Video summary

Ultimate Tattoo Guide for Beginners: Techniques, Needles & More - How To Tattoo

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons (overview)

  • This video is a beginner-focused guide to core tattoo fundamentals: lining, shading, and color packing.
  • It covers:
    • Needle selection
    • Taper/needle characteristics
    • Machine fundamentals like hand speed and voltage
  • A major theme is avoiding common mistakes that lead to issues such as:
    • blowouts
    • black spots
    • uneven/patchy shading
    • unintended dotting
  • The instructor emphasizes that results depend on:
    • skin depth/layer
    • consistent motion
    • matching technique parameters (needle type, voltage, stroke length, needle protrusion) to the goal.

Step-by-step methodology & key instructions

1) Core tattoo basics: needles, gauges, and designations

Needle gauge (first number on packaging)

  • Determines thickness at the thickest point
  • Examples:
    • 8 gauge ≈ 0.25 mm (good for detailed work, but delicate)
    • 10 gauge ≈ 0.3 mm

Number of needles (second number)

  • Affects line thickness and shading coverage
    • More needles → thicker lines
    • For shader needles: more needles → thicker shading

Needle type letters (needle arrangement/function)

  • RL = Round Liner
    • For clear, clean linework
  • RS = Round Shader
    • For filling colors and basic shading / thick lines
    • Key difference vs liners:
      • Round shaders are straight and more spaced, creating a cavity for pigment
  • M1 = Magnum needles
    • Mistake to avoid:
      • Using a magnum that isn’t properly rounded on the sides
      • Described as a “soft edge” needle not being rounded
    • Why it’s a problem:
      • Can strain skin too much and cause worse outcomes (called “too aggressive”)
      • Claim: “no smooth transitions at overlapping points”
    • The video says this type is rarely used
  • RM / CM = Curved Magnum Shader
    • Better ink distribution and smoother shading
    • The instructor uses this frequently for soft clean shading

Taper (last letters on the needle package)

  • Tip geometry affects how the tip behaves in skin
  • Examples:
    • MT (Medium taper): medium length tip for thicker outlines and filling
    • LT (Long taper): long “all-rounder” for outlines and shading
    • XDL (Extreme long taper): even longer than LT, mainly for outlines
    • BP (Bug pin): finest taper for extremely fine lines

Note on manufacturer settings

  • The instructor says manufacturers typically ship needles with the optimal taper for the intended needle.
  • Viewers should still understand what taper means.

2) Tattoo depth: where ink should go (and how to judge mistakes)

Goal ink placement

  • Needles should penetrate:
    • Top layer, then push ink into the dermis
  • The instructor describes dermis as a leathery layer ~1–2 mm below the surface (varies by skin type).

If you go too shallow

  • Ink stays in the epidermis
  • Result: fading and uneven appearance

If you go too deep

  • Ink reaches the subcutis
  • Result: blowout and client dissatisfaction

Signs of tattooing too deeply

  • Often noticed after tattooing:
    • scars
    • blisters
    • inflammation

Depth variation by body location / skin thickness

  • Instructor states depth varies between 0.5 to 1.5 mm
  • Examples:
    • Thinner areas (e.g., elbow, ankle) → don’t go as deep
    • Thicker areas (e.g., thigh) → may go deeper

Needle entry/exit mistakes to avoid

  • Avoid abrupt insertion
    • Enter gently
    • Exit gently
  • Otherwise: risk of unintended black dots

When continuing later / resuming a line

  • Use a:
    • soft exit
    • then soft re-entry when resuming after stopping

3) Hand speed and voltage: how they work together

Definitions

  • Hand speed = how fast/slow you move the machine over skin
  • Voltage = determines how fast the needle moves (and penetration aggressiveness)

Interdependence

  • Higher voltage → needle moves faster → more aggressive penetration
  • Lower voltage → gentler → slower penetration

Consistency rule

  • Fast hand + low voltage → weak lines
  • Slow hand + high voltage → can damage skin

Core advice

  • Achieve balance/harmony between hand speed and voltage.

