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The Lost Art of Tattoo Needle Making: Crafting the Tools of the Trade and Some Myths About Tattoo Pain in Relation to Needles.



Tattoo needle making supplies


Tattoos, with their vibrant inks and intricate designs, are a medium of personal expression, artistry, and sometimes, memory. But behind the artistry, there’s a crucial element that most clients never see — the tattoo needle. While it may seem like a simple tool, the process of making and selecting the right needle is as meticulous and skilled as the tattooing itself. It’s a lost art, one that connects the tattooist with the craft in a way that’s meditative, precise, and deeply ingrained in the history of tattooing.


A Craft Often Overlooked

To the average person, a tattoo needle may seem like a basic implement — a thin piece of metal with a sharp point that inserts ink beneath the skin. But for tattoo artists, the needle is much more than a tool; it’s the paintbrush for their canvas, the medium that dictates the style, texture, and longevity of the artwork. Despite the rapid evolution of modern tattooing equipment, the practice of crafting custom tattoo needles has remained a vital yet often overlooked part of the tattoo industry.


While mass-produced needles are widely available, there are still seasoned tattooists that prefer to create their own needles. This process allows them to control the characteristics of the needle, customizing it for different needle groupings, shapes, and taper lengths. A tattooist who is skilled in needle making can manipulate these elements to suit their personal preferences or the needs of their clients, ensuring that every line, shade, and detail is executed with precision.






The Connection Between Needle Size, Pain, and the Client’s Experience

One of the most common misconceptions about tattooing is the assumption that bigger needles always mean more pain. In truth, needle size plays a much more nuanced role in the tattooing process. While a larger needle might cause more trauma to the skin, it doesn’t necessarily equate to a more painful experience. Instead, it’s how the needle interacts with the skin and the type of tattoo being done that determines the discomfort level.


A doctor’s needle, for example, is designed to accommodate liquid medications, with a much larger bore to allow for the easy passage of fluids. Tattoo needles, by contrast, are designed to deliver pigment, which requires a much finer point and a more controlled flow. While the image of a large needle might stir up childhood memories of doctor visits and shots, tattoo needles are different, and the sensations they create on the skin are unique.


The human brain is incredibly adept at making connections and building narratives based on past experiences. So, it’s no surprise that the thought of a needle penetrating the skin often evokes fear or anxiety. This fear is compounded by cultural expectations: Tattoos are supposed to hurt, right? After all, they’re permanent, and we’ve all heard the stories about how painful the process can be.


However, tattooists know that pain can be managed. By controlling needle size, speed, and pressure, artists can make the tattooing process more comfortable for the client. They can use finer needles for details, or they may opt for a larger grouping when shading to minimize discomfort. Pain management is an art form in itself, and the choice of needle is integral to this.



The Meditative Process of Needle Making

For seasoned tattoo artists, needle making is not just about crafting a tool — it’s a ritual. A necessary step in the tattoo preparation process, needle making allows the artist to connect with their work on a deeper level. As a tattooist prepares for a busy week or month of work, needle making becomes a moment of focus and clarity. It’s a quiet, meditative process, one that requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the materials at hand.


The artist must select the appropriate needle and assemble it into the desired configuration. The process is more than mechanical; it’s a skill that takes years to perfect. Tattooists learn to adjust needle size, taper, and gauge to suit the specific demands of their craft. Some prefer the boldness of a medium taper, while others lean toward the flexibility of a long taper. The right needle can make all the difference in the final result — and in the artist’s mindset.


Needle making can also be a time for reflection. As the artist works, they might think about the upcoming tattoos they’ll be creating, the clients they’ll be working with, and the designs they’ve planned. It’s a moment to focus entirely on the craftsmanship required to produce the best possible work.


Tattoo Needles: The Paintbrushes of the Skin

Just as a painter selects specific brushes for different strokes, tattoo artists choose different needle groupings to achieve specific effects. The needle’s grouping, taper, and material all contribute to how it behaves on the skin and the way the ink is deposited. Needles come in various sizes, with the groupings often described as a "round," "flat," or "magnum" configuration. These terms refer to the arrangement of needles, and each one serves a distinct purpose in the tattoo process.


Tattoo needle jig for making large magnum groupings

  • Round Needles: These are the most common type, and they are used for lines and detailing. In a round needle, the individual needles are arranged in a circle, and the number of needles in a grouping can vary from 1 to 14 or more. A single needle is often used for fine lines, while larger groupings are used for shading and bold lines.


  • Flat Needles: Flat needles are often used for shading and color packing. Unlike round needles, flat needles are arranged in a single line, with each needle parallel to one another. This allows for a broader ink deposit, creating soft gradients and smooth transitions in shading. However these are hardly used in todays needle groupings as the Magnum has opened up different doors in techniques.


  • Magnum Needles: These are larger groupings of needles that are stacked in rows, one on top of the other. Magnums are favored for larger areas of shading and color fills. They can create smooth, even tones and are particularly useful for blending large areas of ink.

Each of these needle configurations can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the desired effect. The artist’s skill in manipulating these needles is what separates a good tattoo from a great one. And yet, to achieve the ideal result, the needle itself must be crafted to the tattooist’s specifications.



A Close Look at Needle Sizes and Materials

The tattoo needle’s size, taper, and material all play critical roles in determining the quality of a tattoo. Here’s a breakdown of some common needle sizes and materials used in the craft:


Tattoo liner needle gig for round groupings
  • 12g Standard Needles: This is the most common size used for tattoos. It’s versatile and is generally used for lines, as it provides a good balance between comfort and efficiency. The 12g needle is thick enough to handle the ink flow but fine enough to create detailed work.



  • 8g Bug Pin Needles: These needles are thinner than the standard 12g and are often used for fine lines and delicate details. Bug pins are favored for their precision, and they allow tattooists to achieve intricate, sharp designs.


  • Medium and Long Tapers: The taper refers to how much the needle’s point tapers off to a fine tip. A medium taper is commonly used for general tattooing, while a long taper is favored for more delicate or intricate designs. Long tapers allow for a more gradual ink release, making them ideal for shading or fine detail work.


  • Carbon Needles: These needles are made from carbon steel, which is known for its strength, texture and durability. Carbon needles were used specifically for pushing pure color pigment in and utilzing the teture of the needle to help grab the pigment.



A Ritual of Preparation: The Meditative Art of Needle Making

In the golden age of tattooing, needle making was a staple of an artist’s routine. Often scheduled at the start of the week or month, it was a time for reflection and preparation. Artists would sit at their stations, meticulously soldering needles onto bars, adjusting groupings with precision and care. The repetitive nature of the task allowed for a meditative state, a quiet moment to focus on the craft without the distractions of buzzing machines or client conversations.


For many, this process was more than functional. It was a ritual, a way to connect with the tools of their trade and ensure every element of their work was infused with intention. This personal touch is something pre-made needles, no matter how advanced, can never replicate.



The Art of Needle Making in Tattooing

Tattoo needle making is a lost art that remains an essential part of the tattooist’s skillset. Whether the artist is crafting a fine line needle or a large magnum for shading, each needle is a tool for creating a unique piece of artwork. And while the client may not see it, the artist’s connection to their needle is an intimate part of the tattooing process, one that’s meditative, personal, and deeply rooted in the craft.

From understanding the different needle sizes and configurations to learning how to control the pain of the process, tattooing is as much about the tools as it is about the technique. For artists who still take the time to craft their needles, the process is more than just preparing for a tattoo session — it’s a moment of focus, precision, and reverence for the craft. Tattoo needle making is, after all, the foundation of the art itself.

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