Inkbox

Market position

One of the better-known brands in the semi-permanent/DIY skin-creativity category, positioned between low-cost printed decal stickers and permanent tattooing. BIC estimated the global DIY skin creative market at approximately US$400 million at the time of acquisition, growing to US$1.5 billion by 2031; a separate industry estimate put the combined market for permanent ink, temporary designs and aftercare at $8 billion.

Ink that sinks into the top layer of skin and reacts chemically rather than sitting on the surface, producing a more realistic appearance and roughly 10-day duration versus a few days for printed decals; a large library of designs by named independent tattoo artists; and a custom-upload option that converts customer artwork into a tattoo.

Technology

A patented ink formula based on genipa (jagua) plant extract that penetrates the epidermis and reacts with skin proteins and keratin to create a semi-permanent stain, paired with an applicator and application method that reproduces detailed line work. The ink applies light blue and oxidizes to a darker tattoo-like shade over 24-36 hours, then fades over up to 10 days with skin regeneration. The formula is described as free of PPD and distinct from henna and standard jagua products.

Go-to-market

Primarily direct-to-consumer online sales, supported by artist collaborations and licensed partnerships with musicians and artists as a driver of awareness. Under BIC ownership the brand added brick-and-mortar retail distribution, reaching 1,500 Walmart doors by 2023 and shelf space at Urban Outfitters.

Consumers who want the look of tattoo body art without permanence — including people testing a design before committing to a permanent tattoo, and younger consumers interested in self-expression and changing their look. About 67% of the business came from North America before the acquisition.

Geography

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with employees historically across Canada and the United States. Before the shutdown the brand shipped to more than 80 countries, with about 67% of business from North America. The current storefront ships internationally, with items shipped from the USA.

History

Founded in Toronto in 2015 and operated as a primarily direct-to-consumer business, Inkbox raised roughly C$20 million (about US$14.4 million) across three rounds before its acquisition, including a US$10 million round in 2018, from investors such as Maveron, Founders Fund, Cassius, Golden Ventures, KDWC Capital, Flight Ventures, KGC Capital and Jeff Probst. By 2018 it employed more than 100 people across Canada and the United States. Société BIC agreed to acquire the company for US$65 million in a deal reported in January 2022, placing Inkbox in BIC's Skin Creative division alongside BodyMark by BIC and Tattly. Tyler Handley stepped away from the CEO role shortly after the acquisition. On December 4, 2025, BIC CEO Rob Versloot announced the wind-down of the Skin Creative division and the Rocketbook brand, citing declines in sales and profitability; Inkbox operations ended February 23, 2026, with final orders accepted the day before. The co-founders pursued a buyback and relaunched Inkbox under its own name in July 2026.

Risks & controversies

Under BIC ownership the business posted significant declines in net sales and profitability relative to acquisition expectations, leading to the closure of the entire Skin Creative division; BIC had expected positive EBITDA by 2024. The relaunched company is rebuilding its supply chain, design library and custom-upload capability from a much smaller base, with timing described as open-ended, and faces competition from lower-cost decal products and other plant-based alternatives.