handpoke FAQs

please note: if you’re a studio interested in a guest spot please contact me here

q) what is a handpoke tattoo?

a handpoke tattoo is performed to exactly the same hygiene standards as a machine-driven tattoo should be, however handpoke is done with no machine or electricity. basically, a handpoke artist is somebody who uses only a tattoo needle which is used to push the tattoo ink into the skin by hand. some artists may use the needle on it's own, i prefer to either create a hygienic disposable grip or use a specialist sterile needle mount, giving me a better grip. 

q) how long does it take?

as with any tattoo style, the time it takes to complete will depend on a number of factors such as; the detail within the design, the size, placement or a client's skin type. personally, i prefer to work with a 1 hour minimum as that time would allow me to add a specific level of detail to finished designs.

q) yeesh! does that hurt more than a machine?

honestly, i just don't know... it depends on your individual pain threshold, the tattoo's placement, your overall health or how chill you're feeling. however, most people who have had both machine tattoos & handpoke, say that a handpoke tattoo is no more painful than a cat scratch. most people find that because you don't get the build up of heat from the machine which sometimes leads to that 'sunburn' sensation after a tattoo session, a handpoke tattoo is less painful & may even heal a little quicker. 

q) are there limits on what handpoke can achieve, design wise?

not really, no. every tattoo artist, poke or no, has their own specific style of work. there are handpoke artists out there who work in black and grey portraiture, watercolour or heavy blackwork. personally, i love to work with bold images, typography & geometric weirdness in a naive ignorant style but if that's not your bag, i guarantee there's a handpoke artist out there for you somewhere!

q) how many sessions will my tattoo take?

again, this one depends on the size of the tattoo or project you are wanting done. if you are wanting a large piece, such as a sleeve or back piece, this would take a number of sessions, just as it would a machine artist. 

q) can’t i just do it myself, at home?

hold up! i know, i know... ‘stick ‘n’ poke’ tattoos are just so in right now & i can just get it done in my own house, or maybe someone else's kitchen, by some person who could have no idea about tattooing, how to set up a hygienic environment or how deep a tattoo needle should go... no. just no.

q) how do i book an appointment?

please book by contacting me here or via my social media channels & let me know;

what's the idea for your tattoo?

if you have any photos or reference material, add that shit.

where is this going on your body?

what size would you like the finished piece?

what date(s) are you looking to book in?

would you prefer a morning, afternoon or all day sitting?

once we're on the same page you’ll need to pay a minimum 50% deposit to secure your sitting. this can be paid via paypal to heytheremrmary@gmail.com. if you need to rearrange make sure you give me 24hrs notice otherwise your deposit is lost. sittings are charged at £60 per hour, £200 half day (4 hrs) and £350 full day (7hrs).

your design may not be ready until the date of your appointment but worry not, there is always time for you to check over your design and make any changes before we commit it to skin. anyway, you'll love it, so we're chill yeah.

q) how do i care for a handpoke tattoo?

getting any tattoo (handpoke included) involves breaking the skin’s surface so there is always a potential risk for infection to occur afterwards. your tattoo should be treated as a wound initially and it is important that this advice is followed so that the infection risk can be minimised.

as soon as your session is finished your artist will apply a small amount of recommended skin ointment and (if possible) wrap the tattooed area. please leave the dressing in place as recommended by your artist.

always wash and dry your hands before and after handling a new tattoo site.

after removing the initial dressing, gently wash the tattoo site with warm water and soap, then pat dry with a clean paper towel and apply a thin layer of artist recommended ointment.

treat the tattooed area 3-4 times a day for the first three days and keep covered at night or in dirty, oily or dusty environments.

if possible, shower rather than bathe whilst the tattoo is healing so that unnecessary water exposure is prevented.

do not wrap after the first three days but continue to apply light coatings of ointment whenever you feel a dryness or itch in the tattooed skin.

after three to seven days the skin on and around your tattoo will begin to peel - this is totally normal but take extra care not to disturb the skin at the stage.

avoid exposing the freshly tattooed area to direct sunlight, chlorinated swimming pools, dirt or anything else you’d avoid with an open wound.

don’t scratch!

after approximately two weeks, any peeling or scabbing should have gone and been replaced with new intact skin. it may take a further 10-14 days to heal completely.

if you have any concerns about how your tattoo is healing please contact the studio straight away. we may need to tailor your aftercare routine and your artist is best placed to assess your tattoo in the first instance.