The Needle Blueprint
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Tattoo Needles
Whether you're just starting out in tattooing or looking for a quick refresher, understanding the fundamentals of tattoo needles is essential. With a variety of sizes and configurations available, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide will simplify the basics, helping you navigate needle sizes, configurations, and how to read them, so you can confidently choose the right tools for the job.
Needle Sizes
Tattoo needles come in different sizes, and this refers to the diameter of a single needle or how thick or thin each needle is. The most common sizes you’ll see are:
#12 or (0.35mm) or Standard – Standard size for most tattoo work.
#10 or (0.30mm) or Bugpin – A bit smaller, used for finer lines and softer shading.
#8 or (0.25mm) – The smallest size, perfect for delicate details.
Configurations
The needle configurations refer to how the needles are arranged at the tip. Each configuration serves a specific purpose in the tattoo process, allowing artists to achieve varying effects, from fine details to bold lines or smooth shading.
RL or Round Liner are grouped in a tight circle and used for creating sharp, clean lines.
Example of RL Configuration (Not to Scale)
Smaller groupings like 3RL are good for thin lines, while larger ones like 9RL are for thicker lines.
Shaders are used for shading areas and filling in tattoos. Here’s are the most common ones:
RS – Round Shader: These are grouped like RL but spaced a bit farther apart. They hold more ink, making them good for shading small areas.
M1 – Magnum Shader: Needles are arranged in two rows and are good for covering large areas with smooth shading.
M2 – Double Magnum: Similar to M1, but the needles are closer together for more concentrated shading.
RM – Round Magnum: Needles are arranged in a curved shape, reducing trauma to the skin. Ideal for blending and soft shading.
How to Read Tattoo Needles
Understanding how to read tattoo needle packaging is important for choosing the right tools. Typically, needle codes look something like this:
1207RL
12: Needle diameter (in this case, #12 or 0.35mm).
07: The number of needles grouped together (7 needles).
RL: The configuration (Round Liner).
Not all needle sizes are standardized globally. Some countries may use slightly different sizing systems. For example, in certain parts of Europe or Asia, you might encounter #13 needles, which are close to #12 in size but slightly larger (around 0.40mm). Despite these differences, the concept remains the same: the first number indicates the diameter, the second number tells you how many needles are grouped, and the letters show the configuration.
Pro Tips
For Outlining: Use RL needles. Smaller groupings like 3RL are good for thin lines, while larger ones like 7RL are for thicker lines.
For Shading: Start with RS for small areas, or use M1 or RM for bigger, smoother shading.
Caution: Shading with a liner will create undesirable results and cause more trauma to your clients skin.
