Stroke Length & Tattoo Needles
I. Stroke Length (aka "throw") & Needle Depth
A. Stroke (throw)
1. Coil Machines: distance the armature bar travels before hitting the needle
2. Rotary Machine: distance cam/stroke wheel makes around it's bearing for a full rotation
B. Impact of Stroke (throw)
1. How hard machine hits
2. How fast needle moves
3. Maximum needle depth
C. Needle Depth: how far tattoo needles protrude from tube/cartridge
D. Needle Depth & Stroke Length: Stroke Length dictates how far a Needle can retract
1. Tube Tip/Cartridge Reservoir
a. Needle must be able to retract far enough to pull ink in
b. Long Needle/Short Stroke: Needle won't be able to retract fully, and will be unable
to properly pull enough ink into the Tip/Reservoir
c. Insufficient ink = spotty tattoo & broken uneven lines
2. Basic Rule: The longer the Needle Depth, the longer the Stroke Length
3. Basic Rule: The shorter the Needle Depth, the shorter the Stroke Length
E. Three Classifications of Stroke Lengths
1. Short Stroke
a. 1.8mm - 2.5mm
b. Hit (soft), Speed (slow), Depth (retract less)
c. Uses/Benefits
1)Gentler on skin, allows for multiple passes without causing skin trauma
2)Excellent for soft shading & smooth seamless blending
3)Tattoo Styles:
a)Hyperrealism
b)Black & Gray work
4)Permanent Makeup- most Short Stroke machines are designed for makeup applications
2. Medium Stroke
a. 3.5mm
b. Hit (medium), Speed (medium), Depth (medium)
c. Uses/Benefits
1)Excellent choice for beginners
2)Can be reliably used for a variety of tattoo applications
3)Common Use: color packing/shading
4)Works well with smaller needle groupings
d. Limitations
1)Does not work well with heavy liners or magnums
2)Not the best choice for bold outlines/line work
3. Long Stroke
a. 4.0mm+
b. Hit (hard), Speed (fastest), Depth (deeper)
c. Uses/Benefits
1) Best choice for bold crisp line work (in a single pass)
2)Tattoo Styles:
a)American Traditional
b)Neotraditional
3)Excellent choice for experienced Tattoo Artists
d. Limitations
1)Not for novice use
2)Causes a lot of trauma to the skin
F. Adjusting Stroke Length
1. Coil Machines: The Stroke Length can be manually adjusted by turning the Contact Screw, increasing/decreasing the space between the Contact Screw and the Armature Bar
2. Rotary Machines
a. Adjustable Stroke: Turn the Stroke Adjustment Knob
b. Fixed Stroke Length: Own a variety of machines with different pre-set strokes
II. Tattoo Needle Codes
A. Labeling system contains numbers and letters to create a code
1. First two numbers: Diameter
a. Gauge (determined by thickest point of the needle)
b. Ink flow
Finer Gauge = better for line work (more controlled ink flow)
c. Puncture size
1)Smaller diameter/gauge = better for gradients/shading
2)Larger diameter/gauge = better for bolder work
d. Five main sizes available
1).2mm (#6), .25mm (#8), .3mm (#10), .35mm (#12), .4mm (#13)
2)"Standards" .35mm (#12) - generally good for most styles/applications
3)"Bugpins": smallest sizes (#10 and smaller, usually #6 and #8)
a)photorealistic work
b)pixels/small dot work styles
c)intricate precision work
4)"Double Zero": .3mm #10
2. Second two numbers: Needle Count (how many needles)
a. more needles (sharps) = larger grouping
b. size of grouping = how much area is covered
3. Next set of letters: Configuration (describes the type of needle grouping)
a. describes how the needles are arranged on the bar
b. each configuration is suitable for a specific technique/style
a)best for: all lining applications (fine lines, bold lines, dot work, geometry)
b)Tight Round Liners: delicate lines (micro tattoos, fine illustrations)
(1)Super Tight Round Liner (RLXT) - finer lines/working in tight spaces
(2)Extra Super Tight Round Liner (RLXP) - used for most delicate & finest work
c)Hollow Round Liners: center does not have a needle
(1)better ink flow/holds more ink
(2)bold/crisp/clean linework (Traditional/New School styles)
2) Round Shader (RS): circular configuration, more spacing than RL
a)best for: very thick lines
b)thick/bold linework (Traditional style)
3) Flat Shader (FS): needles are soldered in a straight line configuration
a)best for: line work, shading, color-filling (geometric patterns, mandala work)
b)hold large amounts of ink
