Tattoo needles and cartridges – types, sizes, and markings

Tattoo needles and cartridges come in a huge variety of configurations, sizes, and diameters. On the packaging, you might find markings such as 10/5RL/LT, 12/9MG, or 0.30/11SEM/LT, which can look quite mysterious at first.

In reality, each part of such a marking describes a specific needle parameter. If you learn to recognize the configuration, number of needles, their diameter, and the taper length, choosing the right cartridge will become much simpler.

The same diameter parameter can be written as 10 or 0.30 mm. Therefore, the markings 10/5RL/LT and 0.30/5RL/LT can describe the same configuration.

Classic needles or tattoo cartridges?

Tattoo needles can be divided into two basic systems: classic soldered needles and cartridges, which are replaceable needle modules.

Classic needles
These are groups of individual needles soldered to a long bar ending in a loop. They require an appropriate grip, tip, and other components necessary to properly assemble the set for operation.

They are primarily used in coil machines and some classic rotary machines.

Check out classic tattoo needles →

Tattoo cartridges
A cartridge combines the needle, plunger bar, guide system, tip, and membrane into a single replaceable module. It is mounted directly into a compatible grip or pen-style machine.

Changing configurations takes seconds – you remove one cartridge and insert another. For this reason, the cartridge system has now become the primary solution in pen machines and many modern rotary machines.

Check out all tattoo cartridges →

Needle configurations – RL, RS, MG, SEM, and others

The configuration determines how the individual needles are arranged in relation to each other. Markings like RL, RS, MG, or SEM primarily describe the structure of the group and its intended use.

RLT / TL – Round Liner Tight / Tight Liner
A variation of the Round Liner where the needles are more tightly clustered. Allows for a compact and precise working characteristic.

HRL – Hollow Round Liner
A Round Liner with a void in the center of the group. This design is intended to support pigment transport while lining.

TRL – Turbo Round Liner
A marking used by some manufacturers for special liner configurations. Their exact construction can vary by brand, so it is worth checking the specific product specifications.

M1 / MG – Magnum
Classic Magnum with needles arranged in two alternating rows. Depending on the manufacturer, you may encounter the M1 or MG label.

M2 – Double Stack Magnum
Needles are also arranged in two rows, but more tightly than in a classic Magnum. This configuration is intended primarily for efficient pigment deposit and filling.

RM / CM / M1C / SEM
Names used by various manufacturers for curved Magnums. The outer needles are set back relative to the center, causing the edge of the group to form an arc. This design works very well for soft shading and smooth transitions.

F – Flat
Needles arranged in a single straight row. Currently encountered less frequently than Magnum and Soft Edge Magnum.

It is worth noting that the naming is not completely uniform across all manufacturers. Two cartridges marked as 7RL can differ in needle tightness, taper, diameter, tip design, and membrane.

What does the needle size mean – 3RL, 5RL, 9MG?

The number appearing directly before the configuration marking indicates the number of individual needles forming the group.

3RL – Round Liner composed of 3 needles
5RL – Round Liner composed of 5 needles
9MG – Magnum composed of 9 needles
15SEM – Soft Edge Magnum composed of 15 needles

In the case of liners, a higher number of needles generally means a larger group and the possibility of getting a thicker line. In Magnums and Soft Edge Magnums, a larger configuration allows for working on a larger surface.

Needle diameter – what do 04, 06, 08, 10, 12, and 14 mean?

The diameter determines the thickness of the individual needle forming a given configuration.

It can be written directly in millimeters, e.g., 0.30 mm, or using the traditional numerical designation, e.g., [10].

Label	Diameter	Work style
[04]	0.18 mm	Very fine needles for detailed and delicate work
[06]	0.20 mm	Very thin lines, details, and delicate shading
[08]	0.25 mm	Precise work, fine line, details, and soft transitions
[10]	0.30 mm	Universal balance between precision and pigment flow
[12]	0.35 mm	Greater pigment flow and a more assertive working characteristic
[14]	0.40 mm	Thicker needle used in select configurations and techniques

The most commonly encountered designations can be remembered in a simple way:

Designations for very fine needles may differ slightly between manufacturers, so when comparing products carefully, it is best to be guided primarily by the actual diameter given in millimeters.

