Tattoo Set-Up: Power Supply Parts, Setting Voltage, Workstation Set-Up, Stencil Appication
I. Power Supply
A. Safety First: Read the manufacture's manual
B. Parts
1. Power Switch
2. Voltage Dial
3. Voltage Display
4. Dual Switch (certain models allow for more than one machine to be connected)
5. Duty Cycle (ideal setting: 50%)
1) It is the percentage of time that the machine is on
2) It determines how long the needle is in the skin
3) With coil machines it is the percentage of time that the contact screw touches the front spring
1. Plug clip cord and foot pedal into the correct jacks
2. Switch Power Supply On
3. Push on foot pedal, adjust voltage accordingly
D. Voltage Settings
1. The higher the voltage = the faster the work
2. Basic Settings
a. Line Work
1) 7.5-8.5 volts
2) typically 8 volts (for a 4mm stroke machine)
b. Shading
1) 8-10 volts
2) smooth shading: 8 volts (for a 3mm stroke machine)
3. Particular settings are fine tuned based upon:
a. Type of work/ amount of detail
b. Tattoo Machine type and manufacturers settings
c. Personal preference and experience level
4. Problems with incorrect Voltage Settings
a. Overwork/injure skin
b. Create a faded/blotchy tattoo
c. Tattoo will not heal properly (excessive scabbing, longer healing time, scarring)
5. Difficulty with Pen Machines
a. Certain models have batteries, which do not have display windows
b. Connecting a Pen Machine to a traditional power supply offsets this issue
6. Troubleshooting Hand Speed/Voltage
a. Typically start at 8 volts
b. with experience, voltage can be increased for speed
c. Practice on fake skin (to avoid putting unprofessional tattoos on real people)
d. Look for Crisp Linework
1) At the correct depth, if lines lack crispness, then the voltage speed might be too slow
2) Correct by slowing hand speed or increasing voltage
II. Workstation Set-Up
A. Safety
1. Sterile
2. Professional Licensed Studio
3. Clean, Minimalist
4. No food, drink, smoking, etc
B. Workstation
1. Non-porous Surface
2. Furniture/Furnishings, non-porous & well-maintained
C. Procedure
1. Wash Hands (antibacterial soap)
2. Medical Gloves
3. Spray surfaces with medical grade disinfectant
4. (Label all bottles/cleaning supplies)
5. Allow disinfectant to sit (3minutes MadaCide)
6. Paper towel
7. Wipe down containers
D. Items to be placed on the table
1. Green Soap Bottle
2. Inks, Ink Cap(s)/Ink Tray
3. Power Supply, Clip Cord
E. Bag (or barrier film) all items on the table
F. Work Tray
1. Dental Bib (plastic side down)
2. Or, Plastic Wrap with top-layer of Paper Towel
G. Pre-separate a stack of paper towels
H. Tattoo Machines
1. Stored in a container when not in use
2. Do not handle with bare hands
3. Test before each use
4. Place on the Dental Bib
I. Needles/Cartridges/Tubes
1. Place on Dental Bib
2. Leave in sealed sterilized packaging (blister pack, autoclave bag)
3. Allow client to see before opening (confidence in safety/cleanliness)
J. Place ink-caps face-down of the Dental Bib
K. Other items: Ointments, Razer, Cup of Distilled Water (rinsing needles)
III. Stencil Application
A. Items Needed
1. Stencil Primer
2. Alcohol/Hand Sanitizer
3. Stencil
4. Razor, Paper Towel, Gloves etc
B. Clean the Area of Skin with Soap
1. Helps soften/moisturize the skin
2. Protects the skin during shaving
3. Clean an area larger than the area being tattooed
C. Shave
1. Shave an area larger than the tattoo area
2. Larger shaved area = easier stencil application
D. Sanitizer
1. Alcohol/Hand Sanitizer
2. Cleans/Disinfects area prior to applying Primer
3. Removes oils from skin, allowing the stencil to adhere better
E. Mark the Stencil
1. Place the stencil on the skin and make little marks for alignment
2. Use alcohol to remove any unwanted transfers
D. Stencil Primer
1. Recommended brands: Green Gold (NeoTraditional), Anchored (Fine Lines), Stencil Stuff
2. Apply thin even layer (too much creates a mushy blurry mess)
3. Allow to almost-dry to sticky/tacky for perfect application
E. Apply Stencil
1. Carefully place, pressing center-outwards
2. Rub/Burnish the backside gently with paper towel until dry
3. Excess moisture from Primer is absorbed by the paper
4. Do not leave any Stencil Primer on the skin
5. When dry, Peel the stencil off
F. Dry before Starting the Tattoo
1. Pat down with Paper Towel
2. Allow to dry approximately 15 minutes
IV. Rotary Pen Set-Up
A. Pen-style machine
1. Can pull a longer cable protection sleeve over the pen
2. Seal with grip tape or adhesive tape
3. Dragonhawk Mast Set-up:
V. Correctly Holding the Pen
A. Angle: standard 45-60 degree angle
1. maintain a consistent angle
2. angle determines how deep the needle goes into the skin
3. varying angles make the needle vary in depth = uneven/imperfect tattoo
B. do not "ride the tube" (no dragging the tube across the skin)
C. 90 degrees is considered the "correct" angle
D. 45 degrees is considered the "acceptable" angle
E. anything under 45 degrees = risk of slicing the skin open
References:
"What Voltage Should You Tattoo With?"
https://tattooing101.com/learn/tips-advice/what-voltage-should-you-tattoo-with/
"What Voltage Should You Tattoo With?"
https://tattooing101.com/learn/tips-advice/what-voltage-should-you-tattoo-with/
"Tattoo Power Supply Settings Walkthrough"
"What Should My Tattoo Power Supply Settings Be?"
"Mast Tattoo Machine Kit"
"7 Steps on How to Use Tattoo Transfer Paper":
"How to Set Up a Tattoo Workstation"
"Professional Tattoo Stencil Application in 5 Easy Steps"
"Tips for Placing a Tattoo Stencil"
"How to Set Up a Tattoo Machine"
"How to Properly Set Up a Rotary Pen Style Machine"
"Dragonhawk Mast Tattoo Kit Review"
"How to Hold a Tattoo Gun?"
"What's the Correct Needle Angle?"
"Needle Techniques and How to Hold Your Tattoo Machine"
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