How to use tattoo needles Generally speaking, RL needles are used for lining; RS needles can be used for some special lines or small color filling; Flat needles are used for geometric tattoo designs, bold lines, and shading; Magnum needles are ideal for big tattoo area color filling.
- Sterile tattoo needle OR standard sewing needle.
- Needle support (for sewing needle)
- Dental floss (for sewing needle)
- Tattoo Ink.
- Ink container.
- Household bleach solution (1:9) OR something to clean your work area.
Can I bring my own needles when getting a tattoo?
The days of a tattoo needle being autoclave to be reused is over. Needles aren’t used on more than one person, same for the ink, which is decanted into one use cups. Both are discarded after use. No reputable tattoo artist will let you bring your own needles to the session.
How big are normal tattoo needles?
We distinguish two main tattoo needle types based on their functions and subcategories: Tattoo needles are mostly manufactured from 3 different diameters or gauges of stainless-steel wires: .25mm – FINE – #8 is the standard system (US) designation. .30mm – NORMAL – #10 is the standard system (US) designation.
What size needle do you use for outline tattoos?
on average a three is used unless you are doing portraits and then id stick to a one. for larger projects a 5 is okay always make sure you are using a round liner for outlines. I disagree a 3 liner is best for small details. Most novices start of with small tattoo needles just due to being misinformed.
How deep should a tattoo needle go into the skin?
So, the dermis layer is approximately 1/16th inch deep into the skin. With that knowledge, the tip of the tattoo needle is adjusted to only enter the skin at such depth, not a millimeter shallower or deeper. This means that the tattoo needle should not stick out the tattoo machine more than 2mm, or less than 1mm.
How do you make a homemade tattoo needle?
2:1910:16How to make a tattoo needle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can then cut cut how it goes you can then cut a small piece of the ink cartridge off and this isMoreYou can then cut cut how it goes you can then cut a small piece of the ink cartridge off and this is going to be the end for your tattoo needle.
Can you use a sewing needle for a tattoo?
You can use a normal sewing needle but a tattoo needle works the best. We recommend not using a hollow piercing needle or a safety pin.
How do you make a stick and poke needle?
2:566:52How To: STICK AND POKE TATTOOS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just wrap it around your needle. The thread is going to be the most condensed. At the top whereMoreAnd just wrap it around your needle. The thread is going to be the most condensed. At the top where the ink will be the most. Up until there. And the string. Around the eraser.
Can you use a pen to make a tattoo?
As you may have noticed, we seriously advise people not to do any DIY, homemade tattoo, especially the stick-and-poke kind with pen ink. This can be seriously dangerous and can put your health at risk. It is always better to go get professionally tattooed than to risk skin and tattoo infection.
Can I use Sharpie for stick and poke?
Long story short, you should not use sharpie ink for stick and poke tattoos. While many of their markers are advertised as non-toxic. This only applies to external contact. Inhaling the fumes while extracting the ink or possibly going too deep and depositing sharpie ink into your bloodstream can be very dangerous.
Can you do stick and poke with pen ink?
Do not use just any old ink for your stick and poke. Ink, like the ink from your pen, is not sterile and can be highly toxic. A non-toxic ink, like India ink, would be your best bet. It's natural, carbon-based, and less likely to cause infection.
How do you give yourself a tattoo without a needle?
0:030:38How to Give Yourself a Tattoo Without a Gun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd black India ink clean and shave the area when sterilized the skin with rubbing alcohol trace.MoreAnd black India ink clean and shave the area when sterilized the skin with rubbing alcohol trace.
Is Bic pen ink toxic?
The package of each pen itself usually tells you it's non-toxic. So you're safe, Bic Pens aren't toxic. A Bic pen is a regular ballpoint pen, so if you've read everything above, you already know you're good!
How long do stick n pokes last?
Most stick and poke tattoos generally won't last forever. On average, a stick and poke tattoo will last between five and ten years depending on where it is and how it's been cared for. After this length of time, a stick and poke tattoo will generally look very washed out and faded.
Can I tattoo over sharpie?
Sharpies, although permanent, are easily erased with tattoo soaps or alcohol. Once the official design is created, the client and artist can inspect the areas thoroughly and make any final decisions before starting the tattoo.
How do you transfer ink from paper to skin?
Rub the clear deodorant bar, or petroleum jelly, on the area of skin where you want to apply the ink design. Make sure the sticky substance is thoroughly rubbed into the skin, leaving it slightly moist. Press the design side of the paper firmly against the moistened skin.
