QA

Quick Answer: How To Set Tattoo Needle Depth

How deep should I set a tattoo needle?

So, how deep, to be exact, should a needle go into the skin? The answer is – approximately 1/16th inch deep into the skin. This means that the ink will be placed exactly between the 2mm of the dermis layer.

What should a tattoo machine be set at for lining?

Six volts is appropriate for lining. Most tattoo artists adjust voltage by listening carefully to the sound of the gun–it should produce a steady buzz or a hum. The sound shouldn’t crackle or sound make a staccato noise such such as those made by machine guns or typewriters.

How hard do I press when tattooing?

It’s very difficult to push a tattooing needle in too deeply because of the design of the needle will keep it from happening, but you do need to make sure it goes deep enough, at least a few millimeters.

How do I know if I’m tattooing deep enough?

The tip of the needle should not be sticking out anymore than 2mm and no less than 1mm. Keep in mind that every person’s skin type is different and there is no exact measure. If during your tattoo there are excessive amounts of blood, it is obviously going in too deep.

What happens if tattoo is too deep?

If the ink is put in too deep it will spread out throughout the layers of the skin. Blowouts are most commonly noticed immediately after a tattoo is finished, however, some take a few weeks to show up. Typically, blowouts occur when a tattooer is inexperienced, but it can also happen if they are too heavy handed.

What angle do you hold a tattoo gun?

angle, or somewhere between 75 and 90°? The needle has to work harder to pass through the skin, especially if you have a very tight stretch on a specific area. When the needle strikes the skin, it doesn’t so much as slide in, as it blows the skin apart. In doing so the needle creates an opening for the ink to enter.

What voltage should a tattoo shader run at?

Generally most artists use voltages around 7v-9v for lining (8 should be a good start) and 8-10v for shading.

Why isn’t the ink staying in when I tattoo?

One cause of ink not going in is: Needle is set too far out for that viscosity ink. The tip is the reservoir for the ink. Thick slowly-flowing inks cannot travel as far as thinner inks so hanging the needle way out will prevent the ink flowing such a long distance.

Is tattooing yourself easy?

If you do your own tattoo you’ll most likely only scratch the surface. The proper tattooing process penetrates 1/16th of an inch into your skin. When doing the tattoo on your own, a lack of experience not to mention your own pain receptors will keep you from going as deep as you need to.

What size needle is best for tattoo lining?

#12 Gauge (0.35mm Diameter) Common in lining and traditional work as they have a faster ink flow. Great for bold lines and colour packing/shading large areas.

Can a tattoo needle hit a vein?

If a patient lacks an adequate amount of subcutaneous fat near or around the protruding vein, a tattooing needle could pierce the vein as it is injecting ink. These occurrences are rare, but that doesn’t mean they can’t happen.

What causes tattoo blowout?

Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin’s surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.

What happens if a tattoo is too deep or too shallow?

Ink distortion and blurring Tattoo artists have to be very careful with the depth they go to with the needle. Too shallow and ink will seep out. Too deep and the ink will disperse into surrounding areas. It’s this dispersing that leads to ink looking smudged or blurry.

Why do you use Vaseline when tattooing?

Vaseline helps reduce the friction which would make a tattoo hurt even more and prolong healing. It also stops the ink from drying on the needle which means that the artist doesn’t have to constantly rinse the crusty ink off which would greatly increase the amount of time a tattoo would take.

What should you wipe with when tattooing?

The artist will: Spray skin with water-diluted green soap. Wipe down skin with a paper towel. Shave the area, if required, and wipe it down again. Use the diluted mix of green soap and water as needed during tattooing process when wiping down the area.

Do you stretch the skin when tattooing?

In order to perform any kind of precise work and to get the ink in correctly, the skin must be taut. It’s important that the skin be stretched tightly like a drum so the needles don’t bounce, or get hung up in theskin. If the skin isn’t very tight, your lines will go from too strong to too weak.

Do you dip the needle in ink?

Dip your running gun into the ink well and let the ink fill the reservoir of your needle tube tip. your now ready to apply some ink. Or just place the end of your tube in the ink well and do not run your gun this will ensure you don’t fishhook your needles by bouncing them off your plastic ink cup.