Tattoo equipment is so varied in quality, price and purpose, therefore it is very important to make sure you have the right tools before attempting to tattoo.
Tattoo machines comprise of the frame with various attached pieces. The tubes on the gun can be removed for the sterilisation after each tattoo. This is very important for health and hygiene. The needles of the gun stick out of the tubes and these too are sterilised. Comfort of the tattoo gun is provided by the hand grip which is situated around the tubes and this aids in the artist feeling comfortable throughout the tattooing session. The hand grips are either hard plastic or stainless steel as re the tubes. The stainless steel look makes the gun more appealing to the eye.
Tattoo machines come in two variations, a liner and a shadier and are therefore dedicated to what their names suggest with very little variation. There are little but noticeable differences in how they are built, with the liner version having smaller coils and a more upright position, while the shadier is held in a more angled position and has larger coils.
The liner gun is designed to hold liner needles from as little as one needle but can hold up to ten. The needles are congregated into tight groups and are used for line work and small detailing. The needles move up and down perforating the skin, in which the ink is deposited. The shadier version is used to feel larger areas of art work and therefore needs the larger coils for more power.
A tattoo gun is powered by a power source which will have a dial on it so that the tattoo artist can adjust the amount of power needed to do certain areas of the work at hand. It also ensures that the tattoo machine obtains an even measure of power so that quality is consistent throughout the tattoo. The power supply also has a foot pedal that is attached, so that the artist can switch the machine on and off instantly.
A tattoo would not be possible without the main ingredient which is ink. The needles are dipped in ink just like an artist would dip his paintbrushes and when it is colour change time a simple process of rinsing under water is all that is needed.