Different tattoo styles require different lines, colors, and details, and therefore require different needle types. The following are recommended needle tips for some common tattoo styles:
Traditional Japanese Tattoos: Traditional Japanese tattoos typically feature larger designs, bold lines, and vibrant colors, emphasizing smooth lines and rich, saturated color.
For Outlining: We recommend using thicker round needles such as 9RL and 11RL. Thick lines convey the strength and stability of Japanese tattoos and can be used to outline the main contours of the design. For thicker lines or areas that require emphasis, you can use a 13RL for repeated touch-ups.
For Color Filling: Choose needles such as 14RS and 16M1. The 14RS loose-cut round needle is ideal for shading and transitions, creating a more natural color transition. The 16M1 double-row cross needle offers a wide color range and high efficiency, making it suitable for filling large areas with color and enhancing color saturation.
European and American Realistic Tattoos: These styles pursue a high degree of realism, focusing on details, light and shadow, and color transitions, requiring precise control of line and color.
Detailed Depiction: Fine round needles such as 3RL and 5RL are recommended for depicting subtle details such as hair, eye details, and blood vessels, creating extremely delicate lines.
Gradual Coloring: 7RS and 9RS loose-fitting round needles can be used to create a naturally gradated effect, ideal for depicting skin tones and the play of light and shadow on objects. For large areas of color, double-row cross needles such as 12M1 and 15M1 can be used to improve coloring efficiency while ensuring color uniformity.
Old School Tattoos: The Old School tattoo style features sharp lines and rich colors. Designs often feature simple graphics and text, requiring clear, bold lines.
Line Drawing: 7RL and 9RL round needles are suitable, creating bold, clear lines that reflect the retro style and powerful feel of Old School tattoos.
Coloring: Use 10RS and 12RS loose-cut circular needles for matte application, achieving a natural color transition while maintaining color intensity. Alternatively, use 11M1 and 13M1 double-row cross needles for large-scale coloring, quickly filling in color and creating a richer, more vibrant design.
New School Tattooing: New School tattoos feature rich colors and exaggerated patterns, emphasizing creativity and individuality, allowing for greater freedom in line and color expression.
Line Drawing: Depending on the specific design requirements, use 5RL and 7RL circular needles for medium-thick lines, which define the design while also highlighting detail. For more creative line designs, use single-row straight needles (F) for embellishment.
Color Filling: Using a variety of colors for filling is recommended, using a combination of loose-cut circular needles and header needles. For example, 7RS and 9RS are used for subtle gradients, while 12M1 and 15M1 are used for large areas. Curved cross header needles (RM) can also be used to create curves and light and dark gradients, achieving a more uniform and natural matte finish.
Point tattooing: Point tattooing primarily uses small dots to create patterns and shape light and shadow, emphasizing the arrangement and density of the dots.
Pattern drawing: Typically, 3RL or 5RL round needles are used for single-point penetration. The shape, texture, and shading of the pattern are expressed by controlling the size, spacing, and density of the dots.
Detail adjustment: Single-row straight needles (F) can be used to adjust and refine local details for a more refined design. For larger areas requiring point tattooing, specialized needles such as TriFlat™ needles can be used to ensure effective results while increasing efficiency.
