Tattoo Techniques: Full Back Stencils On One Sheet Andre Malcolm EP 235

Full Back Stencils On One Sheet?! | Andre Malcolm | EP 235

When we saw how Andre Malcolm was using his large format printer to make full back stencils, we had to reach out to learn more.

In today's episode, we talk to Andre about his approach to designing large scale work, his process for measuring and making stencils and much more.

This episode was made possible thanks to:

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Interview By Jake Meeks —

Writing By Daniel Pushcarich —

Topics: Tattoo Stencil, Tattoo Stencil Printer, Graffiti Art, Japanese Tattoos, Bodysuit tattoos, Tattoo, #Suitlife, Andre Malcolm Studio

“Line up the upper back and the butt crack, that’s the main part. Because people's weights fluctuate throughout the day it’s never gonna go on perfectly. Don’t really overthink when you put the stencil on, it’s gonna go on.”

— Andre Malcolm

Andre Malcolm (@andremalcolm_studio) specializes in large-scale Japanese tattooing. His blend of unique influences from the old masters of watercolor, ukiyo-e prints, and masterful Japanese tattooers shows through in his beautifully crafted designs and powerfully executed silhouettes.

All of his tattoos are crafted specifically and individually for the client so no two pieces are the same even if they have similar subject matter. And his breadth of knowledge on Japanese art and tattooing are unsurpassed.

Andre Malcolm is based in Albany, CA and owns Andre Malcolm Studio.

Please enjoy!

INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andre Malcolm:

Andre Malcolm Studio | IG | The Greys | Full List of Links

SHOW NOTES

[04:01] Enter Andre Malcolm, A Brief History
[06:42] Meeting the Tuff City Crew
[08:01] Learning to Educate yourself, Finding International Artists
[13:16] A move into Large Scale Work
[18:26] Learning Through the Old Japanese Masters
[20:30] Just Trying to Get Footing Again
[22:37] Aaron Cain Changed my Life
[24:42] Breaking into Back Pieces, Andre’s Mapping Process
[30:13] Inkjet Lends a Hand, Giant Stencil Paper
[34:24] Don’t make the Paper Too Wet, Use a Gel Base
[37:46] What’s that printer Called Again?
[39:19] Fitting the Tattoo Stencil to The Body
[40:53] Lining it up perfectly
[44:31] How Andre Uses Landmarks to Get The Best Fit
[46:30] A little Machine Talk
[50:33] Going for Boldness and Power
[52:08] Scaling Size, Being Efficient, and Finding Your Own Voice
[54:07] Color is Just the Cherry on Top

MORE ANDRE QUOTES FROM THIS INTERVIEW

Breaking The Tattoo Into Back Pieces! Andre’s Mapping Process

[24:42] “My mom could sew, and so I asked her for advice. And, she was like ‘you gotta measure their back out’ so I started to take measurements for everyone”

— Andre Malcolm

First and foremost, when delving into large-scale tattoo work, measuring the body becomes immensely important. Each tattoo client possesses a unique body size and shape, even if they are identical twins. No design at that scale can be a one-size-fits-all approach. While you don't need to trace every muscle contour and detail, obtaining a general outline with key landmarks proves incredibly beneficial. These landmarks can include bones, scars, prominent dips, or existing tattoos.

Andre also highlights the significance of thumbnailing. Thumbnailing is an underutilized practice in tattooing and, quite frankly, in the broader art world. Creating thumbnail sketches of your main idea offers several immediate benefits:

It swiftly maps out the overall shapes, allowing you to visualize how different elements will fit together.
It enables multiple iterations of those shapes, empowering you to discover the most impactful layout.
It prevents you from investing excessive time in a single idea, thus avoiding becoming overly committed to a design that might not be ideal.

Give thumbnailing a try! It's a low-risk endeavor that can yield remarkable results. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how much your design process and speed improve when you find a layout that really excites you.

Sticking the Tattoo Stencil! Don’t make the Paper Too Wet, Use a Gel Base

[34:24] “Try not to use something too liquidy, it has to be a gel system. When it’s too wet the image on the paper bleeds a little too much.”

— Andre Malcolm

In the past, one method involved using a mixture of green soap and water on the tattoo area, allowing it to dry a bit before carefully applying the tattoo stencil. However, this technique often resulted in stencil bleeding, improper transfers with lightened lines, or missing sections of the stencil. It was quite a hassle!

There was also a method involving the use of a speed stick, but it's important to note that this approach is unsanitary and should be avoided. Despite its smooth application, the tiny cuts from the razor used to shave the area can leave bacteria on the speed stick, which is then transferred directly onto the skin. Using such a contaminated product on subsequent clients is simply unhygienic and, well, gross!

Since this interview was conducted, the tattoo industry has seen significant advancements. Innovative products like S8's "Stencil Transfer Gel" and "Stencil Stuff" have revolutionized the preparation process. These products make it incredibly easy and convenient to prep the tattoo area. Particularly for large-scale pieces, they minimize the risk of losing significant sections of the tattoo design, allowing artists to keep drawing on the skin to a minimum.

Fitting Large Scale Tattoo Stencils To The Body

[39:18] “I’ve cut down on so much prep time. Most of it now is figuring out what needles you’re gonna use and the drawing. I sweep, I mop, I print the stencil and it’s already on the wall waiting for the client.”

— Andre Malcolm

Even with the advancements in stencil technology, such as Andre's Large format printer and stencil gels, applying large-scale designs on the human body can still be challenging and intimidating. Paper was not originally intended for this purpose, making it tricky to handle. Here are a couple of noteworthy approaches taken by Andre and Jake.

Jake mentions the option of printing multiple 8.5x11 sheets of stencil paper and puzzle piecing the design together using tape. While this method can be time-consuming and cumbersome, it proves effective for covering larger areas like the back or torso, especially during the outline or greyline phase. On the other hand, Andre utilizes a large format printer that can produce a full body stencil within minutes. Although this may involve higher upfront costs with machinery and paper, it significantly saves time in the long run. However, Andre's method of application applies to both cases.

When applying such monsterous stencils, it is advisable to make relief cuts in the paper beforehand. This allows the paper to crinkle and buckle less as it is pushed against the body. In the clip, Andre explains and briefly demonstrates his method of setting the stencil in one shot, streamlining the application process.

While applying and managing large-scale stencils can present challenges, utilizing the right techniques and tools can greatly facilitate the process, ensuring smoother and more efficient tattooing experiences.

Thanks for reading!

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Transcript for this video can be found (here). All transcripts can be found (Here)

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The Fireside Tattoo Network is home to the Fireside podcast, Fireside Technique video series and our Fireside Weekly blog.

The Fireside Tattoo podcast is hosted by veteran tattooer Jake Meeks, check out our episodes where we discuss, argue and wax philosophical, from tips for all levels of artists to trends in the tattoo world. Many guest artists have sat down for interviews and in-depth conversations and many more are planned…check back often!

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