Which way does the needle go in a tattoo gun? Hold the needle bar with the needle part facing up and the bar down. Hold the tube with wash-out facing up. Only the bar part and not the needles will touch the inside of the tube. This will protect the needles.
What is the angle of a tattoo needle?
Generally, when you are doing lines, the tattoo needle angle should stay 45 to 60 degrees which are called a standard angle. An angle is less than 45 degrees is called a shallow angle.
Can You line a tattoo with an 11 mag needle?
While this may work for some artists, most are not able to line every tattoo with a 9rl and fill it with an 11 mag. 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.
What do the tattoo needles mean and what do they mean?
Each tattoo needle is marked with a code. RL, RS, FL, and MAG represent tattoo needle grouping. RL needles are generally used for lining since they are grouped tightly. They are the best choice to make line and dot tattoos. Even though RS stands for round shader, it doesn’t mean that RS needles are used for shading.
What should I look for when buying tattoo needles?
Some traditional tattoo needle comes with a blue dot which means it is sterile. Never use a needle that is unsafe. Otherwise, you will be in trouble. Make sure the needles are well soldered before you place an order. When viewing the product page, check the image carefully. If the needle is loose, don’t buy it.
How do you put a tattoo needle on a gun?
3:365:21The needle pull it up towards the armature bar and attach the eye to it by slipping it over the pegMoreThe needle pull it up towards the armature bar and attach the eye to it by slipping it over the peg on the end be careful not to bend the needle any more than necessary.
Which way is a tattoo needle supposed to face?
Hold the needle bar with the needle part facing up and the bar down. Hold the tube with wash-out facing up. Only the bar part and not the needles will touch the inside of the tube. This will protect the needles.
Which way do you bend the tattoo needle?
7:5513:30Back here and then give a little bend up here towards the front of your needle. Wire. So you wouldMoreBack here and then give a little bend up here towards the front of your needle. Wire. So you would have to bent bend and straighten and another bit when you're setting up your needles.
How does a tattoo needle go?
The tattoo needle goes through 1/16th of an inch of skin. That might not sound like a lot of skin, but it is really going through five sublayers of the epidermis, the dermal layer, and also the top layer of the dermis.
How hard do you press when tattooing?
0:447:12So hard that your needle is getting the full travel. Into the skin.MoreSo hard that your needle is getting the full travel. Into the skin.
How do I stop my tattoo line from shaking?
0:3612:26So how do we calm that down literally lean over take some really slow deep breaths talk to yourself.MoreSo how do we calm that down literally lean over take some really slow deep breaths talk to yourself. Let yourself know look hey dave.
Why does ink splatter when I tattoo?
5:367:15Now this issue isn't going to be a problem all the time it's just sometimes you'll have your inkMoreNow this issue isn't going to be a problem all the time it's just sometimes you'll have your ink splatter if you're hanging your needle really far out there you could see it start to spray everywhere.
How far should the tattoo needle stick out?
The tip of the needle should not be sticking out anymore than 2mm and no less than 1mm. Keep in mind that every person's skin type is different and there is no exact measure. If during your tattoo there are excessive amounts of blood, it is obviously going in too deep.
How do you tell if a tattoo machine is a liner or a shader?
0:231:54Right here for the front spring. Comes out and here where the amateur bar is still more longer thanMoreRight here for the front spring. Comes out and here where the amateur bar is still more longer than the front spring. Itself. So this is the liner. And this is the shader.
Do you dip tattoo needle in ink?
3:1318:24And this tip helps your tattoo needle hold more ink instead of just dipping it by itself. So if IMoreAnd this tip helps your tattoo needle hold more ink instead of just dipping it by itself. So if I did this like so it's only holding on to as much ink as the needle group will hold on to.
How do you set up a tattoo gun?
1:295:26So to set it up. All you need to do is grab the grip. And the tube. Slide the tube there into theMoreSo to set it up. All you need to do is grab the grip. And the tube. Slide the tube there into the grip tighten that up then grab the tip. Put that into the grip there tighten that up grab your needle.
What happens if a tattoo needle goes too deep?
Ink distortion and blurring Tattoo artists have to be very careful with the depth they go to with the needle. Too shallow and ink will seep out. Too deep and the ink will disperse into surrounding areas. It's this dispersing that leads to ink looking smudged or blurry.
