The first thing you learn in a tattooing class is lining. It is basic to every tattoo; each tattoo requires some amount of linework before it is shaded or colored. Therefore, it is important to know the best tattoo needles for lining. Liner needles come in many different sizes, so you need to choose the right needle according to your need, preference, and type of tattoo. Some liner needles are best for thin fine lines, while some are better for a thick crisp line. Each needle has a specific function and you need to understand that before you get started with your tattoo.
Top 5 Tattoo Needles for Lining by Best Features
Buyer Guide : Important Factors to Consider Before Buying a Liner Needle for Tattooing
1. Size of the Needle
Tattoo needles come in many different sizes, each size is meant for a particular purpose. Each tattoo needle is a collection of several smaller needles and each of these small needles has a specific diameter.
The number of small needles and the diameter of those determine the size of a tattoo needle. The standard diameter for a liner needle is 12 gauge, however, it can also be smaller such as 10 gauge or 8 gauge.
Each tattoo needle contains several needles, it can be 1 needle, or 3 or 5, or even 13, however, it is always an odd number of needles. These needles are placed in a circular arrangement to create a needle tip that resembles a paintbrush.
You can consider each small needle as a strand of a paintbrush that meets together to form a fine tip. The thickness of this tip determines the actual line that will be tattooed on the skin.
For example, if you have a needle which is 12 01 RL, it consists of a single needle which is of the size 12 gauge, but if you have a 08 03 Rl, it means it is a collection of three needles, each of which is 8 gauge in size. These needles will create different types of lines and so they need to be used for different purposes.
2. Tattooing technique
Which needle you choose for your linework depends highly upon which technique you use. For a thin line, it may not require much effort however for a thicker line you can employ several techniques – lining and filling, multiple stacked lines, or round shader technique.
Lining and filling mean that you outline the thick line with a thin needle and then use a thicker needle to fill in the gaps. Multiple stacked lines mean that you use the same needle to repeatedly draw thin lines next to each other until the desired thickness is achieved.
The round shader technique means using a thick round shader needle instead of a lining needle to complete the work. All of these methods are effective and depending upon your preference you may want to choose one particular needle or multiple needles to complete your work.
3. Taper
The tip of the tattoo needle has a specific taper to it, and this is an important measurement to consider while choosing a liner needle. The longer the taper of a needle, the more control it has on ink flow.
This means that a needle with a short taper will have more ink flow than a needle with a long or extra long taper. The amount of ink flow determines the saturation of the lines so, in other words, a needle with a long taper will have a less saturated grey line while a needle with a short taper will have a highly saturated dark line. For linework, a needle with a short taper is always preferred.
4. Fine lines
We have mentioned before that a thick line can be achieved through several different techniques. However, if you are trying to achieve a fine or thin line, the techniques are very different. If you want to achieve a very fine line, the best option is to use a single needle.
Single needle liners are great for achieving details such as in realism portraits or miniature tattoos. These types of tattoos require a high level of precision without the boldness of a typical liner needle. The most common types of single needles are 12 01 RL, and 10 01 RL.
5. Precision
Liner needles need to be very precise and they need to have a very sharp tip. If the needles are not sharp or precise enough then the line may not be as sharp as desired. This is why it is always important to look for the best quality needles for lining work.
Top 5 Best Tattoo Needles for Lining
1. Wormhole 1RL Tattoo Needles 1 Round Liner
Best For: Thin lines and details
Wormhole Tattoo needles are made from high-quality stainless steel and they are individually checked under a microscope for any imperfections. They are free from any uneven surfaces ensuring you a sharp and effective tattoo needle. These needles come in different sizes and you can choose your preferred size accordingly. Wormhole Tattoo Needles are sterilized using E.O gas and individually packaged to ensure the complete safety of the customer.
Key Features & Specifications of Wormhole 1RL Tattoo Needles:
- Built with stainless steel to make sure the needles do not rust.
- Very fine needles are available for detailed tattoo work.
