Tattoo Needles

NEEDLE GUIDE

GAUGE & TAPER EXPLAINED

A simple guide to help artists understand 0.25mm, 0.30mm, 0.35mm, Medium Taper and Long Taper tattoo cartridges.

#8 0.25mm

Fine / Controlled

Best for fine lines, small details, delicate shading, soft black & grey, and controlled ink flow.

#10 0.30mm

Balanced / Versatile

A strong all-around choice for lining, shading, smooth blends, color work, and everyday tattooing.

#12 0.35mm

Bold / Strong Flow

Best for bold lines, traditional work, solid color packing, larger shading, and faster ink saturation.

Medium Taper

Shorter point
More skin contact

Better for bolder lines, stronger saturation, traditional lining, color packing, and solid work.

Long Taper

Longer point
More precision

Better for detail work, smoother gradients, softer shading, controlled lining, and lower trauma.

How to read it

12 / 09 RL LT means: #12 gauge / 0.35mm 9 needles Round Liner Long Taper