How do you make tattoo ink with a pencil?
1:2910:29Easiest way EVER to make TATTOO INK!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUntil we crack the pencil. You can actually crack this pencil pretty much right down the center andMoreUntil we crack the pencil. You can actually crack this pencil pretty much right down the center and then we're going to just start pulling the pencil apart.
How do you give yourself a tattoo without a needle?
0:030:38How to Give Yourself a Tattoo Without a Gun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd black India ink clean and shave the area when sterilized the skin with rubbing alcohol trace.MoreAnd black India ink clean and shave the area when sterilized the skin with rubbing alcohol trace.
What needle can I use for a stick and poke?
The most popular one used for stick and poke tattoos is #12 with a diameter of 0.35mm. You may also want to use #10 or 0.30mm as it is great for finer lines. The smaller the diameter, the less ink flow. That said, smaller needles such as #6 and #8 do provide more control.
Is Bic pen ink toxic for tattoos?
The package of each pen itself usually tells you it's non-toxic. So you're safe, Bic Pens aren't toxic. A Bic pen is a regular ballpoint pen, so if you've read everything above, you already know you're good!
How do you make a homemade tattoo?
4:5910:42How To Hand Poke | Tattoo Yourself at Home | Super Simple StepsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetter. If you put your needle in your skin straight up and down it's harder to deposit the ink withMoreBetter. If you put your needle in your skin straight up and down it's harder to deposit the ink with each tip of the needle in your ink. You should have enough to make a few dots.
What is a tattoo needle?
Tattoo needles are the most important part of a tattoo machine, whether it be a rotary or coil tattoo machine. These are inserted into the machine and contain the ink into it. If you are a beginner, the various types of needles may confuse you. Tattoo needles come in different sizes and different styles. Each of the needles has different work to do.
What are the different types of tattoo needles?
Here, I am going to give you a clear idea about this topic. The basic categories of needles are: round, magnum, flat and bugpin. To hold these needles, you would need cartridges that are capable of it. The details of them are given below.
What is the difference between a stacked needle and a weaved needle?
The only difference between the stacked and weaved magnum needles is that the position of the stacked needles is tighter than the weaved as you can see in the picture below. Curved magnums or round magnum needles. The new form of the magnum tattoo needle is the curved or round magnum needles.
Why are flat needles used for tattoos?
Flat tattoo needles are connected in a straight way to the needle bar. They are common for lining as they could provide more ink due to their shape. They are rarer and smaller kinds of magnum shaders. They could produce darker and deeper lines because the points follow each other and the amount of the ink is more than the round line needles. Some large flat needles are called the flat shaders as they are capable of filling colors quickly.
What is the most common size of needle?
The most common sizes of the needles are: 8 gauge. This is the small needle that comes in 0.25MM or 8 gauge and they are called Bugpins. As the flow of the ink is slow, they are suitable for complex detailing. 10 gauge. 0.30 MM or 10 gauge is one of the most popular sizes among expert artists.
How many rows of flat needles are there in a weave needle?
There are two rows of the flat needles together here in these weave needles. But they are a little bit loose and thus, they could cover more of the tattooed area at a time. Weaved magnum needles are marked as M1 along the number of soldered needles.
What is a round shader needle?
Round shaders do the work of shading and filling colors. They are called RS for short and they come in different sizes to fill small areas in a tattoo. The features of these points are from 3 to 9, arranged in a round form which allows to drop a specific amount of the ink in 1 stroke.
What needle do tattoo artists use?
Some artists will always go to a Bugpin #8 15 Curved Mag needle for their shading work. Others wouldn’t even dream of it! A lot of equipment and supplies within the tattoo world boil down to user preference. From inks and needles to machines and power supplies.
What are the different types of tattoo needles?
All these options fall into six basic groupings of tattoo needles: Round Liners, Round Shaders, Magnum Shaders, Curved Magnum Shaders, Flat Shaders and Double Stacks. Below we go into more detail on each type.
What gauge needles do you use for ink?
One of the smaller needle gauges available (but not the smallest) and sometimes referred to as Bugpins. Used when wanting a slower flow of ink for intricate or detailed work. Some use #8 gauge needles for most of their work simply because they like that they hold more ink at a time (as the pins are more tightly compacted).
What is double stack magnum shader needle?