Smaller diameters are often referred to as bugpin. This term is also not completely standardized. One brand might use it for 0.30 mm, while another uses it for 0.25 mm or even thinner needles.

0.30 mm [10] is one of the most versatile diameters. It provides a good balance between control and the amount of pigment transported.

0.35 mm [12] provides more assertive work and greater pigment flow. It is very popular in classic liners, Magnums, and configurations designed for heavier-duty work.

0.25 mm [08] and thinner needles are chosen most often when greater precision, finer lines, or soft tonal transitions are needed.

Taper – what do ST, MT, LT, and XLT mean?

Diameter tells us how thick the needle wire is. However, it does not tell us what the tip itself looks like.

The taper is responsible for that; it is the length of the section where the needle gradually narrows toward the tip.

The longer the taper, the longer and more slender the cone forming the needle tip.

Label	Name	Common length
ST	Short Taper	approx. 1.5–2.5 mm
MT	Medium Taper	approx. 3–3.5 mm
LT	Long Taper	approx. 4.5–7 mm
XLT / ELT	Extra Long Taper	approx. 6–8 mm or more
SLT	Super Long Taper	usually approx. 5.5–8 mm or more

Short Taper – ST
A short cone causes the needle to reach full diameter relatively quickly. It gives a more direct working characteristic and brings more of the needle's surface into contact with the skin.

Medium Taper – MT
A medium-length taper is a solution between a short and a very slender blade. It is found, among other things, in configurations intended for filling and universal shading.

Long Taper – LT
A longer and more slender tip provides high precision and control over the work. Long Taper is often found in liners, but is also used in shaders and Magnums.

Extra Long Taper – XLT / ELT
An even longer and more slender tip. Found in configurations where very precise, controlled work characteristics are important.

Super Long Taper – SLT
A marking used by some manufacturers for a very long taper. However, one should not automatically assume that an SLT from one brand will be longer than an XLT from another manufacturer.

For example, one manufacturer might use about 3.5 mm for a Medium Taper, 4.5 mm for a Long Taper, and 5.5 mm for a Super Long Taper, while at another brand, a Long Taper could reach about 7 mm.

Therefore, ST, MT, LT, XLT, or SLT labels should be treated primarily as a class of blade length, not as an exact dimension in millimeters.

Textured / TX is not a type of taper. It denotes a textured needle surface. The rough surface can hold more pigment and change the way it is transported during work.

How to read a full needle marking?

When we combine all the learned parameters, deciphering most markings becomes very simple.

Depending on the manufacturer, the same configuration can be written in several ways:

1005RL/LT
10/5RL/LT
0.30/5RL/LT

The format may change, but the information remains the same.

Once you learn to separate the marking into individual elements, you can much more easily compare cartridges from different manufacturers.

Membrane, stabilization, and cartridge construction

In the case of cartridges, the needle itself is only part of the whole construction. Two cartridges with identical markings, e.g., 1009SEM/LT, may behave differently during work.

Factors such as the membrane, needle stabilization method, tip construction, and pigment flow all have an impact.

Membrane
The membrane separates the moving element of the cartridge from the grip and the machine mechanism. One of its tasks is to restrict the backflow of pigment and other fluids toward the device.

However, what matters is not just the presence of the membrane, but also its design and stiffness.

A softer membrane usually gives a more flexible feel, while a stiffer one can provide a more assertive and direct needle reaction.

There is no single stiffness that is best for every tattoo artist. Personal work style, the machine used, stroke, and individual preferences have a large impact.

Needle stabilization
An important element of a good cartridge is the way the plunger bar is guided and how the needle group fits into the tip.

Reducing unwanted lateral movement improves control, which is especially noticeable when executing precise lines and when the needle is extended further.

