TATTOO EQUIPMENT
The following tattoo equipment is Highly recommended, because it really makes tattoo life easy:
What you will need to start tattooing at DIMENSION INK STUDIO
1. Machine + Grip
2. Power supply
3. Ink – Blach, White, Colors, Mixing salution
4. Needle Cartrages
5. Stencil stuff
6. Tattoo Practice Skins
The rest that you will need is in the studio for artists and apprentices to use.
Green soap,
Green soap,
- Ink cups
- Vaseline or Tattoo Butter (if you want to use tattoo butter, you have to buy for your self)
- Vaseline sticks
- Plastic Clingfilm
- Paper towels
- Clipcord sleeves
- Shavers
- Gloves
- Tape for Tools and skin
- Antibac desinfeksjon + Spray bottles
- Green soap + Bottles
- Stencil paper
- Printer Paper
- Some drawing, art supplies
1. 2. Machine + Grip + Power supply
Cheyenne Thunder Drive + Grip + Power supply
Cheyenne is one of the Top tattoo equipment brands in tattoo industry, used by worlds top tattoo artists!!! Made in Germany
Machine is really good for Lining, coloring and Shading, it’s really recommend for a first tattoo machine, easy to set up, easy to use, perfect healing. You can save money for start and do everything with only one machine.
I would recommend to chose power supply that you can use 2 machines together, (it’s bit more expensive but in feature when you will buy another machine it will be more handy for you)
With this power supply you don’t need a foot switch to start and stop tattoo machine, you can do it on power supply with PLAY and PAUSE button.
for smother shading and coloring I recommend Cheyenne Spirit Drive + Grip
You can buy this later when you start to make some money.
I am tattooing since 2005 and I tried lots and lots of machines but for last 3 years I use only thease 2 machines it really makes tattooing easy. All my latest work is done only with thease 2 machines, you can check out my work here
-Aivar Liepa- PORTFOLIO
3. Ink – Blach, White, Colors, Mixing salution
DINAMIC Black:
Good for lineing and shading.
DINAMIC White:
MIXING SALUTIONS
You can use sterile water to mix for shading or you can use Intenze Ink Special Shading Solution 120ml (4oz) it keeps skin less red and healthy
For Colors We recommend INTENZE ink and ETERNAL ink
for beginning You can buy around 6 colors (you can chuse your palate) (recommend base colors) + Black and White (for Black and White you can use DYNAMIC), you can always mix them to get different tones.
For color mixing you can use Intenze Ink color mixing solution (but its not needed for beginning) You will only need this if color is too tick and if you want to get it more watery, to get more shading efekts :
4. Needle Cartrages
For beginning you can buy:
3 Bugpin Liner 0.30mm
7 Bugpin Liner 0.30mm
9 Bugpin Liner 0.30mm
It can be used for Lining, dot shading and coloring.
9 Magnum 0.35mm (good for packing color or black)
13 Bugpin Curved Mag 0.30mm
17 Bugpin Curved Mag 0.30mm (17 is for bigger work, can buy later)
It can be used for Coloring and Shading
If you have budget you can try out Round Shader but it’s not necasery for beginning
7 Bugpin Round Shader 0.30mm
9 Bugpin Round Shader 0.30mm
11 Bugpin Round Shader 0.30mm
It can be used for Coloring Shading and Lining
5. Stencil stuff
We recommend Anchored Stencil stuff, it is more expensive but It makes the stencil on skin more precise and it stays on skin stronger and longer
6. Tattoo Practice Skins
For Start you can try this one:
TATTOO EQUIPMENT EXPLAINED
Get To Know Tattoo Needles
If you're new to tattooing, it can be hard to find the supplies you like. Which ink is best? Which needles are always good? Today we're launching a series to help you make the most informed decision possible.
You'll use tattoo needles more often than any other item. You'll need different groupings and sizes. This guide will walk you through basic needle features and what to look for when you're buying them. Remember, you never reuse your tattoo needles: you should use a fresh needle every time.
Tattoo Needle Basics
There are an infinite number of needle styles, but they all fall into four basic categories:
Round Tattoo Needles
Round needles are needles that are soldered around a central shaft in round patterns. Round needles can be liners or shaders, depending on how close together they are placed. Round liners are packed tightly (close together), which makes them perfect for technical work, small lines and details. You might also see loose round liners. Loose round liners are used for thick, bold outlines like those found on Japanese-style tattoos. Round shaders are great for all-purpose color fill and basic shading.
Round needles are marked RL (Round Liner) or RS (Round Shader) for short. You'll almost always see them written with their number in front, like 9RL. The number in front tells you have many needles are used in the configuration, so a 9RL has 9 needles placed in a circle configuration, a 7RL has 7 and so on. If you're just starting out, you'll want to focus on round shaders in sizes 3, 5, 7, and 9 for some shading and filling in small areas.
