Because tattoo needles don't come with a bloody instruction manual.
If you've ever looked at tattoo needles and thought:
“What the hell does all that 1207RL, 1009RS, 1211CM actually mean?”
Don't worry. You're not alone.
Tattoo needles come in different groupings, configurations and sizes, and each one is designed to put ink into the skin in a different way.
Here's the simple version. AND WE RECOMMEND RUSTII NEEDLES
🖊️ FIRST THINGS FIRST — THE NUMBER
You'll often see something like:
1207RL
Don't panic. It's basically telling you what the needle is and how many needles are in the group.
12 = needle diameter
07 = 7 needles
RL = Round Liner
So:
1207RL = 7 needles grouped together to make a Round Liner.
Easy.
🔴 RL — ROUND LINER
Think: LINES
Round Liners are needles grouped tightly into a round configuration.
They're commonly used for:
- Outlines
- Fine lines
- Details
- Lettering
- Small tattoos
- Dotwork
- Some shading techniques
Examples:
1203RL = 3 needle Round Liner
1205RL = 5 needle Round Liner
1207RL = 7 needle Round Liner
Simple way to remember:
RL = Round Liner = Lines
The fewer needles, generally the finer the line.
🟠 RS — ROUND SHADER
Think: SMALL SHADING
Round Shaders are similar to Round Liners but the needles are spaced a little further apart.
They're commonly used for:
- Small areas of shading
- Soft colour packing
- Small details
- Some black & grey work
Examples:
1205RS
1207RS
1209RS
Remember:
RL = tighter = lines
RS = more open = shading
🟡 M1 — MAGNUM
Think: FILLING IN BIGGER AREAS
Magnums have multiple needles arranged in rows.
They're one of the most commonly used configurations for:
- Packing colour
- Black packing
- Shading
- Blending
- Larger areas
For example:
1211M1
means an 11-needle Magnum.
Instead of using one tiny needle to fill a large area, you're essentially using a whole little army of needles.
Think:
Magnum = More skin covered = more ink deposited
🟢 M2 — STACKED MAGNUM
Think: TIGHTER MAGNUM
A Stacked Magnum has two rows of needles stacked more closely together.
They're often used for:
- Colour packing
- Black packing
- Shading
- More concentrated applications
Simple version:
M1 = Magnum
M2 = Stacked Magnum
Both are designed to cover more skin than a liner.
🔵 RM — ROUND MAGNUM
Think: SOFTER SHADING
Round Magnums have the needles arranged in a rounded configuration.
They're commonly used for:
- Soft shading
- Smooth transitions
- Black & grey
- Colour blending
- Larger soft areas
Because of their shape, they can produce a softer result than some traditional magnums.
Remember:
RM = Round Magnum = soft & smooth
🟣 FLAT — FLAT SHADER
Think: WIDE & FLAT
Flat needles are arranged in a single row.
They're commonly used for:
- Bold lines
- Shading
- Geometric work
- Filling certain areas
- Some colour applications
They're less commonly the first needle configuration a beginner thinks about, but they have their place.
🤔 SO WHAT DOES THE NUMBER ACTUALLY MEAN?
Here's a really basic example:
1203RL
12 → needle diameter
03 → 3 needles
RL → Round Liner
1211M1
12 → needle diameter
11 → 11 needles
M1 → Magnum
1207RS
12 → needle diameter
07 → 7 needles
RS → Round Shader
📏 BUT WHAT ABOUT 08, 10, 12 ETC?
This is where it gets slightly more complicated.
The first numbers can refer to the diameter of the individual needle.
You'll commonly come across:
08 / 0.25mm
10 / 0.30mm
12 / 0.35mm
Very roughly:
Smaller diameter
Can give a finer, more delicate needle grouping.
Larger diameter
Can deliver ink more aggressively and is often preferred for stronger lines and packing.
But remember:
Needle diameter isn't the same thing as the number of needles.
A 1205RL isn't "12 needles".
It's:
12 = diameter
05 = five needles
RL = Round Liner
🧠 THE REALLY SIMPLE CHEAT SHEET
|
Code |
What it means |
Think of it as |
|
RL |
Round Liner |
🖊️ Lines |
|
RS |
Round Shader |
🌫️ Small shading |
|
M1 |
Magnum |
🧱 Filling & shading |
|
M2 |
Stacked Magnum |
🧱 Dense filling |
|
RM |
Round Magnum |
🌫️ Soft shading |
|
FL |
Flat |
📏 Flat/wide applications |
🍕 THE PIZZA ANALOGY
Still confused?
Think about making a pizza.
3RL
Like using a small paintbrush.
Great for little details.
9RL
A bigger paintbrush.
Great for stronger lines.
Magnum
You've stopped using a paintbrush and grabbed a roller.
Much better for covering a large area.
Round Magnum
You've grabbed a soft roller.
Great for blending and softer shading.
⚠️ ONE IMPORTANT THING
There isn't a magic needle that is:
“THE BEST NEEDLE.”
Different artists use different configurations depending on:
- Tattoo style
- Skin
- Technique
- Machine
- Ink
- Hand speed
- Needle hang
- Voltage
- Desired result
A needle that one artist absolutely loves might be completely wrong for another artist.
That's part of learning tattooing.
🧠 THE 10-SECOND VERSION
If you've forgotten everything you've just read:
RL = DRAW
🖊️ Lines & details
RS = SMALL SHADE
🌫️ Shading & small fills
M1 = COVER
🧱 Larger areas, colour & shading
M2 = PACK
🧱 Dense colour/black packing
RM = BLEND
🌫️ Soft shading & smooth transitions
FL = FLAT
📏 Wide/flat applications
AND THAT'S BASICALLY IT...
Don't let a load of letters and numbers on a packet make tattoo needles look more complicated than they are.
Once you understand:
DIAMETER + NUMBER OF NEEDLES + CONFIGURATION
the whole thing starts making sense.
Needle shopping suddenly becomes a lot less “WTF?” and a lot more “I need a 1207RL.” 😂
Obviously, this is a beginner's guide rather than a technical tattooing manual. Artists should always choose needle configurations and techniques appropriate to their training, equipment and style.
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