Which tattoo cartridge to choose?
ITC Blog: Tattooing and Equipment
Your tattoo cartridge is more than just an accessory-it is the key to your accuracy and working comfort. Each brand offers unique features that can affect your technique and the way you work. Therefore, your choice of cartridge should not be taken lightly.
With so many brands available on the market, it can be difficult to get your bearings. To help you make the right choice, this guide highlights the strengths of each range and their unique features so that you can find the cartridge that best suits your style and needs.
What is the cheapest tattoo cartridge?
Tattoo cartridges are essential consumables, so the cost can quickly become significant. It is therefore natural to want to choose your preferred brand based on price. But a lower price does not necessarily mean lower quality. All of the ranges we offer come from recognized professional brands that guarantee performance and reliability, regardless of your budget.
The 4 cheapest brands:
- Cartridges M cartridges Starting from 22.8 euros (including VAT) per box of 20 pieces
- Cartridges Legends From €25.2 (VAT included) per box of 20 pieces
- Cartridges Travel Cartridges From € 26.5 (VAT included) per pack of 20 pieces
- Travel Tattoo Cartridges: from € 27.9 (VAT included) per pack of 20 pieces.
Within the same brand, prices vary depending on cartridge configuration (liner, shader, magnum), number and diameter of needles, and taper. To learn more about these concepts, see the article : Understanding the different types of needles
Which hardness to choose?
The hardness of a cartridge is directly related to the strength of its membrane. This membrane holds the needles in place and allows them to return to their initial position after each movement. Expressed in grams, hardness corresponds to the force required to compress the membrane: the lower the grammage, the smoother and more fluid the movement of the needles will be.
Depending on the technique and speed of work, the hardness of the membrane affects the feel. It is therefore essential to choose a tattoo cartridge with a hardness that is comfortable for you.
The most flexible cartridges
Soft cartridges are particularly suitable for shading and offer faster and smoother needle movement. Due to their less rigid membrane, they require less energy to operate, allowing you to work with lower tension and making it easier to create subtle, harmonious shading.
This type of cartridge is ideal for artists seeking a softer, more natural feel, particularly for shading and realism techniques.
The hardest cartridges
Harder cartridges are particularly good for drawing clean, precise lines. Due to their stiffer membrane, they offer greater needle stability and reduce vibration, ensuring a more uniform line.
However, their stiffness can make shading more difficult, as they offer less flexibility in needle movement. They are therefore more suitable for techniques that require a high degree of firmness and speed of execution.
| Marque | Dureté |
|---|---|
| Travel Tattoo | 195 gr |
| Edge Pro | 220 gr |
| Cartouche Travel | 230 gr |
| Emalla Eliot Pro | 230 gr |
| Cheyenne Safety | 230 gr |
| Cartouche M | 240 gr |
| Bishop Da Vinci | 240 gr |
| Kwadron | 250gr |
| Legends | N/C |
Ergonomic cartridges
Some tattoo cartridges feature an ergonomic handle, specially designed to provide a comfortable grip by avoiding direct contact with the needle nozzle. This design allows the fingers to be better positioned, reducing fatigue and improving the stability of the gesture.
Depending on your working position and the way you hold the machine, the ergonomic grip can provide greater comfort, especially during long tattoo sessions. It also allows for better control of movements, which can be especially useful for precise lines and minute details.
Brands of cartridges with ergonomic handles include : Cartridges Travel Tattoo, Cartridges Travel Cartridges e Legends
- 10%
Dot / Whipdot tattoo cartridge - Ø 0.35 mm - Long Taper | Travel tattooStarting at €25.00 €30.00
The best tracing needles
Line drawing is an essential step in the art of tattooing. To achieve an accurate and clean result, it is essential to choose a cartridge suitable for your technique. All brands of cartridges offer liner needles, but not all will meet your needs.
If you have not yet found the brand of tattoo cartridges that is right for you, we recommend the ones our customers prefer:
- The cartridges Edge Pro Needle
- Kwadron Kwadron
- Cartridges Travel Cartridges
Are you still undecided?
Line drawing is an essential step in the art of tattooing. To achieve an accurate and clean result, it is essential to choose a cartridge suitable for your technique. All brands of cartridges offer liner needles, but not all will meet your needs.
If you have not yet found the brand of tattoo cartridges that is right for you, we recommend the ones our customers prefer:
- The cartridges Edge Pro Needle
- Kwadron Kwadron
- Cartridges Travel Cartridges