Tattoo needles come in different sizes and groupings, each designed for a specific task. If you are a tattoo artist, you will need to learn and understand them before your first session.
It is necessary to ensure that you have selected the best to match the type of tattoo work you plan to do.
We know it is tough to determine the best one, primarily if you have never used them. This guide will take you through the most important things you should consider before buying them to make your work easier.
Table of Contents
Popular Brands & What Makes Them the Best?
BIG WASP
Big Wasp is one of the best things to look for value for money.
The most striking thing about this company is that they are made of suitable and high-quality materials; as a result, they are very sharp and burr-free, which makes them ideal for professionals.
You should also note that they provide more ink with a single pass, which makes them suitable for coloring and line work.
ACE
ACE is ideal for those who require the best assorted disposable tattoo needles. They are also suitable for artists who do a wide variety of tasks.
Unlike others, these feature a surgical stainless steel design and are made of premium materials.
The needles are marked with their respective lot numbers, expiry dates, and sterilization dates. You can use them with most tattoo machines, which are also compatible with disposable tattoo tubes.
Dragonhawk silver series
The most astonishing thing about the Dragonhawk Silver Series is that each needle contains an EO gas-proof strip indicator. This allows them to provide optimal results and maximum control.
Cheyenne Needles
Cheyenne needles are very effective since they are made of high-quality materials. With these needles, you can do any tattoo artwork fast and efficiently.
You can use them for all your tattoo needs. In terms of quality, they provide unmatched results since they are made with the highest standards. They also offer more precision, meaning they have a more negligible effect on the skin.
InfinityÂ
Infinity is among the best needles for tattooing you could trust. They provide fantastic results at an affordable rate. The good thing is that they are available in different sizes, such as 3RL, 5RL, 7RL, 5RS, 9RL, 7RS, 9RS, 9M, 7M, and 5F.
Types of Tattoo Needles
Round
The round needles are linked to a central shaft in round patterns. Depending on how close they are to one another, they can be either shaders or liners.
These ones can be best for small lines and technical work. There are also loose round liners, suitable for bold and thick outlines like those used on Japanese-style tattoos.
If you have technical work that requires you to pay close attention to details, these needles will give you excellent results.
Flat
The flat models are usually installed in a straight line within a needle bar. They are the best tattoo needles for outlining because they have an excellent shape that allows them to provide more ink to the skin.
This means they can deliver clear, dark lines with a single stroke. When filling in color, large flat needles will provide the best results.
Magnum
These are great for shading work. As compared to the round shaders, these have a longer taper. Tattoo artists love them because they deliver more ink.
Since you don’t need to pass them through the skin many times, they do less damage as well. Below are the most common types of magnum needles:
– Weaved: Like flat needles, weaved magnums are soldered on alternating sides. This allows them to cover a wide area when painting.
– Stacked: The most notable thing about stacked magnums is that they have a double-row configuration, which is closely attached.
– Round or curved: Round magnums usually have a curved or round tip that arches at the center. This design enables them to run along the skin with more conformity. As a result, they provide better ink dispersion and a more consistent line.
Here is an excellent chart about tattoo needle sizes and their configuration so that you can understand more about them:
Tattoo Needles Terminology
Bugpin
They are simply magnum models which are made using very thin needles.
Standard needles typically have a thickness of between 0.30mm-0.35mm. However, Bugpin needles’ thickness is between 0.20mm and 0.25mm.
Some artists consider them the best tattoo needles for shading, while others don’t like them. It would be good if you tried them in a simple job (or on yourself) to determine how they perform for you.
Cartridge needles
These are unique needles that only work with specific machines, such as Bishop tattoo machines.
A good example also is the Cheyenne Hawk rotary. Instead of using the regular setup, these machines usually use cartridges.
The good thing about them is that they are easier and faster to set up compared to the standard ones. However, they are more expensive and are not reusable (you won’t do that though).
RS, RL, and M mean round shader, round liner, and magnum, respectively.
What to Consider Before Buying Tattoo Needles
Below are the most important things you should consider when buying tattoo needles.
Quality and classification
Quality is crucial when searching for needles. If unsure about its quality, you can easily compare the solder interface.
High-quality needles are correctly arranged, providing the best results.
Needle compatibility with your tattoo machine (cartridge or standard)
Even if the needle has the best grouping, it may not be of any help if you don’t have the necessary tools. If it is a standard set-up grouping, then you need to ensure that you are using a cartridge machine.Â
You need to ensure that they are compatible with the machine.
What job do you want to do?
If you are searching for a needle for cuts, you must ensure that the heel is flat or round. Remember that the type of work you intend to do will also determine the needle you should choose. Each class is suitable for a specific task.
Condition before using
Before using it, you must ensure its top is very sharp. A dull, bent, or crooked needle is very dangerous to the skin. Additionally, dull needles don’t distribute the ink uniformly, which will have an adverse effect on the end of the way the tattoo looks.
Sterilization
Tattoo needles should never be reused to prevent the transmission of diseases. An autoclave is the best way to sterilize them (if required). This method requires extreme temperatures and heat to kill any harmful living organisms like bacteria.
When buying, you should ensure they are pre-sterilized.
Pre-sterilized needles are usually packed separately and labeled as sterile. Suppose you are unsure about their safety, or you want to confirm whether they meet the sterilization standards. In that case, you can request the supplier to send you the sterilization certificate.
Wrap Up
Whether you are a professional tattoo artist or a beginner, having the best tattoo needles for your work is essential if you want to achieve great results.
Since there are so many, you need to be very careful when choosing since not all of them will give you the results you would like to achieve.
You will also find that each type is ideal for a specific kind of work. Therefore, you will need to consider the artwork you will be doing to ensure that you have picked the right type and size.