(1)a single pass produces clear/dark intense lines
(2)deliver ink quickly, excellent for quickly filling in color
c)easy to angle = precise intricate work
d)additional use: semi-permanent makeup applications
4) Magnum Shader (MG or M1): two rows of needles, in a straight-line configuration
aka: Weaved Magnum, Standard Magnum
a)best for: all shading applications
b)cover large areas: solid color filling, large shading applications
c)hold a lot of ink = quick/efficient coverage = less trauma to the skin
d)Styles/Techniques: Black & Gray, Shading, Color Packing, Color Realism, Japanese,
Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Tribal, Samoan
 |
| (left) Weaved Magnum (right) Stacked Magnum |
5) Curved Magnum (CM or M1C): needle are configured with a center arch
a)aka: Round Magnums, Curved Round Magnums, Soft Magnums, Soft Edged Magnums
b)less damaging to skin = excellent for tight or delicate areas
c)filling/blending/shading
d)the angle can make them easier/more comfortable for the artist to use
6) Stacked Magnum (MG2): needle configuration is tightly grouped
a)tighter configuration than Standard Magnums or Curved Magnums
b)allow for stronger more intense saturation of the ink
c)uses: filling in black (Tribal), bold color packing
7) Slope (CF): needles are grouped together at an angle
a)used - permanent makeup applications
b)shading - for lips, hair/eyebrows
4. Last set of letters: Needle Taper: length of the point at the end of each needle
a. indicates the length of the needles in the configuration/grouping
b. Needle Taper impacts:
1)ink flow (fineness of the stream of ink)
a)how much ink comes out
b)how fast the ink comes out
c)Longer Taper Length = less ink/slower rate of ink flow
d)Shorter Taper Length = more ink/faster rate of ink flow
2)indicates level of control
a)Longer Taper Length: delicate fine work
b)Shorter Taper Length: bolder lines & color
c. Taper Lengths:
1) S = Standard Taper 1.5mm
2) LT = Long Taper 2mm
3) DLT = Double Long Taper 2.5mm
4) ELT = Extra Long Taper 3.5mm
5) SLT = Super Long Taper 5.5mm
6) ESLT = Extra Super Long Taper 8mm
d. Regardless of Taper Length, needle only penetrates the skin about 2mm
5. Needle Finish: Textured vs Polished
a. Textured Tips (T)
1) unpolished texture contains grooves, which hold more ink
2) requires less ink dipping
3) hold a lot of ink = great for color packing
b. Polished Tips (X)
1) aka "Smooth"
2) the tips have been polished to create a smooth surface
3) smoother tips = less trauma to skin
III. Cartridge Needles vs Traditional Bar Needles
A. Traditional Tattoo Needles
1. needles are soldered onto a bar
2. bar measures approximately 5"
3. loop at the end of the bar attaches to the armature bar
4. safety concerns - needle tips are always exposed
5. requires tube - disposable or reusable (requires cleaning and sterilizing)
B. Tattoo Cartridge Needles
1. preassembled, needles are glued into a plastic piece (Plunger)
2. cartridge measures approximately 2.5"
3. needles are safely housed inside the cartridge
4. Safety Membranes: prevent blood and ink from backflowing into the grip
5. Stabilizers: mechanisms that reduce/eliminate wobbling
6. Open vs Closed Tips
a. Open - allows for easy cleaning when switching between colors
b. Closed - allow more stability and control
7. Plastic options - opaque/transparent - see-through allows the artist to view the amount of ink
Resources:
"UNDERSTANDING STROKE LENGTH FOR COIL & ROTARY TATTOO MACHINES":
"YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO TATTOO NEEDLES: TYPES, SIZES & USES":
"Getting to Know All Types of Permanent Makeup Cartridge Needles "
"Tattoo Needle Guide":
"How To Shade Tattoos: Techniques, Preparing, And Step-By-Step Guide"
"TATTOO NEEDLES & CODES":
"Taper vs Bugpin: What is the difference?":
"Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle":
"The Evolution of Tattoo Equipment: Tattoo Cartridge":
"Wet Tattoo: The Complete Guide To Tattoo Needles":
"Hildbrandt: Needles - Sizes and Groupings":
"Tattoo Magic: Chapter Eight Needle Making":
"Wormhole Tattoo Cartridge Needles, 20pcs 7RS Disposable Tattoo Needle Cartridges "
"STIGMA (HRL) Tattoo Needle Cartridges #12 20pcs"
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