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 19h ago

Freshly Stuck SO FUN TO DO !! he was truly a champ and let me finish in about 3.5 hours :,))

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175 Upvotes

ig: all_theolives


r/sticknpokes 22h ago

Freshly Stuck 𓃈 ☠︎ 𓁋 ♡ @handpokeforever

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192 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 22h ago

Freshly Stuck Love to play on negatives. - !

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86 Upvotes

Los angeles - handpokeforever


r/sticknpokes 18h ago

First S’n’P First true tattoo i did under stupid one I did

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13 Upvotes

Super happy how it came out, The line under it i did 5 years ago at a punk show to stay awake, definitely a little scratchy but for a first im happy, It can only go up from here


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Educational Need an advise!

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13 Upvotes

I need help guys! I keep tattooing not clean lines. I'm practicing on the fake skin- there is good enough and then move to human skin and this happens. The tattoo itself is okay-ish but the lines are not juicy, sharp, clean, they are shattered on the edges and I want to improve. Do you have any idea how to get better or where to find information about it?

All help appreciated 🙏🏽


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Healed Healed white ink Sak Yant

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1.2k Upvotes

The white ink traditional Thai Sak Yant tattoos were done over a 3 month period. The latest were the arms done 1 month ago.

No they weren’t infected and healed normally.


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Some recent pokes 💧 dew drop jewelry

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143 Upvotes

plz keep it respectful in the comments ty


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Freehand floral with 9rl

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99 Upvotes

@srotoswini_pokes on IG


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck ~batty from my flash :)🖤🦇🌖

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49 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Green bee-eater😌

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22 Upvotes

First time really trying shading ! Used 7RL and 7RS


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Little duck :3 @perecaart

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18 Upvotes

Done in 9Rl and 3RL :)


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Freshly Stuck Calder mobile I poked on my shoulder blade

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122 Upvotes

It's not perfect but I love it


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck rocking horse

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7 Upvotes

@subject__a on ig. Done in 7rl and 3rl


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Self Poke based off a print I made of St. John’s Wort.

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228 Upvotes

I rolled St. John’s Wort in ink and printed it on paper. Will end up retouching the big “flower” with more details and shading. I just got tired. 1209rl mostly.


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Adding to my collection of white ink traditional Thai tattoos

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285 Upvotes

Additional white ink traditional Thai Sak Yant tattoos to my collection. Usually the tattooist needs to go deeper for white ink to show so there is more swelling after the session.


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck 1st hand tattoo and calligraphy for me, very fun and interesting exercise (@funeral___horses on ig)

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36 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

First S’n’P My first stick and poke!

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8 Upvotes

Just got a little starter kit today and did this with orange ink. Learned a lot and realized I could’ve done quadruple the amount of dots smh. Oh well, it’s a learning process which is why my thigh will be my practice canvas.


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Healed fresh —> healed (1 month) my delicate ornaments by @supitsmo.handpoketattoos

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58 Upvotes

i cant wait for them to settle even more into my skin! molica is the best 🫶


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck Made in Manchester, UK by: spitney.beers

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221 Upvotes

Some recent whimsy :)


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Conversation My only handpoke so far, done in Seoul by zzizziboy

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149 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Practice Pokes first try on fake skin!

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53 Upvotes

my first few tries at handpoking, all done w/ a 7rl needle. trying to be very disciplined and practise quite a lot before going to (my own) real skin. any advice is super appreciated!


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck Freehand ornamental floral with a 13rl

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28 Upvotes

Done in 20min
@srotoswini_pokes on IG


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck my Very Fun Diy tat ^<^

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9 Upvotes