Tattoo Machine Depth and Speed: Guide for Artists

Summary

Tattoo machine depth and speed are two critical factors in determining your tattoo’s final result. Understanding the balance between each and how they can affect the client’s skin is crucial to both creating and executing the perfect design, making it one of the most valuable skills to master. This article will explore how to set up your tattoo machine depth and speed, plus answer your tattoo machine depth and speed questions, such as how fast does a tattoo needle go, what’s the best voltage for lining a tattoo, and what’s the best speed for tattoo lining.

Hand Speed vs. Machine Speed: 2 Main Differences

When it comes to tattooing, hand speed and machine speed are the twin levers of control. Each plays a unique role in shaping the final result, and they need to work together - or risk a disaster on the canvas that is your customer’s skin. 

Here are the two main differences between the two:

Hand speed

Your hand speed varies depending on the technique you’re using - whether it’s shading dark gradients, creating delicate line art, or color packing for bold impact. 

When you’re working on lining, slower hand movements give your machine enough time to lay the ink evenly along your stroke. Speeding up your hand movements here, then, can cause inconsistent lines or even patchy results. 

For shading or coloring, faster hand speeds give you smoother transitions or quicker fills. Paired with a slower machine speed, this approach reduces the chances of overworking the skin while still getting enough pigment into it. 

Machine speed

Your machine’s speed, on the other hand, dictates how many needle strikes occur in a single second. High-speed machines are best for smooth gradient shading, as they deposit small amounts of ink consistently over wide areas of skin. 

Low-speed machines, meanwhile, dominate in linework or color packing, where bold and strong application is needed. 

As you're setting your machine speed, keep in mind that you’re not just working on paper with a highlighter - your canvas is human skin with blood flow, nerves, and natural imperfections. 

Because of this, understanding how your machine speed affects ink flow and skin trauma is key, as it helps you keep your work both clean and comfortable for the client. 

[CTA_MODULE] 

How to Set Up Your Tattoo Machine Depth and Speed in 4 Steps

Now that you know the role of the machine speed and depth when it comes to tattooing, here are some tips to help you set yourself up for success.

1. Select the best needle and tube for the design 

The first step in getting your tattoo machine ready is deciding on the right needle and tube combination for your design. 

The style of tattoo heavily influences this choice. For example, fine line or detailed black-and-gray work will require smaller needle groupings like 3RL or 5RL (round liner needles). These needles allow for precision lines and delicate work. 

On the other hand, larger designs or areas of shading may call for round shader (RS) or magnum (M1/M2) needles, which are designed to cover wider spaces efficiently.

Pairing your needle with the appropriate tube is just as important. The tube should comfortably fit the needle size and offer you stable control over your strokes. A mismatched needle and tube pairing may cause snags or uneven lines - a nightmare for precise designs.

2. Adjust the needle depth  

With your needle and tube selected, it’s time to set the needle depth. The depth dictates how far the needle extends past the tip of the tube when the machine is in motion. For most tattoos, a general depth of around 1.5mm to 2mm is a good starting point. 

Begin by loosening the tube vice on your machine. Slide the tube in or out to adjust until the needle extends to your desired depth. 

Make sure the needle isn't protruding too far - it should sit just above or touch the skin’s dermis layer during operation. Setting too shallow a depth leads to patchy designs, while an overly deep needle risks scarring and ink blowouts. 

This can take some time, along with some trial and error, but give yourself some grace. Patience, along with a willingness to perform small adjustments periodically, will go a long way to striking the right balance. 

3. Control speed with the power supply 

Once your needle depth is dialed in, it’s time to focus on speed. So how fast does a tattoo needle go? Turns out, it’s up to you.

The speed of your tattoo machine is controlled through its power supply, which adjusts the voltage delivered to the machine. Higher voltage equals faster needle movement, while lower voltage slows it down.

The key here is matching the machine speed with the tattoo style and technique. Start with a moderate voltage around 8 volts, and tweak it depending on the requirements of your design. The best voltage for lining a tattoo might not be the same as for other techniques.

In general, it’s always safer to begin slower and build up speed once you’re comfortable. While you’re working, make sure you keep an ear out - your machine's sound can also indicate that speed and voltage are correctly set. 

4. Test on practice skin 

Never skip testing your setup before tattooing your first client. Using synthetic skin or other practice materials, put your machine through its paces to check for consistent lines, proper ink flow, and smooth penetration. 

This allows you to spot any issues, like uneven ink deposit or improper speed settings, without impacting real skin. Think of this as your dry run to make sure every element of your setup is performing at its best. 

What Is the Best Speed of Your Tattoo Machine?

Tattoo machines aren’t one-size-fits-all, and their performance can vary widely, often depending on technique and style. Here’s a breakdown of suggested speeds to enhance results across popular tattoo styles:

Fine line and detailed black and gray (7–8 Volts) 

Finding the right tattoo machine speed for lining is important, since fine line tattoos, as the name suggests, trade bold stroke work for precision. Running your tattoo machine at a lower speed - typically 7 to 8 volts - gives you better control over thinner, more delicate designs. Slower speeds prevent overworking the skin and keep fine lines crisp and clean. 

Traditional and bold lines (8–9 Volts) 

When working on traditional tattoos characterized by bold outlines and high saturation, a moderate speed of 8 to 9 volts is ideal. 

At this speed, ink is efficiently packed into the skin, facilitating sharp lines and vibrant color fields. Medium voltage also supports the steady control you need for creating strong yet smooth outlines, hallmark features of these designs. 

Color realism (9–10 Volts) 

For styles like color realism, which aim to bring lifelike images into vibrant focus, a slightly faster speed - around 9 to 10 volts - is typically necessary. The faster movement allows for smooth shading, color blending, and gradient work. 

Since these tattoos involve covering larger areas with dense saturation, quicker needle strokes ensure precision without overworking any one area of skin. 

Grow Your Tattoo Artistry with GlossGenius

Setting the right tattoo depth and speed is more than just a mere technical step - it’s a key element of delivering amazing work that keeps your clients coming back for more. Each adjustment you make builds trust, elevates your reputation as an artist, and further refines your skills. 

As you focus on honing your craft, GlossGenius has tools to help you manage the business side of things humming along without a hitch. 

From Online Booking to keep your appointment calendar full, to Point-of-Sale systems that make checkout effortless, and even Inventory Management to track your supplies, GlossGenius is the all-in-one platform designed with tattoo artists in mind. 

Start your free trial  today and see how GlossGenius can help you grow your artistry and business together.

[CTA_MODULE] 

FAQs

How deep should you go when tattooing?

When you’re tattooing, the needle should generally penetrate about 1-2 millimeters into the skin, which deposits the ink in the dermis layer (this holds the pigment while minimizing damage to the skin). Going too shallow will result in ink fading too quickly, while going too deep could cause unnecessary pain or scarring.

What speed should you use when tattooing?

The speed of your tattoo machine depends on the style of the tattoo and your personal technique. A higher tattoo machine speed for lining works better to achieve clean, precise lines, while slower speeds are often preferable for shading work.

How hard should you press when tattooing?

A steady, moderate pressure is the key to effective tattooing. Over-pressing can drive the needle too deep, causing excessive skin trauma or blowouts, while too little pressure may fail to deposit ink properly. 

How do I tell if my tattoo is too deep?

Signs that your tattoo might be too deep include excessive bleeding, scarring, or uneven textures in the healed tattoo. Blowouts, where the ink spreads into surrounding tissues creating a blurry effect, are also a sign of improper needle depth.

‍

‍