- They come with a blue dot that indicates complete sterilization.
- Wormhole Tattoo needles can be used for stick and poke tattoos as well.
Pros and Cons of Wormhole 1RL Tattoo Needles:
Pros:
- The needles are extremely high quality.
- Can be used for stick and poke tattoos.
- Single needles available for fine lines and detail works.
Cons:
- Not suitable for machines using cartridges.
Why Should you choose these needles for lining?
Wormhole Tattoo needles are extremely high quality as they have been checked under a microscope for irregularities, ensuring you only the sharpest needles. This is why they are great for fine thin lines and detail work.
Their single needle liners are absolutely amazing for achieving great detail without losing the saturation that is required. The needle that is best for this kind of detail is 12 01 RL. Wormhole Tattoo Needles will surely help you achieve beautiful fine line work with minimal effort.
2. Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridges 20Pcs Disposable Bugpin Needles Round Liner 1007RL
Best for: Thick lines
Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridge Needles come in many different sizes, but we are focussing on their 10 07 RL, which is an excellent needle for regular linework. These needles are in a cartridge form, so they work with all machines that use a cartridge system.
They come in a clear plastic casing that allows you to see the needle inside, for better precision. The cartridge maintains perfect tension so that you can work with the needle for a long time. The needles are made up of high-quality stainless steel and polished by an automatic machine for the sharpest tips.
Key Features & Specifications of Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridges Needles:
- These needles are made from high-quality stainless steel and the cartridge body is made from high-quality plastic.
- The cartridge has a membrane that helps keep the tension even.
- Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridge Needles in 10 07 RL are perfect for thicker line work.
Pros and Cons of Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridges Needles:
Pros:
- These needles are sharp and they have been tested to ensure their high-quality.
- Perfect for standard line work as well as thick linework
- It helps the tattoo artist achieve a sharp crisp line that is highly saturated.
- The cartridge provides a comfortable grip to the tattoo artist.
Cons:
- Not compatible with traditional machines.
- Not value-for-money.
Why Should you choose these needles for lining?
Mast Pro Tattoo needles are great for different types of linework. Whether you are working on a portrait or a tribal tattoo, this needle is great for most types of lines. It is especially great for achieving crisp sharp lines within a tattoo that need to stand out and look bold. These needles help saturate the ink into the skin giving you a bold finish.
3. One Tattoo World 50-pcs 3RL Round Liner, Perfect Precisions
Best For: Value for Money
One Tattoo World Needles are known for their precise tips and high-quality needles. They come in many different sizes, but we are focussing on the 12 03 RL, as it is a great needle for precision. These needles are very sharp and efficient so it can also be used for stick and poke tattoos.
These needles are made from high-quality stainless steel and they are sterilized to ensure the highest level of safety. One Tattoo World Needles gives you a better ink flow and great precision that allows you to make detailed tattoos like neo-traditional tattoos.
Key Features & Specifications of One Tattoo World 3RL Liner Needle:
- One Tattoo World needles are 5.6 inches long and they fit almost all tattoo machines.
- 3RL needles are great for lining as well as for filling small spaces.
- Needles are checked for sharpness while manufacturing.
- Great for at-home tattoos.
Pros and Cons of One Tattoo World 3RL Liner Needle:
Pros:
- These needles are great for achieving precision in a small or detailed tattoo.
- Can be used for stick and poke tattoos.
- Better ink flow for more saturation.
Cons:
- Does not come in sturdy packaging.
- Not compatible with machines that use cartridges.
Why Should you choose these needles for lining?
As mentioned earlier tattoo needles need to be sharp and precise so that they can be used in small space. These needles from One Tattoo World are perfect for that purpose. They are also very affordable while being of high quality. This is why we can call it, value for money.
