What are the Types of Tattoo Machines

Can you think of anything better than a good ink artist? It’s pretty simple – tattoo machines. If provided with the correct equipment, even a layman will become motivated to take up the craft of inking the best designs in the purest art forms possible. With the constant advancement in technology, the tattoo market is also evolving, with new kits and POS systems being introduced constantly. Since tattooing is a fascinating subject, let us study and analyze the various types of tattoo machines.

Why Does Any Good Tattoo Artist Carry Three Machines?

The art of tattooing involves three principal types of coloring strokes that any good tattoo artist will use:

• The lining is the part where a single needle is used to penetrate the skin to create the principal outlines.
• Shading is where multiple needles are used to penetrate the skin to shade it as intended simultaneously.
• Coloring is a more complex phase than the previous two. It involves using more needles to give a particular portion of the skin a different color altogether.

This is why any good tattoo artist carries three types of tattoo machines to produce a proper live form of art.

What is a Tattoo Machine?

Due to the size and shape of most tattoo machines, we usually mistake it as a simple gun or pen. On closer observation, it is apparent that a tattoo machine is indeed a tiny handheld device that makes marking your skin permanently possible by using special permanent ink.

Parts of a Tattoo Machine

Although at first sight, the working of a tattoo machine, also called a tattoo gun, seems quite simple. However, it is imperative that one clearly understands every part of the machine to get a better perspective on the working and functions of these parts.

The tattoo machine has specific metal parts, such as a conductive pair of coils, handle, needle holder, screw, older, springs, and a vice.

Understanding How a Tattoo Machine Works

Electricity is required to make a tattoo machine work. The electromagnetic coils help generate an Ascending Current with the help of an AC capacitor that drives the functioning of the machine springs, which are placed on the base of the frame, and through which the needle gets the power required to pierce the skin to draw the tattoos.

There is a contact screw at the back that helps to stop the razor from functioning. There is a tube-like handle at the front of the machine that holds the needle with the help of a device. It is important to note that not all tattoo machines are constructed in the same way. Depending on the type of tattoo, design, size, etc., a specific kind of machine is required where the main difference lies in the size of the needle and the handle.

Understanding the Different Types of Tattoo Machines

In recent times tattoo piercing has become a lucrative business. The trend of getting a tattoo has also become quite popular. But how do they do a tattoo? A tattoo machine is what gets the job done seamlessly and thoroughly. Of course, the tattoo maker’s artistic sense and skill are necessary to achieve a result to show off openly.

Let us now look into the three primary types of tattoo machines.

Rotary Tattoo Machines

With the introduction of the Rotary tattoo machine in 1978, an electric motor was introduced to operate the needle. This gave a new perspective to tattooing and allowed for more detail, and finished the entire art.

Gradually, creativity and innovative faculties often became more important over time. Today, these machines, coupled with the artist’s imagination, creativity, and innovation, have resulted in the creation of beautiful and fantastic designs in this field of permanent body art.

What are the reasons for a Rotary tattoo machine to be sought after even today?

• The Rotary tattoo machine can be used for both the shading and lining of tattoos.
• Most well-known tattoo artists favor the Rotary tattoo machine over other machines.
• When a tattoo artist uses a Rotary tattoo machine for a longer time, there aren’t many complaints of finger cramps.
• Since the Rotary tattoo machine is relatively light, it does not cause much pain or discomfort to the artist holding the device for long hours.
• The machine can be held and operated quite quickly, especially since the maneuverability is also practically seamless.
• There isn’t much noise generated when a Rotary tattoo machine is operated.
• Since there is a minimum need to adjust the machine, it helps save a lot of time and allows the artist who focuses more on the art.
• The Rotary tattoo machine is much favored because of its simplicity in handling it.

Coil Tattoo Machines

You must have heard a buzzing sound whenever you pass by a tattoo shop. This buzzing noise is created when a tattoo artist uses a coil tattoo machine. All this buzzing noise can seem quite loud and annoying to others, but to the tattoo artist, it helps to reduce any other noise and focus more on the form of art that he’s creating.

The coil tattoo machine works excellently and is truly versatile, making it popular among tattoo artists. Since coil tattoo machines come as dual-coiled devices with around ten wraps, a tattoo artist can use the coils to maintain absolute control while quickly injecting the skin with the required ink.

What makes the coil tattoo machine stand apart from the Rotary tattoo machine is that apart from performing as a liner and a shader (just like a Rotary tattoo machine), it also acts as a color Packer. As their name suggests, each of these has specific effects on creating a perfect tattoo.

1. First, we have the liner that helps the tattoo artist create precise outlines. It does not go as deep as a shader or a color Packer, making it work faster.
2. Next, we have the shaders, which help create gradients of different colors and fill shades and areas ideally. Since the armature bar is more extended, it can go deeper into the skin, which helps to bring out an authentic color, thereby creating a deeper color on the skin.
3. A color Packer functions more or less like a shader. They are appropriate when you have to give a solid color to a particular portion of the image. While a color Packer is good for bringing out deeper impressions of colors and blacks, they do not do so well as shaders for grayscales and gradients.

What are the benefits of a Coil tattoo machine?

• A coil tattoo machine is the most popular one available today.
• The weight of the machine allows the tattoo artist better control over it.
• A coil-cutting machine can help you complete a tattoo-piercing job much more quickly than other devices.
• Changing the parts and customizing them to fulfill the needs and requirements of the artist is practically a seamless process that requires minimum time.
• The machine’s speed and power can be regulated and monitored easily, making it a must-have for tattoo artists.

Pneumatic Tattoo Machines

In 2000, when the pneumatic tattoo machine was introduced to the tattoo art industry, it became an instant success and became the most popular machine to be favored by almost every artist. It comes second to only its two other brothers – the coil tattoo machine and the Rotary machine.

This machine uses an air compressor that powers the needles and is the main reason to make it a little different from the other two more popular machines. Depending on how the air pressure is adjusted, the needles move up or down accordingly. These machines can be operated on electricity or even on gas.

What are the advantages of a Pneumatic tattoo machine?

• A pneumatic tattoo machine can be best used during functions and events, primarily since it can function without electricity and requires only gas or an air compressor.
• Its simplicity and easy-to-use functionality make the pneumatic tattoo machine popular among tattoo artists.
• Interchanging between lining and shading is a straightforward process.
• Since a pneumatic tattoo machine is lightweight, it is preferred by tattoo artists who need to create complex tattoos that demand holding the device for a longer time.
• The entire machine does not need to be disassembled for sterilization and cleaning, making it a more convenient option.
• You can use different size needles, even round and flat needles, as and when required, as the machine is compatible with various tubes and needles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoo Machines

1. Why Should You Use a Tattoo Machine?

Tattoo machines effectively bring down imperfections and help perform a better tattoo-inking experience for the artist and the client.

2. What Should You Look for When Buying a Tattoo Machine?

Just like any other investment, you must look into the benefits, efficiency, and cost optimization that a machine brings to the overall experience.

3. How to Decide Which Tattoo Machine to Buy?

Deciding on a tattoo machine depends on what you are trying to achieve and the scale you link people to. Judging all parameters is necessary before choosing a suitable tattoo machine.

Final Verdict: Which Tattoo Machine Should You Opt for?

After this, you may want to be a tattoo artist, but getting the correct equipment that suits you is most important. Unless the machine and the artists blend, honestly, enrapturing art cannot be expected. So, to make sure you can unleash your skills at tattoo piercing quickly, you should always ask yourself which type of tattoo machine will suit you best.

Happy tattooing!