
Broad incumbents
- Sailor Jerry (Diageo): Lifestyle brand from Diageo leveraging tattoo culture and aesthetics for rum marketing. Larger incumbent operating broadly in tattoo lifestyle branding, with overlapping audience but no direct product competition.
Emerging players
- Crazy Aaron's: Novelty consumer products brand (thinking putty) sold through specialty retail with viral product appeal. Adjacent in novelty/novel consumer products category but different category altogether.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ephemeral Tattoos social profiles
Digital presenceEphemeral Tattoos compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Ephemeral Tattoos financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ephemeral Tattoos leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Ephemeral Tattoos funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ephemeral Tattoos M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ephemeral Tattoos
What does Ephemeral Tattoos do?
Ephemeral Tattoos develops and sells a proprietary made-to-fade tattoo ink formulated from medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers, applied with a standard tattoo machine and designed to naturally fade from the skin within approximately two to three years. The company distributes this ink directly to consumers and to a network of approved professional tattoo artist partners who apply Ephemeral tattoos at their own studios, and also offers a specialized temporary tattoo solution for radiotherapy treatment marking.
Is Ephemeral Tattoos a public or private company?
Ephemeral Tattoos is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Ephemeral Tattoos founded?
Ephemeral Tattoos was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ephemeral Tattoos based?
Ephemeral Tattoos is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ephemeral Tattoos make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct Ink Sales are the primary driver. The others are studio Services and artist Partnership Program.
Who are Ephemeral Tattoos's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inkbox, Tattly, Mad Rabbit Tattoo, Hustle Butter Deluxe, Bishop Rotary, Critical Tattoo Supply, TattooGoo and Electric Ink Tattoo. Sailor Jerry (Diageo) is listed as a broad incumbent. Crazy Aaron's is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ephemeral Tattoos have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ephemeral Tattoos.
What industry is Ephemeral Tattoos in?
Ephemeral Tattoos's product category is Made-to-fade tattoo ink. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALAKAJ, Permanent Makeup Removal & Correction Services (Saline/Laser/Color Correction), with a secondary code of HSALAKAL, Permanent Makeup Consultation, Design & Patch Testing Services. Its NAICS code is 32521 and its SIC code is 2821.