How to Make a Stick and Poke

Equipment

• 1

  Find a stick at least 1/2 inch in diameter. Place an industrial needle into a power drill head. Lock the needle in place by turning the torque key in a clockwise direction.

• 2

  Drill a hole into the top of the stick. The 3/4-inch-deep hole is made in the center of the stick end.

• 3

  Wind string around a needle. The string should cover the entire needed from bottom to the sharp point. The string is used as a wick to provide the needle with ink.

• 4

  Insert the string and needle into the hole in the stick. If the stick does not fit, crack the end of the stick with a chisel. Insert the needle and wrap string around the exterior of the string to keep the needle in place.

• 5

  Dip the needle of the stick into hydrogen peroxide to disinfect it.

• 6

  Disinfect the bowl with hydrogen peroxide. Pour India ink into a bowl. Dip the needle into the ink. Poke the surface of the skin with the needle.

Health and Safety Precautions

• 7

  Clean the entire work area with bleach or another bacteria-killing cleaning agent.

• 8

  Disinfect the needle, stick and string by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes before and after the stick and poke assembly. Always use a new needle when applying the tattoo.

• 9

  Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and wear new latex gloves before handling tattoo equipment.

• 10

  Disinfect the skin with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to kill bacteria around the tattoo area.

• 11

  Poke a small area on the skin with the ink. Wait three days and check the area afterwards for signs of an allergic reaction. Some people are allergic to certain inks. If you experience swelling or inflammation in the test area, contact a dermatologist. Do not continue with the tattooing procedure.

• 12

  Clean the ink bowl with hydrogen peroxide before pouring the ink inside. Let the hydrogen peroxide soak inside the interior of the bowl for 30 minutes. Make sure the hydrogen peroxide makes contact with the entire interior.

• 13

  Wipe the tattoo with antibacterial ointment and cover it with a gauze bandage after receiving the tattoo. Remove the bandage after an hour. Wash the tattooed area with cold water and antibacterial soap. Apply a thin layer of lotion that contains vitamins A and D. Repeat this step at least five times daily. Tattoos take approximately three to four weeks to heal.

• 14

  Consult a doctor immediately if a rash forms around the tattoo area or if you have a fever higher than 100 degree F. Other signs of infection are increased pain, redness or swelling.