A handpoke tattoo, (also known as a stick and poke tattoo or a non-electric tattoo) is a tattoo created by manually inserting ink into the skin with a needle propelled by the force of your hand, rather than using an electric tattoo machine. 

Aside from the lack of electricity, handpoke tattoos may generally be considered less painful, and may heal faster due to their gentler application. They are especially good for delicate locations where skin is thin. There is no vibration or vibration noise. However, each poke can make an audible pop noise when the needle exits the skin. 

Most people feel that handpoke tattoos hurt less, or feel about the same, as machine made tattoos. Of course, there are some people who feel they hurt more. Pain is very individual, and can vary based on the placement of the tattoo, or the body of each unique person. It is not a painless experience, but overall it is rated mild-moderate in terms of tattoos.

-I do not offer numbing cream, nor have I ever used it myself, so I do not have any expertise on this subject. If you would like to use numbing cream, you are welcome to use your own and come to your appointment with it already applied, per the instructions included.

Important note: In some cases numbing creams can negatively affect the tattooing process or the healed results of your tattoo. Not all numbing creams are created equal, so I urge you to do some in-depth research before using any numbing creams. I cannot guarantee that we can proceed with your tattoo, if the numbing cream affects your skin’s ability to hold ink, which can happen.
 
 -I do offer and use Bactine MAX, which is an antiseptic spray. It helps prevent infections AND contains 4% lidocaine which is an over the counter anesthetic that relives pain and itching. I spray Bactine on your tattoo multiple times throughout the process, which I hope may help alleviate some of the sting. 

Time needed to complete a handpoke tattoo depends on the size, detail and placement of your design. 

• Smaller/simpler designs typically take 1-2 hours.
  

• Larger or more detailed pieces can take 5-8+ hours.
  

• Some designs may take multiple sessions. 
  

Timing can also depend on any non-tattooing time throughout the session. For example: a three hour tattoo may take us six hours if we stop to eat snacks/lunch, to stretch/walk, or if the pain of the tattoo requires many long breaks. For this reason I only book one tattoo per day, so we can feel free to go with the flow. 

I highly suggest you don’t plan anything else on your appointment day, so you don’t have to rush to be anywhere and we have ample time to dedicate to your tattoo. If you do have a time constraint please let me know at the beginning of your appointment, or consider rescheduling. 

I can always provide a time estimate for your tattoo, but my time estimates may not always be exact.

Hey, my name is Soni (Soh-nee) Graves, and I am the one-woman show behind this business. 

My offerings include: original art, illustrations, products, tarot decks, and handpoked tattoos. 

You can read more about me here.

I chose handpoked tattoos because I wanted to tattoo: to use my artistic abilities to connect with other humans, to positively affect people, to get to know my community through the power of art, to help others feel more comfortable and in love with their physical vessels, and to marvel at the beauty of human anatomy (I always said I should have been a surgeon if I had different life circumstances). I wanted to create my own mark in the ever growing and changing tattoo community. I wanted to create the space and the tattoo experience I have always longed for. 

But I also wanted to build a lifelong tattoo practice custom to me and my natural preferences: Handpoke tattoos are quiet, they don’t vibrate, there are no cords, no dials, no numbers. This feels more intuitive and intimate to me. I prefer the slowness and deliberateness of it. I can take my time and focus on each mark. And though I use modern tools and procedures (for health, sanitation, and result consistency) when I handpoke I tap into the energy of the millions of humans who tattooed before electricity or machines. It feels a bit like cooking over a campfire, or working the land…there’s something ancient woven into the modern. I personally find the technique to be impressive and I want be a part of this resurfacing movement. I also enjoy handpoke tattoos for their quick and easy healing.

Style: Blackwork, decorative, ornamental, dark, whimsical: Dot-work, bold, or wood-etched. 

Themes: Anything dark, goth, alt, witchy, whimsical, or filigree. I love animals, plants, halloween, lore, death, witchcraft, cryptids, the unexplainable, anything medieval or victorian inspired, ancient symbols, personal totems, etc.

In Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Near Carter lake and downtown.

Exact address will be given once your appointment is confirmed. 

There is lots of street parking available all around the building or on nearby streets.

You may have to pay the parking meter to park. Parking meters are free everyday after 9pm, and all day Sunday. 

I tattoo Monday-Thursday, from 11am-5pm+

Fridays I work on new flash and admin. I may tattoo on Fridays by request for some cases.

Saturday and Sunday are my days off. I do not tattoo nor check messages on these days. 

No, I do not take walk-ins. My studio is by appointment only. 

• Ink/pigment: Dynamic BLK (Black)

• Needles: Ironhorse

• Ointment: Dynarex Vitamin A&D ointment (no lanolin)

• Second skin: Dynarex

• Gloves: Nitrile, Good Judy Ca. 

