Color packing is a tattooing technique that is used for saturating color into the skin. It is a common technique used while shading or filling in a tattoo. It is also used for blackout tattoos, or for covering up old tattoos. For color packing, a tattoo artist needs to use a specific type of needles, because, without it, it will take a long time.
An artist needs to choose the right sized needles for the right area to make sure that he does not overlap any area or miss a spot. In this article, we will talk about what needles an artist needs to use for color packing in a tattoo.
Top 5 Tattoo Needles for Color Packing : By Best Feature
Buyer Guide: Key Factors to Consider While Buying Tattoo Needles for Color Packing
1. Type of needle
Color packing needles are the same type of needles used for shading, i.e. magnum needles and round shaders. Therefore, you need to choose the right type of needle depending upon the area that you are tattooing.
If it is a small or a thin area then a round-shader is preferred, if the area is large then a magnum needle will be better. The bigger the area, the larger the magnum needle should be.
2. Size of needles
Most shader needles are 12 gauge or 0.35mm in diameter. The number of individual needles that are stacked onto the tattoo needle determines the width of the needle.
Any number of needles may be used but generally, 5RS or 5RM is the smallest size that any tattoo artist will use. If someone is doing a blackout tattoo then the tattoo artist may use up to a 112 RM needle to complete the work.
The size of the needle ultimately depends upon the size of the area that needs to be covered. Bugpin needles are also used sometimes if the tattoo artist is looking for a smooth blend of colors or for a very small area. Bugpin needles have a diameter of 8 gauge or 0.25mm. These needles are packed close together so you get a smoother blend.
3. Taper
The taper of a tattoo needle is the length from which the tattoo needle starts to thin out up to the very tip. This length determines greatly how much color will be delivered into the skin.
The longer the taper the less ink will be delivered into the skin at once. So for color packing choosing a needle with a short or a medium taper is always ideal. If you are doing grey color packing, however, then a long taper might be a good idea. Generally, most tattoo needles have a standard medium taper.
4. Ink Flow
Color packing requires the ink to deliver a constant stream of color into the skin, so it is important to buy needles that are able to hold a good amount of ink in it.
This is why a lot of tattoo artists prefer to use cartridge needles instead of long needles because they hold the ink better. However, a long needle when used with the right grip can deliver the same results.
Top 5 Best Tattoo Needles for Color Packing
1. Hawink Tattoo Cartridge Needles #12 Standard 11 Round Shader M-Taper
Best For: Small areas or thin lines
Hawink Tattoo Cartridge Needles in the size 12 11 RS is great for filling in between lines and for coloring fairly small spaces. This type of needle is usually not used for coloring large areas. These needles are made from 316 medical grade stainless steel and the needle tip is made from 304 stainless steel.
The cartridges are also made from high quality plastic. The membrane inside the cartridge helps keep the machine clean by preventing ink spillage. Hawink Tattoo Cartridge needles are sterilized to ensure 100% safety.
Key Features and Specifications for Hawink Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
- HIgh-quality silicone is used to keep the needle elastic, this way it does not get stuck and delivers a constant flow of ink.
- These needles have a medium taper which is ideal for delivering a lot of ink into the skin.
- Hawink Tattoo Cartridges have a translucent tip that allows you to see the needle through it.
- The membrane inside the cartridge prevents ink spit back.
Pros and Cons of Hawink Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
Pros:
- This box contains 20 pieces of needles so you will not run out easily.
- These needles are compatible with most types of tattoo machines.
- These needles have a long shelf life of up to 4 years.
- Hawink tattoo needles are made from high quality materials to ensure your safety.
Cons:
- The cartridges lack a soft grip so it will be hard to hold them for a long time.
Why should you buy these tattoo needles for color packing?
Round shader needles are a staple in every tattoo artist’s work. They are versatile in their use, and they come in many different sizes. These needles are excellent for packing the color into the skin due to their medium taper.
These needles in particular are the perfect size of round shaders for filling in lines such as text tattoos, tribal tattoos, geometric tattoos, etc. These can also be used for filling in very small areas that would not fit a magnum needle.
