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InsightHorizon Digest

Can you use the same tattoo gun for lining and shading

Author

Isabella Browning

Updated on March 24, 2026

It is possible to both line and shade with a single tattoo gun, but it requires taking apart the gun and changing its settings between the lining and shading steps.

Can you use a rotary tattoo machine for lining and shading?

Both Welker rotary tattoo machines work well for lining and shading, and the adjustable machine is also particularly good for packing color with large magnums in addition to lining, creating soft colors, and working in black and gray.

Can you use a lining needle for shading?

These needles are used for lining because their shape lets them deliver more ink to the skin. … Larger flat needles can be used for colour fills and shading as they deliver more ink quickly with just one pass. Flat needles are good for intricate shading such as in geometric patterns and some mandala work.

What's the difference between lining and shading tattoo guns?

One of the most noticeable differences is the length of the Front spring. Shader tattoo machines will have a longer spring than liner machine. … Shaders also need more power to accommodate the larger number of needles. And if it wasn’t as powerful, the colours wouldn’t appear as vibrant and bold as they need to be.

Can tattoo needle hit 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 voltage should a lining tattoo be?

You should take time with your machine to find out which voltage is the right for you and the machine. Generally most artists use voltages around 7v-9v for lining (8 should be a good start) and 8-10v for shading.

Do Rotary tattoo Machines hurt less?

Owing to the armature bar being released, coil machines produce a constant clicking sound that some clients may find annoying and even nervous. Rotary style machines emit less noise, which gives clients the psychological perception that the process will be less painful.

How deep do tattoo needles go?

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 angle should you tattoo at?

Migliaccio says you should insert the needle into the skin at a 45 degree angle, as if you’re sewing the ink into the surface of the skin, and not poke it in too far — less than an eighth of an inch deep. Apply the waxelene over the tattoo and wipe away the tattoo ink with a paper towel.

Can you get a tattoo on your wrist if you can see your veins?

The process of any tattoo is that the needle and ink penetrate only the epidermis and dermis layers of skin. It’s the hypodermis part that houses the veins and arteries, which is why it’s perfectly safe to tattoo over the wrist veins.

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Is it OK to tattoo yourself?

Home tattooing is not safe and can put you at risk of serious infections. Performing home tattoos on yourself or your friends may be illegal in some cases. Getting a tattoo overseas (even in a professional tattoo shop) may not be safe.

What is the difference between liners and shaders?

Liners can be set up with anywhere from one to seven needles, which are positioned in a circle. Shaders are set up with more than four needles, which are usually in a straight line resembling a comb.

How do you tattoo a flat needle?

Dip the flat shader needle in the ink cup and press the foot pedal to work the machine. Press the foot pedal to work the needle, then place the needle against the skin in a shading area to begin using the flat shader needle. Continue to re-ink the needle and shade the area until finished.

Can a tattoo machine shock you?

Before even tattooing, practice holding the machine as much as possible. … The heft of a machine also acts as a “shock absorber.” The tattoo machine when being used gives off vibrations and these can get you tired awfully fast. Just like certain stabilizers or heavy barrelled guns, the more metal there is.

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.

Why do tattoo artists wrap their machines?

This ensures that the cables do not come in contact with the blood, ect. Blood can splatter and contaminate the cable. If it dries on the cable it is hard to get off so better to wrap it. The wrap is easy to change between clients.

What's better rotary or coil tattoo machines?

Is one better than the other? Rotary machines are lightweight and easy to use, yet a coil machine can create smooth lines and better shading. Coil machines are easier to maintain but lack the fluidity of motion in the needles, whereas the rotary has better motion quality.

How much is a tattoo set worth?

The average tattoo kit costs anywhere from $50 to $1,000. It depends on the tattoo kit’s quality and contents, and it’s a great option if you’re a new tattoo artist. A basic kit with a tattoo gun and a few supplies will cost closer to $50.

Why does ink splatter when I tattoo?

Needle is set too far out for that viscosity ink. The tip is the reservoir for the ink. Surface tension holds the ink in the tip and on an object (the needle cluster). You notice that when you prepare to work the ink does not dribble out the end. … Ink flow is regulated by moving the tube up or down.

Can you fix shaky tattoo lines?

To answer your question though, yes shaky linework can be fixed. Look over-all I don’t think it’s bad. There are a few minor inconsistencies but I’ve seen alot worse. I wouldn’t fret too much, just when you go back to get it completed just ask your artist to straighten the lines here and there especially with the cage.

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.

How far should the needle stick out of my tattoo gun?

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 do you wipe a tattoo with when tattooing?

Green soap is an environmentally friendly, oil-based vegetable soap. Professionals use this soap in medical facilities, tattoo parlors, and piercing studios to help sanitize and clean the skin.

What happens if tattoo ink gets in your veins?

Your body can’t break these particles down, so they become stuck. A side effect of this is that the lymph nodes can change color to match the color of your tattoo. Evidence is also showing that the tattoo ink particles can travel through your blood and end up in your liver, where they also become stuck.

How many times does a tattoo needle penetrate the skin per second?

The tattoo needle punctures your skin around 100 times per second, with the aim of depositing the ink in a region of 1.5 to 2 millimeters below the surface of the skin. The reason for this depth of penetration is to bypass the outer layer of the skin, or the epidermis.

Do tattoos poison your blood?

Many ardent tattoo supporters argue it’s impossible to be poisoned by tattoo ink, as it never fully reaches the bloodstream. However, research from the European synchrotron radiation facility found that toxic elements in tattoo ink can leech into lymph nodes.

Can you tattoo over spider veins?

However, getting a tattoo to hide varicose veins is not recommended and can cause painful symptoms to occur. Although it may be tempting to use makeup or tattoos to hide varicose veins, the best way to make them go away is to get treatment.

Does an inner wrist tattoo hurt?

Inner wrist tattoos can be quite painful due to the soft and sensitive nature of the skin around this area. Not only this, but the insides of your wrists generally have more nerves running through them when compared to the outsides – this can heighten the amount of pain you may feel in this area.