This is all about tattoo needles, how to use them, which needles do what and what types there are. With the wide array of different types and the lack of standardization in naming for sizes and shapes, it is easy to get confused. The 4 defining properties are the diameter, taper, count and configuration. 

1.    Diameter of tattoo needle types

The diameter of tattoo needle types can be found by looking at the first two numbers of the packaging. If you look at your pre-made needle packaging, you will notice it will say something like 1207RL. The two numbers, 12, indicate the diameter. The 4 most common diameters are #12, #10, #8 and #6. #12 is the largest size diameter at 0.35mm. #10 is a diameter of 0.30mm. #8 is a diameter of 0.25mm. #6 is a diameter of 0.20mm. #12, 0.35mm diameter is the most common diameter for most needles. #10, 0.30mm is the most common diameter for ones used for lining.

2.    Taper, Point Length

The taper or point length indicates the shape of the point. A short taper will have a short point. A long taper will have a long point. Different manufacturers have their own specs for what taper they use. A standard short taper is usually 1.5mm. A long taper would be 2.0mm. Extremely long tapers can go as much as 7mm.

3.    Count

The count indicates the number of needles grouped together at the point of the bar. In the example we used earlier, a 1207RL needle, where 12 is the diameter, 7 indicates the count. So a 1207RL needle will have 7 needles soldered to the tip of the bar.

     4.    Configuration

Configuration indicates how the needles are grouped together. The configuration determines the shape or pattern of how the ink will go into the skin. So in the example of 1207RL, where 12 is the diameter, 7 is the count, RL, indicates the configuration. RL stands for round liner, a round liner is a formation of needles in a tight circular formation which is used for lining. The other configurations are RS = round shader, F = flats, M1 = weaved magnum, M2 = stacked magnum and RM = round magnum.

5.    Tattoo Needle Types

These configurations make up the different tattoo needle types or groupings. RL or round liner needles grouped together in a tight round formation. RS or round shaders are grouped together in a loose round formation. F or flats are grouped together in a line formation. M1 or weaved magnum are grouped with 2 rows of needles in a weaved formation, so for example a 7M1 will have a bottom row of 4 and an upper row of 3. M2 or stacked magnum are grouped in the same way as M1 but are tightly stacked together hence the name stacked magnum. RM or round magnum are grouped the same way as M1 but the points are arranged in a curved arch.

l  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.

l  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.

l  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:

(1) Single Stack Magnum Shader Tattoo Needles 

Single stack 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.

Single stack 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.

(2) Double Stack Magnum Shader Tattoo Needles  

Double stack magnums have two rows of needles on both sides of the bar, but these needles are positioned much more closely together. For example,from the M1 and M2 needles, You can see how much closer the needles are placed in the stacked magnum.

Double stacked magnums are marked as M2 with the number of needles beforehand. So 9M2 is a double stacked magnum with 9 needles on the bar.

(3) 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.The left image is a flat grouping, the right image is a round magnum grouping. The curve of the grouping causes less damage to the skin and gives better ink flow.

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.

l  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 between 0.30mm and 0.35mm thick; bugpin needles are usually between 0.20mm 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 1 or 2 sizes smaller than what you would normally use. So if you would use a 5F tube for a 5M1 grouping, you would need a 3F or 4F tube. Always read the manufacturer’s recommendation so you don’t have any surprises when you order arrives.