2. STIGMA #12(15RM) Standard Disposable Tattoo Needle Cartridges
Best for: Very Large areas
STIGMA 1215RM Tattoo Cartridge Needles are excellent for color packing in a large area. This needle is quite wide, so it covers a larger surface area at once, which gives you an opportunity to color pack in a large area.
The curved magnum needles are preferred by professionals because it bends along with the skin making it easier to penetrate. STIGMA 1215 RM needles are designed with an arc that enables them to deliver more ink into the skin at once.
These cartridge needles are made from high quality materials and they are one of the best needles for color packing.
Key Features and Specifications of STIGMA 1215RM Standard Disposable Tattoo Needle Cartridge:
- These cartridges are equipped with a membrane that prevents the ink from flowing back inside the machine.
- STIGMA Magnum Cartridge Needles are also available in other sizes such as 1207RM, 1213RM, etc.
- The tips of the cartridge are see-through so you can see the needle inside it for better precision.
- A highly elastic rubber ring helps the needle rebound faster, which makes the needle more effective and reduces the resistance greatly.
Pros and Cons of STIGMA 1215RM Standard Disposable Needle Cartridge:
Pros:
- These needles help reduce the damage to the skin which helps it heal faster.
- STIGMA Cartridge Needles are compatible with most machines.
- The needles are made from 316 stainless steel.
- These needles have a medium taper which allows better ink saturation.
Cons:
- The grip on these cartridges is not very good.
- These cartridge needles are quite expensive.
Why should you buy these tattoo needles for color packing?
Magnum needles are great for shading and color packing in general. The shape of the needles allows you to inject a greater amount of ink into the skin at once. These needles come in different sizes, from 03RM to 23RM you may choose any size depending upon your need.
This needle is perfect for wider areas in general. Apart from packing color into the skin, it is also great for blending two colors together.
3. EZTAT2 Revolution Tattoo Cartridge Needles 08 Bugpin 9 Magnum Long Taper
Best for: Smooth blend
EZTAT2 Revolution Tattoo Cartridge Needles in the size 0809RM is a bugpin needle, which means each individual needle is 8 gauge or 0.25mm. These needles are packed closely together so they create a smoother blend.
This is why these bugpin needles are commonly used for grey tattoos because they do not leave any needle marks and have a smooth transition. They are great for grey and black color packing and they are commonly used in realism or portrait tattoos.
These are also great for blending color together. This size is a standard size used by tattoo artists, however, you could use any other size depending upon the area you are tattooing.
Key features and Specifications of EZTAT2 Revolution Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
- These cartridges can be used with all grips and machines.
- Inside the cartridge, it is fitted with a membrane to prevent ink from flowing back, this helps keep the machine safe.
- EZTAT Tattoo Cartridges have low profile housing and they are shaped on the inside to provide a better ink flow.
- The needles are smooth and sharp and help reduce trauma to the skin.
Pros and Cons of EZTAT Revolution Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
Pros:
- These needles have a long taper, which means they are great for grey color packing.
- The transparent cartridge allows you to see the needle inside for better precision.
- These needles also come in other sizes so that you can use them according to the size of the tattoo.
Cons:
- These cartridges do not contain any high quality material to keep the tension even.
Why should you buy these tattoo needles for color packing?
Bugpin magnum needles are best used for blending colors, grey shading, and for grey color packing. They do not leave any needle streaks and so they are perfect for achieving a flawless blend and a really solid color packing. EZTAT Revolution Cartridge Needles in the size 0809RM is perfect for color packing in a medium-sized tattoo.
4. Wormhole #12 5MG Standard Disposable & Sterilized Tattoo Shading Needles
Best for: Medium Areas
Wormhole #12 5MG Tattoo Shading Needle is the only tattoo needle in our list that is not a cartridge. These needles are compatible with more traditional machines, but they are good as well.
These needles are sized at 1205M1, which are small magnum needles used for detailed shading and color packing. However, Wormhole also carries magnum needles of different sizes which can be used for bigger projects. These needles hold ink quite well and help saturate the ink inside the skin.
Key Features and Specifications of Wormhole #12 5MG Standard Tattoo Shading Needle:
- These needles are made from 316 medical grade stainless steel.
- Every needle is checked with a microscope to ensure the highest quality.
- All the needles are sterilized and packed individually to stop cross-contamination.