The pins on double stack magnums, or double stacks, are packed much more tightly together. This helps for any intricate shading or colour work where you still want it to perform as a magnum with many pins but not as spread out.
What is a round needle for tattoos?
The pins on round liner needles are soldered in a round pattern to produce crisp, clean lining tattoo work. The thickness of the line will depend on the number round liner you choose (e.g. 01 very fine, 14 very thick) as well as the thickness/gauge of each pin (see Tattoo Needle Sizes below). Lining needles, once dipped in your ink, will let only small amounts of ink out to then be worked into the skin. If too much ink was let out, lining would be quite a task!
What is a flat needle used for?
Larger flat needles can be used for colour fills and shading as they deliver more ink quickly with just one pass. Flat needles are good for intricate shading such as in geometric patterns and some mandala work. Flat shader needles are also common in semi-permanent makeup. Commonly Used for: Some line work.
What does a needle count mean in tattoos?
Tattoo needle count basically means the number of pins used to make up the grouping. For example, a 12 09 RL means a 12 gauge (see above for gauge info), 09 Round Liner Needle. The 09 meaning 9 needle counts (or 9 pins used to make a round grouping). This would look like this:
What needles do tattoos use?
So what tattoo needles do what? RL or round liner needles are used for lining. RS or round shader are used for shading. Flats are used for areas with geometric shapes and shading. Weaved magnums are used for shading, blending and coloring large areas. Stacked magnums are used for shading, blending and coloring tighter large areas. Both can be used for lining if you turn the needle to the side. This does take a bit of skill to do, so only do it if you have practiced the technique enough or else you may end up damaging the skin. Round curve magnums are used for shading, blending and coloring large areas with less impact to the skin. The needles are made in an arch formation to better deflect the skin when it goes in and out. With a regular magnum, there is potential for the edges of the mag to dig into the skin, with a round magnum, the arch of the needle will allow you to move more freely on the skin without the risk of the edges digging in.
What are the different types of tattoo needles?
These configurations make up the different tattoo needle types or groupings. RL or round liner needles grouped together in a tight round formation. RS or round shaders are grouped together in a loose round formation. F or flats are grouped together in a line formation. M1 or weaved magnum are grouped with 2 rows of needles in a weaved formation, so for example a 7M1 will have a bottom row of 4 and an upper row of 3. M2 or stacked magnum are grouped in the same way as M1 but are tightly stacked together hence the name stacked magnum. RM or round magnum are grouped the same way as M1 but the points are arranged in a curved arch.
What is a stacked magnum needle used for?
Stacked magnums are used for shading, blending and coloring tighter large areas. Both can be used for lining if you turn the needle to the side. This does take a bit of skill to do, so only do it if you have practiced the technique enough or else you may end up damaging the skin.
How to use a magnum needle for tattoos?
For thicker lines, use a larger count round liner. Pigment dispersal using a magnum is smoother than rounds. A good comparison would be a round liner is a pen while a magnum is a magic marker. Proper use of a magnum takes a bit of practice. The magnum should always hit the skin at an angle. If it goes in straight and not at an angle it will stick into the skin which will cause the needle to jump. Always drag the magnum across the skin by pulling it across. Do not push forward as this will cause the magnum to dig into the skin causing pain and getting the needle caught. Color in a circular motion, a magnum, being wider, will cover more area faster than a conventional round. Wipe the skin often so you can pay attention to the texture while you are using a magnum.
What is the configuration of a needle?
Configuration indicates how the needles are grouped together. The configuration determines the shape or pattern of how the ink will go into the skin. So in the example of 1207RL, where 12 is the diameter, 7 is the count, RL, indicates the configuration. RL stands for round liner, a round liner is a formation of needles in a tight circular formation which is used for lining. The other configurations are RS = round shader, F = flats, M1 = weaved magnum, M2 = stacked magnum and RM = round magnum.
How to get a magnum needle to jump?
If it goes in straight and not at an angle it will stick into the skin which will cause the needle to jump. Always drag the magnum across the skin by pulling it across. Do not push forward as this will cause the magnum to dig into the skin causing pain and getting the needle caught.
How to tell what size tattoo needle to use?
If you look at your pre-made needle packaging, you will notice it will say something like 1207RL. The two numbers, 12, indicate the diameter. The 4 most common diameters are #12, #10, #8 and #6. #12 is the largest size diameter at 0.35mm. #10 is a diameter of 0.30mm. #8 is a diameter of 0.25mm. #6 is a diameter of 0.20mm. #12, 0.35mm diameter is the most common diameter for most needles. #10, 0.30mm is the most common diameter for ones used for lining.
