Instead of a machine quickly pushing a tattoo needle into your skin, handpoked tattoos are made by hand-pushing that needle into your skin, building a tattoo out of individual dots of ink. Naturally, this takes longer than machine-tattooing. All tattoos are painful, but the handpoking sensation is very different to machine. Many people describe handpoking to resemble the sensation of hair-plucking. It’s less-traumatic on your skin than using machine, so it heals quickly and more easily than machine-made tattoos. Tattooing without machine requires precision and patience, but creates uniquely delicate, intentional tattoos. The dots create a slightly textured/stippled final product, unique to the handpoke process. Some examples of my handpoked tattoos (both fresh and healed) can be found here⋆˚✿˖° or on my instagram.

Machine-tattooing is the most well-known method of tattoo. It’s very popular due to the speed of the machine— allowing for larger, more detailed tattoos in a shorter amount of time. Compared to handpoked tattoos, machine tattoos are more traumatic to your skin, taking somewhat longer to heal. Tattooing with machine allows us to make all styles of tattoo in less time, and in-turn allows for more affordably-priced tattoos. Some examples of my machine-made tattoos (both fresh and healed) can be found here⋆˚❀˖° or on my instagram.

I love working with a prompt if I feel capable! Send reference photos if you’d like or I can make my own interpretation for you. Custom designs are not shared prior to your session, but we can make changes/edits together in-person.

I have hundreds of pre-drawn designs that are available for tattoo! These pre-drawn designs are called “flash.” You can find my flash book @softbarrio on instagram. Most flash designs are repeatable, but I am always willing to make small edits to flash if you’d like your tattoo to be unique!

I am currently hosting appointments at my “mini” studio space near Little Village/Marshall Square in Chicago, walking distance from the california pink line station. I will send you the location information and exact address after your appointment date is secured. Everything in the studio/room is able to be thoroughly cleaned with medical-grade disinfectant and I will be doing so between appointments. I ask that you wear a mask for the duration of your time in the studio (and in my home.)

There are five stairs to enter the studio, so unfortunately the tattoo space is not currently wheelchair accessible. The studio is in a private room, but I do have three cats that live right outside (in my home.) I have benadryl on hand in case this becomes a problem for anyone. You are welcome to bring one person with you to your appointment if you'd like, but please give me a heads up if you plan to do so. I play quiet music during our session unless you request otherwise. You're welcome to bring headphones and/or sunglasses to wear during your tattoo, and I have fidget toys in the studio that you're welcome to use as well. I have low-scent options for my tattoo soaps and salves that I can use by request. All furniture in the studio has a weight capacity of at least 500lbs. Please contact me if you have any other accessibility needs or questions!

As of April 2024, I am once again asking for clients’ budget. On your booking form, you’ll choose the budget range that you think sounds the most appropriate for you. My pricing minimum is $200 for a session. Handpoke tattoo pricing ranges from $200-600 per session, and machine tattoo pricing ranges from $200-500 per session. Also, it’s very possible to do multiple tattoos in one session. It’s often a better deal if we do!

It’s a tough decision! It’s really a personal decision for you to make; both methods differ a lot when it comes to tattoo sensation, healing process, and final aesthetic. Most of my flash tattoos can be made either way. I’d recommend looking through my portfolio to check out some fresh and healed examples of both methods. The only instances where I’d specifically recommend handpoke is for finger tattoos, ear tattoos, and areola tattoos. Large/detailed handpokes are also possible to make, but consider that it may require multiple sessions to complete. Please feel free to let me know if you need some help deciding on a method!

Yes!! We can make your tattoo with any color, with or without shading, or let’s add some sparkles! If you’re inspired to, we can even make you a completely custom version of one of my designs. Maybe you like one of my fairies, but you want the hair or body to look more like yours. Whatever it is, let me know if you’d like any customization; I’d be honored to make any flash design into a collaboration! Please try to let me know ahead of time, though!!

— Be sure to moisturize in the days leading up to your appointment. (There’s no need to shave the area before-hand, though.)

— Hydrate yourself also! (Drink water!) It’ll help your skin prepare for the tattoo process and help you to not feel faint.

— Eat well before you arrive to your appointment. This will help improve your pain tolerance and also help you not feel faint.

— Arrive wearing a face mask.

— Wear a comfy/cozy outfit. Consider bringing a tank top, shorts, zip up hoodie, or button-down shirt depending on the body part you are getting tattooed.

— Bring snacks if you’d like. I have some water bottles and candy in the studio as well.

— I have some fidget toys, or you can bring your own. I also recommend sunglasses or headphones to help avoid overstimulation.

— Please bring cash. I only accept cash payments, due after the tattoo is completed.

I do not yet feel comfortable with my clients using numbing cream for our tattoo sessions. I use Bactine during the tattoo session as needed in order to lessen the pain, but topical numbing creams are too unfamiliar for me to confidently work with. Each brand of topical numbing cream is very different and everyone’s skin reacts differently.

yes! i have room in the studio for you to bring ONE person with you to your appointment, but please give me a heads up if you plan to do so.

Yes! Starting in January 2024, I’m offering free touchups for a year after your tattoo is made. I want your tattoos to heal beautifully, so please feel free to contact me for a touchup if needed once your tattoo is healed. Email me a picture of your healed tattoo, and we can discuss a touchup plan. If your tattoo was made by someone else and needs a touchup, I am open to helping you out on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, on a very case-by-case basis. Please feel free to reach out, and I will let you know if I think I can do a good job on your specific cover-up.

It depends! If it’s your art and I feel I can execute it as a tattoo, then yes. If it’s someone else’s art and I feel I can execute it, then I’ll do it if you can prove you have the artist’s consent.

When you’re ready, please fill out my booking form! here’s the link ✮⋆˙

Yes, I require a non-refundable $50 deposit in order to secure your appointment. This deposit can count toward your final tattoo cost. Payment instructions will be sent along with my reply to your booking inquiry.

Please give me as much notice as possible if you have to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Even though the deposit payment is non-refundable, it can be transferred to a rescheduled appointment date if you give me over 48hrs notice.

Tipping is never required, but always appreciated. Monetary tips are amazing, but I also love to receive any other trinkets or art or snacks etc as tips too!!