8 Best Stick and Poke Tattoo Artists Of 2025
Pokeyhontas- May 1
- 8 min read
Published by: @pokeyhontastattoo May 1, 2025
Stick and Poke tattoos have been around for a long time, but the method really gained momentum during the peak of Covid in 2020. That’s when I started tattooing under @pokeyhontastattoo at our Birmingham tattoo shop, two months before everything shut down. I ended up spending most of the lockdown looking at other artists’ work, pulling inspiration and staying motivated.
If you didn’t already know, Stick and Poke tattoos take more time than machine work because there’s no tattoo machine or electricity involved. Every dot is placed by hand, so the needle only moves as fast as your hand does. The pressure, rhythm, and consistency, it’s all you.
Lining vs. Shading: When you’re building solid lines, it’s all about control and precision. You have to slow down and be deliberate with each poke. Shading, on the other hand, allows for a more relaxed approach. It’s about movement and flow, soft, gradual layering to create depth.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, since each artist has their own style—here are some of the most skilled Stick and Poke tattoo artists out there right now:
@dennis_soo’s work is a true testament to the precision and artistry required for Stick and Poke tattoos. Whether it's intricate ornamental designs, mesmerizing mandalas, sharp geometric compositions, or elegant calligraphy, they approach each piece with an unwavering dedication to detail. The patience needed to construct these symmetrical masterpieces, dot by dot, line by line, is nothing short of remarkable. Every element aligns seamlessly, resulting in tattoos that feel both structured and organic, flowing beautifully with the body’s natural contours. Their ability to maintain such accuracy while working freehand speaks volumes about their steady hand and deep understanding of balance and composition.
Beyond technical skill, there’s an undeniable grace in their execution. The meticulous layering of dots and carefully spaced details creates a sense of harmony that’s both bold and refined. This kind of mastery isn’t just about technique, it’s about having the vision to translate complexity into art that feels effortless. And @dennis_soo does this flawlessly, ensuring that every piece carries a quiet strength and timeless elegance. Their work isn’t just decorative; it’s an exploration of form and movement, brought to life through patience, precision, and a true appreciation for the Stick and Poke method.
@stickandchoke’s shading technique is truly remarkable, setting their work apart with a balance of texture and smoothness that’s hard to achieve. The peppered shading adds depth and dimension, giving the tattoos a raw, tactile quality, yet somehow, the final result remains incredibly soft and cohesive. This ability to create contrast without harshness speaks to their mastery of the craft, making every piece feel intentional and beautifully executed.
What’s even more impressive is their ability to maintain this consistency across various body placements. Tattooing on different areas requires adaptability, skin texture, curvature, and movement all play a role in how the ink settles. Some placements are notoriously tricky, demanding even more control and precision. Yet, @stickandchoke executes their work flawlessly, ensuring each design looks just as stunning on a forearm as it does on a ribcage. Their skill, attention to detail, and understanding of how a tattoo interacts with the body make their portfolio a joy to explore. Every piece feels like an extension of their distinct style, refined and confidently applied.
An incredible blackwork piece by @gapoked, done entirely by hand using the Stick and Poke method and it’s huge! A piece of this scale takes serious time, patience, and a sharp understanding of the tools. Multiple needle sizes were likely used to build those bold shapes and fine details. If you look closely at the areas where the solid black is packed in, you’ll see just how much control and skin stretching is needed to keep things smooth and consistent. Saturation is one of the hardest parts of Stick and Poke, too light and it looks patchy, too heavy and you risk damaging the skin. Getting it right takes experience.
What makes this piece even more impressive is the way @gapoked uses a minimal setup to achieve maximum impact. This isn’t about flashy equipment, it’s about technique. The placement of highlights, especially in the eyes, shows serious attention to detail. Those tiny pockets of negative space are perfectly balanced, giving the eyes a realistic, glassy reflection that brings the whole piece to life. There’s a level of restraint here, too, knowing when to leave space, when to push the black, and how to guide the viewer’s eye across the design. It’s that kind of control that separates good work from great work.
Every line and fill in @bb.hurricane’s work is executed with absolute precision. This particular headpiece is next-level, both in design and in technical application. By now, you probably know how challenging solid black fills are to get right, and @bb.hurricane consistently delivers. The blacks are bold, clean, and fully saturated without overworking the skin, no easy task, especially at this scale and level of detail.
Tattooing different parts of the body comes with different challenges. Arms and legs tend to be more straightforward, while areas like the ribcage can be much more difficult due to the skin being softer, stretchier, and less stable. That makes clean lines and even fills significantly harder to control. The fact that @bb.hurricane achieves such a high level of consistency across every piece, regardless of placement, speaks volumes. There’s real discipline in the technique, paired with a strong eye for design and composition. Every tattoo is beautifully balanced, technically sound, and visually striking.
@blackrainbow_ink embraces the challenge of working with colour ink, which naturally carries less pigmentation than black ink. This means their process requires patience and precision, they need to layer and deposit more ink to fully saturate the skin, ensuring their vibrant hues stand the test of time. The result? Bold, joy-infused designs that radiate personality. Their approach turns every tattoo into a small masterpiece, carefully built up with thoughtful strokes to achieve the desired intensity.
