Hi so I’ve done a rose but the lines are very thin the needle says its a 2 RL. I want the lines thicker. I also want to shade my rose. So, what are the best needles to get size wise and an RS or RL. My rose is only about 4 x 4 inch across. Think it’s a needle not a cartridge I need to get.

Hi Beverley, we recommend speaking to your tattoo artist tutor on this topic. If you don’t have a professional teacher, you should have a look for an apprenticeship in a tattoo shop or see a professional artist who will teach you the basics of tattooing. There’s not much difference in configurations of bar needles and cartridges.

We absolutely advise against tattooing without professional advice on your side. Knowledge about hygiene, needles/cartridges, techniques, are basic things that you will learn from a professional artist and that are crucial if you want to become a good tattoo artist. If you want to start an apprenticeship, you can have a look at our Advice Hub article “How to Get a Tattoo Apprenticeship”. 

Barber DTS