Solid information on tattoo needles

Tattoo needles are available in a wide variety of strengths and with different shapes. But which one is the right one for you?

What is a tattoo needle?

Next to the tattoo machine, the tattoo needle is probably one of the most important working materials of a tattoo artist. Without the needle, you would not be able to put any colour under your customer's skin.
Since the quality of the needle is crucial for the quality of the subsequent tattoo, we advise you to take your time to read up on the subject or to seek special advice. In the end, the tattoo needle must convince you and fit your style. Tattoo needles are sterilely packed and are only used once for work-related and above all hygienic reasons.
Tattoo needles can wear out and become blunt after long use. This makes it harder for the tattoo ink to be absorbed. Therefore, it is important to change the needle during long sessions.

Types and use of tattoo needles

Today, we have a multitude of different and varied styles in the tattoo industry. And for each style, you need the right needle with the right thickness. Basically, we can distinguish between the terms liners and shaders.
While the liner needle is used specifically to draw lines, i.e. to create outlines or boundaries, the shader needles are preferably used to fill in or shade large areas.
Of course, for each line and each shading you need different needles with their own advantages. For example, the liner needles are subdivided into Fine Liner, Slimsy Liner, Bugpin Liner, Round Liner and Hollow Liner. The shader needles are subdivided as follows: Round Shader, Flat Shader, Bugpin Round Magnum, Soft Edge Magnum or Round Magnum.

The history of the tattoo needle

The history of the tattoo needle goes back a long way and during this time it has been constantly improved and optimised.
People have been tattooing works of art under each other's skin for thousands of years. Compared to today, the tattoo needles were attached to bamboo sticks with a length of approx. 30 - 40 cm, so-called tebori sticks. The bundles of needles were attached to one end of the wooden stick with a thread.
In China, tattoo needles have been closed for many years and have been continuously developed and improved over the years. Almost all tattoo needles today are imported from China to Germany. Needle production is running at full speed there, and their many years of experience clearly set them apart from the competition.

Needle modules

In 2007, the first needle modules were developed by Cheyenne and produced in Germany. These needle modules are now available in 56 different needle configurations, with which you can precisely bring your work under the skin.
The needle modules were mainly used with Rotary machines. However, due to continuous further development, the needle modules can be attached to any tattoo machine with the appropriate accessories.
With the THE INKED ARMY needle modules (Parabellum and Guerilla) the choice for tattoo artists has been enlarged again. Thanks to a unique mixture of decades of experience, knowledge and a lot of research, the best needle modules currently available have been developed.
The advantages of needle modules are obvious: you save time because the modules can be changed quickly and easily.