Tattoo guides
Practical explanations of equipment and technique — from people who work with it every day. No marketing fluff, just what matters.
Tattoo needle sizes and configurations explained: RL, RS, RM and M1
Round Liner, Round Shader, Magnum and Curved Magnum — plus diameters and taper — explained in plain English, so you can read any cartridge box and pick the right needle for the job.
Cartridges vs traditional needles: which should you use?
Cartridge systems are the modern standard, but bar needles still have their place. How each works, what they cost you in time and hygiene, and how to decide for your own setup.
How to choose your first rotary tattoo machine
Stroke length, give, weight, wireless or wired — what actually matters when buying your first rotary or pen, explained without the marketing noise, plus the mistakes to avoid.
Tattoo ink types and greywash dilution: a practical guide
Lining blacks, shading blacks, colour sets and greywash — what is actually in the bottle, how dilution works, and how to build a small ink shelf that covers real work.
How to apply a tattoo stencil that lasts the whole session
Clean skin prep, the right amount of stencil solution, placement without sliding and proper drying time — a step-by-step method for transfers that survive wiping.
Studio hygiene and cross-contamination: working clean in a UK studio
Clean and dirty zones, barrier protection, sharps disposal and surface disinfection — the working habits that protect your clients, your licence and you.
Tattoo aftercare: a simple guide for clients
The first hours, washing, moisturising, what to avoid and what normal healing looks like week by week — plus the signs that mean you should speak to a doctor.
Practising on artificial skin: how to get the most from fake skin
Synthetic skin lets you build machine control before you ever touch a client — if you use it deliberately. Drills, settings, honest limitations and how to progress.