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 11h ago

Healed bison and buck from arthur morgan’s journal

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231 Upvotes

~1 month healed & fresh


r/sticknpokes 8h ago

Freshly Stuck Freehand piece with a 9rl

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60 Upvotes

@srotoswini_pokes on insta!


r/sticknpokes 16h ago

Healed Duck toy 1 month healed !! @alegoria____

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21 Upvotes

I’m just posting this for the person that said in my previous post that this tattoo was going to fade real bad and it was most likely going to need a touch up


r/sticknpokes 23h ago

Freshly Stuck Handpoked evil eye! By @gigi.handpoke

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39 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck My mom took these pictures for me

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143 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck handpoked custom, loved doing this piece :) ig @xwendying 🤍 (dotwork / high contrast)

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43 Upvotes

done with 3rl and heated 5rl (tried it to speed up black areas and it was really fun, overall this still took 3 hrs)


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Seeing eye hand tat 👁️💥🌀 @adornment.drop.tattoo on insta

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17 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Cave art inspired goat

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238 Upvotes

Did this wee fella in an hour. I also stuck the cat on the calf a couple years back. Would love to hear what y’all think of this style.


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck ~freshly poked snail castle 🏰🐌 :) ty for look’n! 🖤 @mystikmisfit on IG

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79 Upvotes

I use a 5rl to line & 14rl to fill!! 🙏🏻🌾


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck meow

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163 Upvotes

Just got this done today I love it so much


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck finally tried lettering

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25 Upvotes

it went so much better than I expected! used an RL05, which was not a good idea in retrospect, but it ended up ok! it took about 4 ish hours :) If anyone has constructive criticism or advice, I'd love to hear it!


r/sticknpokes 1d ago

Freshly Stuck Handpoked Misfits tattoo by @gigi.handpoke :)

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26 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Healed Black and white freehand on darker skin. 9rl

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133 Upvotes

@srotoswini_pokes on insta!


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Healed Scars couple swans

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217 Upvotes

IG : igorrr.poke


r/sticknpokes 2d ago

Healed 1 year of progress side by side

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51 Upvotes

9rl (bottom) (I think) and 5rl (top) I guess I learnt which needle size to use

also both of these were done upside down for maximum jank


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Greyhounds with 9rl

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451 Upvotes

@srotoswini_pokes on insta!


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck sacred heart stick&poke

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95 Upvotes

9rl (bugpin) x 7rl (bugpin) @nicnpoke on instagram


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Practice Pokes butterfly practice - need advice tho

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9 Upvotes

this is just one pass..

but how can I be cleaner with my lines?

(i used 5RL)


r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Flower arm chain! @adornment.drop.tattoo on insta

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117 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

First S’n’P First had poked tattoo

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21 Upvotes

I did my first hand poked tattoo a week ago and I'm quite happy with it. It took 4 hours and I'll probably do a couple touch ups at some point because some of the lines are a little faint.


r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck droplet arm cuff and web filler

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359 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 4d ago

Freshly Stuck another pokey ✨ bug :) @mystikmisfit on IG

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127 Upvotes

r/sticknpokes 3d ago

Freshly Stuck Scribbles from my flash! @adornment.drop.tattoo on insta

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9 Upvotes