What needles are used for tattoos?
Magnum tattoo needles. Magnum tattoo needles are the ideal choice for large areas of color because of their ability to deliver a lot of ink. These are great for shading, neo-traditional, and Samoan tattooing.
What do you need to make a tattoo needle?
First of all, you need to make sure you have all the material required to set up the tattoo needle. You will need a stainless steel stem, tip and grip to start with. These are collectively called the tube. Make sure the tip is suited to the needle configuration and size. For assembly, we connect the stem and the tip to the grip.
What is a flat shader needle?
Flat shader needles. Usually used for lining, these pins are soldered on the needle bar in a straight line. If you need to deliver more ink into the skin, this popular choice is perfect for getting the job done. They do an excellent job with intricate work like shading.
What should every tattoo artist know?
Before we dive into the specifications, there are a few basics that every tattoo artist should be aware of. To get the best results, it is important to know about the equipment you will be working with. These include tattoo needle types and sizes you should know about before getting started.
What is round needle?
Round tattoo needles. These liners or shaders are soldered in round patterns around a central shaft. These work great if you are in for some technical work or are looking for an all-purpose color fill.
How to bend a needle on a stainless steel tube?
With the bar on top and needle configuration at the bottom, bend the needle upwards from the middle slightly. This is perfect for a stainless steel tube. In the case of disposable tubes, don’t put too much bend on them to avoid excessive friction.
Where is the grommet inserted?
A grommet is inserted into the nipple eye first instead of on the armature bar. Before we place the needle in its place, we need to create a slight bend in it. This is necessary so that the curve applied to the rubber bands is compensated.
How to make a tattoo gun?
1. Arrange the pieces of the tattoo gun. Find the contact screw and the front spring underneath it on the machine itself. The distance between these two points controls the line you are tattooing. Then, put the needle in the tube and insert the tube into the tube slot.
How to keep a tattoo gun from vibrating?
Remember to move the needle slowly to avoid any injuries or mishaps. Keep a firm grip on the need le tube and make sure the machine is above your hand, not below. Tattoo guns can vibrate quite a bit, so it is vital to maintain a strong grip.
What is a footswitch tattoo machine?
The footswitch allows you to control the speed of the needle, while the cord connects the power supply to the machine. These items are sold separate from a tattoo machine kit, but they are not expensive. ...
What is a tattoo machine?
Learn more... A tattoo gun, also referred to as a tattoo machine, is a hand-held device that artists use to create permanent tattoos. Handling a tattoo gun may seem daunting, as it takes intense focus and a steady hand, but the results can be magical. An emphasis on hygiene is a must, both for the artist and the tattoo gun.
What happens if you don't put in the armature bar?
Be sure that the eye loop of the needle is turned to the left when you put the armature bar in. This ensures the needle is inserted correctly. If it is not correct, it could lead to a painful skin piercing with no ink. ...
Can you clean a tattoo?
This can clog skin pores. Cleaning the ink is the only thing you should focus on when the tattoo is done. Let the tattoo sit for some time so the inflammation can calm on its own. Once the ink has settled, apply a small amount of ointment and cover the tattoo with a bandage to protect it during the healing process.
Do tattoo parlors use needles?
Many tattoo parlors will use new needles, gloves and ink caps, among other things, for each customer. Nearly everything is discarded after use. All equipment is single service, meaning each set of needles and tubes is packaged individually. This way, the work space stays hygienic and no one is sharing needles.
What needles are used for tattoos?
There is no certain angle when it comes to tattooing. 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.
What kind of needles do tattoo artists use?
Actually, a professional tattoo artist told me that a single needle, liner needle, shader needle, and all kinds of magnum needles can be used for lining, shading and special effects, which depends on the tattoo artist’s tattooing techniques.
What angle do you use for magnum needles?
For doing color filling, the needle angle can be at a steeper angle (75 to 90 degrees) or a standard angle (45 to 60 degrees). Many people would like to use magnum needles at a standard angle to do color filling. It doesn’t matter what angle you use as long as your tattoo works are nice.
What is a M1 needle?
M1 means weaved magnum. Many tattoo artists would like to use magnum needles to do shading. Generally, when you are doing lines, the tattoo needle angle should stay 45 to 60 degrees which are called a standard angle. An angle is less than 45 degrees is called a shallow angle.