4) Lining: two methods + recommended stroke and needle protrusion

Line strategy basics (given parameters)

  • The instructor says they use:
    • 4.2 mm stroke length
    • Needle held about 4 mm out of the cartridge
  • They often use a 7 round liner (0.3 mm) to demonstrate “thick needle” lining.

Two methods to adapt to needle size

  1. Adjust voltage to match needle size

    • Keep hand speed the same
    • Example idea:
      • Thicker needle at a certain voltage
      • Thinner needle at the same speed → reduce voltage
    • Example given: reduce from 8 to 5 volts for a thinner needle

  2. Adjust hand speed to match needle size

    • Keep voltage the same (example: 8 volts for every line)
    • Thinner needle: draw line faster
    • Thicker needle: draw line slower

Pick-a-technique guidance

  • The video references “eight different techniques for solid tattoo lines,” but later details focus on the instructor’s common ones.

5) Outlining techniques (needle protrusion + movement patterns)

Common needle for outlining

  • Round liner (single round needle configuration) for sharp, clean lines
  • Demonstration uses 7 round liner (0.3 mm)

Technique set (as described)

  1. Short protrusion “stop” approach

    • Protrudes about 1 mm
    • Works only on even surfaces
    • Drawback: guidance is unclear; module/ink spot blocks view

  2. Push/pull forward line with guiding hand stabilization

    • Protrudes about 4 mm
    • Hold an angle and pull toward self
    • Stabilize guiding hand with thumb
    • Popular, but instructor uses it less (depth regulation is harder)
    • Also can’t rely on “hitting the stop” since skin waves form

  3. Favorite: angled pull toward self (gentler)

    • Needle angle determines the line
    • If machine is straight without angle → natural form becomes a DOT
    • Lateral angle must not be too shallow:
      • risk of blowout
    • Instructor explicitly mentions blowout risk if lateral angle is too shallow

  4. Lateral angle workaround

    • For when you can’t hold the machine straight
    • Instructional constraint:
      • avoid going shallower than the shown safe angle

  5. Small back-and-forth movement technique

    • Used only in difficult areas like elbow/knee

  6. Even back-and-forth movement technique

    • Emphasizes moving the machine evenly so the line stays consistent

  7. Push variant with needle facing toward vs away

    • Facing changes aggressiveness and ease:
      • One variant is “much gentler”
      • “Facing away” is more aggressive and “not used”

Volume note

  • “Lines at 8 volts” is presented as a default.
  • But manufacturer variability means you should experiment.

6) Lining support mechanics (skin stretching & angle cautions)

  • Stretch the skin using your free hand in all techniques.
  • Angle caution
    • Avoid making the machine too flat.
    • Too flat increases risk of blowout.
    • Instructor mentions an “avoid” angle and gives an approximate limit.

7) Shading: seven techniques (with needles, voltage, stroke, motion)

The video presents 7 shading techniques with parameters and movement patterns.

  1. Push whip shading

    • Setup:
      • 9 Magnum soft edge
      • 8 volts
      • 3.3 mm stroke
      • Needle extends ~2 mm from cartridge
    • Motion:
      • Hold with three fingers
      • Push away from yourself
      • Needle enters vertically; adjust depth via hand movement for a gradient
    • Notes:
      • Artificial skin is tougher → needs more passes
    • Common mistake:
      • If you don’t smoothly pull out, gradients won’t be soft.

  2. Stipple / pepper / whip shading (fast axis rotation)

    • Setup:
      • 7 round liner
      • 5 volts
      • 4.2 mm stroke
      • Needle extends ~3 mm
    • Motion principle:
      • Insert needle and rotate hand away on a rounded axis
      • Correct motion prevents solid line entry → creates stippling
    • Alternative:
      • Pull motion can work, but keep voltage low and hand movement fast
    • Mistake:
      • Too high voltage causes undesired results.

