Stick and Poke - A quick fire guide

Here's a quick fire guide for those looking to become part of the stick and poke world! Enjoy...

What is a Stick and Poke?
A stick and poke is a DIY way to create tattoos. it’s a modern version of what people have been doing for years, having a go at creating their very own designs!

What do you need for a Stick and Poke?
You will need a needle, skin, ink, and all the necessary precautions to make it safe and sterile. (things like boiling the needle, wearing protective gloves, using alcohol on the skin etc.)

What needle should I use?
You can use a normal sewing needle but a tattoo needle works the best. We recommend not using a hollow piercing needle or a safety pin. Try to be sensible!

What ink should I use?
Tattoo ink is the best, but non toxic india ink (such as Higgins, Speedball or Winsor and Newton) works well also. These are all easily available on the internet. Stay away from pen ink and inks that may be toxic. Other inks may work, but if you want to get the most from your design and it be safe, tattoo ink is definitely the way to go.

How long will these tattoos last?
Depending on how deep you poked and the type of skin it was applied on, they should for a really long. Although this is contradicts popular opinion, you should not think of these as temporary tattoos. 

How deep should I poke?
Our opinion is that you should never exceed 1/8 of an inch. You should feel a pop of the skin while you’re doing it, when you do, don’t go much past that point. You’ll quickly see the results if you’ve gone deep enough so don't rush it. Don't overdo it! You don't want to damage the skin or bleed too much during the process.

What should I do for after care?
Keep it clean with anti bacterial soap. If possible, also try to stay out of direct sunlight too. Generally, the aftercare is very similar to a professional tattoo.