How many rows of needles are in a stacked magnum?
Stacked magnum needles have 2 rows of needles soldered onto a needle bar. Actually, it is hard for you to distinguish them by looking at their shape if you are a tattoo beginner. But you can figure it out by looking at the blister where the size is marked.
What does RL mean on a tattoo needle?
The meaning of tattoo needle code. Each tattoo needle is marked with a code. RL, RS, FL, and MAG represent tattoo needle grouping. RL needles are generally used for lining since they are grouped tightly. They are the best choice to make line and dot tattoos.
What does FL mean in needles?
FL stands for flat, which means the needles are placed in a straight line and are soldered onto a needle bar. Mag stands for magnum. Mag needles can be divided into weaved magnum, curved magnum or round magnum, and stacked magnum. Weaved magnum needles are alternately soldered onto a needle bar.
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.
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 is a stacked magnum needle?
Stacked magnum needles (stacked mags) are a lesser found needle in modern western tattooing. Wile I had used these exclusively when we were building needles in the past, I find it difficult to purchase these from distributors found online. Stacked mags are fantastic for smooth, solid color and most types of black work. Their construction places 2 flat groupings, where the top of the “stack” has a lower needle count (building the grouping like a pyramid), on top of each other. The tightness of the needles decreases the flow of pigment onto the skin when working with them, which makes for a cleaner point of view.
How do needles lose pigment?
You lose most of the pigment in the upper tissues by increasing the traveling distance of the needle. Your machine must work harder to push the needle in which increases machine load.
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 use a smooth needle tip?
This needle tip allows for easier penetration of the skin and a smoother placement of pigment. Smooth tips decrease the amount of trauma the skin experiences. People who have a slower hand speed with a fast running machine should choose this finish over textured needles.
What is a liner needle?
Liner needles are needles assembled on bar with a rounded tip. These groupings are like the fine, detail brushes painters use. They come in many flavours, like these listed below:
Reading the Needle Box
Tattoo needles come in different shapes, sizes, and counts. Knowing how to read the tattoo needle box and identify these differences between needles is essential for being able to select the needle that is best suited to the tattoo you are about to do.
What Diameter Should You use?
Diameter is the gauge, or thickness, of each individual tattoo needle attached to the bar in the configuration.
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 size liner should you use?
Needle count determines your line weight. 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 size magnum should you use?
Smaller mags are great for filling in tight areas, shading small details and creating texture.
What the Different Configurations Mean
A needle’s configuration consists of how the needles are placed on the needle bar.
What Needle Taper Should You Use?
Needle taper is the measurement from the tip of the tattoo needle 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.
How to find the diameter of a tattoo needle?
The diameter of tattoo needle types can be found by looking at the first two numbers of the packaging. 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.
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.
What is a RL needle?
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.
What does the count mean on a needle?
The count indicates the number of needles grouped together at the point of the bar. In the example we used earlier, a 1207RL needle, where 12 is the diameter, 7 indicates the count. So a 1207RL needle will have 7 needles soldered to the tip of the bar.
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.
Why are needles made in an arch formation?
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.
Basic About Tattoo Gun Needle
The tattoo gun needle is actually a grouping of needles. The precise establishment of the groupings allows the needles to create different effects for the design. The exact number of needles is dependent on the grouping pattern and intended design effect the needles will create.
Why is Tattoo Needle Depth Important?
Setting the tattoo needle to the proper depth is critical in forming an ink design that is attractive and capable of staying in place and looking great for many years. If the ink is not set deep enough it will simply bleed out during the healing. The ink will actually be lifted away as the skin heals and regenerates.
Steps to Set the Tattoo Machine Needle Depth
There are certain steps you have to follow to set the depth of your tattoo needle. Practice setting up your machine using the following steps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Most tattoo professionals agree that the needle should penetrate the skin about 1/16th of an inch. The artist controls the needle penetration and angle making sure that the ink is deposited at or above the third layer of skin. If they deposit the ink too shallow then the ink is sloughed off with the shedding of skin cells.
Our Thoughts
The success of the tattoo is dependent on the depth at which the ink is placed. If the depth is not met precisely the result will be distortion, quick fading, or even raised areas of skin.
