This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to hold a tattoo machine, focusing on the benefits of a proper grip for tattooing beginners. The tattoo machine is the most popular and common type used by beginners, powered by a power supply and an electromagnetic coil. A proper hold enhances precision, stability, and control, reducing fatigue during long sessions.
To hold the tattoo machine correctly, it is recommended to hold it at a standard angle of 45 and 60 degrees when putting tattoo ink into the skin. To hold the gun for longer, apply box motion, which usually works more effectively. To hold a wireless tattoo machine properly, keep your hands in the right position, keeping your wrist relaxed and your fingers in the right position.
A proper grip is safer and more comfortable for both the artist and client. It is recommended to hold the machine between a 65-85° angle, as too small an angle could snag the skin. The golden rule is to keep a gentle but firm touch with just the tips of your fingers, allowing them to dance freely.
The “tripod grip” is often used by seasoned artists to allow the machine to swing around and rotate, allowing for better work. When lining, keep your wrist relaxed and your fingers around the grip, using your thumb to stabilize the machine. A firm yet flexible hold is essential for producing the best work.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| How to Hold a Tattoo Gun | We recommend holding your machine between a 65-85° angle. If you tattoo at too small of an angle, you could snag the skin. | tattooing101.com |
📹 How To Hold Your Tattoo Machine The RIGHT Way Tattooing For Beginners
How To Hold Your Tattoo Machine The RIGHT Way Tattooing For Beginners Throughout my many years of tattooing, I’ve had the …
Should A Tattoo Machine Go Over Or Under Your Arm?
When tattooing, ensure your clip cord or RCA cord connects to the power supply and rests over your arm, not under. Correct needle angle is vital; an improper angle could lead to fuzzy lines (termed as "blowout") and can cause unnecessary skin trauma. When mastering machine handling, be aware of common mistakes that can impact your tattoo's quality. Frequent errors include over-gripping the machine and incorrect finger positioning. When standing neutral, the front of tattooed faces should align appropriately; for instance, a face on the outside of an arm should face inward.
The most popular tattoo machine type is powered by an electromagnetic coil and is often used by beginners. It functions by activating a strong magnetic field that moves the armature bar. It's advised to hold the machine at a 45-60 degree angle for optimal ink application. Maintain stability by keeping your elbow close to your body to enhance control. Effective grip directly affects the ability to create clean lines and shading. A good grip entails the index finger guiding the machine while the thumb and middle finger stabilize it.
Additionally, avoid common beginner mistakes, such as improper needle settings. Both coil and rotary machines exist, each with pros and cons; coil machines provide greater precision and control, while rotary machines are typically quieter. Tuning your machine requires adjusting voltage, needle depth, and speed for optimal performance—a process that benefits from practice.
Adapting your grip based on the tattooing task is essential; for shading, a more relaxed hold should be employed. The goal is to tattoo up to the depth of the needle tip, or "riding the tube." Generally, softer needle lengths (3. 0-3. 7mm) assist with gradients, while longer lengths (4. 0mm+) cater to different techniques. Remember, needles should reach the dermis, penetrating around 1-2mm, ensuring minimal trauma.
How Do You Hold A Coil Tattoo Machine?
To properly hold a coil tattoo machine, use your dominant hand with the machine resting against your palm, ensuring fingers do not obstruct the armature bar. If using a rotary machine, which has gained popularity, the setup may differ. For coil machines, the coils should rest on your hand, and any connecting cords should be positioned over your arm. Gripping the machine in a way that allows it to swing freely enables you to rotate it for better tattooing angles. Understanding the main components such as coils, the armature bar, contact screw, capacitor, and springs is vital for setting up the coil machine correctly.
Mastering the grip takes practice, and guidance on different techniques can enhance precision and comfort. A good start is to place a rubber band around the machine's frame near the front coil for added stability. When holding the machine, adopt a pencil-like grip—firm yet controlled—with your index finger guiding the motion while the thumb and remaining fingers offer support.
It is suggested to maintain an angle of 65-85° as a smaller angle could lead to skin snagging. A gentle touch with fingertips allows for more delicate control, and many experienced tattoo artists recommend the "tripod grip" for better maneuverability. To assemble, ensure the grommet is placed on the pin leading to the armature bar, install the needle and grip, and secure everything with the tension screw. With patience and practice, beginners can effectively learn to maneuver a coil tattoo machine, leading to beautiful tattoo results.
How Do You Hold A Tattoo Machine?
Utilizing a thicker grip on your tattoo machine can enhance comfort and reduce vibration while tattooing. Wrapping your grips with materials like paper towels and grip tape can serve as an effective shock absorber. Comfort in holding your machine is essential for your development as a professional tattoo artist. If you find holding your tattoo machine uncomfortable, this guide will help you learn the proper techniques for grip and angle.
The most popular type of tattoo machine among beginners is powered by a power supply and uses an electromagnetic coil to function. When activated, the electromagnetic coil produces a strong magnetic field, enabling the armature bar's movement.
In this instructional video, I’ll demonstrate my grip on the tattoo machine and share tips on achieving the best results. Mastering the grip of a tattoo machine is a skill that requires practice and experience. Our guide provides professional insights on how to hold various tattoo machines with the utmost precision and comfort. For those eager to learn the correct method of holding a tattoo gun, this step-by-step guide outlines all necessary information, focusing on fundamental grip techniques.