Round needles use the same size tube, so if you’re using a 9RL needle, you’ll use a 9R tube. Pretty straightforward.
Flat Tattoo Needles
Flat needles are needles that are soldered in a straight line to a needle bar. These needles are the most popular for lining because their shape lets them deliver more ink to the skin. This means clearer, darker lines with just one stroke. Larger flat needles can be used for color fills and deliver more quickly with just one pass.
Flat needles are marked FL (Flat Liner) or, less often, FS (Flat Shader) for short. Just like round needles, these are written out with the number of pins in front, like 7FL or 5FS.
Also like round needles, flat needles use their twin-sized tubes, so a 7FL needle will use a 7F tube.
Magnum Tattoo Needles
Magnum needles are the go-to for almost all shading work. These sets have a longer taper that’s either the same or greater than the taper found on round shaders. Magnums deliver a lot of ink, making them ideal for large areas of color. Because they allow so much ink through, you’ll need less passes over an area using magnum needles, which means they’ll do less damage to the skin during multiple passes. There are a few variations of magnum needles:
Weaved Magnum Needles
Weaved magnums are soldered to a flat needle bar like flat needles, but they are soldered on alternating sides of the needle. So one needle would be soldered to the top, one two the bottom, another to the top, and so on; this means that they can cover more area.
Weaved magnums are always marked M1 with the number of needles beforehand. So a 5M1 would be a weaved magnum needle configuration with 5 needles soldered to a needle bar.
Stacked Magnum Needles
Stacked magnums have two rows of needles on both sides of the bar, but these needles are positioned much more closely together. For example,
Stacked magnums are marked as M2 with the number of needles beforehand. So 9M2 is a stacked magnum with 9 needles on the bar.
Round Magnums / Curved Magnums
Round magnums (also called curved magnums) are a fairly new version of the magnum needle. Round (or rounded, both terms are correct) magnums are arranged so that the tips arch at the center. The concept is that this rounded edge conforms better to the skin, giving a more consistent line, better ink dispersion and doing less skin damage.
If that doesn't make a lot of sense, press down on the skin in your arm and notice how the pressed area makes an almost round hollow. Round magnums are designs to fit that round shape.
Round magnums are marked as RM with the number of needles beforehand. A 5RM is a 5 needle magnum with 5 needles to the bar and the rounded arrangement of points.
RL = Round Liner – Used for lining
RS = Round Shaders – Looser configuration, used for shading
F = Flats – Used for shading and geometric shapes
M1 = Weaved Magnum – Used for coloring large areas, as well as shading and blending
M2 = Stacked Magnum – Used for coloring large areas, as well as shading and blending
RM = Round Magnum (arranged with a curve) – Also used for coloring large areas, shading, and blending; but can cause less damage to the skin
Small Rounds (3-5): Fine to medium sized lines, small color and rendering. Also great for bloodlines, color linework, graylines, and sculpting the line. It’s best to try and keep them as tight as you can, but not too tight as it will tear the skin if it becomes so tight it becomes, literally, one single needle. You still want it making multiple holes as intended, not a single one ripping the skin. This is especially important when using 3 Rounds.Now a 5 Round, on the other hand, is one of the most essential needle groups and is probably the most popular grouping for most tattoo artists. This grouping is very versatile and in a small tattoo can actually do just about everything...lining, shading, coloring and even detail work.
Large Rounds (7-9, 14): Large texture areas, bolder lines, and also great for doing shading and color work in medium to large sized tattoos. An 8 round is excellent for making the most smooth and consistent lines.
Flats (4,6): Great for pieces that need minimal detail work, including coloring and shading in small/medium tattoos. The tips can easily be spread with a razor blade (See next illustration) to make for a better layering of color, just be careful that the needles stay even and flat, and not bend, or else you will cause harm to the skin.
Magnum-Small (5,7): Great for creating bold linework and minimal detail work. Coloring and shading for small to medium tattoos without initial lines. The 7 mag is very versatile overall and if you are going to use only one magnum in your tattoo work, this is the one to choose.
Magnum-Medium (9,13,15): Perfect for covering medium/large areas of color and shading without lines. Great for even areas of excellent color gradations and blending.
Magnum-Large (21, 25, 47, and larger): Covers large pieces only in the way of shading and color. Perfect for large greywash areas as well.
Special Terms
Once you’re familiar with the basic needle types, there are a few terms you might come across.
Fun fact: Bug pins are named after the tiny pins used by biologists to pin specimens.
Bugpins
Bugpins are magnum needles made with much, much thinner needles. Standard needles are generally 0.35mm thick; bugpin needles are usually between 0.30mm and 0.25mm. Some artists swear by bugpins for their shading work, others can’t stand them; it’s a matter of preference, and you’ll have to try them to see if they work for you or not.
