Handpoke Tattoo School
Online Course
I love handpoke tattooing because it’s magical!
Dot by dot, it connects me to my roots, my clients, and myself. This unique method transformed my life from a starving artist to a flourishing full-time tattooer who loves what I do so much that I created an entire course to share with the world!
Let’s be real…
The tattoo industry has changed. Let’s accept that a long-drawn apprenticeship isn’t for everyone. But it can be hard to get started on your own… like where to even begin?!
I am a self-taught tattoo artist and I’ve spent the last 8 years working on my skills and running my studio. In the beginning, it was hard to learn on my own without any guidance, which is why…
I want to give you a leg up!
This comprehensive course is the ULTIMATE guide. It’s literally everything you need, and everything I wished I had when I got started, now in your back pocket! I can’t wait for you to check it all out!
Relaunching on July 8th
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Relaunching on July 8th ✶
Get started now!
You can start your tattoo journey here with just a few clicks...
Handpoke Tattoo Academy
RELAUNCHING ON JULY 8TH
I built this online handpoke tattoo course for the artist who keeps hearing the industry is too full to break into. It isn't. Inside you'll learn to handpoke tattoo from your very first poke, all the way through technique, healing, and process. Then comes the part nobody teaches: how to position yourself, find your niche, and build a brand so specific that comparison stops mattering. Self-paced, 100% online, and yours for life. Come build the career that fits you.
Relaunching on July 8th
✶
Relaunching on July 8th ✶
Preview materials from The Course for FREE!
Why handpoke tattoo?
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Great for Beginners
Starting something new can be intimidating. It can be expensive, scary, and risky, but this is why handpoke is great for beginners.
Less expensive than machine tattooing, handpoke is accessible and cost-effective!
It’s slow nature allows beginners to ease into tattooing and understand how it works. Dot by dot, you will gain confidence and grow your skills.
Handpoke tattoos are less abrasive and more forgiving. This causes less damage to the skin than you might cause with a machine.
Easy to learn, handpoke tattooing is the simplest form of tattooing but allows for a wide variety of styles and creations.
Let's see what you can do with it!
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Magical Method
Although today it’s not the most celebrated method of tattooing, handpoke is certainly the OG…
No machine, just our hands. Pretty badass, am I right?
Handpoke should be celebrated to the highest caliber of tattooing. It requires a hell of a lot of precision, patience, and talent to do well.
Clients come for the aesthetic and unique style of handpoke tattoos. But they stay for the overall pleasant, quiet, and calm experience. It’s honestly so meditative.
Getting a handpoke tattoo is a memorable experience. You feel it in your whole body. It creates a bond and connection between client and artist that lasts a lifetime.
That’s the real magic!
What are students saying?!
Course Modules:
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Kicking things off with a little bit about me, and how I got into tattooing. Along with laying the groundwork for the course.
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Handpoke has been around for thousands of years! I’ll talk about its history, its influence, and what makes handpoke different from a machine.
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I’ll discuss at length the vital practices to protecting yourself and your clients from infectious diseases. You’ll learn how to use PPE, sanitation equipment, and proper hygiene.
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Included is a comprehensive list of all the equipment you need and how to use it. I will teach you about the different types of needles and inks so you can confidently pick what will work best for you. Additionally, I will cover the rest of the materials you need such as sanitation supplies, stencil materials, processing ointment, gloves, barrier film, and the list goes on.
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You set yourself up for success when you start and finish strong! We’ll talk about the set up and break down routines that will make your life easier.
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Placement is just as important as the drawing itself. I’ll discuss how to help your clients make educated placement decisions and teach you how to correctly make stencils setting you up for a successful tattoo
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In order to tattoo, you must first know about skin. I’ll cover the anatomy of skin and how tattooing works. Additionally, I’ll review skin types/tones and how to prevent skin damage, such as blowouts and scarring.
