Setting up your Tattoo Machine: The Difference between a Liner and a Shader

The Basics:


To set a liner: When setting your machine to be used for lining, you would need to install a small μμF rated capacitor, thick guage springs, and a light armature bar. 

To set a shader: When setting your tattoo machine to be used for shading, you would need to install a large μμF rated capacitor, thin guage springs, and a heavy armature bar. 

More in-depth:

To help you understand how this affects your lining tattoo machine, basically the smaller the capacitor rating the faster the discharge from the cap will be, Causing faster cycles per second (cps). The tighter or thicker the contact spring the less give it has and returns to it's starting position hence a faster cps. The lighter the armature bar the less effort on the spring to pull it back up increasing the cps. The inverse is also true for a shader set up. 

You could also adjust the gap between the contact screw and the spring is an old solution that is a littleoutdated. The gap can be as wide open or closed as you want it as long as the tune is set correctly. With the recent advancements in capacitor technology and the ability to cut springs of different guages it has changed the way you set a machine. This worked when all you had was one guage for springs and used whatever cap (if any) you could find. If it works for you wide open to line or shade it's how you work and that should be enough.

The main difference is the change in CPS when shading it is better to have a lower CPS while on a lining set-up most find it easier with a higher CPS.



Examples: 


Big Slick Handmade Liner



Big Slick Handmade Shader



Notice the placement of the contact spring, this causes there to be more movement as the spring and armature bar will move more freely meaning a slover CPS, ideal for shading.

For detailed specs on the shader please click on the picture.

Product Showcase: Wizard UV Tattoo Ink

Here are some pictures of some cool UV tattoos, this can give you some ideas on what you can do with glow ink.

If you are looking for a supplier for Tattoo UV glow ink, we are sellers of Wizard UV Tattoo Ink and you can buy it online here.

Our colours are bright and show under normal light except for the white which only visibly glows under UV light.

How To: Become a tattoo artist without an apprenticeship

Becoming a professional tattoo artist is not as easy and simple as one might think, most tattoo artists these days got to where they were by getting an apprenticeship from another professional artist. This is the best way to get the right start in the tattoo world. However, apprenticeships are hard to come by, that's a fact. There is a way that you can achieve you dreams on your own, below I am going to list the steps required to become an artist without doing some rip-off 2 week course or without having to hunt endlessly for an apprenticeship.

Step one: Find out about the process of Tattooing

Watch Youtube videos, go look at tattoo artist at work in their shops, check Amazon.com for books on the subject, ask them questions, buy a DVD that will teach you the basics like this one at our online shop. Just the mere fact that you're reading this blog right now means you're on the right track.

Step 2: Get some Equipment

Buy Apprentice Tattoo Kit

You'll need to get a starter tattoo kit so you can begin to understand the equipment and how to use the machine. You don't need to go all out and break the bank when buying your first kit, this is just to practice on fake skin (for now). A great tattoo starter kit can be purchased for under $100 including shipping to your door here. These are great quality starter kits and at very affordable prices.

Step 3: Practice Tattooing on Fake Skin

Buy Fake Skin

Get lots and lots of practice on rubber skin before you even think of tattooing real skin! Although it does not resemble real skin completely, it will give you experience on how to fit the machine together and tune it properly. Practice stencil transfer techniques and sterilization processes (even on the fake skin, don't start forming bad habits) Fake tattoo practice skin can be bought here. Now read everything there is to know about sterilizing your equipment and preventing the spread of blood-borne pathogens. Buy an autoclave and ultrasonic cleaner before you even think of  tattooing real skin.

Step 3 must be repeated until you are 100% confident in your skill level and have tried a range of designs and techniques, you may now attempt your first tattoo! Just remember to stay within your skill level while starting out, attempting a realistic portrait on your first attempt is not a good idea, start simple and slowly start branching out as you feel more confident. 

I wish you the best of luck in achieving your dreams.

Product Showcase: The New Big Slick Handmade Machines

Introducing our newest range of custom handmade tattoo machines, each one is unique and completely handmade, only the best materials, parts and designs are utilized bringing you a high quality, stable tattoo machine that compares with some of the best on the market.

Highlights 
The spring is made of composite high elastic material with excellent anti-fatigue properties
The armature bar is 100% pure iron providing excellent magnetic conductive properties

Sturdy design, and treated surface
10 wrap/layer coils made from 0.5mm bronze wire
Stable vibrations, strong rear magnetic force
These machines can run for hours on end without warming up, even a little!

Big Slick Custom Handmade Shader

Specifications

Type :Tattoo machine

Gun Type : Professional Handmade gun

Utility: Shader

Coils:10 coils

Voltage :3V start,3-10V,5.5~8V  the best
 

Iron core height:24mm

Contactor:4mm

Electric capacity:33µ

Armature size:44mm *4.8mm

Frequency :6000 circles/Min

Net Weight 0.25 kg

Big Slick Custom Handmade Liner

Specifications

Type :Tattoo machine

Gun Type : Professional Handmade gun

Utility: Liner

Coils: 8 wrap coils

Voltage :3V start,3-10V,5.5~8V  the best
 

Iron core height:24mm

Contactor:4mm

Electric capacity:47µ

Armature size:44mm *4.8mm

Frequency :7200 circles/Min

Net Weight 0.25 kg

ORDER NOW

View all our handmade machines

A little Tattoo Q & A

Some basic questions you might get from customers as a tattoo artist from time to time, and their answers.

