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Tattoo Needle Guide: Everything You Need to Know as an Artist

Whether you’re a newbie to the tattoo industry or a seasoned professional, the massive selection of different tattoo needle types, diameters, tapers, and needle counts can be one huge headache to understand. But in reality, once it makes sense, you’ll be set.

This guide is here to help you make sense of it all and make the most informed decision possible when buying tattoo needles. We’ve been around a long time, so you can rest assured that we know our stuff.

Contents

• Understanding the needle codes on a box
• Tattoo needle types
• Tattoo needle sizes and gauges
• Tattoo needle tapers
• What is needle count?
• How to match your tips and tubes to your needle size
• How deep does a tattoo needle go?
• Are all needles pre-sterilised?
• What’s the difference between a tattoo needle and a tattoo cartridge?
• Are all tattoo needles single-use?
• How to properly dispose of tattoo needles
• How to choose the right tattoo needle for you

Understanding the needle codes on a box

When you look at a box of needles or cartridges, you’ll often see a code like 1207RL. While it might look like a random string of characters, it actually provides vital information about your setup at a glance.

• The first two digits (#12) — These indicate the needle diameter, also known as the gauge. In this case, ‘12’ highlights a 0.35mm diameter.
• The middle two digits (07) — This is the needle count, telling you exactly how many pins are soldered together in that grouping.
• The final letters (RL) — This shorthand tells you the configuration. Here, ‘RL’ stands for Round Liner, used for producing crisp, clean lining work.

Tattoo needle types

When you’re looking at a page of needles on a website or catalogue, it can seem a little bit overwhelming with all the different options available. No need to worry, though. Every needle configuration falls into six basic tattoo needle types.

1. Round liner needles (RL)

The pins on round liners are soldered in a tight round pattern to produce crisp, clean lining work. The tattoo needle line size depends on the needle count you choose — ranging from an 01 for very fine detail to a 14 for bold outlines — as well as the gauge of each pin.

These needles are designed to release only small amounts of ink at a time, making precision work much easier to manage.

Commonly used for:

• All lining work (including bold and intricate)
• Dot work
• Scripsts
• Letting
• Japanese style
• Traditional style
• Neo-traditional style
• Geometric style
• Tribal style
• Samoan styles

Round shader needles (RS)

Round shaders are very similar to round liners, except the pins are not placed as close together. This spacing makes them extremely versatile; they can be used for thicker lines, colour filling, and basic shading.

Commonly used for:

• Some linework
• Script
• Lettering
• Basic shading
• Colour filling
• Japanese style
• Traditional style
• Neo-traditional style
• Tribal style
• Samoan styles

Magnum shader needles (MG/M1)

If you’re wondering what size needle you need for shading a tattoo, magnums are the best option for pretty much all shading work. They hold and deliver a lot of ink, making them perfect for packing colour into large areas.

Because they cover more ground, you need fewer passes over the skin, which can significantly reduce trauma.

Commonly used for:

• Black and grey work
• All types of shading
• Colour packing
• Colour realism
• Japanese style
• Traditional style
• Neo-traditional style
• Tribal style
• Samoan styles

Curved magnum shader needles (CM/RM)

Also known as soft edge or round magnums, these have pins arranged so they arch at the centre. This allows the needle to follow the body’s natural contours with more conformity, leading to better ink dispersal and more consistent shading.

Commonly used for:

• Black and grey work
• Soft shading
• Colour packing
• Colour realism
• Japanese style
• Traditional style
• Neo-traditional style
• Tribal style
• Samoan styles

Double-stack magnum shaders (MG2)

The pins on double-stacks are packed much more tightly together than a standard magnum. This helps with intricate shading or colour work where you need the performance of many pins but in a less spread-out arrangement.

Commonly used for:

• Shading
• Clour packing
• Black and grey work
• Colour realism
• Japanese style
• Traditional style
• Neo-traditional style
• Tribal style
• Samoan styles

Flat shader needles (FS/F)

Flat shaders feature pins soldered in a straight line on the needle bar. Their shape lets them deliver more ink to the skin quickly, resulting in clearer, darker lines with just one stroke.

If you’re looking for the right tattoo needle size for colouring intricate geometric patterns, larger flats are great because they deliver ink quickly with one pass.

Commonly used for:

• Some linework
• Small shading
• Colour packing
• Realism
• Geometric
• Semi-permanent makeup

Tattoo needle sizes and gauges

The tattoo needle size (or gauge, as it’s sometimes known) is directly linked to ink flow. The narrower the gauge or diameter, the more controlled and finer the ink flow becomes.

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The gauge is indicated by a number, usually 8, 10, 12 or 14, and the diameter by a millimetre measurement. Although they mean the same thing, needle manufacturers and tattoo supply companies use both terms interchangeably, depending on where the needles are made or sold.

• #08 gauge (0.25mm diameter) — Often referred to as Bugpins, these are used when you want a slower flow of ink for intricate or highly detailed work. Some artists prefer #08 gauge needles for most of their sessions because the pins are more tightly packed, allowing the grouping to hold more ink at a time.
• #10 gauge (0.30mm diameter) — Known as Double Zero, these are a very common needle size used across all styles of tattooing. Since they sit in the middle of the three main gauges, they offer an ink flow that is still steady and controlled, but not as restricted or slow as a #08.
• #12 gauge (0.35mm diameter) — These are often called Standards and are highly popular across all needle groupings. They’re common for lining and traditional work because they have a faster ink flow, which is great for pulling bold lines and colour packing larger areas.
• #14 gauge (0.40mm diameter) — While these are less common in daily use, they’re still utilised for specific tasks that require a very high volume of ink delivery. These larger gauges are generally reserved for specialised work where standard sizes won’t provide the right saturation needed.