• All other products (covers, ink caps, cups, towels, etc.): Good Judy Ca.

• Sanitation: Cavicide 

All products I use are VEGAN.

I tattoo anybody, as long as:

• You’re 18 years of age or older
  

• And can provide a valid ID like an up to date driver’s license or passport. 

• You are a good candidate for tattoo procedures in terms of health and safety.
  

My space is very small. Generally I prefer you do not bring another person, but please let me know ahead of time if you would like to for your appointment. In most cases you may bring one other person for moral support, but please let me know ahead of time so I can make accommodations for seating.

If you’re getting matching tattoos at the same appointment as someone else, only people getting tattooed are allowed in the studio. 

No children or anyone under 18 is allowed inside the studio for safety and legal reasons. 

Well behaved, legitimate service animals may come, but they cannot be touching you during your tattoo, or touching any of the tattooing stations.

They must remain at a safe distance for sanitation and safety reasons.

Bring a blanket or bed for them to lay on.

Please let me know before your appointment if you plan to bring your service animal with you so I can make preparations.

Not yet, but it is something that I am working towards and is important to me. 

My current tattoo bed has a capacity of 350 lbs. 

My current studio is not wheel chair accessible. 

Two sets of stairs must be taken to get to my studio. 

• I price by the piece. I have a spectrum of estimates on flash, depending on the size you choose. 
  

• For small (single day) custom work I will also charge by the piece. 
  

• For pieces that take multiple sessions, I will charge by the day: $550 for the full day (5-7 hours).
  

It’s best to wait until you are fully recovered, or 30 days after your last antibiotic. 

Your body needs to focus on fighting off illness or recovering. Adding stress from a healing tattoo can prolong sickness or strain your immune system. Your immune system may not respond as effectively to the tattoo healing process, increasing the risk of complications like infection or slower healing. 

Certain antibiotics can make your skin more sensitive and prone to reactions. It’s safer to finish your medication, and let your body return to normal before tattooing. 

If you’re contagious, rescheduling your appointment is considerate to protect me, and other clients from also getting sick. As back up, I always have single-use masks available upon request, for you and I. 

Health and safety are top priority. It’s always best to reschedule if you’re feeling under the weather. 

Not necessarily. Minor blemishes like small scars, freckles, moles or light acne, don’t usually pose a problem. 

However, the area we intent to tattoo cannot have active irritation, rashes, inflamed acne, eczema, psoriasis, or any other open sores or skin conditions. Tattooing on affected skin compromises the health or your skin, and the results of the tattoo. Also OUCH. 

Scars and stretch marks can often be tattooed, depending on age and texture.

I will never tattoo directly over a mole, as it can obscure changes that might need attention later. I will work around moles to ensure your safety. 

Your skin doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be healthy. If you are unsure about a specific area, I can asses the skin to make sure. 

Yes I do. You can always send me a request for your custom idea.

However, I am very picky about which custom work I take on. I want to make sure that your idea is in my wheelhouse, and that it makes sense for my style and abilities. If you would like to discuss a custom idea please reach out on venue.ink and start a conversation. 

If I reject your proposal, it is not because you have a bad idea or anything personal. I only say yes if I know the project will be a perfect fit for me, because I want to ensure I can give you something you love. If I feel I cannot deliver what you are asking for, I may recommend other local tattoo artists who better align with your idea.

Semi-custom designs are also an option. This is when we take a repeatable flash piece and change some aspect(s) to make the tattoo unique to you. 

• A $100 deposit is required to book any tattoo. This deposit holds your spot and will be deducted from your total payment at the end of the tattoo.
  

• A $10 booking fee is required to book and schedule a tattoo. This fee goes directly to venue.ink and is used to run their seamless booking experience, including organized messenger, easy self scheduling, rescheduling, email, and SMS reminders, plus more. It also pays for the payment processing fees. This $10 fee is not deducted from your tattoo total. 
  

• Deposits and booking fees are non-refundable, no exceptions. 
  

• If you reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment, you may roll over your deposit to your rescheduled appointment as long as its within my available schedule (usually 3 months at a time). This can be done one time. If you must reschedule a second time, you will have to pay a new deposit.

• You forfeit your deposit if:

  -You cancel before or during the appointment.

  -You no call, no show.

  -You’re 20 minutes late without having contacted me.

  -You come unprepared, sick, or under the influence.

  -If I have to end the session for your health or for any reason I deem important.

  If you no-call no-show, or disrespect me or my time, I may choose not to work with you in the future. 

  These boundaries are to protect my time and business margins. 
  

Here’s what to expect:

1. Booking: first you’ll pick an available piece or discuss your custom idea with me through Venue.ink. Once you are ready to book, you will book through venue.ink which makes managing your appointment and our communication easy.
   

