NEEDLE GUIDE
Tattooing for Beginners by Ella Rose
Supplemental Resources
READING NEEDLE CODES
Needle codes are printed on the packaging of loose needles or cartridges and are made up
of four main parts. These may be displayed in different orders depending on the
manufacturer but always include grouping, gauge and count. Sometimes, but not always,
they will also display the taper.
Grouping
Grouping determines the layout of the pins that make up the needle. Which one you need
will depend on the style and techniques you are using. There are five basic groupings of
tattoo needles:
Round Liner (RL)
Arranged in a round pattern to let out small amounts of ink and produce
crisp, clean lines and dot work. The thickness of the line will depend on the
count and gauge you choose.
Round Shader (RS)
Similar to round liners but the pins are spaced out a bit more, letting ink flow
faster. These can be used for thicker, bolder lines as well as filling and small
areas of shading.
Magnum Shader (M)
Arranged in two rows, these look a bit like a paintbrush. Magnums hold
and deliver a lot of ink, ideal for large areas of shading and filling.
Curved Magnum Shader (SEM)
Also known as soft edge magnums, these are the same as magnums but
form an arch in the centre. These are less damaging to the skin and are
perfect for soft shading.
Flat Shader (F)
Arranged in one straight row and used for making dark, crisp lines and
areas of shading. These are ideal for intricate shading such as in
geometric work since the shape allows for extra precision.
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Gauge/Diameter
This is usually indicated by either a number or a
millimetre measurement depending on the supplier
and the country they originate from. It represents the
size of each individual pin that makes up the needle
and determines ink flow. These are the three most
commonly used sizes:
#8 (0.25mm)
Sometimes referred to as a Tight or Bugpin, this is one of the smallest needle sizes
available. The pins are tightly compacted which provides a slower flow of ink, good for
intricate or detailed work.
#10 (0.30mm)
A very common needle size also referred to as Double Zeros, and popular with all styles of
tattooing. Ink flow is still steady and controlled, but not as restricted and slow as a #8
#12 (0.35mm)
Also known as Standards, these are common in lining and traditional work as they have a
faster ink flow. Great for bold lines and colour packing/shading large areas.
Count
Needle count refers to the number of pins used to make
up the grouping. The higher the number, the bigger the
needle. For example, when choosing a lining needle,
generally 01 to 07 are used for fine line styles or details
within a larger tattoo, and 09 and above are used for
thicker, bolder lines.
Taper
This is essentially how pointy the needle is and determines ink
flow. The most common variations are medium taper, long taper
and extra long taper. Shorter tapers are better for shading and
filling, and longer tapers are often better for precision work as
the ink flows more slowly.
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