- Wormhole Tattoo Needles can fit in all types of grips and machines.
Pros and Cons of Wormhole Tattoo Needles:
Pros:
- These needles have a 3.5cm medium taper which is ideal for packing color into the skin.
- The box contains 50 needles so you will not run out easily.
- These needles are burr-free and they have level soldering ensuring you the highest quality needle.
Cons:
- These needles do not hold as much ink as a cartridge needle so you may have to dip them in ink more often.
Why should you buy these tattoo needles for color packing?
The 12 05 Magnum needle is a very thin magnum needle that is ideal for very small spaces. These needles are traditional long needles, so they do not hold the same amount of ink as cartridge needles.
However, they are still quite useful, mainly for filling color in between lines such as text tattoos and geometric patterns. Wormhole Tattoo Needles are high quality and very sharp so they serve the purpose quite efficiently.
5. INKin 80Pcs Mixed Soft Silicone Tattoo Cartridge Needles
Best for: All types of color packing. Value for money.
INKin 80Pcs Mixed Soft Silicone Tattoo Cartridge Needles contains magnum needles of different sizes, which are the best for color packing. These needles can be used in small spaces as well as large spaces.
The sizes that come in this box are 5RM, 7RM, 9RM, 13RM, and 15RM. These needles are made from high quality materials and the huge assortment allows you to have a wide amount of options to choose from.
Key Features and Specifications for INKin 80Pcs Mixed Soft Silicone Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
- These cartridges are equipped with an excellent silicone grip that helps you keep your hand steady for long hours.
- These cartridge needles can fit most tattoo machines.
- INKin Tattoo Cartridge Needles have low profile housing and they are shaped on the inside to provide a better ink flow.
- The smooth edges help reduce skin trauma and helps the skin heal faster.
Pros and Cons of INKin 80Pcs Mixed Soft Silicone Tattoo Cartridge Needles :
Pros:
- A membrane on the inside of the cartridge helps stop the ink from flowing backward.
- Needles are made from medical grade steel, ensuring your safety.
- The high ink flow allows more color to be packed into the skin.
- A high-quality membrane inside the cartridge helps the needle to stay elastic and helps it move better.
Cons:
- The tips are not fully transparent so you cannot see the needle through it.
Why should you buy these tattoo needles for color packing?
This huge box contains 80 Tattoo needles in varying sizes. All of them are magnum needles, which are the most common needle for color packing. With the huge variety of needles, you can color pack in any type of tattoo, whether it is a tribal tattoo, text tattoos, or flower tattoos.
They are also great for blending color, so they can be used for a variety of colored tattoos. Overall the large variety and the huge number of needles make this box value for money.
Comparison of Top 5 Best Tattoo Needles for Color Packing
| Needle Size(s) | Taper | Ink Flow | Trauma Caused to the Skin | Best For | |
| Hawink Tattoo Cartridge Needles #12 Standard 11 Round Shader M-Taper | 12 gauge 11 Round Shader | Medium | High | Normal | Small areas, Thick linework. |
| STIGMA #12(15RM) Standard Disposable Tattoo Needle Cartridges | 12 gauge 15 Curved Magnum | Medium | High | Low | Large areas, Color Blending. |
| EZTAT2 Revolution Tattoo Cartridge Needles 08 Bugpin 9 Magnum Long Taper | 8 gauge 9 Magnum | Long | Medium | Low | Color Blending, Grey shading |
| Wormhole #12 5MG Standard Disposable & Sterilized Tattoo Shading Needles | 12 Gauge 5 magnum | Medium | Medium | Normal | Very Small area. |
| INKin 80Pcs Mixed Soft Silicone Tattoo Cartridge Needles | 12 Gauge 5RM 7RM 9RM 13RM 15RM | Long | High | Low | All types of color packing. |
Final Thoughts
Color packing is a technique almost every tattoo artist has to learn. If you do it incorrectly, the tattoo will turn out quite badly and it will be inconsistent. So always take your time and go over each area carefully and slowly to make sure that the color is really packed into the skin. To get the desired effect you also need good quality needles such as the ones on our list. These needles will help you get a good color packing in your tattoos because they are specialized to do so. So are you ready to get started? Pick your choice of needles and start to fill your tattoos with color.
