Body writing is a way to connect with a partner or other significant other.
If you haven’t tried it or are new to the practice, this is your ultimate guide to body writing 101. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know.
What Is Body Writing?
Body writing is the act of writing or drawing on someone’s body with a pen, pencil, or another instrument. It can be used as a form of communication, to show affection, or for personal empowerment and gratification. Body writing is also a common fetish in BDSM.
Writing on the body can be cute, innocent, powerful, or humiliating. It can also be quite provocative.
It really depends on the two (or more) people involved—and what you write on the body.
Types of Body Writing
There are several types of body scribbling. Since this is the ultimate guide, I want to share a shortlist and then dive into the details.
The shortlist of types:
- BDSM
- Hentai
- Long-Distance Relationship, or LDR
- Humiliation
- Cute
- Empowering
- Permanent
- Public
What Is BDSM Body Writing?
This is a type of writing on the body used in Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadochism and Masochism (BDSM) relationships.
It is usually more erotic than other types.
It tends to include possessive language like “owned” and “property of.” There may even be roles and labels of “daddy,” “little,” and even a metaphorical “slave” (all with consent).
Here is a good video that goes over BDSM writing on the body in more detail:
What Is Hentai Body Writing?
This type of writing on the body usually involves anime or Manga characters in various states of undress.
The anime characters might be alone or with other characters.
Note: The images can get pretty explicit.
You can read a great article about general anime writing over here.
What Is Long-Distance Body Writing?
Long-distance writing on the body mostly happens in long-distance relationships (LDRs).
One person requests that the other partner write a word or a phrase on their body. Subsequently, one partner might write a word or phrase on their own body.
The words can range from romantic (dream girl) to more personal and intimate messages (I love you).
Long-distance body writing can be a way for two partners to connect.
This can be very helpful in LDRs because of the physical distance. Partners understandably want to connect with each other in any way possible.
What Is Humiliation Body Writing?
In this form of writing on the body, one person is the dominant partner and the other is the submissive partner.
The dominant decides what will be written on the body of the submissive. This type of writing can be a form of erotic humiliation or done simply for fun.
It’s important to note that both partners must be comfortable with this type of body writing.
Also, be sure that the writing is temporary and quickly removable.
What Is Cute Body Writing?
Cute or innocent writing on the body is non-erotic and sometimes non-romantic.
It involves writing with positive, friendly intent.
Unlike the more adult-themed body scribbling, this type can be done between partners, friends, family members, and even co-workers.
For example:
- A father might temporarily write “I love you” on his son or daughter.
- A co-worker might write “stressed” on their own body during a team-building activity.
- Two friends might scribble “besties” on each other.
- A teenager might write, “Will you go to prom with me?” on their arm.
What Is Empowering Body Writing?
This is when you write on your body or someone else’s body with the purpose of empowerment.
Writing on your body can be a way to reclaim yourself, your body, and/or sexuality.
It can also be a way to increase self-esteem or confidence.
For example:
- A woman who undergoes surgery to reconstruct her upper chest might write “I am beautiful” across her scars.
- A person who is feeling insecure about their weight might write “I am worthy” all over their body.
What Is Permanent Body Writing?
Most of the time, writing on the body is temporary.
Body writers use pens or markers that easily wash off in a few hours or days. Permanent body writing is just that: more permanent.
For example, it can be written in the form of a temporary or permanent tattoo.
What Is Public Body Writing?
Public writing on the body is when someone writes or draws on someone else’s body in a public setting.
This could be at a party, during a performance, or in any other social situation.
Public body writing can be cute, erotic, or empowering.
What Is the Purpose?
There are many purposes of body scribbling.
Some people do it for fun, some do it as a form of communication, and some do it to empower themselves or others.
The main purpose is to express something in a visual way.
Here is a list of possible purposes:
- Art
- Intimacy
- Dominance/Submission
- Expression
- Revelation
- Self-flagellation
- Self-empowerment
- Love
- Flirting
- Fun
- Boredom
- Memory
Some people write things on their bodies to remember them for later.
For example, I might write a phone number on my hand.
If I don’t have a piece of paper or note-taking utensil, a quick note on my body might jog my memory later.