The extra effort pays off in the final product. Their tattoos feel like little bursts of happiness, full of energy and life. Whether depicting playful animals, quirky objects, or abstract compositions, @blackrainbow_ink’s work is instantly recognisable. The use of bright, sometimes unexpected colour combinations makes each piece pop in a way that only a well-executed stick and poke can. This delicate yet determined technique transforms simple concepts into charming, unique creations that carry a special kind of magic.
Attempting fine line and delicate work with the Stick and Poke method adds a whole new layer of difficulty. It’s easy to underestimate these tattoos based on size alone and assume they’re quick to finish, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. To create ultra-thin lines and soft shading like this, artists use small needle groupings, which hold less ink and create visibly finer marks. The challenge? These smaller groupings pierce the skin more easily, so the artist has to be incredibly mindful of pressure. Push too hard and the ink can blow out beneath the skin. On top of that, because the needles carry less ink, building up saturation takes time and precision. Precision is everything when it comes to fine line tattoos, especially clean, consistent linework. There’s almost no margin for error.
@ann_pokes makes this process look effortless. The composition, the style, the technical control, it’s all second to none. This is fine line Stick and Poke at its absolute best. Every line is placed with intention, every curve is smooth and balanced, and the overall design holds together beautifully without a single area feeling rushed or uneven. I highly recommend zooming in on this piece in particular, you’ll catch all the tiny details that are easy to miss at first glance. You can see the patience in the linework. There’s a clear understanding here of how the skin responds, how the ink will settle, and how to push the medium to its limit without ever losing clarity. This is the kind of work that doesn’t just happen, it takes real mastery.
This stick and poke flower tattoo by @maria_pokes is a beautiful display of artistry and precision. The petals are delicately shaded using fine dot work, creating a soft, natural gradient that adds depth to the design. The transitions between light and dark areas are seamless, giving the flower an almost three-dimensional look. The careful layering of dots brings texture and movement to the piece, making it feel organic and full of life. The stem is elegantly curved, complementing the gentle flow of the petals and enhancing the overall balance of the design.
The shading in this tattoo is particularly impressive, as it creates a sense of dimension without overpowering the simplicity of the stick and poke technique. Each dot is placed with care, adding richness and subtle contrast to the piece. The flower stands out as a delicate yet striking design, showing how intricate details can elevate a minimalistic approach. @maria_pokes’ skill in achieving such refined shading by hand truly highlights the beauty of this method, making the tattoo timeless and unique.
@sugarangeltattoo
Micro realism with Stick and Poke? That’s exactly what @sugarangeltattoo specialises in, and it’s seriously impressive. Just look at the detail packed into such a tiny space. Einstein’s wispy hair against the dark background is a standout, fine, delicate lines held up by deep, solid black. The contrast is sharp, and the execution is on point. What’s also great about this example is the comparison between fresh and healed work. If you look at the healed Jim Carrey portrait on the left, you’ll notice how soft and blended it appears. Tattoo ink naturally spreads slightly over time, so the fresh Einstein piece will eventually settle and soften in a similar way, giving it that smooth, cohesive finish.
To pull off something like this, @sugarangeltattoo likely used a mix of needle groupings, tight liners for the ultra-fine details, especially in the facial features and hair, and small shaders to fill in those dense black areas. The precision required to hit that level of realism by hand is huge. Every poke needs to be deliberate, every stroke carefully thought out. It’s not just about technical control; it’s also about having the eye to know how that detail will hold up over time. This kind of work doesn’t just take patience, it takes deep skill and serious confidence with the medium.
I can reveal to you all that while I only briefly interacted with all the artists above via Instagram, they all came across such lovely and humble people! A special THANK YOU to all the artists featured above!
Stick and Poke tattooing has grown so much over the past few years, both in technique and creativity. What started as a simple, stick and poke method has evolved into a refined and respected style, with artists pushing its limits to create incredibly detailed, long-lasting designs. Thanks to improvements in tools and ink quality, it’s now possible to achieve smoother lines, richer shading, and a wider range of artistic styles—from delicate patterns to bold colour work.
What’s really great is seeing how much appreciation this method has gained. It requires patience, precision, and a steady hand, and artists have embraced it not just for the unique look but also for the mindful, hands-on process it offers. There’s something special about the slower, intentional nature of Stick and Poke, it creates a deeper connection between the artist and the design, making every piece feel personal and thoughtfully crafted. As artists continue to experiment and refine their approach, Stick and Poke remains an exciting and valued part of the tattoo world, constantly evolving in fresh and creative directions.
I’ve always had a real appreciation for Stick and Poke because it’s where I started my career in tattooing. It taught me early on how much patience, precision, and commitment the craft really demands. Without a machine, every mark comes down to your control and focus, there’s no shortcut. It’s a slower process, but that’s part of what makes each piece feel deliberate and earned. Even now, I have a lot of respect for the level of skill it takes to do it well. Stick and Poke shaped the way I approach tattooing, and it’ll always be a part of how I work.
If you would like information on Stick and Poke tattoos, follow the links below:
Thank you all for reading! If you have any comments, feel free to leave them below so the artists can see them and let us know what you would like to read about next!
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