Q: Does getting a tattoo hurt？

A: When getting a tattoo done, you are very basically having a very small needle repeatedly inserted into your skin. So, yes, it can be a little painful or irritating, but some people are less phased by this than others. The other factor is the area on the body on which the tattoo is being done, some areas are more sensitive than others due to a higher concentration of nerve endings beneath the skin, at the same time the more relaxed the muscle is the less you will feel.

Q: Is there a problem with soaking in hot water after having a tattoo done?

A: You should avoid soaking your tattoo in hot water for the firs 10-25 days (until it has healed completely) after having a tattoo done, this includes saunas, spas, hot tubs, jacuzzis etc. We also recommend you avoid spending a prolonged time in the shower.

Q: Can I sunbathe or tan after getting my tattoo?

A: We strongly suggest that you avoid tanning or prolonged exposure to UV rays wile your tattoo is healing, this includes using tanning beds. Even after healing, constant exposure to sunlight or UV rays will fade the tattoo a bit.

Q: I noticed that you do “autoclave sterilization”. What exactly is this?

A: In basic terms, autoclave sterilization is the way in which we have our instruments cleaned and sterilized for use. The items sterilized in this manner are put in to steam under pressure which will kill spores and microscopic organisms. The same process is used at most hospitals when sterilizing their instruments.

Q: I have a very dark complexion, will a tattoo show up well on my skin?

A: Tattoos can be done on the darkest of skin tones, although it must be said that the darker the skin being tattooed on is, the duller certain colours will appear. Some colours will show better than others on darker skinned people, be sure to ask one of our artists to find out how well a certain colour will show.

Q: I have heard that there are certain things that I shouldn’t drink before having a tattoo done, what are they?

A: We strongly recommend that you don't drink any alcohol or any caffeine (coffee, sodas) before having tattoo work done. Alcohol and caffeine can cause the blood to thin out meaning there will be more bleeding. The more you bleed, the more difficult it will be for your artist to see his/her work.

All About Tattoo Ink

Tattoo ink consists of a powder pigment along with a liquid carrier. Actually it is not ink at all, but it does resemble its consistency. It is more like paint than writing ink. There is one exception which is "India ink" which consists of black carbon particles from charcoal and water. This cheap tattoo ink has been utilized to tattoo centuries and is still used in tattooing today.
Tattoo ink pigments can also be found pre-mixed or colours can be mixed by the artists themselves. A tattoo artist who mixes their very own ink has a wide range of alternatives for both pigment and carrier. This really is one of the easiest methods to produce cheap tattoo ink and is also one of the safest. The artist knows exactly what is going into the ink and even though quite a few artists keep their mixtures secret there are many "recipes" out there for mixing your own ink.

Buy UV Tattoo Ink

Pigments are manufactured from metal salts, plastics, and vegetable dyes. Mostly they are safe but some people can get allergic reactions from different pigments, especially plastic ones. People with sensitive skin are the most susceptible to this. Cinnabar and cadmium pigments, which is utilized in red colors, should be avoided because they can be highly toxic. As an artist, you go through a lot of tattoo supplies. One of these supplies is Tattoo Ink. Ink can be seen as the "Lifeblood" of tattooing and always has to be in plentiful supply.

If you are spending loads of money on tattoo ink at the moment I have listed some ways in which you can save money on ink also a supplier for cheap tattoo ink. Pre dispersed pigments can be purchased online although companies are known to not list their ingredients, let alone mention if they are toxic. It is not that all pre dispersed tattoo ink are harmful, most ink manufacturers use only natural ingredients that are non toxic or allergenic. These are very safe, as or even safer than a pre mixed tattoo ink. It is important to research the company you are purchasing from before buying any ink from them, one of the best ways to find out which are the best are to ask some professional artists themselves, although you might find some artists will not divulge that information to anyone.

To buy tattoo ink online in South Africa or anywhere in the world, has never been easier.

You can find the best Quality yet cost effective Tattoo Ink on the market. here on our website www.bigslickshop.com. We offer free shipping anywhere in the world (USA, UK, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa and more) within 4 – 7 working days. Not only that but also realize that all our products are 100% authentic and will not harm your body or skin in any way. But you should be very careful about the other cheap tattoo inks available in the market as they can be of bad quality and can be harmful or may cause allergic reactions in some people. Also when using any ink you should be checked to see that you dont have any skin allergies for any of the ingredients, one way of doing this is to apply a small amount of ink to the inside of your elbow to see if your skin reacts in any way. I hope you learned a little more about inks and maybe you can save a bit of money in the future, don't pay twice as much for the same product!