What tattoo needle count should you use?
The needle count refers to the total number of individual needles/sharps that make up the whole needle. The higher the count, the bigger the needle will be. Because most configurations lend themselves to odd numbers, you’ll almost always see the needle count as an odd number: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.
What Needle Taper Should You Use?
Needle taper is the measurement from the tip of the tattoo need le to the point where the needle reaches its thickest point. The taper applies to each individual needle in the configuration. Tattoo needles with longer tapers are sharper because the point of the needle is steeper. (The skin will put up less resistance to a sharper needle, which is why longer-tapered needles cause less trauma per pass.)
What Diameter Should You use?
Diameter is the gauge, or thickness, of each individual tattoo needle attached to the bar in the configuration.
How many needles can a needle count go up to?
Needle counts can go up to numbers like 27 or even into the forties. However, these are rare and most machines do not have the power needed to move a needle that size well enough to puncture skin (not to mention the pain that might cause the client). When preparing a needle, ensure your machine can handle the needle count and effectively push the ink into your client’s skin.
Why use a thinner needle for blending?
This leads to smoother blends. But, because they distribute less ink, they will slow you down.
How many needles are needed for a 12 03 RL?
Needle count determines how big the needle will be. For example, a 12 03 RL (with only three needles) will produce very fine lines that are great for delicate linework or tiny details. Alternatively, a 12 14 RL (with fourteen needles) will produce a much thicker line that will create the strong outline you would want to see in a bold traditional tattoo.
Why is it important to vary the line weights in your tattoo?
It’s important to vary the line weights in your tattoo to provide contrast. This will make the most impactful parts of the design stand out and make the image readable even from far away. (In other words, line weight is what helps the eye see an image instead of a jumbled cluster of lines.)
What are the different types of needles for tattoos?
Here we will help you differentiate the many types of needles and cartridges. While there are tons of different needle styles, they all fall into 4 basic categories; round, flat, magnum, and bugpin.
What is round needle?
Round needles are configured in a circular shape around a soldered center. There are two styles of round needles, which are called shaders and liners. Tight round liners are packed tightly together which makes them useful for detailed technical work and lines.
Why use a membrane for a tattoo machine?
Membranes prevent ink and blood from backflowing into the grip of your tattoo machine and causing cross-contamination. This makes it a lot easier to sterilize your grip between tattoos. Check to make sure you purchase cartridges with a membrane that actually works. The benefit of using Electrum Gold Standard Needle Cartridges is the membrane system prevents the ink from running up the tube into your grip, which keeps your tattoo machine clean.
How to check for stability of a needle?
When you receive a new batch of needle cartridges, you can check for stability by wiggling the back of the needle. High-quality cartridges from Electrum Supply will remain in place for less ink splatter and more control while tattooing.
Which needle grouping holds the most ink?
Magnum needles are the most popular for shading. This style of needle groupings holds the most ink. Therefore, they easily transfer and pack large amounts of color into the skin.
Why are bugpin needles used?
Bugpin needles are perfect for creating smooth gradients, portraits and photorealistic tattoos.
Why do tattoos have fewer passes?
They are the grouping which holds the most ink, therefore they easily transfer and pack large amounts of color into the skin. Because of the large amount of ink they carry, you need fewer passes to deliver ink over large areas. This causes less damage to the skin during tattooing as well.
Understanding the diameter of tattoo needles
These aspects of tattoo needle sizing are a lot simpler than they appear. The figure is the number of needles that are contained in the needle. The diameter is the width of these needles when they are wrapped together around a central rod.
Types of tattoo needles
The choice of needles depends entirely on preferences. The cool thing is that there are so many types of tattoo needles to choose from. The most common are:
Important Tips to Choose the Right Size of Tattoo Needles
Choosing a needle size will depend on the type of tattoo you are doing.
What tattoo needles do what? (Tattoo needle sizes and uses chart)
All tattoo needles are marked with a code which are: RL, RS, FL, and MAG all represent a group of tattoo needles.
Factors to consider when buying tattoo needles
There are a few factors to consider when purchasing tattoo needles. You should consider the shape of the units. If the tattoo needle you want to purchase is twisted, blunt, or bent they are not for you as they will not give ideal results.
