Tattoo Cartridge Needles for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Get Started

What Is a Tattoo Cartridge Needle?

In simple terms:
A tattoo cartridge is a ready-to-use tattoo needle system.

A tattoo cartridge needle is a pre-assembled, disposable unit that includes:

• the needle grouping
• the needle bar
• a plastic tip (housing)

All in one piece.

Unlike traditional tattoo needles, cartridges don’t require separate tubes or manual assembly. They are designed to:

• click directly into rotary or pen-style machines
• come pre-sterilised
• be used once and safely disposed of

This makes them especially useful for beginners, as they simplify setup and reduce hygiene mistakes.

Do Tattoo Cartridges Fit All Machines?

This is a common question.

Short answer: almost all, but not completely.

Most tattoo cartridges are designed to be universal and fit:

• rotary machines
• pen-style machines

However:

• they do not work directly with coil machines without adapters
• some brands use proprietary systems

Understanding Needle Configurations

Each tattoo cartridge is designed for a specific purpose. The way the tattoo needles are grouped determines how they behave on the skin.

The main types:

Round Liner (RL)

• Tight grouping
• Clean, precise lines
• Examples: 3RL, 5RL → best for outlines and fine details

Round Shader (RS)

• Slightly more spread
• Softer on the skin
• Good for light shading and softer lines

Magnum (M1/M2)

• Flat, wider groupings
• Used for shading and colour packing

Types:

• M1 (weaved): softer shading
• M2 (stacked): more solid packing

Essential for larger areas.

Round Magnum (RM)

• Rounded edges
• Smoother gradients and less trauma on the skin

Discover all our tattoo cartridge brands, explore the full range here.

Needle Sizes: What Do the Numbers Mean?

A code like 1205RL may look confusing, but it becomes simple once you break it down:

• 12 = needle diameter (0.35 mm — standard)
• 05 = number of needles
• RL = configuration

Common diameters:

• 10 (0.30 mm) → finer, softer
• 12 (0.35 mm) → standard, stronger
• 08 (0.25 mm) → very fine, slower ink flow

General rule:

• Smaller diameter → more control, less ink
• Larger diameter → more ink, faster saturation

Featured Tattoo Cartridges

Apex Cartridges

Round Liner (RL) Tattoo Needles

Apex Cartridges

Round Shader (RS) Tattoo Needles

Apex Cartridges

Round Magnum (RM) Tattoo Needles

Apex Cartridges

Magnum (M1) Tattoo Needles