Rotary Tattoo Machines

If you are out Getting Tattoo Supplies, and you are thinking of upgrading your Tattoo Machine, try thinking about getting a Rotary Tattoo Machine.

There are 3 kinds of Tattoo Machines,

1) A Standard Coil Tattoo Machine ( Kinetic Energy )
2) A rotary Machine ( Electric Motor )
3) A Neuma Tattoo Machine ( Compressed Air )

But Today I will talk a little about Rotary Tattoo Machines.
- Very Strong and Hard hitting Tattoo Machines.
- Consistent Strokes
- No matter how many needles you are using, it will push it into the skin.
- Rotary Tattoo Machines are Quiet!
- No tuning or adjusting for a Rotary Tattoo Machine
- Usually made in jail!

Numbing agents for Tattoos

Getting a Tattoos for some people are painful.

Tattoo artists may have a lot of trouble tattooing if the client is in too much pain to sit still.

What can the Artist or the client do?

The Artist or Client can get some topical anesthetic cream or gel to put onto the area that will be tattooed.

There are several brands and I shall name the ones I know to be effective. Tattooists and clients must also understand that that some anesthetics will only work under "broken skin" (skin that has had the top layer been opened)

The brands are:
1) Emla Cream (Topical, and must be applied 2 hours before tattooing)
2) Dr. Numb (Topical, must be applied 1 hour before tattooing and covered to prevent drying on the skin)
3) Numb Quick (Topical, but only works under broken skin and can be used during the tattoo.

Tattoo Ruler for Lines

Tattooing long strait lines is one of the hardest things to tattoo.

Someone should make a ruler for tattooing. A stencil that will help tattooing circles and strait lines.

Shaking your Tattoo Inks

It is important to have the right Tattoo Ink to use. But equally important, is to have a well shaken Tattoo Ink to use. If you start a Tattoo and you feel that the ink is not going into the skin as effectivly, it might be because all the pigment has settled onto the bottom of the bottle.

Easy Mixing Methods for your Tattoo Ink:

1) Put a marble or stainless steel ball inside the bottle.
2) use a pigment mixer.

Tattoo Tape

After a fresh tattoo, the tattoo artist will most likely want to put saran wrap or some kind of protective barrier to cover the tattoo. That "barrier" will need to be taped onto the body. So what is the best tape to use?

Medical Tape to be used after a tattoo:

There are 3 kinds of medical tape, (3Mtape)
White paper like tape
Brown paper like tape
and plastic clear tape

The most stickiest tape is the plastic clear tape.
A good tattoo is just as good as the care you put into it during the healing process.

Ink Cups for Tattoo Ink

Ink cups are tiny cups that tattoo artists simply put their ink in for dipping their needles. There are generally 2 sizes for tattoo ink cups.

The 2 sizes are:
#9
#16

Tattoo Artists would use the smaller ink cups (#9) for needles are below 13 magnums or flats. But for lager tattoos such as tribals, it is a good idea to use a large Ink cup (#16).

*Remember ti think ahead an prepare the right ink cups for your tattoo! or you will waist time and tattoo ink!

Tattoo Rubber Grommets and Rubber Nipples

Tattoo Rubber Grommets and Rubber Nipples:

Rubber Grommets and nipples are ment to secure the needle bar onto the armature bar, which is on your machine.

View diagram above of a tattoo machine armature bar, and the differences with rubber nipples and grommets.

Most Tattoo Artists prefer rubber nipples than grommets, simple because they are easier to use. A small simple thing like this can change the way at tattoo artist tattoos. ^_^

Tattoo Foot Switches

Tattoo Foot Switches or Foot Pedals are basically switches to channel power from the power supply to the tattoo machine.

There are many foot pedals/switches out there for tattoo machines. A good Tattoo Foot Switch/Pedal are the ones that are very flat or round. When a tattoo artist tattoos for many hours, their foot may start getting tired from lifting their toes. So its advisable to get a flat tattoo foot pedal.

Tattoo supplies: disposable grips/tubes

In the world of Tattoo Equipment, one of the most important things are grips.

Tattoo Grips come in Stainless Steel or Disposable Plastic. Most Tattoo Artists now a days like to use disposable tubes because after a tattoo you can simply throw the tubes away. Usually one Tattoo consists of 5 Disposable Tubes. Most Tattoo Supply Stores sell disposable tubes at a very cheap price, ranging about 50c/piece to 80c/piece. In the world of Tattoo supplies sterilization is very important, but a big hassle for tattoo artists. That is also why most tattoo artists like to use disposable tubes, they are all individually sealed and pre-sterilized.

Frozen Tattoo Ink

Ok so its winter season for the Tattoo suppliers and Tattoo Shops. A common problem during the cold winter for Canadians is FROZEN TATTOO INK!

Tattoo Ink that freezes should be checked by the supplier if the inks can still be used. I know for a fact that Eternal Tattoo Ink can still be thawed after freezing, and still be safe to use.

Tattoo Ink that is all natural pigments should be fine when thawed out. What could happen to the frozen tattoo ink is that it could become a little thicker and have an odor. The odor smells a little like old melons.