Bugpin sizes will be marked the exact same as their regular magnum equivalents. A 5M1 will still be a weaved magnum with 5 needles on the bar. If you’re looking to try bugpins, make sure you’re buying needles marked as such.
Keep in mind when buying bugpins that you’ll need a tube that is 2 sizes smaller than what you would normally use. So if you would use a 5F tube for a 5M1 grouping, then for Bugpin you would need a 5F for 7M Bugpin. Always read the manufacturer’s recommendation so you don’t have any surprises when you order arrives.
Needle Cartridge
We highly recommend to use only them, it makes tattooing more safe, easy, hustle free and clean
Cartridges are basic needle/tube setups that are disposable. They can be used on rotary machines that are specifically designed to use cartridges like the FK Irons Spektra Halo 2. Cheyenne Hawk,
You can use them with any other machines, only you have to get special grips for cartridges.
There are a few great things about switching over to a cartridge system. Firstly, needles are always stable and run consistently every time. It is a great time saver because needles and setups can be changed quickly and easily, which eliminates the need for multiple machine setups. You will always have a nice clean setup because the needles and tips are just disposed. With cartridges, you do not need an autoclave.
Elite cartridges have a membrane inside, which means they keep ink from running through the tube to the grip. This holds more ink and can be beneficial when you want to keep your setup clean.
What To Look For In Tattoo Needles
If you’re new to tattooing and order supplies on your own for the first time, you’ll be choosing between hundreds of brands and manufacturers. There are some basic signs of quality you’ll want to look for in every needle:
Are the needles straight, unbent, and sharp?
If you ordered needles and they arrive crooked, bent or dull, you won’t want to use them. Bent, dull groupings can do major damage to the skin and won’t distribute ink evenly. It will do more harm than good.
Are the needles well soldered?
Check where the needles attach to the bar or center rod: are the needles loose? If so, you won’t want to use them. Loose needles are at risk for coming off during your session and can cause the same issues as crooked, dull groupings.
Are the needles pre-sterilized?
Unless you want to spend a big chunk of your life autoclaving brand new needles, check to make sure the needles you’re ordering have been pre-sterilized. Pre-sterilized needles will be individually packed, labeled as sterile and marked with a lot number and expiration date. Keep this information for your records. If you’re ever unsure of the information (or you’re unsure the needles met sterilization standards), request a copy of the sterilization certificate from the supplier. Suppliers are required to keep this information on hand and should have no problem sending you a copy.
Does this work with my gear?
A needle grouping is useless to you if you don’t have the right tools to use it. Make sure it’s a standard set-up grouping if you aren’t using a cartridge machine and make sure you have the right parts to make it work. For example, if you’re buying bugpin needles, do you have the smaller tubes you’ll need? If you have tubes, do you have grips on hand? Making sure you have it all before you order will save you a lot of time and trouble.
Is this the right needle for what I want to do?
The last thing you’re going to want to check is if you’re ordering the needles you actually need. Like we explained above, different groupings have different uses. Here’s a sample table to help you make the decision:
Textured needles
Textured needles are needles that have not been polished on the tapers (ends). This means that these needles hold the ink better. For example, textured magnums holds the ink especially well, as the ink can sit between the two rows of pins and also stick to the textured needle better, instead of just dripping out of the tube. It is believed that you can receive a higher level of pigmentation in the skin, especially during solid colour tattooing.
LONG AND SHORT TAPER
You can check out top recommended needle brands used in industry
Getting To Know Tattoo Inks
The wide variety of color choices available to today’s tattoo artist is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Of course, pigments have been a part of tattooing since the practice started, but modern technology has taken us past the colors of the rainbow to where we can apply nearly any color we can imagine.
Some Tips When it Comes to Ink
Every tattoo artist will have different ideas and advice to share, so it’s good to expect that you will come across conflicting information. In those cases, it’s probably best to go with the source you most trust, but to be willing to try things on your own to find out what really works for you.
Here are some things that you can keep in mind
- Don’t Mix Brands: When it comes to mixing colors, you really don’t want to mix two or more different brands of ink together. It’s not all just about the resulting color. Manufacturers produce their products with different ingredients, at different dispersions, and to be used in different ways. When you mix them together, you can ruin the quality of both inks and end up with an inferior tattoo.
- Pay Attention To Skin Tone: The overall appearance of ink will be altered by the client’s skin tone, whether due to natural pigment or overall exposure to sunlight. Clients with darker skin or who tan a lot will probably not be completely satisfied with very colorful tattoos, as they will usually fade much faster than on lighter skin. A good tattoo artist will understand how her inks work with a variety of skin tones in order to be able to offer clients the best recommendation for stunning designs that will last.
