How To Hold A Tattoo Gun?

How To Hold A Tattoo Gun

Techniques That Help You Hold a Tattoo Gun

  1. Grip Your Tattoo Gun Tip. You should hold your tattoo gun in a firm grip. The proper technique is gripping its tip
  2. Hold at 45 Degrees and Move in Circular Motions. This is a tattoo gun holding technique you should use when shading.
  3. Use the Flicking Wrist Motion. Another great way is using the flicking wrist motion.

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How to use a tattoo gun correctly?

To hold your tattoo gun correctly, firmly hold it on the needle tube as you’d normally hold a pencil. Meanwhile, the machine should be over your hand. Bear in mind that the unit will vibrate during work, so, don’t put too much pressure and try to keep your hand steady.

How do I make a tube for a tattoo gun?

Download Article Download Article Tattoos are personal and creative forms of self-expression. What’s more personal or creative than making your own tattoo gun? Note, however, that tattooing on human skin with a homemade tattoo gun and no formal training can be very dangerous; it’s best to use this tattoo gun to practice tattooing on fruit or synthetic skin instead.

  1. 1 Find a motor. You’ll need an electric motor or similar type rotary motor that runs on at least 12 volts; 18 volts would be ideal. [1]
    • The motor will have a small shaft protruding from the center. Take a small four-hole button and attach it to that shaft with superglue. Be careful not to use so much glue that it seeps through the holes of the button and blocks them. They need to be open so that you can attach the needle. Set it aside to dry.
      • Instead of a button, you can use an eraser. Take the eraser from a mechanical pen and push it firmly onto the small shaft of your motor.
    • You can remove the motor from a VCR or remote control car, but the power will be considerably less; it’s about 3. 5 volts.
  2. 2 Create the tube. The “tube” will guide the needle. It’s easy to make one from a pencil or pen.
    • Use a mechanical pencil. An inexpensive plastic pencil will work fine, or you can choose one that’s metal. Depending on your preference, you can leave the pencil as-is or cut it down to about a 3″ to 4″ length.
    • Alternately, you can use an everyday stick pen like a Bic and remove the ink cylinder from inside. If you want a shorter tube, cut the pen to about a 3″ or 4″ length. File down the brass tip of the pen to get the ball out and make the hole big enough to allow passage of the needle.

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  3. 3 Design a brace. The brace will support the tube when it’s attached to the machine motor for the tattoo gun. [2]
    • Take a teaspoon and break off the bowl (the part you eat from). Then bend the spoon back to create an “L”-shape.
    • A second option would be to cut the bristles off of a toothbrush leaving about 4″ in length. Use a lighter to heat up the plastic toothbrush handle and bend it into an “L” shape. Hold the bent handle in place until the plastic cools, and it becomes stiff.
  4. 4 Make a needle. Cut a metal guitar string an inch or so longer than the length of your tube. It should reach from the center of the motor to the tip of the tube after assembly. Put soap and water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Drop your needle into the pot and boil it for five minutes. [3]
    • You can prepare several needles in advance. If you do so, store them in a sterilized jar.
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  1. 1 Attach the tube to the brace. Remove the eraser and any lead from your mechanical pencil. Hold the short end of the spoon (or toothbrush) brace in your hand the way you’d hold a gun and tape the pencil to it. The open “eraser” end of the pencil should line up with the bend in the spoon, and the shaft of the pencil should lay on the straight plane of the brace. [4]
    • Be sure to tape the pencil to the brace very securely; it should not wobble or wiggle in any way.
  2. 2 Attach the motor to the brace. Tape the motor to the short end of your brace. Be sure that it’s straight and that the button is centered along the shaft of the brace.
  3. 3 Insert your needle. Place one end of the guitar string through the tip of the pencil and thread it through the tube. When it comes out the other end, pick up your pliers and bend the end of the guitar string into a 90-degree angle. Then bend the tip of the string again to create a second 90-degree angle You’re basically creating a hook at the end of your needle.
  4. 4 Attach the needle to the motor. Take the hook you just created and set it into one of the holes in your button. When you spin the button, you should see the needle going in and out of the end of your pencil tube. If necessary, trim down the needle.
    • If you used an eraser instead of a button, create just one 90-degree angle on the end of your guitar string and firmly press it into the eraser so that it’s secure. Please note: it’s important that the needle is intentionally off center. Do not line it up exactly in the middle of the eraser.
  5. 5 Connect your power source. Use a plug-in adapter from a CD player, a phone charger or other power source that’s made up of two wires. Split the wires apart and attach them to the contacts of the motor.
    • If you don’t want to repeatedly unplug and re-plug your power source when you stop to clean the skin, purchase a small On/Off switch from an electronics store and attach it to your motor connection.
  6. 6 Discard single-use items. Once you’ve finished your tattoo, you must throw away the needle and the tube (mechanical pencil/pen). Do not under any circumstances reuse these items. They can spread diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. Even if you plan to use the materials only on yourself, it’s not worth the risk, especially when guitar string and mechanical pencils and pens are so inexpensive.
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Add New Question

