How to Use and Set up a Tattoo Gun

Having a quality tattoo machines and parts is only halfway to becoming a really good tattoo artist. Even with proper skill and the right equipment, you might fail to achieve the desired result. It’s all about your tattoo gun correct setup. If your machine is not duly assembled and fine-tuned, tattooing will become real stress and you won’t be able to get perfect lines and shapes. By following our in-depth instructions and useful recommendations, you’ll be able to properly assemble and adjust your tattoo gun and make sure all connections are done in the right way.

Step-by-step Tattoo Gun Setup

If you are doing your first steps as a tattoo artist and is still new to this kind of body art, not only is it important to get one of the best tattoo machines, but also it is essential to learn how to assemble and tune a tattoo machine so that it won’t fail when you least expect it. To get your tattoo gun set up properly, you should know your kit, see the differences between coil and rotary tattoo machines as well as understand how liner and shader guns differ. Knowing the machine mechanics and understanding the basic operation principles will help you quickly grasp the whole setup process. However, whether you’ve chosen a more popular coil tattoo machine or have a rotary tattoo machine, general setup instructions are pretty much the same and include several steps.

Preparing all the necessary components. Arrange all the parts you’ll need to assemble and use your tattoo gun. What you should have at hand apart from a tattoo machine is a power supply unit with a clip cord, a foot pedal to activate and terminate the current, tattoo needles and an armature bar (which is especially helpful for beginners to make excellent lines), ink caps and inks themselves. Notably, if you are a newbie, you might get a starter kit that usually contains all the necessary components. Or you can go for those accessory components separately to get more quality and long-lasting individual parts.
Preparing the needles. To achieve desired results, it is important to choose the needle size and type appropriate for the job.
Preparing the power supply. For the flawless machine operation, the power unit should be checked and properly connected to the gun.
Assembling the machine. To work safely and avoid any unwanted mistakes or injuries, it is highly important to follow detailed assembly instructions and double-check the assembly in the end.

Preparing Tattoo Needles

First off, the size and type of needle you need depend on the task you are going to accomplish. When it comes to dimensions, the needles vary in diameter and taper length. The smaller the diameter, the more control you will have over the ink flow. Thus, narrower needles are great for detailed work and precise lines while wide needles are used for spreading and shading. The taper or point length, on the other hand, shows how deep the needle will get under the skin. Besides, the needles can come either separately or in bundles. The bundles might include from 2 to 7 or even more needles arranged in rows or circles to do some large-scale work, thicker lines, or coloring.

As for the needle preparation before use, everything is pretty simple. The crucial aspect to check is sterility. All needles should be pre-sterilized and come in a closed package. The needle quality and condition are yet other features to check. The needles should be smooth and perfectly straight. No flaws like burs, dull tips, or bent needles are allowed since they can cause skin damages, bleeding or even scarring.

The tube where you insert the needle and hold the machine is to be inspected as well. The tube can be either disposable or autoclaved. Make sure you use new or properly sterilized equipment each time to avoid infections and inflammations.