First they used hemp thread stained in charcoal to draw a pattern on the face. Then they placed a toothbrush-like tool with several rows of iron needles on the area of the face to be tattooed, hitting it with a wooden mallet two or three times to push the iron needles through skin. Then charcoal was rubbed into the wounds, allowing black coloring to soak into the wounded areas.
文面的方法，是先用麻線沾炭灰在受術部位繪圖，再以牙刷狀、前為數排鐵針的木製針具，置於臉上待刺之處，用木槌拍擊，將鐵針的針尖刺入皮下，每處地方反覆刺兩、三次，然後將炭灰用力抹在傷口上，讓黑色素沈澱在傷口深處。