4. Bishop DA VINCI Premium Tattoo Cartridge Needles Box of 20 Pc (1205RL)
Best for: Best ink flow
Bishop DA VINCI Tattoo Cartridge Needles are one of the best needles in the market. They are known for their superior ink flow, and the high quality needles. These needles have a membrane inside the cartridge that helps control ink flow and also prevents ink spit back which in turn helps keep your machine in good condition. The needles are made from 304 medical grade steel and packaged individually after sterilization to make sure they are completely safe for the customer.
Key Features & Specifications of Bishop DA VINCI Premium Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
- Bishop DA VINCI Tattoo Cartridge Needles needles come in many different sizes, from bugpins to large magnum needles.
- The safety membrane inside the cartridge not only helps prevent ink spit back, but it also allows you to control the needle length.
- These needles have an amazing ink flow that is best for saturated lines.
- Sharp needles help you achieve crisp and sharp lines.
Pros and Cons of Bishop DA VINCI Premium Tattoo Cartridge Needles:
Pros:
- High quality materials have been used for the needles and cartridges.
- Engineered to provide better ink flow.
- Each box comes with 20 needles so you will never run out.
Cons:
- The needles are quite expensive.
Why Should you choose these needles for lining?
These needles are very high quality and they are known for having great ink flow. They have a short taper that allows more ink to penetrate the skin at once, giving you a sharper line. The membrane function also helps control ink flow so you can achieve really dark bold lines.
5. New Star Tattoo 50pcs Disposable Sterilized Bugpin Needles Liners 3RL
Best for: Price
New Star Tattoo 50pcs Liner needles come in several different sizes. You can choose from 1RL,3RL, 5RL, 7RL or 9RL depending upon your need. The needles are made from high quality medical grade steel and sterilized before packaging to ensure complete safety.
Each needle is also marked with an expiration date so that you do not use an old needle by accident. These needles are compatible with most machines and they have very sharp tips that ensure good linework. The best thing about these needles is that they are very cheap.
Key Features & Specifications of New Star Tattoo Needles:
- New Star Tattoo comes in many different sizes giving you a range of different needles to choose from.
- High-quality medical-grade steel is used for these needles.
- The box comes with 50 needles so you do not run out.
Pros and Cons of New Star Tattoo Needle:
Pros:
- 100% Sterilized for complete safety.
- Comes in different sizes for you to choose from
- Extremely cheap and affordable.
- Contains an expiration date so that the clients stay safe.
Cons:
- These needles can only be used with traditional machines.
Why Should you choose these needles for lining?
New Star Tattoo Needles are all high quality yet they do not cost a fortune. They are really good for all types of line work, whether it is thin detailed lines or thick dark lines, these needles can help you make any type of tattoos. They cost a very minimal price and so we can say that they are affordable.
Comparison of the Top 5 Best Tattoo Liner Needles
| Sharpness | Precision | Ink Flow | Tattoo Type | |
| Wormhole 1RL Tattoo Needles 1 Round Liner #12 Standard | Very Sharp | High | Good | Fine lines and details |
| Mast Pro Tattoo Cartridges 20Pcs Disposable Bugpin Needles Round Liner 1007RL | Sharp | Medium | Good | Medium to thick lines |
| One Tattoo World 50-pcs 3RL Round Liner, Perfect Precisions | Sharp | Very High | Good | Thin to medium lines |
| Bishop DA VINCI Premium Tattoo Cartridge Needles Box of 20 Pc (1205RL) | Sharp | Medium | Very Good | Medium to thick lines |
| New Star Tattoo 50pcs Disposable Sterilized Bugpin Needles Liners 3RL | Sharp | Medium | Average | Thin to medium lines |
Final Words:
As a tattoo apprentice, one of the first things you learn is lines, it is the basic to every tattoo and without learning how to line it is impossible to finish any tattoo. To be able to make a good line in tattoos, you definitely need a good lining needle, and so you can choose from our list of the best lining needles to meet your needs. Always choose the needle according to the work you are doing, for example, if you need to make a detailed line, do not use thick needles, always use thin needles for that purpose. Now it is time that you pick out your favorite brand of needles and get started.
