Methods & Techniques of Tattooing

Throughout the history of tattooing, several methods and techniques have been developed to achieve a permeant body modification. Some of these methods and techniques are deeply rooted in tradition while others are considered modern practices. To understand techniques of tattooing, one will need to understand the methods of applying ink into skin.

Methods of Tattooing

There are three main methods for tattooing: piercing, puncturing, and cutting skin. Piercing is most common among modern tattoo artists. Piercing uses an object, such as a needle, to push ink into the skin. Puncturing requires a great deal of force in order to break through the skin. Usually it requires a tattooing device to be at a 90-degree angle. The method of cutting requires tools dipped in ink to cut into the skin.

Tattooing Techniques

There are several different techniques for tattooing including:

• Stick and Poke
• Hand Poke
• Single Needle
• Yantra/Sak Yants
• Tebori

Stick and Poke

The stick and poke technique are often done at home on oneself. It consists of repeatedly piercing the needle into skin. Often using various types of inks found around the home. Because this type of technique is often an at home technique, one does not use typical tattoo equipment, nor do they have a tattooing license.

Hand Poke

Hand poking is the oldest technique of tattooing. Similar to stick and poke, a single needle is used to pierce ink into the skin dot by dot. It is a slow method which is typically minimal in pain. Artists who preform hand poke tattoos are preserving traditions of tattooing.

Single Needle

Single needle technique also uses the method of piercing. Similarly to hand poke and stick and poke, this technique uses a single needle. However, the needle is run by a tattoo machine. These tattoos achieved by the single need technique are usually small, heavy in detail and monochromatic.

Yantra/Sak Yants

This ancient technique involves puncturing the skin with a bamboo stick dipped in ink. The technique originates from the Khmer Empire and had spread its practice among several other countries within Southeast Asia. In addition, it is performed only by monk masters and follows specific Yantra patterns steeped in tradition. These patterns are believed to be magic, and grant mystical powers, protection and good luck amongst its wearers.

Tebori

Similar to the Yantra technique, Tebori also uses a method of puncturing with a small instrument – traditionally bamboo sticks dipped in ink. The technique originates from Japan and uses hand-poking to achieve designs and imagery.

Just the Beginning

These techniques listed here are just the beginning of a long history of tattooing. There are lots of tattoo artists who tattoo in ancient traditional techniques and use different methods for applying ink into the skin.

Sources:

• Tattoo Bible – Understand all Tattoo related terms | Tattoos Wizard
• Tattoo Methods and Instruments: A Brief History – Statim USA Autoclave Sales & Repair

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