1. Q: What is Tatouage? A: Tatouage designs are highly detailed dry-rub transfers that can be applied to almost any hard surface. Tatouage can give your décor the look hand-painted borders, murals or trompe d’oeil effects. Carefully place your Tatouage transfer, remove the protective backing and rub on the entire design, using the supplied Tatouage tool. As you rub, you can peel back the paper and watch while the Tatouage design transfers. There is no paint, glue, water or fumes involved with the Tatouage transfer process.

2. Q: Can Tatouage wall art be applied to floors too? A: Yes. Tatouage designs are not just for walls! The transfers can be applied to tile, wood and painted floors. Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Remember, you can cut up Tatouage transfers to customize your space. Keep the protective backing on murals and lay out your design. Once you are happy with the positioning, remove the protective backing from your first sheet/piece. Transfer the Tatouage design on to your floor. Repeat this process until you are completely done. Tatouage prints on the floor MUST BE SEALED. We recommend using a clear acrylic spray. If you have a shine on your floor, use a gloss spray. If your floors are flat, use a flat spray. Spray 4 to 5 coats on your floor to ensure proper sealing and clean as usual.

3. Q: Can Tatouage be applied to ceilings? A: Yes. Tatouage wall art can be applied to most ceiling surfaces (but is not recommended for textured or sprayed ceilings). Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Remember you can cut up the designs for a customized look, ideal for such images as the animal designs or the plants and flowers. Keep the protective backing on the transfers and map out your design on the floor (under the area you would like to place it on the ceiling). Take your time. Working on ceiling art can be tiring. Stop and take frequent breaks. There’s no hurry with Tatouage murals. Make sure your ladder or chair is sturdy and comfortable. Once you are happy with the positioning, remove the protective backing from your first Tatouage design sheet/piece. Piece by piece apply your design to the ceiling. Your ceiling will not need to be sealed.

4. Q. Can I use Tatouage on furniture? A: Yes. Flat surfaces work best. Do not apply Tatouage designs to furniture that’s been treated with shiny laminate or large amounts of wax cleaner. Test an area before applying to make sure the product adheres. Make sure the surface is clean and dry. If your furniture has “grooves,” take your time and lay the Tatouage design down, making sure to smooth through the “grooves” before rubbing. This will prevent the Tatouage transfer design from stretching and breaking, which is important when using Tatouage detailed designs such as the wrought iron or the tropical scenes, for example. If you are working on unfinished wood, you can seal it with a shine gloss -- it will not hurt the Tatouage transfers. If you are refurbishing a piece of furniture, apply the Tatouage design before you apply the finish. After applying the Tatouage wall art, use a clear acrylic spray to seal it. You may want to use several coats. Be sure each coat is dry before you apply another. This will allow you to wash and preserve your designs. Do not use polyurethane; this will “yellow” your furniture.

5. Q: Can Tatouage be applied to textured walls and surfaces? A: Yes. Tatouage design transfers work just as well on smooth surfaces as it does on textured surfaces. Simply take your time to ensure that the Tatouage design it gets into all the nooks and crannies. You may get a few hairline cracks when applying to textured surfaces, but this only adds to the natural, hand-painted look and gives personality and character to transfers like the border prints or the animal designs.

6. Q: Can Tatouage be reused? A: No. Since Tatouage is a high-quality, high-resolution reproduction of Carolyn Yovan’s original artwork, it has been created to permanently adhere to each surface, leaving a hand-painted look. It is not a stencil or decal and cannot be reused.

7. Q: How long will Tatouage last? A: Tatouage wall art will last indefinitely if applied according to the directions. Remember that sealing your Tatouage designs will prolong their lifetime.

8. Q: Should I seal Tatouage? A: Tatouage murals should be sealed with several coats of clear acrylic spray when applied to high-traffic areas such as furniture, floors, floor canvases, and any area that receives high moisture. You do not need to seal Tatouage wall art when it has been applied to a wall with a low-sheen paint.

9. Q: Can Tatouage be applied to mirrors or glass? A: Yes. However, because you cannot seal mirrors or glass, Tatouage design transfers may not be as durable. Be careful not to scratch the Tatouage artwork and it should last for quite some time.

10. Q: Can I clean Tatouage? A: Yes. It is recommended that you lightly wipe Tatouage wall art using a damp sponge. Do not soak Tatouage designs if they have not been sealed with a clear acrylic spray. Treat Tatouage transfers as if they are hand-painted artwork. Do not scrub it or use harsh chemical detergents.

11. Q: What surfaces work best with Tatouage? A: Flat or satin-paint surfaces work best for Tatouage wall art. If you have semi-gloss or high-gloss painted area, try wiping a 60/40, water/vinegar mix on your walls. Allow this mixture to dry before applying. If this still does not work, use fine-grain sandpaper on the area. Wipe walls again to remove any residue then apply your Tatouage design. Tatouage murals do not stick to high-gloss paint without wiping the walls or using the sandpaper.

12. Q: Can Tatouage be used outdoors? A: If you choose to use Tatouage transfers outdoors, remember they were not designed to withstand the elements and should be protected with several layers of non-yellowing polyurethane. As a tip, remember to clean any outdoor surface thoroughly before applying.

13. Q: Can Tatouage be applied over Tatouage? A: Yes. Layering your Tatouage transfer designs can add to the effect of hand-painted artwork.

14. Q: Can Tatouage be removed? A: Yes. The first option is simply painting over the Tatouage design. If Tatouage wall art has been applied to a mirror or glass, it’s easy to scrape off or dissolve using nail-polish remover. Tape also works well on mirrors or glass. Simply place firmly over your design and lift off.