You can check out top recommended Tattoo Ink Brands used in industry
Get To Know Tattoo Machines
Differences Between Coil & Rotary Tattoo Machines
Rotary tattoo machines and coil tattoo machines operate two different ways to achieve the same outcome of moving tattoo needles in and out of clients' skin to deposit ink into the dermis (secondary layer of tissue beneath the epidermis) with each insertion. It's what drives the needles that sets apart rotary and coil tattoo machines. A traditional coil tattoo machine utilizes electromagnetic current passed through a pair of coils to trigger a draw and release of the machine's armature bar (shown to the left). It's a very hammer-like effect, with the release of the springs causing the armature bar to essentially tap the attached tattoo needles into the skin. Coil tattoo machines generate a buzzing sound that many people associate with tattoo shops.
Rotary tattoo machines, on the other hand, are incredibly quiet. There's a small motor encased in each rotary tattoo machine that moves the attached tattoo needles up and down in a smooth, almost cyclical pattern. Rotary tattoo machines move needles in and out of the skin more fluidly and evenly than coil tattoo machines do.
You can see all the parts of a coil tattoo machine in more detail in the graphic on the left below. The graphic on the right shows the components of a Cheyenne rotary tattoo machine; not all rotary tattoo machines have this same layout, but they include many of the same components and function in generally the same way.
You can check out top recommended Tattoo Machine brands used in industry
Other Tattoo Supplies Explained
Ink Cups
Different sizes. You chose sizes for an ink cups depends on size of tattoo and how big needles you will use. Different colours and shapes you can chose depends on your taste.
Vaseline or Tattoo Butter
Used in tattooing process for moisturise and soften the skin, and to make easy to wipe of extra ink, so ink doesn't stick in to pores. Can be used to stick Ink cups on work station.
Vaseline Vs. Tattoo Butter : Review
Vaseline is OK to use but Tattoo butter is better for a skin;)
Benefits of tattoo butter:
-
Before the Tattoo
Soothing and moisturizing cream for the skin preparation. -
Anti-Bacterial
Hustle butter’s natural ingredients have anti bacterial characteristics (for example, coconut oil). -
During the Tattoo – Minimum Skin Trauma
Having used it throughout the tattoo, I noticed the skin got far less traumatized and healed faster.
- Smells amazing!
Vaseline sticks
Used to take out vaseline from packaging and put on the working station.
Can be used for line up the ink cups to be more stable on working station.
Plastic Clingfilm
Spray bottles, Work table, Armrest, Client chair (places that taches head, hair, skin and tattooing area) and other things that can be touched with dirty hands should be cowered with plastic clingfilm or have special bags or cowering on them.
And It is used for cowering up a fresh tattoo.
Paper towels
Used in a tattooing process, for a tattoo cleaning and wiping off extra ink.
some artist would prefer specific paper towels.
Clipcord sleeves
Used to cover up vires, Clipboards, Tattoo machines.
Machines, Machine grips, Clipboard, wires and If you are using Cheyenne or similar tattoo machine, grip have to be perfectly covered with Clipcord cover and tape, so its not possible that any ink or blood can touch the grip.
Shavers
Used to shave tattooing area before applying stencil and do a tattoo, so the body hairs is not in the way and tattooing area is clean.
Gloves
The artist should be wearing gloves from start to setting up the tattoo station true all tattooing process and when cleaning of tattoo station after tattooing.
Latex Vs. Vinyl
There are 2 times of gloves that can be used, usually Latex gloves are used but some people have allergy from latex, then you can us Vinyl gloves.
Tape for Tools and skin
There is many times of tape that can be used, you vill need tape to set up your tattoo station and cower the bottles and tattoo machines and so one.
1. Following tape can be used for everything, works station, bottles, machines and clients skin when wrapping up the tattoo.
2. Following tape is used to wrap a grip for a tattoo machine, it is better for your hand, makes more comfortable. But the grip have to be cowered with clipboard sleeve or plastic under this tape.
3. Following tape can be used to set up a work station, bottles and tools including tattoo machines, it is more cheaper then medical tape.
Antibac desinfeksjon + Spray bottles
1. Antibac 85% For hands and skin disinfection. Used to clean your hands clients skin before tattooing
2. Antibac 95% For cleaning tattoo equipment, Machines, work tops, chairs, tools and so one.
3. Spray bottles for Antibac. The sticker with a text have to be on the bottle to describe what is insight the bottle.
Green soap + Bottles
Mixed with water 10% Green soap and 90% Watter, Used for cleaning skin in tattooing process. The sticker with a text have to be on the bottle to describe what is insight the bottle.
Stencil paper
For make stencil for a tattoo and transfer on a skin.
There are 2 times of stencil paper one for making stencil by hand and other to make stencil by stencil machine, printer
Printer Paper
For sketching tattoo designs, ideas or print from computer.
