The art of stick and poke tattoos for a first timer

Get some tattoo needles. Id say 5rl or 7rl. Id use black tattoo ink but india ink is basically the same. Black ink is all about the same unless its acrylic ink. Dont use waterproof ink though. Stick and move stick and move.

Ik they sell kits on Amazon that’s where I got mine…comes with a holder and tattoo needles (not sure what size) my advice is to practice stimpling style art ( which is basically art with just dots)because when I did my first stick and poke tattoo the dots were everywhere and I found it hard to stay on the lines of the design. That’s the design I did for reference…it was very large (I only did the pineapple)

Before doing it on your skin, you can practice on an orange ! It's very similar and you will get the hang of it. Otherwise, be sure to disinfected yourself, your needles and everything around you. Infections under the skin can quickly move to the blood, and that's a sure way of having a disaster...

India ink is not basically the same. It has a ton of ingredients not great for your skin and doesn't last. I use actual tattoo ink made for tattoos and the difference is huge. All my India ink tattoos are literally gone, they've faded into oblivion. Real tattoo ink is not that expensive either, it's pretty much the same price as drawing/writing ink depending on brand. So why not use something that will last ?

It's worth investing in actual tattoo needles and ink. They last longer, you don't have to go over them again as much(if at all), and honestly real tattoo needles hurt less than a sewing needle (imo). Also not to forget to mention, if you have a nickel allergy, using a sewing needle or safety pin probably won't be a fun time for you, because they are nickel plated. With tattoo needles, I like to use anywhere from a 5rl to a 9rl (9 is my fav).

I also use green soap, it's the same stuff professional tattoo artists use. I keep a small bottle of it, it's really concentrated and not only is it great to clean the skin before and during your tattoo, but it's great to have in a first aid kit to keep cuts and scrapes clean while on the road.

Here's a bart Simpson tat I did on my ankle. Who could forget dear rat boy?