Which Tattoo Needle Should You Use for Shading vs Lining?
For lining, use round liner (RL) needles like 3RL or 1205RL, which are tightly grouped to create clean, precise outlines.
For shading, use magnum needles (M1, RM) or round shader (RS) needles, such as 1207RM, which are spread out to fill larger areas and blend colors smoothly.
Lining vs Shading: What’s the Difference?
Lining needles are used to create the outline of a tattoo. They produce crisp, clean lines that define the structure of the design.
Shading needles, on the other hand, are used to fill in the tattoo with color or black and grey tones. They help create depth, gradients, and smooth transitions.
Understanding the differences in tattoo needle sizes and uses is key to choosing the right tool for the job.
Tattoo Needles for Lining
For lining work, artists typically use round liner tattoo needles (abbreviated as RL). These needles are grouped in a tight, circular formation, allowing for precise and bold outlines.
Some common liner options include:
3RL tattoo needle – Ideal for fine lines and delicate work.
1205RL tattoo needle – Used for medium-thick lines and consistent outlines.
12 gauge tattoo needles – Standard diameter for lining with solid ink flow.
Single needle tattoo work also falls under the lining category, especially for ultra-fine line tattoos. This style is popular for micro tattoos and requires extreme precision and control.
Tattoo Needles for Shading
When it comes to shading, round shader (RS) and magnum needles (M1, M2, RM) are your go-to options. These are designed to cover larger areas and create soft gradients.
Popular shading needles include:
1207RM tattoo needle – A curved magnum needle perfect for smooth shading and color packing.
Magnums (M1/M2) – Straight or stacked configurations used for larger fills and gradients.
Curved magnums (RM) – Provide softer blends and are gentler on the skin.
These tattoo shading needles are often loaded into tattoo needle cartridges, especially when using rotary tattoo machines.
Tattoo Needle Sizes and Uses Chart
Here’s a quick-reference chart to help you choose the right needle for the job based on size, tube, and technique.
| Needle Grouping | Tube Size (Tube / Gauge) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1RL, 3RL | 1–3 (round) | Fine lines, intricate detail, dot work |
| 4RL, 5RL | 4–5 (round) | Outlines, light shading, small fill-ins |
| 7RL | 7 (round) | Shading, thicker outlines, small color fill |
| 8RL, 9RL | 8–9 (round) | Thick outlines, shading, color fill |
| 11RL, 14RL | 11–14 (round) | Bold outlines, larger shading areas |
| 3RS | 1–3 (round shader) | Lines, small detail, light shading |
| 5RS | 4–5 (round shader) | Small shading areas, detail fill-in |
| 7RS | 7 (round shader) | Shading, lines, small area fill-in |
| 8RS, 9RS | 8–9 (round shader) | Thick outlines, shading, color fill |
| 14RS | 11–14 (round shader) | Large shading / color fill areas |
| 4F, 5F | 4–5 (flat) | Lines, detailed work |
| 6F, 7F | 6–7 (flat) | Thick lines, shading, color fill |
| 9F | 8–9 (flat) | Shading, solid color fill |
| 5M1 | 4–5 (flat) | Thick lines, color fill, shading |
| 7M1 | 6–7 (flat) | Lines, shading, medium color fill |
| 9M1 | 8–9 (flat) | Thick outlines, shading, heavy fill |
| 11M1, 13M1, 15M1 | 11–15 (flat) | Dense color fill, large shading |
| 5M2, 7M2, 9M2 | 4–9 (flat) | Outlines, detail, shading, color fill |
| 11M2, 13M2 | 6–7 (flat) | Thick outlines, dense shading and fill |
| 15M2 | 8–9 (flat) | Heavy shading, color fill |
| 5MR | 4–5 (curved magnum) | Detail work, small lines, soft shading |
| 7MR | 6–7 (curved magnum) | Lines, shading, color fill, detail work |
| 9MR | 8–9 (curved magnum) | Outlines, shading, color fill |
| 11MR, 13MR, 15MR | 11–15 (curved magnum) | Smooth gradients, shading and color fill |
How Deep Should a Tattoo Needle Go?
Most professionals set their tattoo needle to penetrate around 1.5 to 2mm into the skin, just deep enough to reach the dermis without damaging deeper layers. Too shallow, and the ink fades. Too deep, and you risk scarring.
Cartridge Needles vs Traditional
Tattoo cartridge needles are pre-packaged and sterilized. They’re easy to switch mid-session and are compatible with rotary and pen-style machines. Traditional needles need manual setup and are more common in coil machines.
If you're doing multiple needle changes (lining → shading), cartridges make your life easier.
Final Tips for Choosing Tattoo Needles
Use single needle or 3RL for fine-line or minimalist tattoos
Choose magnums (M1, RM) for shading and color packing
Go with cartridge needles for faster, cleaner workflow
Always match needle groupings to the tattoo style and area you're working on
For artists looking for flexibility and ease, a rotary machine tattoo or rotary tattoo pen machine provides an all-in-one solution. Artists preferring customization and traditional aesthetics may prefer a custom coil tattoo machine.
FAQ Around Tattoo Needle
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It depends on the needle type. Liner needles may have 1 to 9 points; shading needles like magnums may have up to 15.
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The 1205RL is a round liner needle used for outlines, while the 1207RM is a curved magnum used for shading.
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Around 1.5 to 2 mm, just enough to reach the dermis layer without damaging deeper tissue.
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Yes, blackout tattoo needles are usually large magnums to fill in large areas efficiently.