How tattoo needles work
The tattoo needle is like a hand-held micro mixer that goes deep into your skin. When you get a tattoo, you feel like all the layers of skin are chopped up and nibbled away by the penetration of the sharp needle.
How deep should the tattoo needles go?
A tattoo needle penetrates about 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) into the skin. A tattoo artist should make sure the ink penetrates just deep enough to be permanent, but not too much. The depth varies across the body – it’s deeper on the soles of the feet and thinner in other places like the genitals.
How to choose needles for tattoos?
When choosing your needles, pay attention to what gauge they are. This may be foreign to you, or you may never have learned about how different gauged needles can affect the skin but, to obtain a clean looking tattoo that ages well, your understanding of these variables is key.
What are tattoo needles?
Tattoo needles are like the paintbrushes artists use to fill a canvas. I say this because each individual needle grouping can return a different result, depending on how you use it. There are also different grades and sizes of needles which can affect all aspects of your finished product.
How does a needle strike affect tattoos?
This would be amplified if the user applying the needle strike to skin did not have a perfectly perpendicular position above the skin. When we look at the needle stress entering the skin from a 3D perspective (like in real life), the most central needles hit the skin first, causing a bowing effect to occur. As they penetrate, the outermost needles (which are set higher than the central needles in the grouping) do not penetrate as deep into the tissue being tattooed. Because of this, the saturation of pigment become more superficial (at a steep angle versus a deep angle) and a gradient is naturally applied with the tattoo.
What is flat needle tattoo?
Flat tattoo needles are described as they are constructed. Needles are attached to a bar, side by side, creating a wide but thin end. Due to the thin side-to-side nature of this grouping, care must be taken with hand motion so as to not turn the needle head into a “razor blade” which will cut the skin to shreds if not used correctly. These needles are commonly used for smooth gradation with black work or color, as well as filling solid colors. These groupings are best used with a fast stroke machine for smooth gradient work, or a slow machine for even stippled effects.
What needle gauge is used for filling?
#10 – (0.30 mm) These are commonly your average liner needle gauge . They are finer than #’s 12 & 13 so they will more consistently deliver a finer, less traumatized line to the skin.
Why do tattoos get permanent?
The body will push the pigment out of the skin due to the increased pressures or the body will be unable to supply the blood flow that get the immune system to lock onto and hold the pigment particles, making the tattoo permanent. Keep your hand above shallow angles when running lines.
Why are jumbo tattoos so tricky?
Jumbo groupings are tricky, mainly because you need enough power from your machine to push them into the skin as well as a modified hand motion to ensure you do not overwork the skin when tattooing. You also must have a very strong stretch on the skin for most large groupings as the natural resting skin tension on a human body will deflect the machine force driving these groupings into the skin. (In most cases, the larger a needle grouping is, the stronger a stretch you need)
How many types of tattoo needles are there?
First, you should know that there are mainly 5 types of tattoo needles depending on their arrangement: Round Liner, Round Shader, Magnum, Curved Magnum, and Regular Magnum. Each of them is characterised by the way in which the needles are distributed, and they all have a specific function. We explain what these are:
What does a good needle look like?
It is important that you learn to identify a good needle. It must be correctly packaged and sterilised, it must be completely straight, and it has to be well soldered. If it does not meet these characteristics, it is best to discard it.
What is a capillary needle?
This is Cheyenne's latest innovation and consists of needles with small filaments that retain ink and allow tattooing sessions to be carried out by dipping the needle into the ink much less often than with a conventional needle.
How many needles can a magnum needle hold?
It allows groupings of between 5 and 49 needles approximately, although the Magnum can be used with larger quantities of microtips if the tattoo requires it.
What is a magnum needle?
The Magnum, also known as Magnum Classic, is a larger set of needle needles which is made up of two intersecting rows. They are great for packing and shading larger areas because, as they affect a larger area of the skin, the pressure is distributed and allows us to tattoo bigger areas without causing the dermis to suffer so much.
What are cartridge needles used for?
Traditional needles are mainly created for coil machines (here you can find the different types of tattoo machines that exist) and cartridge needles are made for rotary machines.
What is a medium taper needle?
The Medium Taper (MT) allows us to create solid lines, pack, and general-purpose work. They are the easiest needles to find, and the most conventional ones. They damage the skin more than the Long Taper as they are designed for 1 or 2 layers of work at the most. They are the favourite of Traditional and Old School tattooists.