How to Use a Tattoo Gun

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A tattoo gun, also referred to as a tattoo machine, is a hand-held device that artists use to create permanent tattoos. Handling a tattoo gun may seem daunting, as it takes intense focus and a steady hand, but the results can be magical. An emphasis on hygiene is a must, both for the artist and the tattoo gun.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Sterilizing Your Tools

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  1. The most common place to find major germs and viruses is on your hands. Wash vigorously with anti-bacterial soap and cover everything from your elbows to the tips of your fingers.
    • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure cleanliness.
  2. Many tattoo parlors will use new needles, gloves and ink caps, among other things, for each customer. Nearly everything is discarded after use. [1]
    • All equipment is single service, meaning each set of needles and tubes is packaged individually. This way, the work space stays hygienic and no one is sharing needles.
    • You must do this if you’re using tubes, but if you’re using disposables with a newer machine it’s not relevant.
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  3. Autoclaves use a combination of steam, heat and pressure to eliminate pathogens. [2]
    • Autoclaves take about twenty minutes to clean the equipment. Once the process is finished, the door opens to allow the contents to cool and dry.
    • Autoclaves can cost thousands of dollars, but they are considered the most dependable system for sterilizing equipment.
    • Are you using disposable, one-use equipment? If so, you don’t need to actually sterilize any of your equipment. It comes pre-sterilized. Be sure to not reuse it when you’re done.
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Part 2
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Assembling Your Equipment for the Tattooing Process

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  1. Find the contact screw and the front spring underneath it on the machine itself. The distance between these two points controls the line you are tattooing. Then, put the needle in the tube and insert the tube into the tube slot. The wingnut, which connects the tube with the machine, should be tightened once the tube is in the slot. [3]
    • As you put everything together, inspect the equipment for damages or flaws. If you come across any equipment that looks like it’s in bad shape, throw it away and replace it. Bent or dull needles can cause bleeding and scarring.
  2. The correct length is the distance from the tip of the tube to the needle. Tighten the two screws to put the needle in place. [4]
    • Be sure that the eye loop of the needle is turned to the left when you put the armature bar in. This ensures the needle is inserted correctly. If it is not correct, it could lead to a painful skin piercing with no ink.
    • Do you have a pen machine? The newer pen machines have a different setup process when it comes to needle length. When in doubt, consult your machine’s instruction manual.
  3. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-reach place. Wear rubber gloves and always have rubbing alcohol and cotton balls handy. Having these tools at your disposal allows you to prevent any problems that might arise.
    • It is always better to have more than you need, so keep extra gloves and a large supply of cotton balls handy in case you need to replace what you are using.
  4. Get a power supply with a digital or analog display. Be sure to use the right voltage, which is usually between 1.5 and 18 volts. [5]
    • You should also have a footswitch and clip cord. The footswitch allows you to control the speed of the needle, while the cord connects the power supply to the machine. These items are sold separately from a tattoo machine kit, but they are not expensive.
    • A lot of newer machines don’t require a dedicated power source (in other words, they’re wireless).
  5. Focus on doing a clean pour and put less ink than you might need. Keep in mind that you never want your tattoo machine to have too much ink.
    • Try to add only enough ink to get the ball rolling smoothly and swiftly.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Creating the Finished Product

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  1. Make sure the design sticks to the skin by using specialized paper and stencil liquid. The reason for using a stencil liquid is that it spreads the liquid over the area that’s about to be tattooed.
    • Remember, the outline is there for a reason. Staying as close to the lines as possible will help you produce the best-looking tattoo you can.
    • The stencil doesn’t actually put any pigment in the skin. It just leaves behind a violet outline on the surface.
  2. There is no need to push the needle too hard. If you see blood, scale back on how deep the needle goes through the skin the rest of the way. If the person’s skin does not resist at all, you must pull the needle out.
    • For risk-free practice, work on a melon, as this can help determine if you’re setting the needle depth correctly.
  3. Once the needle is in a comfortable position, start moving it down the previously-drawn stencil line. Remember to move the needle slowly to avoid any injuries or mishaps. Keep a firm grip on the needle tube and make sure the machine is above your hand, not below. [6]
    • Tattoo guns can vibrate quite a bit, so it is vital to maintain a strong grip.
    • Picture the needle tube as a thick pencil and hold it similar to how you would a pencil.
  4. Right after the tattoo process is done, there will be a lot of extra ink. Clean it as fast as you can, but do not put any lotion on the tattoo. This can clog skin pores.
    • Cleaning the ink is the only thing you should focus on when the tattoo is done. Let the tattoo sit for some time so the inflammation can calm on its own.
    • Once the ink has settled, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly and cover the tattoo with a foil wrap to protect the tattoo during the healing process.
    • Alternative: Instead of using a foil wrap, you can apply a product often referred to as second skin. This seals the skin and allows it to heal over the course of a few days.
    • After the foil or second skin is removed, apply tattoo cream 2-4 times a day for the next 4 weeks or so.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How does a tattoo gun work?
    María Fernández González
    Tattoo Artist
    María Fernández González is a Tattoo Artist based in Hamburg, Germany. She works out of her tattoo studio, Alchemist’s Valley, which has locations in both Hamburg and Madrid. She specializes in fineline tattoos with soft shadings. While she mainly works with black ink, she sometimes includes touches of color in her work as well. Her original tattoo designs often reference her love of nature and are defined by graphic and clean elements. María creates unique tattoo compositions that leave an indelible mark on her clients. As an early adopter of the concept of modern tattooing, which features designs with fine lines and unique illustrations, María has become a highly sought-after tattoo artist and is considered a true visionary in the field of modern tattooing. She graduated with a Master's in Fine Arts from the School of Art in Hamburg, and with a Degree in Fine Arts from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
    María Fernández González
    Tattoo Artist
    Expert Answer
    It works by moving the needle back and forth or up and down. So when you receive a tattoo, the needle doesn't really create a continuous line. Instead, it makes a series of tiny dots that are so close together that they appear as a line. This is why you can use a machine to create a tattoo or even manually poke the skin with ink as a traditional method. Both of these methods produce an image composed of numerous small dots which creates a tattoo.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about tattoos, check out our in-depth interview with María Fernández González .

      References

      1. ↑ https://ironbrush.com/about/sterilization-procedures/
      2. ↑ https://ironbrush.com/about/sterilization-procedures/
      3. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-set-up-a-tattoo-gun/
      4. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-set-up-a-tattoo-gun/
      5. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-set-up-a-tattoo-gun/
      6. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-set-up-a-tattoo-gun/

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