diff --git a/code/game/machinery/colormate.dm b/code/game/machinery/colormate.dm
index 603b34ee32..1f1c16248c 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/colormate.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/colormate.dm
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@
 	density = TRUE
 	anchored = TRUE
 	circuit = /obj/item/circuitboard/machine/colormate
-	var/obj/item/inserted
+	var/atom/movable/inserted
 	var/activecolor = "#FFFFFF"
 	var/list/color_matrix_last
 	var/matrix_mode = FALSE
+	/// Allow holder'd mobs
+	var/allow_mobs = TRUE
 	/// Minimum lightness for normal mode
 	var/minimum_normal_lightness = 50
 	/// Minimum lightness for matrix mode, tested using 4 test colors of full red, green, blue, white.
@@ -57,6 +59,15 @@
 		return
 	if(user.a_intent == INTENT_HARM)
 		return ..()
+	if(allow_mobs && istype(I, /obj/item/clothing/head/mob_holder))
+		var/obj/item/clothing/head/mob_holder/H = I
+		var/mob/victim = H.held_mob
+		if(!user.transferItemToLoc(I, src))
+			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>[I] is stuck to your hand!</span>")
+			return
+		if(!QDELETED(H))
+			H.release()
+		insert_mob(victim, user)
 
 	if(is_type_in_list(I, allowed_types) && is_operational())
 		if(!user.transferItemToLoc(I, src))
@@ -71,6 +82,14 @@
 	else
 		return ..()
 
+/obj/machinery/gear_painter/proc/insert_mob(mob/victim, mob/user)
+	if(inserted)
+		return
+	if(user)
+		visible_message("<span class='warning'>[user] stuffs [victim] into [src]!</span>")
+	inserted = victim
+	inserted.forceMove(src)
+
 /obj/machinery/gear_painter/AllowDrop()
 	return FALSE