Pigment flow
The shape of the tip, internal channels, and the way needles contact the pigment influence how much ink the cartridge can take in and how evenly it reaches the needles.

This is why cartridges of identical configuration, size, and diameter can vary in working characteristics between individual brands and series.

How to choose a cartridge for the type of work?

There is no one set of needles perfect for every tattoo artist and every style, but basic configurations can be assigned to several common applications.

The above uses are a starting point, not a rigid rule. Experienced tattoo artists often use the same configurations in different ways depending on their technique, machine, and desired effect.

If you are just getting to know cartridges, it is worth testing a few sizes, diameters, and series. You will quickly notice which working characteristics suit you best.

Which cartridges to choose? Examples from our offer

Knowing the configurations, diameters, and taper, you still have to choose a specific cartridge. Different series vary, among other things, in their design, needle stabilization, membrane characteristics, available configurations, and price.

At Ars Tattoo, you will find both economical cartridges for learning and regular work, as well as more advanced series for tattoo artists who pay special attention to stability, precision, and the way the needle behaves.

See all tattoo cartridges →

What should you pay attention to before using a needle or cartridge?

Needles and cartridges designed for tattooing are single-use products. Each piece should be individually wrapped and sterile according to the manufacturer's information.

Before use, check:

• whether the packaging is intact,
• whether the blister has not been opened previously,
• the sterility mark,
• the expiration date,
• the configuration and diameter of the needle,
• whether the needles are damaged or deformed.

Do not use a product with damaged, opened, or leaking packaging. After use, the needle or the cartridge containing the needle is considered sharp waste and should be disposed of in accordance with the rules in force in your studio.

Frequently asked questions

What does RL mean for tattoo needles?
RL stands for Round Liner. It is a compact, round needle configuration designed primarily for creating lines, outlines, and details.

What does 5RL mean?
5RL means a Round Liner consisting of five individual needles. The full characteristics, however, also depend on their diameter, taper, and degree of grouping.

What does 1005RL mean?
It usually means five Round Liner needles with a diameter of 0.30 mm. The first two digits – 10 – define the diameter, while 05 defines the number of needles.

What do 04, 06, 08, 10, 12, and 14 mean on needles?
These are the diameter markings for a single needle. [04] corresponds to approx. 0.18 mm, [06] 0.20 mm, [08] 0.25 mm, [10] 0.30 mm, [12] 0.35 mm, and [14] 0.40 mm.

What is the difference between MG and SEM?
MG, or Magnum, has a straight edge of the needle group and is very well-suited for fills and color work. SEM, or Soft Edge Magnum, has the outer needles slightly retracted, so the edge forms an arc and makes it easier to create soft tonal transitions.

What does bugpin mean?
Bugpin is a colloquial term for thinner needles. There is no single diameter from which all brands use this name, so it is best to check the actual diameter given in millimeters.

Which needle diameter is the most versatile?
0.30 mm [10] is a popular compromise between precision and efficient pigment delivery. 0.35 mm [12] provides more assertive working characteristics, while 0.25 mm [08] allows for more precise and delicate work.

What does Long Taper mean?
Long Taper means a long needle tip cone. It is longer and sleeker than shorter tapers, providing precise and controlled working characteristics. Its exact length in millimeters depends on the manufacturer.

Do all cartridges fit every pen-style machine?
Most modern pen-style machines use the popular universal cartridge system, but before purchasing, it is always worth checking the compatibility specified by the machine manufacturer.

Which cartridges to choose to start with?
A good way to learn how needles work is to test the four basic configurations: RL for lines, RS for shading, MG for fills, and SEM for soft transitions. A good starting point is 0.30 mm [10] and 0.35 mm [12] diameters, then testing thinner variants and different sizes.

Is a more expensive cartridge always better?
Not always. The most important thing is matching the configuration, diameter, and characteristics of the cartridge to your technique and machine. More expensive series may offer more advanced stabilization, membranes, and tip construction, but good-quality economical cartridges can also work very well in daily practice.