Fine line tattoos can age beautifully when done correctly; however, because the lines are thinner, they may soften faster compared to bold traditional tattoos. Proper aftercare and sun protection are key to maintaining crisp lines over time.

Hand poke tattooing is a machine-free technique where ink is gently deposited into the skin using a grouping of needles and steady hand pressure. This creates soft, delicate lines with a beautifully organic feel. There is no buzzing machine — just a calm, intentional tattoo experience.

Fine line tattoos are created using thin needles, typically in configuration of less needles than other styles of tattooing, to produce delicate lines, soft shading, and refined detail. These designs typically feature minimalistic artwork, subtle textures, and a clean, elegant aesthetic.

Yes. We specialize in fine line tattoos on all skin tones at our Vancouver WA tattoo studio, ensuring proper depth control to avoid blowouts or spreading. All of our services, including nano brows, powder brows and freckles, give beautiful results on more melanated skin.

Fine line tattoos can be more prone to fading if the artist works too superficially or if aftercare is neglected. Choosing an experienced artist and following aftercare instructions will help ensure longevity.

Yes — but some placements, like fingers, sides of hands, and inner feet, may fade faster due to friction and constant motion. Your artist can advise the best placement based on your design. We use handpoke tattooing methods on these trickier areas of the body. This has allowed us to give clients beautiful fine line work where machine work typically heals less than stellar.

Touch-ups are sometimes recommended to keep details sharp, especially in high-friction areas. We currently include one free complimentary touchup with each fine line tattoo.

Most fine line tattoos heal within 10–14 days on the surface, with deeper layers healing over several weeks. Expect minor peeling and itching — this is normal. Avoid swimming, sun exposure, and excessive sweating during the healing phase. Please visit our tattoo aftercare page for more detailed information on healing.

Every tattoo is designed custom for you, with the exception of pre-drawn flash pieces. We ask that you send us your ideas and Tattoo inspiration beforehand so we can draw up something perfect for you. You can use our Tattoo request form to send in all the pertinent information.

Whether you’re local to Vancouver or Portland or traveling in, we’ll tailor your design to fit your vision and your body’s natural flow.

Both hand poke and machine based fine line tattooing create delicate, detailed designs — but the techniques are very different. Hand poke tattooing is done completely by hand without a machine, resulting in a soft, artisanal look with minimal trauma to the skin and a quiet, calming tattoo experience. Machine fine line tattooing uses a professional tattoo machine that allows for extremely smooth line consistency and works well for more intricate or detailed designs. Sometimes we use both together in a single tattoo!

Hand poke often feels gentler and is ideal for small to medium minimalist tattoos, and really shines in the ornamental tattoo space. Machine fine line can be a bit faster and is better suited for highly detailed work. Hand poked tattoos tend to heal a little bit quicker due to less trauma to the skin. This also helps result in super black heeled results, and typically no touchups are needed.

During your consultation, we’ll help determine the best method for your specific design and placement.

Excellent question! Some people know from the beginning what they’re looking for but sometimes you maybe not be sure which route is best. The primary dictating factors are the location of your tattoo as well as the design. Areas like the hands (even more so the fingers) and feet are best suited for hand poke methods. If you’re leaning toward an ornamental tattoo design handpoke is a great choice. If you’re looking for small scale realism, machine work will be your best bet.

We prefer to use the best tool for the job, and sometimes that means utilizing both methods in the same tattoo. If you have no preference, and are only looking for the best healed outcome, leave it to us and we will make that determination based off your goals, the design and location of the tattoo — giving you your best possible results.