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At long last, the nitty gritty!! We get into the fundamentals and prepare you for doing your first tattoos!
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There are a few key techniques in tattooing, and knowing them will help you cultivate your personal style. We will cover the basics like how to make clean lines, shade, and do solid fill. Also, I’ll share some of my secret tips I have developed over the years.
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Being educated on how to take care of a tattoo and conveying these precautions to your clients is crucial! You don’t want all your hard work to go to waste, and we don't want your client to suffer any discomfort. I’ll go over proper after-care procedures and cover how to get the best results while a tattoo is healing.
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Drawing is a skill that can always be improved upon. I’ll have practical demonstrations to help you. Along with discussing the blessings of technology, we’ll talk about how you CANNOT rely on it to improve your art. I’ll define the differences between flash vs custom tattoos – including the pros and cons, so you can determine if one is better for you than the other.
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Tattoo is an incredibly intimate process -- there is a lot of trust and communication needed between you and your clients. We talk about what you can do to create the best environment for that to happen.
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Licensing, consent forms, pricing, insurance, deposits…this is the less exciting stuff, but don't worry I’m here to get you started and set you up for success!
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I’ll discuss some of my proven strategies to market your art and your business online and in person. There is social media, newsletters, guest spots, word-of-mouth, and more.
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This profession is amazing and very fulfilling -- but that doesn’t mean it’s not taxing. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, so we’ll end our course with a discussion about how to protect your mental and physical health as you start your journey to becoming a badass tattoo artist!
Meet your instructor
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Meet your instructor ✳
HI, I’M TAYLOR ELYSE!
I love tattooing and I can’t wait to share it with you!
I currently live in Joshua Tree CA, where 8 years ago I opened my studio Love Always Tattoo. I am a self-taught handpoke tattoo artist. Getting started was really hard for me, which is why I wrote The Ultimate Guide to Handpoke Tattooing and mentorship programs! I wanted to create something I wished I had when I got my start. It can be intimidating to start something new. Hopefully, I can help you feel confident and help you jumpstart your career as an amazing tattoo artist!
Love Always,
Taylor
Frequently Asked Questions
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Although this course has a lot of information to offer anyone interested in tattooing. I will NOT be reviewing any techniques on how tattoo with a machine.
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Prior experience is great! But it is not necessary to take this course. I will cover both drawing and tattooing techniques essential to getting you started. Don’t worry! I will be holding your hand through every step of the way, from beginning to end!
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No. Certification and Licensing vary from state to state, and county to county. This course is meant to take out all of the guesswork and research it takes to be a self-taught handpoke tattoo artist, however, it will not give you any kind of certification that is guaranteed to allow you to legally tattoo wherever you are located.
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You do not need to purchase any equipment to take The Course. A list of equipment will be provided for you to purchase at your leisure while you embark on your tattooing journey. The Mentorship is a custom coaching experience, so I will have suggested materials and equipment for you to buy as we grow your level of knowledge and skill.
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There is no baseline qualification to work at a tattoo studio, other than your area's specific certification requirements. Whether you are able to work at a studio is entirely up to the owner. I would suggest that after taking this course, make sure to take the time to develop a portfolio of a few tattoos you have done before approaching them. Regardless if you are self-taught or not, they will definitely take you more seriously and consider helping you grow.
Or you can do what I did and open up a private studio. AGAIN please note that this will need to be done in regulation with your area’s code.
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Yes! Once you've taken this course I would say shoot your shot and get going. However, learning is a slow process, and it's best to practice on yourself, or friends and family before you start charging people actual money for tattooing. The Course will give you the knowledge but you have to develop the skills.
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YES! I will be offering individual coaching to a limited number of students for limited times throughout the year, via The Mentorship.
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No, neither program is refundable.
Please note:
The Course is non-refundable. If you have questions about The Course, need to follow up with any of the material, or don’t feel like you were given sufficient information, please feel free to contact us so we can try to assist you.