How to add custom tattoos to FiveM

A custom FiveM tattoo is three things: a texture, an overlays XML that tells the game where it sits on the body, and an optional shop_tattoo.meta so tattoo shops can list it. Here is the whole job.

1. 1Make the artwork

   Start from any picture or design. The Tattoo Design Maker turns a picture into clean tattoo art — outlines, blackwork, dotwork or colour — on a transparent background.

2. 2Place it on the body

   Open the Tattoo Studio, pick the male or female freemode body and the zone (torso, arms, legs, head), and place the design on the real UV map with a live 3D preview. Tick "Flow across seams" to let a tattoo wrap round the side of the torso or an arm.

3. 3Make the texture dictionary

   Export the PNG textures and import them into a .ytd with OpenIV or CodeWalker. The overlays XML names the dictionary in txdHash and the texture in txtHash, so keep those names exactly as exported. The .ytd goes in the resource\'s stream folder.

4. 4Export the overlays XML and shop meta

   Export the overlays XML (PedDecorationCollection: position, scale, rotation, zone and gender for each tattoo) and, for tattoo shops, shop_tattoo.meta with the Shop meta button — its collection is the overlays file name and each preset matches an overlay nameHash.

5. 5Mount them in fxmanifest

   List both files in files { } and add data_file 'PED_OVERLAY_FILE' for the overlays XML and data_file 'TATTOO_SHOP_DLC_FILE' for shop_tattoo.meta. Then ensure the resource.

6. 6Apply and test in game

   Tattoo shop scripts read the shop meta; from your own script use AddPedDecorationFromHashes(ped, GetHashKey(collection), GetHashKey(nameHash)). A tattoo that was split across zones exports as several overlays — apply them together.

Want the full look? Pair your tattoos with custom clothing textures made in the Clothing Texture Studio.