Tattoo needle tapers

While diameter and count are vital, the taper of the needle changes everything about how it hits the skin. Taper refers to the length of the point at the end of each individual pin.

It’s a subtle detail, but it dictates how much resistance the skin puts up and how much ink is deposited in one go.

Short taper (ST)

Short tapers have a shorter, more blunt point. Because the needle reaches its full diameter quickly, it creates a slightly larger hole in the skin, allowing more ink to be deposited with fewer passes.

They’re fantastic for solid colour packing and bold traditional work where you want maximum saturation.

Long taper (LT)

Long tapers are much sharper and have a longer, more gradual point. Because they create a smaller opening and encounter less resistance, they’re great for delicate shading and intricate detail work.

They cause less trauma to the skin, allowing you to build up soft gradients and smooth transitions without overworking the area.

What is needle count?

This is a simple one. Tattoo needle count basically refers to the number of individual pins used to make up a specific grouping. For example, if you’re looking at a 1209RL needle, the ‘09’ indicates that there are nine needle counts (or nine pins) used to create that round grouping.

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Understanding the count is vital because it directly impacts the size of the mark you’re making on the skin. A 03RL will give you a much finer line than a 14RL because it has fewer pins bundled together.

Do more needles mean more pain?

It’s a common myth, but a higher needle count doesn’t necessarily mean more pain. In fact, a large magnum grouping used for shading can often feel less intense than a single-needle liner. This is because large groupings spread the pressure over a wider area of the skin.

On the other hand, a tight round liner focuses all the machine’s power into a tiny point, which can feel a but more sharp.

How to match your tips and tubes to your needle size

Matching the correct needle with the right size tip or tube is essential to avoid a complete nightmare during your sessions. Use our tattoo needle size chart as your go-to guide to make sure your ink flows perfectly every time.

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How deep does a tattoo needle go?

One of the most common questions from apprentices and clients alike is how deep a tattoo needle actually goes. For a tattoo to be permanent, the ink must be deposited into the dermis layer of the skin.

If you go too shallow (into the epidermis), the ink will wash away as the skin heals; if you go too deep, you risk causing excessive scarring.

Usually, the right depth is between 1.5mm and 2mm, depending on the area of the body being tattooed.

Are all needles pre-sterilised?

We can confirm that all needles sold at Barber DTS are individually blister-packed and EO Gas-sterilised.

Usually, most needles should be pre-sterilised. If not, you will need to correctly sterilise them yourself using an autoclave before any tattooing on human skin is carried out.

What’s the difference between a tattoo needle and a tattoo cartridge?

As the industry evolved, the choice between traditional needles on bars and tattoo cartridges has become a hot topic for every artist. Both have their place in a professional shop, but they offer very different workflows.

• Tattoo needles — These are the classic choice, consisting of needles soldered onto a stainless steel bar. They’re the soul of the industry for coil machine purists and are often more cost-effective for long, single-configuration sessions.
• Tattoo cartridges — All-in-one units that house the needles in a plastic casing. They offer incredible convenience, allowing you to swap configurations in seconds, without needing multiple machine setups. Most premium cartridges also feature safety membranes to keep your machine clean and prevent cross-contamination.

Are all tattoo needles single-use?

Yes, absolutely. Every needle you use must be single-use and disposed of appropriately after every single session.

You should never attempt to re-sterilise or clean a needle that has already been used, as it’s no longer safe since the sterility has expired.

Professionalism starts with hygiene, so make sure you’re always using a fresh, sterile needle for every client.

How to properly dispose of tattoo needles

Safety doesn’t end when the tattoo is finished. Once your session is done, you must dispose of your used needles immediately to prevent needle-stick injuries and the spread of bloodborne pathogens.

All needles — whether they’re cartridges or traditional bars — must go straight into an appropriately licensed sharps container.

Make sure you’re not overfilling the bins and that they’re always disposed of by a professional licensed waste disposal company. It’s a vital part of staying compliant with UK laws and keeping your studio environment safe for everyone.

How to choose the right tattoo needle for you

Choosing the right needle isn’t just about following a guide; it’s about finding the tool that matches your artistic hand. Finding the perfect tattoo needle type, size, and gauge for you and your style takes time, patience and some trial and error.

Start by considering the style of work you’re doing. If you’re pulling heavy, traditional lines, a #12 Standard Roune Liner is likely your best bet. For buttery smooth black and grey realism, you might find that a #08 Bugpin Curbed Magnum gives you the soft touch you need.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and tapers to see what feels most natural to you.

Find your needle tattoo with Barber DTS

Finding the perfect tattoo needle type, size, and gauge for your style takes time and plenty of trial and error. Ultimately, a lot of equipment boils down to your personal preference.

If you’re a professional artist looking to stock your studio with the best equipment in the UK, we’ve got everything you need to deliver amazing results, from furniture to tattoo machines, needles, ink, cartridges, and more.

Or, head over to our Advice Hub to have all of your questions answered with help from industry experts.