  3. Scumbling (small circles)

    • Setup:
      • Soft edge Magnum needle
    • Motion:
      • Small circular motions
      • Adjust depth with hand movement
    • Tuning:
      • Slower circles → more solid ink incorporation
      • Faster circles → lighter texture
    • Mistake:
      • Use a magnum with rounded corners or visible edges may appear.

  4. Pull whip shading (gentler than push whip)

    • Setup:
      • Uses the same general idea (larger magnums yield softer shading; described as good for light shading)
    • Motion:
      • Pull toward yourself instead of pushing away
    • Advantage:
      • Less aggressive on skin than push
    • Mistake:
      • Starting too slowly or inconsistent movement can cause a black spot at the start.

  5. Dot work shading

    • Setup:
      • 7 round liner
    • Motion:
      • Small dots from bottom to top
    • Shading determined by:
      • distance between dots
      • depth of insertion
    • Mistake:
      • Going too deep can cause blowout that may appear after healing.

  6. Cross shading

    • Setup:
      • Needle extends ~2 mm from cartridge
    • Motion:
      • Shade in two directions (less aggressive approach)
      • Pull toward yourself
    • Blending:
      • Second pass in another direction softens and blends
    • Can also be done with liner needles as cross-hatching

  7. Pendulum shading

    • Instructor’s favorite / majority of their shading
    • Setup:
      • Works even with round liner needles
    • Motion:
      • Even back-and-forth like a pendulum
    • Result:
      • Soft shading in every direction; good for long continuous shading
    • Mistake:
      • Requires controlled movements for solid final shading.

8) Color packing for large areas (needle choice + pass control)

Goal

  • Fill large areas with solid black / consistent pigment while minimizing visible needle structure.

Needle and machine setup (as described)

  • Example:
    • 13 Magnum soft edge
    • 8 volts
    • 3.9 mm stroke
    • Needle extends ~2 mm

Skin material note

  • Artificial skin absorbs ink differently than real skin:
    • On silicone, results can look blotchier
    • Demo may differ from real skin behavior

Depth restriction

  • Don’t go deeper than ~1.5 mm

Edge handling

  • Don’t tattoo all the way to the edges on the first pass:
    • Leave a small space and fill later with a thinner needle

Color packing mistakes to avoid

  • Avoid aggressive magnum misuse
    • Magnum must be rounded like a soft-edge needle or it can strain skin too much.
  • Avoid uncontrolled movements
    • Use controlled, even movements to embed color properly.
  • Use enough Vaseline
    • Makes wiping easier while filling.
  • Avoid rushing
    • Rushing can lead to slower overall time due to corrections.
  • Practice-first warning
    • Try on silicone skin first to learn machine feel and voltage.

9) Two-pass filling strategy for packing blacks

  1. First pass (opening the skin)

    • Small circular motions in one direction
    • Purpose:
      • Open the skin so plasma/blood would emerge
    • Not necessarily to fully saturate on pass one (reason explained for later)

  2. Short break

    • Take a short break after pass one
    • Purpose: reduce swelling so skin accepts pigment better

  3. Second pass

    • Must be in a different direction
    • Purpose:
      • build a “network under the skin” for a solid black area
    • Never more than two passes
      • Overworking can cause scarring

Artificial vs real skin reminder

  • Artificial skin accepts color differently, so behavior may not match real skin.

10) Edge refinement near boundaries

Instructor’s edge needle approach

  • Uses a 9 round shader
    • 8 volts
    • 3.9 mm stroke
    • Needle extends ~3 mm

Edge motion

  • Preference:
    • long oval circular motions
  • Beginner guidance:
    • this approach is suggested for cleaner edge work

Practice recommendation

  • Try first on silicone skin to build control.

Promotional / meta content included

  • Calls to action:
    • Subscribe/like the video to support the channel
  • Mentions a discount code and machine list:
    • Discount code: “pon y tattoo” (10% off)
    • References a “check the video here” for the tattoo machine used

Speakers / sources featured

  • Primary speaker/instructor
    • Unnamed tattoo artist and channel host
    • Claims ~10 years of experience
    • Demonstrates needle types, depth, and techniques

Original video