07/09/2026
“Are hand poke tattoos more painful?”
One of the questions I get asked most often about hand poke tattoos is whether they hurt more than machine tattoos.
My answer?
Why don’t you find out yourself? ✺
Everyone experiences pain differently. Your pain threshold, the placement of the tattoo, your state of mind, it all plays a role. So there’s no universal answer to how painful a hand poke tattoo will feel.
What I can tell you is that from a practical and technical perspective, hand poke tattooing is a less invasive technique. There’s no machine, no vibration and the skin is worked in a more gradual way.
For me, hand poke is not just about the technique. It’s about slowing down, being present and creating a more conscious tattoo experience.
So… would you try a hand poke tattoo in Rotterdam?
📍 Inkstitution ✺ Rotterdam
Custom tattoos ✺ Conscious tattooing ✺ By appointment & walk-ins