  • Question What size of guitar string do you use? You can use the E string or the B string (the two smallest ones). Sometimes the E string is two flimsy, so the B string is better.
  • Question Do I just dip the tip of the needle in ink? Yes. Put the ink in a small dish first so that you don’t contaminate all of it.
  • Question What type of ink should you use for a tattoo? You can use “India ink. ” You can find this at art and craft suppliers.
  • Question Can I use an actual tattoo needle? Yes, as it is specifically designed for tattoos, it should be safe once 100% sterilized.
  • Question Where else can I get a motor? You could take apart an old Xbox controller, or you can take apart something like a DVD player, Ps3 controller, etc.
  • Question Give Some other recommended inks to use? Tattoo ink is the best, but non toxic india ink (such as Higgins, Speedball or Windsor and Newton) works well also. You can buy tattoo ink on the Internet. Stay away from pen ink and inks that may be toxic. If you’re going to do color, be on the safe side and use tattoo ink. And stay away from red ink (a lot of people are allergic to red dyes and chemicals in red ink are known carcinogens. )
  • Question What can I substitute for the guitar string? You can use a sewing needle only if you have boiled it and 100% sterilized it. Never use a hollow piercing needle or safety pin.
  • Question What type of ink should I use when tattooing? India ink (only black) or tattoo ink. Never use pen ink because it spreads infections.
  • Question How much ink in the gun? Fill a cereal bow with India ink or tattoo Ink and dip the needle into the bowl. Only use the ink in the bowl for one person and only use it the one time, otherwise you increase the risk of getting HIV or other infections.
  • Question How do you use the ink in the homemade tattoo gun? Use India ink (the non-colored version only) or tattoo ink. Do not use pen ink as the chemical is slightly different to tattoo ink, as tattoo ink has a special chemicals in it that are considered to be okay for your skin.

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  • Make many needles so they can always be thrown away after use.
  • Make sure your needles remain sterile and never reuse needles.
  • Flame can also be used for sterilization of the needle before inserting it into the gun.

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  • If you choose to use this tattoo gun on real human skin, do so at your own risk. Always follow proper sterilization procedures and watch for sign of injury or infection.
  • Ideally, you should only use this homemade tattoo gun to practice on synthetic skin. Do not practice on human skin or live animals.

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How to use a tattoo machine?

Download Article Download Article A tattoo gun, also referred to as a tattoo machine, is a hand-held device that artists use to create permanent tattoos. Handling a tattoo gun may seem daunting, as it takes intense focus and a steady hand, but the results can be magical. An emphasis on hygiene is a must, both for the artist and the tattoo gun.

  1. 1 Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the equipment. The most common place to find major germs and viruses is on your hands. Wash vigorously with anti-bacterial soap and cover everything from your elbows to the tips of your fingers.
    • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure cleanliness.
  2. 2 Use brand new supplies. Many tattoo parlors will use new needles, gloves and ink caps, among other things, for each customer. Nearly everything is discarded after use. [1]
    • All equipment is single service, meaning each set of needles and tubes is packaged individually. This way, the work space stays hygienic and no one is sharing needles.

