Hand-Poke Tattooing- a tattoo made by hand, one dot at a time.

Hand-poke tattooing is a form of tattooing performed without a tattoo machine. Instead, I use a professional tattoo needle on a bar and manually place the ink into the skin, one dot at a time.

The technique is simple, but the result can be incredibly detailed, clean and precise.

The biggest difference between hand-poke and machine tattooing is the method — not the quality of the tattoo.

Hand-poke tattoos can be just as sharp, clean and vibrant as machine tattoos, with the potential for a beautiful, slightly softer and more organic feel.

Why choose hand-poke?

Hand-poke has a naturally slower and more deliberate rhythm than machine tattooing. Because there is no vibrating machine involved, many clients describe the experience as feeling calmer, gentler and less intimidating.

The process can also feel more personal and intimate, which is something I really love about hand-poke.

Every tattoo is created dot by dot, giving me a very direct connection with the skin and the artwork as it develops.

Many of my clients tell me they find the experience surprisingly relaxing — particularly people who may have been nervous about getting tattooed.

Does hand-poke hurt less?

Everyone experiences tattooing differently, and placement, size and your individual pain tolerance all play a part.

That said, many of my clients find hand-poke more comfortable than they expected. The technique has a lower-impact feel on the skin than a vibrating tattoo machine, and clients often describe the sensation as gentler and calmer.

This can make hand-poke an appealing option for areas that can be more sensitive with machine tattooing, such as the ribs, sternum, hands and neck.

How do hand-poke tattoos look?

They look like tattoos!

A common misconception is that hand-poke tattoos have to look different from machine tattoos. They don't.

Hand-poke can create sharp lines, clean details, vibrant black and beautiful tonal work, depending on the style and technique used.

My favourite styles to create by hand include black and grey, dotwork, ornamental and blackwork, although I'm always open to exploring different styles and ideas.

One thing I particularly love about hand-poke is the subtle softness and organic quality it can bring to a tattoo.

What about healing?

Because hand-poke is a more gentle, low-impact method of tattooing, many clients find their tattoos heal relatively quickly and easily.

Everyone heals differently, but hand-poke tattoos will often feel settled within around one to two weeks, depending on the tattoo, placement and your individual skin.

Good aftercare is still important, just as it is with any tattoo.

I’ll talk you through exactly how to care for your new tattoo after your appointment.

A more personal tattoo experience.

After ten years of specialising in hand-poke, I've seen how much the experience itself can matter.

For some people, getting tattooed can feel intimidating — especially for a first tattoo. I love creating an environment where you can slow down, relax and feel comfortable throughout the process.

There's something special about sitting together while a tattoo is created slowly, one dot at a time.

If you're curious about hand-poke, I'd love to create something with you.