Choosing the right tattoo needles plays a major role in the quality, safety, and efficiency of every tattoo. From clean outlines to smooth shading and solid color packing, the needle configuration you use directly affects your results.
Today, most professional artists have transitioned from traditional tattoo needles to tattoo needle cartridges. But what’s the real difference—and how do you choose the right option for your tattooing style? This guide breaks it down.
What Are Tattoo Needles?
Traditional tattoo needles are soldered needle groupings that attach to a needle bar and are used with a tube and grip system. They have been the foundation of tattooing for decades and are still preferred by some artists for specific techniques.
Common tattoo needle configurations include:
- Round Liner (RL) – for outlining and fine detail
- Round Shader (RS) – for smooth shading and soft fills
- Magnum (M) – for color packing and large areas
- Curved Magnum (CM/RM) – for smoother gradients and transitions
While effective, traditional tattoo needles require more setup time, careful alignment, and thorough cleaning between sessions.
What Are Tattoo Needle Cartridges?
Tattoo needle cartridges combine the needle grouping and tip into a single, disposable unit that clicks directly into a compatible cartridge grip or machine.
Inkpro’s cartridge needles are designed with professional performance and hygiene in mind, featuring:
- Medical-grade stainless steel needles
- EO gas sterilization & CE certification
- Anti-backflow membrane systems
- Transparent tips for ink flow visibility
- Universal compatibility with most cartridge machines
These features make tattoo needle cartridges the modern standard in professional studios.
Tattoo Needle Cartridge Types Explained
Round Liner (RL) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Round liner cartridges are ideal for crisp outlines, lettering, and precision work.
Key characteristics include:
- Long to extra-long tapers (7–7.5mm) for clean lines
- Multiple needle counts (from single needle up to large groupings)
- Regular and bugpin diameters for different line weights
- Perfect for fine line tattoos, bold outlines, and detailed designs.
Recommended Inkpro Round Liner Cartridges:
OG Red Arrow Round Liner (RL) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Designed for artists who want strong ink delivery with clean, bold lines. Ideal for traditional and graphic line work.
OG Arrow Round Liner (RL) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Offers ultra-precise control with extra-long taper options, making it perfect for fine line tattoos and intricate details.
OG Arrow 3*1003RL Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Features bugpin needles and an extra-long taper for maximum accuracy. A great choice for micro details, lettering, and precision outlines.
Round Shader (RS) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Round shader cartridges are designed for smooth shading, whip shading, and black-and-grey work.
They offer:
- Wider needle spacing than liners
- Consistent ink flow for soft blends
- Groupings suited for both small and medium shading areas
- Commonly used for portraits, realism, and smooth gradients.
Recommended Inkpro Round Shader Cartridges:
OG Red Arrow Round Shader (RS) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Built for efficient ink saturation and smooth shading, making it ideal for faster workflows and consistent fills.
OG Arrow Round Shader (RS) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Designed for controlled shading with multiple taper and diameter options, perfect for realism and portrait work.
Magnum (M) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Magnum cartridges deliver high ink saturation and efficiency, making them ideal for color packing and large tattoo areas.
Benefits include:
- Flat magnum needle layout
- Larger groupings for faster coverage
- Stable ink flow and reduced pass count
- Essential for bold color work.
Recommended Inkpro Magnum Tattoo Needle Cartridges:
OG Red Arrow Magnum (M) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Designed with slightly thicker needle filaments for higher ink retention, making them ideal for fast, efficient color packing and large-area coverage.
OG Arrow Magnum (M) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
A versatile magnum option offering consistent ink flow and smooth performance across a wide range of tattoo styles.
Curved Magnum (CM/RM) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Curved magnum cartridges feature a slightly rounded needle edge, allowing smoother transitions and reduced skin trauma.
They are well suited for:
- Color blending
- Realism and portrait work
- Large smooth gradients
- A favorite for artists focused on control and smooth finishes.
Recommended Inkpro Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Cartridges:
OG Red Arrow Curved Magnum (CM/RM) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Built for efficient coloring with high ink retention, ideal for quickly covering large areas while maintaining smooth transitions.
OG Arrow Curved Magnum (CM/RM) Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Designed for controlled shading and blending, making them a strong choice for realism, black-and-grey work, and smooth gradients.
Why Choose Tattoo Needle Cartridges?
Compared to traditional tattoo needles, tattoo needle cartridges offer clear advantages:
- Improved hygiene with individually EO gas-sterilized packaging
- Enhanced safety with built-in anti-backflow membranes
- Faster workflow with quick, tool-free needle changes
- Consistent quality through factory-aligned needle groupings
- Better visibility with transparent cartridge tips
For professional studios, these benefits translate into efficiency, safety, and consistent results.
How to Choose the Right Tattoo Needle Cartridges
When selecting tattoo needle cartridges, consider the following factors:
Tattoo Style
Fine line & lettering → Round Liner (RL)
- Black & grey shading → Round Shader (RS) or Curved Magnum
- Color packing → Magnum (M) or Curved Magnum (CM/RM)
Needle Diameter
- Bugpin (0.30mm): smoother blends, less skin trauma
- Regular (0.35mm): bold saturation and faster ink delivery
Taper Length
- Long / Extra-long taper: increased precision and control
- Medium taper: faster ink flow
Machine Compatibility
Inkpro tattoo needle cartridges are designed to work with universal cartridge grips and most tattoo machines, making them easy to integrate into any professional setup.
Final Thoughts: Tattoo Needles vs Tattoo Needle Cartridges
While traditional tattoo needles are still used by some artists, tattoo needle cartridges have become the preferred choice for modern tattooing. Their precision engineering, hygiene standards, and ease of use make them ideal for professional studios.
Understanding needle types, tapers, and diameters will help you choose the right tattoo needle cartridges—and achieve consistent, high-quality results with every tattoo.
