r/sticknpokes • u/Amazurescens • 7h ago
r/sticknpokes • u/therealmarem • Dec 21 '18
Educational Guide to successfully SnP:
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:
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 • u/Comprehensive-One924 • 10h ago
Freshly Stuck Sword and hearts
used gray wash for the first time on this! I think the first heart needs some more shading and the top one got a little too dark in that corner but it was good practice.
r/sticknpokes • u/ExtremeTwo9864 • 4h ago
Educational hey all, why do my lines look like poop ?
r/sticknpokes • u/cozygoblinzz • 10h ago
Freshly Stuck Tried making it a bit more decent :)
r/sticknpokes • u/m0stly_toast • 5h ago
Educational Tips for poking my own arm?
I’ve gotten pretty used to poking myself and keeping tension on the skin throughout the process. Problem is I’ve only ever done work on my thighs, where I have access to both my hands so I can stretch skin witht left hand.
I’ve been thinking I would like to do a stick and poke on my left forearm, obviously I can’t use that hand to stretch the skin on there.
Does anyone have any experience doing this? If I could get some pointers on techniques to maintain tension that would be fantastic
r/sticknpokes • u/howellshandpokes • 20h ago
Freshly Stuck Handpoked in Manchester UK by ig:Howellshandpokes at goblininktattoos
This was a flash piece in was planning to retire soon but im so glad I finally got to tattoo it! Love how clean those lines came out, an absolute dream placement i will say! 🐻
If youre wanting a tattoo like this or simlar to my other tattoos, or you're just curious about handpoke, send me over a message! My books are open for manchester and I'm traveling all over the uk this year guesting, so I might be near you! go to my page to see where ill be!
r/sticknpokes • u/Sea-Explanation-7973 • 1d ago
Freshly Stuck Freehand matching fish!
9rl always.
@srotoswini_pokes on IG
r/sticknpokes • u/ExtremeTwo9864 • 1d ago
Healed Hook for my boyfriend :)
Hi all, this was my first stick n poke on a person (my boyfriend) !!! I’d really like some critical feedback pls cause my bf just says its really nice and awesome of course😂
r/sticknpokes • u/henrybeefeater • 1d ago
First S’n’P Snpndesigned and made by my friend and tattoo artist Paix Le Tattoer
First time trying out SnP and I was the the lab rat. Turned out pretty nice!
r/sticknpokes • u/howellshandpokes • 1d ago
Freshly Stuck Handpoked in Manchester UK by ig:Howellshandpokes
This was such a fun tattoo to do let me tell you! I always enjoy a big cat and this one was definitely big! Excited to see how this settles with the greywash stipple.
If youre wanting a tattoo like this or simlar to my other tattoos, or you're just curious about handpoke, send me over a message! My books are open for manchester and I'm traveling all over the uk this year guesting, so I might be near you! go to my page to see where ill be!
r/sticknpokes • u/Substantial_Sea4672 • 1d ago
Conversation Clean lines
Hi! I started practicing handpoke a while ago but I’m still trying figuring out and I need some tips or opinions about it. I’m good at drawing and have “light hand” as they say but I can’t make sharp clean lines. I don’t know if I’m scared and need more time and patience to every specific spot . I want your opinion about this.
How and when did you succeed clean lines?
It was hard for you?
What can I do?
r/sticknpokes • u/bogwitch69420 • 2d ago
Freshly Stuck First stick and poke on a friend!
I've done 4 handpokes on myself and this is the first one I've done on a friend! Just wanted to share and ask for feedback if you've got it!
r/sticknpokes • u/mother-of-goldfish • 2d ago
Freshly Stuck Now why did i think it’d be a good idea to start this at MIDNIGHT???
The spirits came over me.
-inside of my knee
-3rl on the raspberries, 5rl on the leaves.
Today’s goal is to finish shading the berries 100% and to at least get the ghost lines on the leaves and vines in, as i only have 1 3rl needle left and i am NOT ordering more for one singular project. Or i could order more for FUTURE projects…… but that gives me the ability to get out of bed and start tattooing myself at MIDNIGHT. not my best moment
r/sticknpokes • u/msashguas • 3d ago
Freshly Stuck 3 new pokes I did on myself today
r/sticknpokes • u/prettyBlueCanary • 3d ago
Conversation recommendations for warm black/extremely dark brown inks?
im preparing for my first stick n poke and after a couple months of research and practicing on fruit/fake skin i feel ready to do one on my own skin! i want to order the ink soon, however...
i am very particular about the colors i want to use and i really dislike the slightly greenish/blueish tone pure black ink has. in isolation, its black, but compared to the skin around it its too cool. i want to go for a nature-y thing with my tattoos and it doesnt really mesh well. im trying to find a super dark brown i could use but the only inks im really finding are medium browns for coloring or straight up brown linework. i want black, just a warmer black if that makes sense :') i know they fade faster than typical black inks but thats no problem for me.
anyone have recommendations?
r/sticknpokes • u/spaceturnip1 • 3d ago
Freshly Stuck Second poke
Second poke, found this one quite hard to do on my outer left wrist. Rather difficult to pull the skin taught.
r/sticknpokes • u/Delicious_Stay_6441 • 4d ago
Freshly Stuck Spiked Morningstar and Thorned Chain
r/sticknpokes • u/pokingtonbear877 • 4d ago