How to Make a Tattoo Without a Needle

A professional tattoo artist uses a tattoo gun to complete their work. It can be hard if not impossible to locate one of these items on your own unless you work in the field. However, you can make something similar to a prison or jail tattoo at home without a tattoo gun or even a needle. Basically, the skin needs to be broken open, but any sharp item will work. If you want to make a tattoo without a needle, you will need to use something sharp.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp object like a razor blade, bobby pin or paper clip
• Disinfectant
• Thread or string
• Razor
• India ink
• Marker
• Paper towels
• Bandage
• Antibacterial cream

1. Get your sharp object such as a razor blade, sharpened bobby pin or even the sharpened end of a paper clip. It’s helpful to use a brand new object that comes right out of a new package and has never been used before. Rub the outside of the object with some disinfectant to remove any bacteria that might be there.

2. Wrap a piece of thread or string around the outside of the sharpened object, taking the string all the way up to the tip. You’ll want just a small amount of the metal sticking up. This gives you something to hold onto and as the object punctures the skin; it will make it easier to rub the ink into the area.

3. Prepare the skin for the tattoo by shaving off any hair that’s in that spot. The hair can make it harder to tattoo because it tends to absorb the ink. Wipe a small amount of disinfectant on the skin and allow it to air dry. Then draw the tattoo design on the skin using a marker.

4. Place the razor blade or other sharp object into a bottle of India ink and let the thread soak up the ink. The ink will slowly drip down onto the needle point, letting it absorb into the body. You’ll want to use just enough ink to coat the thread or string, but not drip down the sides as this may make it harder to hold.

5. Poke the point of your object directly into the skin, being careful to follow the design you drew earlier with the marker. Continue poking the skin with the point of the object until you reach the end. You’ll need to continually put the razor or object back into the ink every few minutes, because the ink will slowly dry on the thread. Wipe off any blood that appears on the skin with a paper towel dipped in disinfectant.

6. Wipe off the tattoo with disinfectant sprayed on a piece of paper towel and follow proper aftercare directions. You should cover the tattoo with a clean bandage for the first few hours after the procedure. Once you remove the covering, you can apply a small amount of antibacterial cream to help it heal.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also make a tattoo without a needle by using an ancient Indian method. You simply mix together ash with water to make an ink-like substance. Then place a razor blade on the skin and brake open long cuts. Rub the ash substance into the wounds and wipe off the excess. This is the same process that was done to create one of Angelina Jolie’s tattoos.
• Make sure the person you’re tattooing has had something to eat and hasn’t had any alcohol before beginning. Food can help calm the stomach and reduce any queasiness or nervousness. Alcohol, though, thins the blood and can make the person bleed too much during the procedure.
• This is a potentially dangerous procedure. If you're not sure about what you're doing, always consult a professional tattoo artist.

[hellcatmolly]

on 10/29/2009 I don't think any professional tattoo artist will endorse doing this. This is just stupid, not to mention extremely dangerous. Hope you got your tetnus and hep shots up to date.