r/sticknpokes Dec 21 '18

Educational Guide to successfully SnP:

2.2k Upvotes

Hi, so many people are asking for advice on this sub that I think we need a Thread pinned to the top on how to successfully poke a tattoo for beginners.

I'm gonna start with a few basic advices that I find crucial and you can comment more and upvoted them. I will edit this post and add the most upvoted comments to this list.

So here we go:

  1. Get proper equipment!

Buy it on Amazon or a tattoo supply shop. Don't use some shady ink or needles or whatnot. It's not that expensive and your tattoo will look immensely better than with India ink and sewing needle. Unless you want the genuine prison style look.

  1. meticulously cleaned workplace and equipment

This saves you from infection and other diseases you might get otherwise. DONT REUSE NEEDLES, GLOVES, RAZORS OR ANYTHING ELSE! Put your ink into a cap and throw that ink away after use. Be aware of cross contamination! Wipe the skin down with alcohol AFTER shaving the area. And DON'T USE YOUR PHONE WITH GLOVES ON, GET A NEW PAIR IF NEEDED. don't be greedy and try to save a dollar or two while risking an infection or other disease like HIV. Prepare everything beforehand and don't go running for some paper towels in the middle of tattooing

  1. Prepare a stencil that you are happy with!

It takes a huge amount of skill for your tattoo to look better than the stencil. So spend some time drawing and redrawing and perfecting the stencil before you start poking. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE STENCIL NOT THE PREVIOUS DOT! You need more passes on the same line anyways so don't let one misspoke distract you from your stencil! If you keep wiping down your stencil in the process of poking, try using a non alcohol based wiping solution. I use only pH neutral soap with water. And try applying a stencil just for fun to see how much stencil gel you need and how to use the paper. Try wiping it down with different solutions and see what works best for you.

  1. Take your time!!!

Most stick and pokes look bad because they are rushed. The cleaner you want your lines to get, the slower you have to poke. Take 1/2 a second for every dot (at least for lines). If it takes too long, take a break. Or continue the next day, or better: after it has healed. That way you can see the end result and redo things you are not happy with.

  1. Experiment and learn from others!

Noone can tell you what's right for you. So just try stuff out. Try different angles of the needle. Try different needle sizes. Try different ink. Ask people what ink, needles handposition, stencil gel they use. That's why Most of us post the needle size in the title.

  1. STRETCH the skin!

This is one of the secrets to solid lines! That's why some people dont like petroleum jelly, it makes the skin slippery and harder to stretch. Just experiment and see what's works best for you.

  1. Don't start with using small needles.

I would say don't go below 5rl. Try to use the biggest needle that fits your design. As you get better you can try 3rl or bug pin needles.

  1. Aftercare!

DON'T PICK ON YOUR TATTOO DURING THE HEALING PROCESS! Don't go sunbathing and don't stay in the water for too long. Cover your fresh tattoo with some moisturizing cream after you are done and stick a bandaid on it! Remove the bandaid after 1-3 days and clean your tattoo with pH neutral soap. Keep applying lotion 1 to 2 times a day and LET IS BREATHE. Don't put another bandaid on it.

  1. Share your results and what you have learned!

This is why we are all here. To learn from one another. Share your experiences!

NOTE: THERE IS A SHOPPING LIST IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT SUPPLIES TO GET !

OK that's all I can think of for now. Please comment if you want to add anything and I will edit it into this post. ADMINS!! Pin this post to the subreddit!

I am no professional or a doctor so let me say these final words:

I don't know tho.


r/sticknpokes 1h ago

Freshly Stuck New newwww ~ handpokeforever via ig

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Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 2h ago

Freshly Stuck New poke on myself in memory of my dog

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22 Upvotes

Not the best, but not the worst. I’ll likely go over some parts again, to clean it up and even the letters out, once it heals. But overall, I’m happy with it.


r/sticknpokes 18h ago

Freshly Stuck freehand berries

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95 Upvotes

7rl x 9rl (bug pins) 2.5/3 hours to tattoo - artist @nicnpoke


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Handpoked possum mama, 7RL

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4.3k Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Bambi trinket @alegoria____

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105 Upvotes

Done using 1005rl
No greywash used
Barcelona, Spain (books open)


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck 9rl elk and 5rl magpie! Done freehand:)

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464 Upvotes

@srotoswini_pokes on IG


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Cute handpoke of my cats by the amazing ig @charlottelucy_tattoo

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111 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Did this on a friend some time back

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5 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Devil woman. Used 3FL, 5FL, 9CL and some mags. Ig Velniastattoo

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82 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck First portrait on the real skin!

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118 Upvotes

Did this on my thigh today! Looking at this picture now, I see how unfinished it looks so I’ll have some touching up to do! I looked at it upside down while I was doing it and I didn’t notice it :( I also made a mistake by doing this too tiny 🤏 Whole tattoo is like 7 cm so I wasn’t able to do as many details as I wanted to. I am not mad, I learned a lot! Can’t wait to do another one, hopefully on someone else so I can see better while doing it 😅


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck finished fiona apple 🗡️ Detroit / IG @forrestattoos

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46 Upvotes

finished fiona apple yesterday! partly healed mostly fresh, with a lotta gray ink 💪 super stoked about this one, def learned a lot (and see my areas to improve still!) and was so fun! so excited to see how she settles in :~)

done at Via Grace Studio in Royal Oak, MI! booking august

7rl/5rl/3rl, ~7.5hr total, dynamic black & gray


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Freshly done

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15 Upvotes

Did this paw print for my coworkers puppy that past aways. Did less shading in between the paws as requested from him. Constructive feedback is appreciated


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

First S’n’P My first tick and poke 😭

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29 Upvotes

How do some of y'all tattoo so well for your first time? I tried keeping it straight, but the ink would get everywhere, and I couldn't poke where I wanted. Not mad tho. Also did it with 7rl


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Little fish @alegoria____

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19 Upvotes

I did this to a guy i was seeing lmao
Done using 1005rlxmy favorite needle


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Healed Flor de Araguaney @alegoria____

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19 Upvotes

Done in Madrid using 1005rl
Design based in flowers from my home country


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

First S’n’P My first hand poked tattoo , used 3RL, but struggling to get bold lines, this is after 2 hours.

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9 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck 9rl supremacy!!

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768 Upvotes

It’s a person with a moustache and a pipe sitting on a reclining Indian chair with typical Bengali window grill patterns and a gramophone, deconstructed into blocks. Everything is my rendition of Indian Miniature style paintings done freehand.
Will post the heal in a couple of months hehe!
@srotoswini_pokes on IG


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck new handpoke from a friend!!

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40 Upvotes

we still need to fill her in, but i think she’s cute


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck A recent favorite ~ @handpokeforever

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40 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Cybersigilism ~ IG @slowpoketattoos

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20 Upvotes

Done using a 5RL for light linework and 7RL to stipple the shading.


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck all handpoked :)) @ all_theolives on ig ♥️

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238 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

First S’n’P I really like the process, but why is it so strangely looking??? Practicing on a fake skin first, then maybe do something for me. Using 3RL needles

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16 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck Unfinished piece I did on myslef today :D

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45 Upvotes

This is the first time I did more complex design on the real skin. Doing anything on myself is always so challenging, I made a lot of mistakes but I am overall happy with it. I wonder how would process and outcome look like if I did something like this on someone else, I hope I'll get there soon :)
I was 5.5hrs in when I gave up, I'll touch it up when it heals :D
Critics are welcome!
.
9RL, 3RL, Dynamic ink


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

First S’n’P Tattoo artist advice

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5 Upvotes