77+ Stick and Poke Tattoo Ideas That Work in 2023

Get Inspired with these Stick and poke tattoo ideas

A stick and poke tattoo is a controversial subject. As we discover, there are some clear reasons to stay away from them. However, in this post, we cover what they are, the advantages and disadvantages, before looking at some great examples of stick and poke tattoos.

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Before we continue, it’s important to establish what they are. What are a stick and poke tattoo? A stick and poke tattoo is normally done at home…or outside a professional tattoo studio setting. The ink is applied to the skin directly using a needle or pin. Essentially, it is cheap to get a tattoo, delivering a very rustic look.

There are a few things to consider before going down this route. It would help if you considered hygiene seriously. A sterile needle is a must, with a hand poke tattoo to prevent infections. This cannot be rushed; you must take your time with a needle tattoo. You can buy a professional tattoo kit to help with this. A poke tattoo kit contains sterilized equipment. It is also a process that must be done with patience; you will get better the more you do them.

Results can be erratic and may not be what you envisioned with hand poked tattoos. However, they have a rustic charm, and they are particularly popular in prisons! Before proceeding with this process, ensure you are fully aware of what they are.

There are various advantages and disadvantages that we will set out. It is important to know the limitations and potential before you start.

Advantages of stick and poke tattoos

Simple to do
Need little training
Cheap
No special equipment
Less painful
Shorter healing process

Disadvantages of stick and poke tattoos

Erratic results
Higher risk of infection
Fade quicker
Uneven results
It can be more painful initially
Basic designs

Dangers of a stick and poke tattoo

The dangers of stick and hand poke tattoos cannot be underestimated. There are a few dangers that must be considered. Firstly, they’re often done using needles that are not sterilized. This means there is a significantly higher risk of infection, with this process introducing contaminants and bacteria into your body.

Secondly, there is a high risk of scarring to the tattoo site. Quite often, this scarring can be permanent, caused by damage to the skin. Another aspect to consider is allergic reactions. Quite often, people are not aware of the risk of tattoo ink. In some circumstances, people may use other ink types, such as pen ink. There is a lack of awareness about the toxicity of ink. This also leads to the next issue, which is skin cancer. Since there is no knowledge of the ink used, there is a high risk of introducing toxic chemicals into the body.

As you can see, there are significant risks to this type of tattoo. There may be some positives, such as cost and simplicity. Do these outweigh the risks? Only you can make that decision. Using a professional tattoo artist removes many of these risks.

Difference between stick and poke tattoo vs. machine tattoo

Although there is a clear difference in the result, let’s take a quick look at the difference between a stick and poke tattoo against a tattoo created using a professional machine. The application process is the biggest difference. Stick and poke tattoo is simply using a needle with ink pushed into the skin, whereas a machine injects professional tattoo ink into the skin using a tattoo gun.

The erratic nature of a stick and poke tattoo can lead to more pain than is often necessary. The uneven application of the sewing needle can cause more pain than machine tattooing. The constant action of a needle entering the skin can be very painful. Machine tattoos are less painful since the even application makes them more bearable.

Essentially, deciding what type of tattooing method you decide depends on your circumstances and risk profile. As we have seen, there are pros and cons to each method. It is up to you how you wish to proceed.

Do stick and poke tattoos go away?

Stick and poke tattoos are permanent, like normal body art tattoo. However, the uneven application of DIY tattoos makes them less likely to remain without fading. However, even with their fading, they will still exist. A tattoo machine is more even in the application, and the results will be more stable.

Do stick and poke tattoos hurt?

This is a subjective experience. For some, the pain of poke tattooing is bearable. This is because they control the depth of the single needle using a poke technique. However, many people are convinced that it hurts more than a standard tattoo process. If you are determined to ink your tattoo, it may be worth tattooing a small inconspicuous area using the poke method to test the pain levels.

How do I remove stick and poke tattoos?

Removing a stick and poke tattoo is the same as a traditional tattoo. You can use a laser removal method, apply tattoo removal creams, or allow your tattoo to fade over time.

If this tattoo method is not for you, consider these related tattoo ideas; red ink tattoo, skeleton tattoo, and negative space tattoos.

Let’s look at some stick and poke tattoo ideas to help showcase the range of possibilities.