Handpoking
FAQs

Below you will find some information you might wanna know about my tattooing practice.

If you'd like to see some examples of finished work instead:

How does 'booking' work?

How do I start the process?

The most easeful way for me to start communicating about your tattoo desires is through my design request form. The form will be open for short windows of time during which I will be accepting both 'flash' and custom requests. After this window closes, I will get back to folks who submitted the form about next steps. Flash requests will be chosen and scheduled for the following month. Custom requests will be chosen and scheduled on a rolling basis.

What is flash and is your flash repeatable?

Flash refers to designs I have pre-drawn and is available to be requested either as is, or with changes. I have some repeatable flash in my IG highlights, but primarily my flash is not repeatable. Several days before opening the design request form I'll announce available flash for that round of requests. Flash will be available to be tattooed ONCE and ONLY during that coming round of requests. I may offer unclaimed flash in future cycles as I'm called to.

How can I prepare for the design request opening?

If you're planning on requesting a custom design, take some time to gather reference photos. Ideally these are natural images of a subject/pose and non-tattoo art that you really love (to inspire the 'vibe'/style/character overall). To get reminded of when flash drops and design request openings are happening, join my email list:

Email List

What does compensation look like?

What are your "rates"?

I love creating art with folks, and fucking loathe capitalism...so compensation is sliding scale and you know I love trades too. If $ is an accessible resource for you at the moment, here are "rates" that feel good to me currently: Flash designs $60-110/hr Custom designs $70-120/hr I do ask for a $50 deposit when scheduling a date. Deposits go toward the final amount and are non-refundable.

Do you expect tipping?

Tips are not expected within this structure, though I love to receive found nature wonders as gifts :)

Do you do trades?

Yes! I'm super into trades. If you have any sort of trade idea, just let me know in the design request form or reach out ahead of time! Some examples of trades I'd be interested in include: -meat you hunted or farmed yourself -custom art or craft you engage in -services you provide ie: hair cutting, massage, tattooing, woodworking -skillshares/classes

MYTHS

Does handpoking hurt more than machine tattooing?

Nope! Whether handpoking or machine tattooing, the needle depth is physically the same. It is certainly a different sensation though. Feeling individual pricks as opposed to a 'scratching' sensation with a machine. Some folks find the sensation of handpoking less painful, others more painful...it is neither, just different.

Yeah but I heard you have to go deeper for stick and pokes...

I promise you...when tattooing (either machine or hand poke) ink needs to be deposited in the 'dermis' layer of your skin. This mean the needle has to get past the outer 'epidermis' layer. The thickness of the epidermis varies throughout our bodies (ie. your hands have thick epidermis and your forearms have thinner epidermis). This, as well as nerves, make different spots more or less painful. Some artists are more or less "heavy handed" but this again is true of both handpoke and machine artists.

Stick and pokes are dangerous/unhygenic/ unsafe/bad/sketchy/ etc...

All that can totally be the case, and all that can also be true of a machine tattoo. Make sure you trust your artist and feel comfy and aligned with how they are doing things. If you have any questions at all about my practice, please don't hesitate to ask.

How long does handpoking take?

There are a bunch of things that effect timing... saturation of shaded areas, intricacy/needle size, placement and skin thickness/thinness in that spot, accuracy required in lining the design, crispness/solidity desired in lining, even your hydration! Here are some examples...

Handpoking
FAQs

How does 'booking' work?

How do I start the process?

What is flash and is your flash repeatable?

How can I prepare for the design request opening?

What does compensation look like?

What are your "rates"?

Do you expect tipping?

Do you do trades?

MYTHS

Does handpoking hurt more than machine tattooing?

Yeah but I heard you have to go deeper for stick and pokes...

Stick and pokes are dangerous/unhygenic/ unsafe/bad/sketchy/ etc...

How long does handpoking take?

More Questions?

Mailing list
(fuck relying on doom scrolling social media for updates)

Handpoking FAQs

How does 'booking' work?

How do I start the process?

What is flash and is your flash repeatable?

How can I prepare for the design request opening?

What does compensation look like?

What are your "rates"?

Do you expect tipping?

Do you do trades?

MYTHS

Does handpoking hurt more than machine tattooing?

Yeah but I heard you have to go deeper for stick and pokes...

Stick and pokes are dangerous/unhygenic/ unsafe/bad/sketchy/ etc...

How long does handpoking take?

More Questions?

Mailing list (fuck relying on doom scrolling social media for updates)

Handpoking
FAQs

Mailing list
(fuck relying on doom scrolling social media for updates)