Many customers ask us how to choose the best tattoo needles, the difference between Round Liner (RL) and Round Magnum (RM), Round Shader (RS), Flat Shader, Hollow Round Liners, and so on.
Today, let’s talk about tattoo needles.
Tattoo Needles Size Guide
There are numerous tattoo needles on the market. Due to its many models or sizes, it has a variety of tests for tattoo artists who need to purchase needles but need more basic knowledge of them. So, I’ll provide a very detailed guide to the basics of needles to help beginner tattoo artists choose the best for their style.
About the diameter of tattoo needles
It is simple to understand; it is the diameter of each needle on the tattoo needle, normally determined based on the thickest part of the needle.
The thickness of a tattoo needle is important as it affects the flow of tattoo ink and the damage it causes to the body’s skin. The finer the diameter, the less the flow of tattoo ink is, the more controllable it is, or the impact on the body’s skin is relatively small, so it is ideal for lines & fine lines Operation; the thicker the tattoo needle diameter, the more tattoo ink flow will be distributed, which can speed up the injection speed of tattoo ink, which is more suitable for the Operation of shadow.
Overall, there are five diameters of tattoo needles available.
#6=0.20 mm
#8=0.25 mm
#10=0.30 mm
#12=0.35 mm
#13=0.40 mm
The most commonly used are #12, #10, & #08.
#12 are known as ‘Standard Pins’ and are the most popular size;
#08 are commonly known as ‘Bugpins’, great for fine tattoo effects
Know the needle count of the Best tattoo needles
It refers to the number of needles in a group of needles, and the number of needles directly affects the size of the needles and the coverage space when tattooing.
NEEDLE CONFIGURATIONS + USES
Your needle configuration describes how your needles are organized in a grouping. With so many different types of needles available, it might be difficult to determine which ones perform best for you. Check out some of the most prevalent needle configurations below, along with some of their most common tattoo applications.
Read also: Checklist of IT Staff Augmentation: A Complete Guide for 2024
Round Liners
Round liners are arranged in a circular (round) arrangement, allowing you to draw exact lines. Choose tight round liners to achieve thinner, more precise linework.
Round Shaders
Round shaders, like round liners, have a round structure. The difference is that the needles are more spaced out than in a round liner, allowing you to shade (or even draw thick lines).
Hollow Liners
Hollow liners have a hollowed-out centre, allowing for more ink flow and bolder tattooing.
Flat
Flat needle clusters can be easily angled when arranged in a straight line. As such, they are ideal for creating exact shapes in geometric tattooing.
Magnum Best Tattoo Needles
All magnum tattoo needles have two rows of needles stacked together. They cover a big region of skin and give a lot of pigment.
Weaved Magnums
Weaved magnums have two rows of needles arranged in a “weaved” configuration. For example, a woven magnum needle will have more needles in the bottom row than the top. The spacing between the weaved needles makes them ideal for blending and shading work.
Stacked Magnums
Stacked magnums are firmly packed together to increase colour saturation. When it comes to colour packing, reach for your stacked magnums.
Curved/Round Magnums
Curved magnums, also known as soft edge, soft, or round magnums, form a group with an arch shape. This helps them to follow better the curvature of the skin (resulting in less damage). For gentler shading techniques, consider using curved magnums.
NEEDLE TAPERS
Needle taper is the distance from the tip of your tattoo needle to the beginning of its thickest point (seen above). The length of your tattoo needle’s taper determines how much ink may flow from its tips. A needle with a longer taper will insert less ink, and vice versa for a shorter taper.
You’ll most likely need needles with longer tapers for finer, more delicate work. Shorter needle tapers are ideal for your bolder linework and colour packing.
Overall, shorter taper lengths are the most preferred option. Their continuous flow of ink enables a wide range of tattooing techniques.
Taper Measurements
As previously stated, shorter taper lengths are usual, specifically 1.5mm tapers. However, you can still choose from a wide range of taper lengths.
Short Taper — 1.5mm
Long Taper — 2.0mm
Double Long Taper — 2.5mm
Extra Long Taper — 3.5mm
Super Long Taper — 5.5mm
Super Extra Long Taper — 8.0mm
OTHER TATTOO NEEDLE FEATURES
Beyond the four primary needle components, there are a few extra options to consider while searching for tattoo needles.
Benefits of Textured Needles
Textured tattoo needles have tiny grooves along their surface. This permits them to store (and deposit) more ink. For this reason, many painters choose to use textured needles for all of their colour packing. “Polished” tattoo needles (more often used) have a smoother surface and can contain less ink.
Benefits of Bug Pin Tattoo Needles
Bugpin tattoo needles are any needles sized #10 or smaller. These needles have an ultra-small diameter and are ideal for pixels, dot work, and making fine, delicate details with accuracy.
Benefits of Cartridge Tattoo Needles
Tattoo Cartridge needles offer several advantages over typical bar needles. Here are some factors to consider while choosing the best cartridge tattoo needles for you.
Easy to Swap
When tattooing with cartridge needles, it is simple to switch between them. They fit readily into most cartridge-accepting machines. Furthermore, you won’t have to rely on certain tattoo machines for different needle types. Simply select the cartridge you require, snap it into place, and go.
Safety Membranes
A safety membrane is another common feature seen on high-quality cartridge needles. These membranes prevent blood and tattoo ink from leaking back into your tattoo grasp. So, when you choose needles with a safety membrane, you can expect a sterile setup that is much easier to clean and maintain.
Many artists prefer Cheyenne Safety Cartridges because of their proprietary safety membrane.
Shopping for Tattoo Needles with UTS
We provide both standard bar needles and high-quality cartridge needles to suit your needs. Brands include Kwadron, Falcon, Carbon, Cheyenne, and others. Browse our full tattoo cartridge needle collection.
You can refer back to this information at any time while selecting the best tattoo needles for you. Time, practice, and experimentation are all necessary to determine the ideal needles for your style.
Read also: Exploring the Best Desert Safari in Dubai