There are two kinds of magnums: standard and curved. Standard magnums have straight needles and are commonly used to tattoo larger areas, while curved magnums are shaped differently to create more rounded soft edges. Curved magnums are generally used for softer shading work, and their steep angle of ink saturation reduces trauma and allows for smooth gradations. Both types are good for blending colors and creating even textures.
Magnum shader needles:
There are many different types of tattoo needles cartridge available, and Magnum Shader Needles are an excellent option. These needles are made with medium to long taper pins for smooth flow and precision. You can purchase these needles in a box of 50 or buy individual pieces to make a variety of designs.
Textured needles:
In a tattoo, textured needles create a soft shade. A shader may consist of a single needle, a textured needle, or a combination of both. These variations affect the size of the ink marks and the shading effect. The last two letters of the tattoo shader code denote the grouping of the needles. For example, RL stands for round liner and means a group of four needles of #12 diameter. The RL is also used to designate a type of needle: a round magnum, which has two layers of needles.
Weaved magnums:
Weaved magnums are needles with two rows of points and longer tapers than round ones. This combination allows the ink to cover a larger area with fewer passes. Unlike the flat needles, which are generally soldered together, weaved magnums are soldered to each other in an odd number of rows. As a result, they are less likely to cause trauma to the skin.
Hollow Liners:
The Hollow Liners in a tattoo shader is similar to the Round Liners in design, but with a different purpose. Hollow liners have an entirely open center, so that ink can flow freely. They’re useful for bold linework, such as tribal designs, and are used by many traditional and new school artists alike. In addition to their benefits as liner tattoos, Hollow Liners are also very useful for shading.
Round Liner:
When looking for tattoo shades, you will often see round needles marked RS or RL. These needles are usually marked with a number on the front, such as “9RL” for nine needles in a circle. Beginner artists should stick to a smaller round shader, such as one size smaller than their desired tattoo design. Beginners should choose a round shader in sizes 3-5 or 7-9. The different needle groups are suitable for different types of tattoo work.