2. Once your deposit is payed and your booking is confirmed you will receive reminders about your appointment until the day of. 
   

3. Preparation: On the day of your appointment, I throughly clean and sanitize the workspace. Once you have arrived, I will set up our station. I use single-use, sterile needles, gloves, ink, and components for the highest hygiene standards possible. 
   

4. Stenciling: Once we have decided on size and placement, I will prepare your skin for the stencil. This includes cleaning the skin, and shaving any hair in this area. Now I’ll apply a stencil of your design to preview its placement. We can adjust as needed until it feels right for you.
   

5. Tattooing: With your consent, now I start tattooing…poke poke poke… I’ll check in with you throughout to ensure your comfort. Breaks are always welcome when needed. 
   

6. Aftercare: Once your tattoo is finished, I’ll clean and wrap it, and provide aftercare instructions to help your tattoo heal beautifully. 
   

7. Payment: Payment will be taken at the end of the session. I accept all major credits cards and cash. Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. 
   

This process is designed to make your experience safe, and as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. 

• First I will greet you, get you settled in and discuss questions you may have.

• Then we’ll discuss finalizing tattoo details such as placement and size. 

• Now I’ll prep you skin, place the stencil, and once confirmed, I will start the tattoo process.

• I may have you change positions or stop for breaks or snacks during the procedure.

• Once finished with the tattoo, I will clean the skin and wrap it up. 

• Then we’ll go over healing procedures.

• You’ll pay, and you can be on your way with your sweet new tat!

• Get a good nights rest the night prior.

• Come well fed and hydrated.

• Lotion your skin if you already know where your tattoo will be placed. 

• Feeling healthy during your appointment will not only make the tattoo pain more bearable, but it can also affect how your body heals and responds to your new tattoo.  

Bring anything you will need to feel comfortable such as: 

• Snacks, 
  

• Headphones, 
  

• Phone or tablet with downloaded music or games,
  

• A blanket
  

• Slippers
  

• A change of clothes,
  

• A drink in a leakproof bottle
  

• Fidget tool or stress ball/plushie
  

Keeping your mind occupied during the procedure can reduce feelings of pain or anxiety because the brain cannot multitask very well. For this reason, I am open to you bringing whatever you require to feel more at ease. I just ask that whatever you bring doesn’t cause you to move a lot during your tattoo or isn’t obviously unsanitary. 

Take care of your healing tattoo for the best overall results.

Check in with me if you have any questions or concerns.

I may check in later to see how it’s going or how it healed. 

If you had a positive experience and would recommend my work, please consider leaving a review or sending me a testimonial. Your opinion is important and I want to hear it! And perhaps share it on social media.

Yes, your tattoo includes one free touch up, that must be redeemed 3 months after your tattoo, but no more than 12 months after your appointment. Any touchups done after 12 months will require a $50 charge for materials. 

To schedule a touchup please reach out to me and we will find a time to get you in.

-For full detailed instructions, & a downloadable printable guide, click HERE.

-In short: With clean hands remove covering, wash with soap, pat dry, apply light moisturizer. Repeat 2-3 times per day for two weeks.  

You can always email me: sonigravesartistry@gmail.com

All my booking is done through venue.ink/@sonigraves

You can see my available schedule, available flash, and make custom requests, plus more. 

Myth: They hurt more than machine tattoos. 

Truth: Many people find handpoke tattoos less painful because the process os slower and gentler. The needle doesn’t vibrate and there’s more control over pressure. 

Myth: They don’t last as long.

Truth: When done properly, handpoke tattoos are just as permanent as machine tattoos. Both rely on the same principles: depositing pigment into the dermis layer of the skin.

Myth: They’re only for small or simple designs.

Truth: Handpoke tattoos can range from tiny minimalist designs, to intricate detailed pieces. While the process may take longer for some handpoke artists, the level of detail and artistry possible is limitless.

Myth: They’re less hygienic:

Truth: This myth comes from the history of sick-and-poke tattoos done in unsafe environments (honestly, who hasn’t tried tattooing themselves in their friend’s basement, using pen ink and a sewing needle?). But professional handpoke artists use all the same precautions as other tattoo artist. Single use equipment and tools, plus solid knowledge on blood-borne-pathogens ensures the same high standards of hygiene. 

Myth: They’re a “beginner” style of tattooing.

Truth: I started with machines, and then down the line found out about handpoke as a possibility. Handpoke tattooing is an art form that requires skill, precision, and patience. It’s a craft with roots in ancient traditions, practiced by highly skilled artists around the world and from various cultures. It is far from being a “starter” method, but it can compliment learning how to tattoo, especially in terms of feeling the skin. 

Myth: They fade faster.

Truth: Properly executed handpoke tattoos heal and age just as well as machine tattoos. Placement, process, ink quality, and aftercare play the biggest roles in longevity of all tattoos.