For any type of tattoo, regardless of style, execution technique, and size, there are essential and extremely important tools to create them perfectly: tattoo needles.
The purpose of tattoo needles is to place the ink under the skin, between the dermis and epidermis.
For this reason, knowing which type of needle to choose is fundamental to making the difference between an excellent tattoo and one that is less precise and long-lasting.
There are various types available on the market, differing in diameter, length, and material.
In this article, we want to provide an overview of the best models and explain which characteristics to consider for making the right choice.
The Different Types of Tattoo Needles
Tattoo needles consist of a metal bar with many other small needles at the tip, where the ink is held and then picked up by the tattoo artist and placed into the dermis when the needle penetrates the skin.
When these needles are arranged in a circular configuration and soldered so close together that they almost look like a single point, they are called liner needles, whereas needles arranged more widely and without a central needle are a shading tool (round shader).
Finally, if the needles are arranged horizontally and divided into two orderly rows, either straight or curved, they are called magnum shaders and are used for shading work.
Tattoo needles also have a precise taper, depending on how accentuated the tip’s shape is, and a specific diameter (gauge) that regulates the amount of ink inserted under the skin, which can be 8, 10, and 12 (other sizes exist on the market, but are less common due to their specific use). The smaller the diameter, the less ink can be used.
Finally, it’s also important to pay attention to tattoo grips, which are the handles connecting the machine to the needles. These can be made of steel (sterilized in an autoclave after each use) or disposable and pre-packaged, and come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from 19 to 30 millimeters.
Specifically, the main types of tattoo needles include:
Round Liner Tattoo Needles
Round liner needles are designed to release only small amounts of ink to be worked into the skin. For this reason, they are ideal for drawing lines, both bold and intricate, which always appear sharp, clean, and precise.
This type of tattoo needle has a tip with a circular configuration in various thicknesses and gauges, and is the perfect choice for geometric, Dotwork, lettering, traditional, neo-traditional, and tribal tattoos.
Round Shader Needles
Compared to round liners, round shader needles, despite having a similar circular configuration, have less dense and more spaced-out tips.
This makes them the perfect tool for tattooing thicker lines, as well as for performing color fills and color shading effectively.
They are generally used for lettering, Japanese, traditional, neo-traditional, and tribal tattoos.
Magnum Tattoo Needles
Magnum needles have wider tips soldered side-by-side in a flat arrangement and are grouped into two staggered rows. They can be standard (M1) or curved (CM).
Thanks to this configuration, they are perfect for tattoos rich in shading or large area fills and for creating more extensive shadows.
They also allow for fewer passes, making the ink penetrate more easily, and are the right choice for realistic, Japanese, tribal, black and grey, and traditional and neo-traditional style tattoos.
Soft Magnum Tattoo Needles
Compared to magnum needles, soft magnum needles have an uneven tip length, with an arched shape that ensures a softer application of color, perfect for the highly blended designs typical of realistic or neo-traditional tattoos.
Flat Shader Tattoo Needles
Flat shader needles have tips soldered in a straight line on the needle bar and, thanks to their shape which allows for more ink release on the skin, they are ideal for sharp, dark lines that can be executed in a single stroke.
If larger sizes are selected, these needles can also be used for color fills and shading in realistic color, Japanese, tribal, geometric, and neo-traditional tattoos.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Tattoo Needle
For a tattoo artist, choosing the right tattoo needle is crucial to ensuring the client the highest quality, the least pain during the tattooing process possible, and a perfectly executed artwork.
Indeed, it is a tool that affects the precision and quality of the design, as well as making the execution more efficient and reducing skin trauma.
Conversely, unsuitable needles can cause more skin damage, increase the risk of scarring, prolong healing times, and result in an aesthetically unsatisfactory outcome.
Furthermore, choosing the perfect tattoo needle also allows for ensuring the highest level of hygiene and safety, preventing infections and contamination, and complying with mandatory regulations.
Finally, as we explained above, each needle has its specific function and is ideal for particular styles and techniques: knowing which tool to use therefore facilitates the work and improves the result and the overall client experience.
Become a Tattoo Artist with Milano Tattoo School’s Professional Courses
After the January and April course starts, a new Tattoo Operator course is about to begin at Milano Tattoo School in September 2024.
The course, totaling 1500 hours divided into theory lessons, practice on synthetic skin and live models, workshops, seminars, and internships at renowned studios in Lombardy, provides comprehensive preparation in the world of tattoos and issues a Professional Certification from the Lombardy Region, valid throughout Italy and at a European level.
Throughout the program, you can count on the support of a faculty composed of professional tattoo artists and high-quality equipment thanks to Dormouse, MTS’s Partner.
The first class starting on September 2, 2024, is already Sold Out, and the second is selling out: if you want to become a Tattoo professional and start your career in this sector, this is the last course starting in 2024.
Visit the page dedicated to the upcoming Tattoo Operator Courses