Entering the world of tattooing can be overwhelming, especially when faced with the myriad of tattoo needle options available. You might wonder, what sets a round liner needle apart from a magnum or a Bugpin needle? How do you determine which one to use for various tattoo styles? In this guide, we aim to demystify tattoo needles by providing a comprehensive overview of their sizes and uses. Understanding tattoo needles is a crucial step on the path to becoming a skilled tattoo artist.
TATTOO NEEDLE TYPES
1. Round Liner Needles: These needles have a circular pattern and are ideal for creating clean, precise lines, such as outlines. They come in various thicknesses, with lower numerical values like 01 being extremely fine and higher values like 14 being thicker. Round liner needles release ink in controlled amounts, making them suitable for detailed work and dot shading.
2. Round Shader Needles: Similar to round liners, these needles have a circular pattern but with slightly more spaced-out pins. They excel at shading and filling in outlines with color.
3. Magnum Shader Needles: Magnum shader needles are versatile and great for shading larger areas. They allow for efficient ink transfer, making them perfect for covering substantial sections of a tattoo.
4. Curved Magnum Shader Needles (Soft Edge Magnums): These needles distribute ink evenly without causing skin damage, making them excellent for delicate shading.
5. Double Stack Magnum Shader Needles: Though less common nowadays, these needles feature multiple pins closely spaced together.
6. Flat Shader Needles: Ideal for lining and delivering a significant amount of ink at once, flat shader needles are perfect for creating dark shading, intricate designs, and even certain styles of semi-permanent makeup.
TATTOO NEEDLE SIZES AND USES CHART
The chart below outlines different needle groupings, tube sizes, and their common uses:
| NEEDLE GROUPING | TUBE SIZE | COMMON USES |
|---|---|---|
| 4F, 5F | 4 – 5 flat | Lines and detail |
| 6F, 7F | 6 – 7 flat | Shading, thick lines, and color fill |
| 9F | 8 – 9 flat | Shading and color fill |
| 5M1 | 4 – 5 flat | Thick lines, color fill, and shading |
| 7M1 | 6 – 7 flat | Lines, shading, and color fill |
| 9M1 | 8 – 9 flat | Thick outlines, shading, color fill |
| 11M1 | 11 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 13M1 | 13 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 15M1 | 15 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 5M2, 7M2, 9M2 | 4 – 5 flat | Outlines, lines, detail, and shading |
| 11M2, 13M2 | 6 – 7 flat | Thick outlines, thick lines, shading, and color fill |
| 15M2 | 8 – 9 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 5MR | 4 – 5 flat | Small lines, detail work, and intricate shading |
| 7MR | 6 – 7 flat | Lines, shading, color fill, and detail work |
| 9MR | 8 – 9 flat | Outlines, shading, and color fill |
| 11MR | 11 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 13MR | 13 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 15MR | 15 flat | Color fill and shading |
| 1RL, 3RL | 1 – 3 round | Lines, intricate shading, and fill-in |
| 4RL, 5RL | 4 – 5 round | Outlines, shading, and fill-in |
| 7RL | 7 round | Shading and color fill |
| 8RL, 9RL | 8 – 9 round | Shading, thick outlines, and color fill |
| 11RL, 14 RL | 11 – 14 round | Shading and colors |
| 3RS | 1 – 3 round | Lines and detail |
| 5RS | 4 – 5 round | Lines, small shading areas, and small detail |
| 7RS | 7 round | Shading, lines, small area fill-in |
| 8RS, 9RS | 8 – 9 round | Shading, thick outlines, and color fill-in |
| 14RS | 11 – 14 round | Shading and color |
TATTOO NEEDLE CODES
Different codes represent various needle configurations. For example, RL stands for round liner, typically used for lining. Other configurations include F for flats, M1 for weaved magnum, RS for round shader, M2 for stacked magnum, and RM for round magnum.
TATTOO NEEDLE DIAMETERS
Tattoo needles come in different gauges and diameters, each suited for specific applications. Here are three commonly used sizes:
- #8 Gauge (0.25mm): Also known as Bugpins, these small needles allow for intricate detailing due to slower ink flow.
- #10 Gauge (0.30mm): This size is popular among tattoo artists for its balanced ink flow, often referred to as “double zeros.”
- #12 Gauge (0.35mm): These needles, sometimes called standards, offer a faster ink flow suitable for shading and coloring larger areas.
Other gauges, such as #6 (0.20mm), #14 (0.40mm), and #16 (0.45mm), serve specific purposes.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TATTOO NEEDLES?
Selecting the right needles is crucial for achieving desired results as a tattoo artist. Refer to our tattoo needle chart to match the needle type with your intended tattoo style, whether it’s shading, outlining, or intricate detail work. By using the appropriate needles for each task, you’ll enhance your artistry and create exceptional tattoos.