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  3. 3 Clean your instruments with an autoclave sterilizer. Autoclaves use a combination of steam, heat and pressure to eliminate pathogens. [2]
    • Autoclaves take about twenty minutes to clean the equipment. Once the process is finished, the door opens to allow the contents to cool and dry.
    • Autoclaves can cost thousands of dollars, but they are considered the most dependable system for sterilizing equipment.
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  1. 1 Arrange the pieces of the tattoo gun. Find the contact screw and the front spring underneath it on the machine itself. The distance between these two points controls the line you are tattooing. Then, put the needle in the tube and insert the tube into the tube slot. The wingnut, which connects the tube with the machine, should be tightened once the tube is in the slot. [3]
    • As you put everything together, inspect the equipment for damages or flaws. If you come across any equipment that looks like it’s in bad shape, throw it away and replace it. Bent or dull needles can cause bleeding and scarring.
  2. 2 Set the length of the needle. The correct length is the distance from the tip of the tube to the needle. Tighten the two screws to put the needle in place. [4]
    • Be sure that the eye loop of the needle is turned to the left when you put the armature bar in. This ensures the needle is inserted correctly. If it is not correct, it could lead to a painful skin piercing with no ink.
  3. 3 Gather all necessary equipment and set it out on your desk. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-reach place. Wear rubber gloves and always have rubbing alcohol and cotton balls handy. Having these tools at your disposal allows you to prevent any problems that might arise.
    • It is always better to have more than you need, so keep extra gloves and a large supply of cotton balls handy in case you need to replace what you are using.
  4. 4 Plug in the power source. Get a power supply with a digital or analog display. Be sure to use the right voltage, which is usually between 1. 5 and 18 volts. [5]
    • You should also have a footswitch and clip cord. The footswitch allows you to control the speed of the needle, while the cord connects the power supply to the machine. These items are sold separate from a tattoo machine kit, but they are not expensive.
  5. 5 Pour the ink into your sterilized tattoo gun. Focus on doing a clean pour and put less ink than you might need. Keep in mind that you never want your tattoo machine to have too much ink.
    • Try to add only enough ink to get the ball rolling smoothly and swiftly.
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  1. 1 Add the design onto the person’s skin. Make sure the design sticks to the skin by using specialized paper and stencil liquid. The reason for using a stencil liquid is that it spreads the liquid over the area that’s about to be tattooed.
    • Remember, the outline is there for a reason. Staying as close to the lines as possible will help you produce the best-looking tattoo you can.
  2. 2 Push the needle into the person’s skin. There is no need to push the needle too hard. If you see blood, scale back on how deep the needle goes through the skin the rest of the way. If the person’s skin does not resist at all, you must pull the needle out.
    • For risk-free practice, work on a melon, as this can help determine if you’re using the needle correctly. If the fruit is damaged, you are pushing the needle too deep.
  3. 3 Outline the tattoo design. Once the needle is in a comfortable position, start moving it down the previously-drawn stencil line. Remember to move the needle slowly to avoid any injuries or mishaps. Keep a firm grip on the needle tube and make sure the machine is above your hand, not below. [6]
    • Tattoo guns can vibrate quite a bit, so it is vital to maintain a strong grip.
    • Picture the needle tube as a thick pencil and hold it similar to how you would a pencil.
  4. 4 Remove excess ink from the person’s skin. Right after the tattoo process is done, there will be a lot of extra ink. Clean it as fast as you can, but do not put any lotion on the tattoo. This can clog skin pores.
    • Cleaning the ink is the only thing you should focus on when the tattoo is done. Let the tattoo sit for some time so the inflammation can calm on its own.
    • Once the ink has settled, apply a small amount of ointment and cover the tattoo with a bandage to protect it during the healing process.
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How does a tattoo needle slide in and out?

When the needle strikes the skin, it doesn’t so much a slide in as it does blow the skin apart to create an opening for the ink to enter. To bypass this some artists have lightened their stretch and kept the steep angle when tattooing.