Hewlett-Packard announced Wednesday the availability of its iPod Printable Tattoos. A ten-pack of printable, pre-cut, glossy paper with an adhesive backing will be sold online and through North American retail stores only for US$14.99.
Apple Computer is not participating in the Tattoo campaign, but HP is providing Mac users with online instructions on creating and printing tattoos using Adobe Acrobat.
The tattoos (see photo example below) are durable and water resistant, the company said. While supplies last, hpshopping.com will give away free pre-printed samples of the HP Printable Tattoos to customers who purchase an Apple iPod from HP.
HP plans an extensive marketing campaign in retail stores and online for the iPod tattoos. HP has launched an extension of its music site where anyone can download tattoo designs and the template for customizing their own. The Web site will publish new tattoo designs from popular music artists, as well as unique tattoos created by leading graphic and fashion designers.
HP also is working with Universal Music Group to offer consumers access to the latest album art from major recording artists. To kick off the new tattoo gallery, designs are available from Gwen Stefani, The Cure, Keane, Lloyd Banks, Sting, The Who, The Hives and Vanessa Carlton.
Consumers got a first glimpse of the new tattoos when more than one million subscribers to Rolling Stone magazine received a free pre-printed tattoo sample in the Sept. 30 special issue: The 50th Anniversary of Rock. The tattoo samples featured the UMG artists which are now available online.
The site also will include the Apple iTunes top 10 list and a "most-downloaded" tattoo list. In addition, HP will debut new content every month, such as backstage interviews, artists of the month, celebrity personal playlists and tattoo designs.
Consumers can buy the ultra-thin HP Printable Tattoos nationwide in select retail stores such as Circuit City, CompUSA, Fryis, PC Mall and Radio Shack, or online at hpshopping.com.