How Do I Get Started?
The best way to get started is by picking a comfortable spot on your body or your partner’s body.
Almost anywhere can work.
However, keep in mind where you or your partner needs to go. If your partner is headed to work later, be sure to write somewhere they can easily conceal.
There is no reason to get in trouble on the job.
Another tip is to moisturize the body part before writing to make removal much easier.
Next, choose a writing utensil.
I suggest:
- Waterproof eye-liner
- Lipstick
- Gel pens
- Watercolor markers
- Whiteboard marker
- Or choose one of these fun writing utensils
Choose what you want to say. If someone else is involved, make sure they consent to the message.
I’ve found the best way to write clearly is if my partner is sitting, standing, or lying still. Any movement can lead to sloppy, incoherent words.
Once you’ve written your message, take a picture.
This is a great way to remember the moment.
What Materials Do You Need?
All you need is a body, a writing implement, and somewhere to write without interruption.
However, there are some materials that can make the experience more fun or interesting:
- Inks
- Body stamps
- Temporary Tattoos
- Bodypaint
- Pens
- Markers
- Wet wipe
- Towel
Best Markers for Body Writing
Here are my favorite markers for writing on my body or my partner’s body:
- BodyMark by BIC
- Looney Zoo Markers
- Mehron Makeup Paradise AQ Face & Body Paint
- Winged Eyeliner Stamp – The Flick Stick by Lovoir
How Do I Clean Up?
There are a few ways to clean up body writing:
- Body Wipes—These are wet wipes that are specifically designed to clean up body messes. They usually come in a pack of 30-60 wipes.
- Water—If you’re near a sink, you can use water and soap to clean up your body.
- Dishwashing Soap—Dawn works wonders on most body scribbling.
- Rubbing Alcohol—I have found this to be an excellent way to clean the ink off of your skin.
How Long Does Body Writing Last?
Most writing on your body only lasts a few hours or days.
However, if you use a permanent marker or tattoo, the writing can anywhere from a few weeks to a lifetime.
Before you write on a body, make sure you know the timeframe.
It’s bad luck to need to go to work or to a family wedding with words scrawled all over your body.
What are the Risks?
There are very few risks involved with body writing.
The most common (but rare) risks are infection and skin irritation. If you’re using a pen or marker, it’s important not to let the ink bleed.
In addition, be mindful of what you write.
Make sure the message is consensual and accepted by everyone involved.
Some people feel self-conscious or uncomfortable with body writing. Others absolutely love it.
Body Writing vs. Body Swap Writing
These are two very different types of writing. One is writing on the body and the other is a genre or form of fiction.
For example, body swap writing is a popular subgenre in fanfiction.
It could be a fanfiction body swap between Harry Potter and the Power Rangers. Or Spider-Man and Captain Kirk.
Essentially, body swap writing is when two characters trade bodies.
This can be a fun way to explore different character traits or just have some laughs.
Is Body Writing Fun?
Yes, it can be a lot of fun.
You can experiment with different inks, stamps, and materials. You can also play body writing roulette or do a body writing dare.
Body writing roulette is when each player takes a turn writing on the other player’s body.
It can be a playful way to get creative with your messages or just have some innocent fun.
Dares can also be a lot of fun.
For example, you can dare your partner to write a specific word in a particular place.
Body Writing Ideas
To make this a complete guide, I want to give you as many ideas for body scribbling as possible.
Enjoy this list of ideas:
- You make me happy
- I belong to you
- I belong to _______
- (Name) has my heart
- Strong
- Brave
- Loved
- Accepted
- Whole
- Human
- Good girl
- Bad girl
- Good boy
- Bad boy
- Pretty
- Handsome
- Sexy
- Love you
- I trust you
- You’re my everything
- My life depends on you
- Thank you
- I’m sorry
- Forgive me
- You’re beautiful
- Forgiven
- Truth
- Respect
- Appreciate
- Trust
- Love
- Affection
- Friendship
- Devotion
- Passion
- My world
- I miss you
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to try this practice. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy writing on yourself and your significant other.
Before you go, here are a few related posts hand-picked just for you: