If you’re just starting out in a tattoo business or just for hobby purpose, then you definitely have to know the basics of tattooing. Most people might view tattooing as artistic and expressive; it can also be technical, too.

From the tattoo colors, to the machines, you need to familiarize yourself with it all. Being creative for designing tattoo images is not the only thing you should think of. You’ll need to know the important tattoo necessities like the tattoo gun. We’ll show you a quick guide on how to set up a tattoo gun real quick.

Setting up a Tattoo Gun the Right Way

Don’t worry if it’s your first time to do this. The more you practice the more it becomes natural for you to set-up it on your own the next time. For now, just follow the easy steps down below:

Step 1 Organize All the Tattoo Gun Parts

  • This is a basic rule for every equipment or tool. You need to know the parts that come with it. It also applies when purchasing a new Tattoo Gun. Always refer to the Owner’s Manual provided and take time to learn about all the parts presented in front of you.
  • Why is it important to check all the parts? Being well acquainted with the parts will help you better understand the whole assembling process, than just going straight away with assembling the tool without knowing the parts. This will also help you in the future to identify missing parts accidentally and easily replace it with something new.

Step 2 Inspect the Machine

  • After checking all the parts, go ahead and inspect the machine. Check whether there’s a front spring (that resembles a coin) or not. You should also check for the contact screw. Check the distance between the two to gauge if the line that controls it is on or off.
  • If the line controlling the front spring and contact screw is off, this might mess up the tattoo that you’re doing. To fix this, you will need to adjust the screw’s drive that can gauge whether it needs to increase or decrease its distance.

Step 3 Check the Tattoo Needles

  • The needle plays an important role for tattooing. If it’s defective, it might affect the performance of your tattoos and the designs presented. Upon receiving your new sets of needles, always check if it has any defects, if it has been sterilized and the package has never been tampered.
  • Discard or replace any deformed needles. Deformed needles can cause excessive bleeding when tattooing and can hurt your clients and affect your business.
  • Also check the machine’s tube. You will notice that there are two types of tubes, autoclaved and disposable tubes. Check if there are any defects, deformation or the package’s seal has been tampered or damaged. If there is, return it immediately from the supplier and have it replaced.
  • If everything is spick and span, start installing your needle into the tube. Make sure you’re wearing latex gloves to ensure that the tools won’t be contaminated.

Step 4 Start Assembling the Tattoo Gun

  • Check if you have successfully slipped the needle into the tube. Test if the needle is tight enough inside the wingnut (this is the one responsible for connecting the tube to the machine).
  • Then, you’ll have to turn the eye loop of the needle to the left. The left side is where you install the armature bar nipple ring (this is responsible for ensuring that the needle was installed the right way and won’t go loose).
  • Calibrate the right distance of the needle from the tip of the tube. Keep the distance of the needle from the tube for at least .04 inch to .07 inch.
  • Then, find the two screws near the needle and tighten it to secure the needles. Check if it’s loose and just adjust it when you need to.
  • You will need to stabilize the needles by attaching a rubber band around its coils. This can improve the needles performance and provide cleaner finish.

Step 5 Test the Power Supply

  • If you purchased a Tattoo Starter Kit, it will always come with its own power supply. Test if it works perfectly fine. If not, have the supplier replace it immediately and never use it on your clients for safety purposes.
  • If you didn’t purchase the starter kit, you can always purchase the power supply online. Always check for good reviews to ensure that you’re only investing with the right quality.
  • Always check the power supply if it has the proper voltage setting. Its voltage should be at least 1.5 to 18 volts.
  • Also check for the clip cord and footswitch. These two might not be available for typical tattoo starter kits. You can always find these online and look for the one that matches your machine. The clip cord is responsible for connecting the tattoo machine onto the power supply. Once this was successfully installed, you’re good to start your tattoo session.

Important Tips to Remember

  • Never purchase old needles or reuse needles for your next tattoo session. It’s very unhygienic and can pose risks to your client. Always use new needles to every client.
  • Do not perform any tattoo to anyone if you’re not an expert. There’s courses offered to have you certified. If you’re interested to become a tattoo artist, you’ll need to train and be certified first.

How do you set up a tattoo machine?

How do you wire a tattoo gun?

Which way does the needle go in a tattoo gun?

How far should the needle stick out when tattooing?

The tip of the needle should not be sticking out anymore than 2mm and no less than 1mm. Keep in mind that every person’s skin type is different and there is no exact measure. If during your tattoo there are excessive amounts of blood, it is obviously going in too deep.

Do you push or pull when tattooing?

Absolutely this. If u pull the machine backwards the needle becomes loose & jumps around. The reason we bend the needle slightly & put rubber bands on is to keep the needle tight against the tip. If you use diamonds you can pull a line without it jumping all over the place.

Do you have to stretch the skin when tattooing?

It stretches a lot. In order to perform any kind of precise work and to get the ink in correctly, the skin must be taut. It’s important that the skin be stretched tightly like a drum so the needles don’t bounce, or get hung up in theskin. If the skin isn’t very tight, your lines will go from too strong to too weak.

What should you wipe with when tattooing?

Green soap is a vegetable, oil-based soap that’s environmentally friendly. It’s commonly used in tattoo parlors, medical facilities, and piercing studios to sanitize and clean the skin. The natural oils in green soap also soften the skin, preparing it for a procedure.

Why do they use Vaseline when tattooing?

During the Tattooing Process

Tattoo artists use Vaseline when tattooing because the needle and ink are creating a wound. The wound needs something to help heal, and Vaseline can act as a protector for your skin. While it may not prevent scarring and other changes, it can help keep your skin healthy.

Why is the ink not taking in tattoo?

One cause of ink not going in is: Needle is set too far out for that viscosity ink. The tip is the reservoir for the ink. Thick slowly-flowing inks cannot travel as far as thinner inks so hanging the needle way out will prevent the ink flowing such a long distance.

What angle do you tattoo at?

Use a standard angle between 45 and 60ﾟ to put color into the skin. Most people work in small tight circles, but with mags, I have found that a Box Motion works better than circles.

How do you know if your tattoo is rejecting ink?

Red tattoo ink is most often the culprit, but purple, green, or blue tattoo ink may also cause these bumps to form around the site of the tattoo.

Common signs of an allergic reaction to a tattoo include:

  1. Swelling.
  2. Redness.
  3. Rash or bumps.
  4. Flaking.
  5. Scaly appearance.
  6. Purple or red nodules around the tattoo.

What happens if a tattoo isn’t deep enough?

When a tattooer doesn’t go deep enough with their needles, the tattoo won’t stick and will be more prone to rapid fading. Blowouts occur when a tattooer inks too deep and they’re the result of tattoo ink spilling throughout the layers of skin.

What is tattoo blowout?

Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin’s surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat.

How do you tell if you’re tattooing deep enough?

How do you know if your tattoo isn’t healing right?

Signs of improper healing include:
  1. Fever or chills. If you have flu symptoms like fever and chills , it’s possible that your tattoo has become infected, or that you‘re allergic to the ink.
  2. Redness.
  3. Oozing liquid.
  4. Swollen, puffy skin.
  5. Prolonged itching or hives.
  6. Scarring.

Can I shower the same day I get a tattoo?

So, Can you shower after getting a tattoo? If you are looking to shower without washing your tattoo, you can do it 3-4 hours after the artist has wrapped the tattoo. It’s important to avoid soaking the area for at least 2 weeks, and remove any soap immediately.

Do you still wash your tattoo when it’s peeling?

It can be alarming to see your new tattoo peeling, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal, and you should care for it as usual! It is still important to wash the tattoo, even while it’s peeling, and even if you notice some ink coming away as you do it.

What should a tattoo look like after 2 days?

Stage Two (Days 7-14) – Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until layers of deceased skin and scabs have fallen off. 3. Stage Three (Days 15-30) – Tattoo looks fully healed but may look slightly cloudy for a few weeks. Deeper layers of skin are still repairing, so continue to look after your tattoo.