Hand poked Tattoo Photo #24104

The method is one of the oldest forms of tattooing, practiced for thousands of years across Indigenous, Southeast Asian, and Arctic cultures before machines existed. Today it attracts people who value the ritual pace of the process and the organic, slightly imperfect finish that machine work rarely produces.

Blackwork tattoos use solid black ink in bold, graphic compositions. The style ranges from large filled areas and heavy patterns to intricate designs that rely on contrast between ink and bare skin.

The shoulder's rounded shape gives tattoos a natural frame, wrapping designs around the deltoid muscle. It's a versatile placement that transitions easily into a sleeve or back piece.