Stories from under the needle
Notes on hand-poke, design and the rhythm of the studio.
A fresh tattoo in summer: sun, swimming and sweat
Summer and a fresh tattoo get along fine — if you respect three things: no direct sunlight, no swimming for two weeks, and dab away sweat quickly.
Read →Fine line and dotwork: styles made for hand-poke
Thin lines, soft dots and botanical shapes — why these styles pair so beautifully with the point-by-point technique of hand-poke.
Read →Is a hand-poked tattoo safe? How we work sterile
Yes — in a professional studio, hand-poke is just as safe as machine work. On sterile needles, health guidelines and what to look for when choosing an artist.
Read →Your first hand-poked tattoo: how to prepare
Well rested, well fed and in no rush — that's really all it takes. Practical tips for the days before your appointment and what to bring.
Read →How long do hand-poked tattoos last?
Just as long as any other tattoo — when done properly. On the stubborn myth that hand-poke fades faster, and what really determines how your tattoo ages.
Read →Hand-poke vs. machine: what's the difference?
Same ink, same depth, different rhythm. On the difference between hand-poke and machine work — in technique, feel and result — and how to choose what suits you.
Read →How much does a hand-poked tattoo cost?
No fixed price list, but an honest story. The factors that shape the price of a hand-poked tattoo — and why cheap is rarely good.
Read →Does a hand-poked tattoo hurt?
Honest answer: usually less than you expect. What hand-poke really feels like, which placements are sensitive, and why calm makes the difference.
Read →From sketch to skin
How an idea becomes a design, and a design becomes a tattoo. A look into the rhythm of the studio.
Read →Aftercare: how your tattoo heals softly
A good tattoo deserves a good heal. A guide for the first two weeks — clean, lightly moisturised and out of the sun.
Read →What is hand-poke, really?
No machine, no noise — just a needle, ink and patience. A short introduction to the oldest way of bringing ink into skin.
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