Machine or Hand-tap tattooing

A tattoo session with machine, steps by steps, in pictures

Here are the stages of a tattoo session, from A to Z, presented through 17 photos.
Documentary done by Philippe Meunier at Bernard Lompré’s shop, near Geneve, Switzerland border.

1. Talking about the project
2. Shaving the area that will be tattooed
3. Cleaning the skin
4. Outlining the motif with felt pen
5. Sketching the inside designs
6. Miror inspection
7. Finishing the sketch
8. Good laugh before starting serious things!...
9. Starting the inking with the machine
10. One hour later... taking shape...
11. Little break... quality inspection...
12. Only the calf left to be done
13. Finish stage...
14. Ua oti ! - done!
15. Cleaning of the tattooed area
16. Covering up with bandage
17. And that's that!

Every professional has his own way to work, so a tattoo session doesn't necessarily take place exactly as described here. But it gives you an idea.

Hand-tap tatau session

Traditional tatau with hand-tap tattoo comb

Documentary done by Philippe Meunier at Purotu’s shop in Moorea (Tahiti, French Polynesia).

The traditional hand-tap tattoo tools are not as precise as tattoo machines but they are not more painful. Some people say they are actually less painful because the tapping rhythm is quite slow in comparison with the speed of the needle machine.
One or two stretchers (helpers who stretch the skin) are needed depending on the size of the tattoo.
In Tahiti, for health reasons, hand-tap combs are used only once. The artist makes the tattoo tools specially for each client who will take them home at the end of the tattooing.
The cutting edge of the tattoo combs are preferably made of boar tusk.
Several combs of different sizes are necessary for each tatau.
Hand-tap tattoos are much more expensive because the client needs to pay for the stretchers and for the tools, but it is certainly a unique experience.