For optimal performance while using a wireless machine, ensure your hands are positioned correctly—keeping your wrist relaxed and fingers firmly around the grip. It is recommended to hold the machine at a 65-85° angle to avoid skin snagging. Ultimately, adopt a hold that feels most comfortable for you while allowing the machine to move freely, facilitating ease during lining and shading.
How To Hold A Rotary Tattoo Machine?
Holding a rotary tattoo machine correctly is crucial for providing quality work. A strong and steady grip is essential, neither too tight nor too loose, ensuring you have optimal control. It's suggested to use both hands: one at the top and another at the bottom, while maintaining a relaxed, upright posture. This technique helps stabilize the machine during the tattooing process.
When gripping the rotary tattoo machine, position your index finger on the trigger and your thumb at the back of the tube, allowing the rest of your fingers to wrap around the handle. This grip should remain steady, with your hand kept close to the skin. Proper sanitation and safety practices are imperative, as hygiene in tattooing is non-negotiable to prevent infections.
Video demonstrations can provide visual insight on how to effectively hold the machine, clarifying the differences between traditional and rotary devices. The guide outlines techniques for maintaining a comfortable grip by keeping your wrist relaxed and your fingers wrapped around the grip, utilizing your thumb for stabilization. Aim for a grip that's firm yet flexible, allowing fluid movement without unnecessary tension.
Achieving the right angle when holding the machine is also essential, ideally between 65-85°. Angling too steeply can lead to skin snagging. It’s generally recommended to use a gentle touch with just the tips of your fingers, akin to the "tripod grip," which allows you the necessary freedom to maneuver.
The index finger should guide the machine while the thumb and middle finger provide essential support, facilitating better control. The way you hold the rotary tattoo machine profoundly influences the tattoo's quality, affecting both the artist's comfort and the client's experience.
📹 How To Hold A Tattoo Machine??-Tattooing 101
This video demonstrates two different ways to hold a tattoo machine, one that the artist used when they first started and one that they use now. The artist explains the reasoning behind the change, including the pros and cons of each method, and encourages viewers to experiment to find what works best for them.
Mind blowing how you just show us these tips & trick for FREE. Some of us don’t have the funds to pay for apprenticeship much less an IN-STUDIO session with our local tattoo artists. Times have definitively changed for upcoming artists with articles like these. Thank you, on behalf of everyone, for what YOU do. I’d like this article a million times if I could. ❤ Keep doing you.
I’ve been drawing for years, and so initially was holding my tattoo gun the way I hold a pencil. I started holding my tattoo gun, though, the way I saw you holding it in another one of your articles. It felt really unnatural at first, but it’s been steadier, and is helping me get better. Thank you so much for what you’re doing!
i use an inkjecta machine as well, and recently i started holding the machine spun around so the weight of battery and motor is pressing straight down instead of wanting to fall towards forearm. way easier on wrist after hours of tattooing. cant imagine im only one who does this, can’t think of any negatives either. love your website, its helped alot. keep it up
Hey man I started tattooing a few years back man I really do appreciate your articles. So many ppl keep this like its a damn secret and I get it to some degree. But anyways I appreciate the fact that you take the time to help ppl to learn. I started souly bc I thought it would be easy bc I can draw great….oh how wrong I was the it became the pursuit of overcoming the problems that I encountered. But anyways again. Thank you I know how hard it can be after 13 years of tattoong to answer the questions like how deep to go….lol…keep it up man I watch you even now for you option on things and you’ve helped me with stupid problems I’ve had before in the past.
It seems a lot of vets don’t want to share their knowledge with new artist, especially this new wave of artist who pick up machines off Amazon with zero respect or knowledge of the tattoo craft or its history. So thank you very much Brandon, I believe you’re doing your part for the tattoo community by making sure that new artists are at very least, doing things properly and safely, because if a person wants to tattoo this day in age, they simply will, because everything is readily available for them online. But also thank you for sharing your wisdom and the knowledge you’ve gained over your years of dedication to the craft. You’re giving new tattoo artist a real shot at learning the right way 🙏 all respect man 💯💯 thank you
Love your content! Thank you for everything! I am just starting out (a bit later in life than most) and there isn’t a way that I would be able to get this knowledge from a mentor when also working a 9-5, there just isn’t enough time in the day! I plan to take your classes hopefully soon! Side note, I cannot get your link to your practice skins to work. Keeps telling me that the payment link is no longer active.
I love how you are constantly putting out new articles and showing us how to do things you might have touched on in past articles💯 recommendations we tarnished would like to see more articles about good ink companies and where to get good ink a lot of newbies don’t understand how important it is to use good ink and save that crappy bundle box ink for the fake skin / practice probably has something to do with the fact that those tattoo kits / bundles aren’t specifying that ink is for practice skins not human skin
I’ve just finished my HSC exams and I’ve been interested in tattooing for a long time, I’ve done art as my main subject and currently waiting for my Cambridge exam results, what should I do to get into tattooing? Should I wait for my results or should I make a portfolio and start going into tattoo studios and apply for an apprenticeship? I need help to start.
I’m new to tattooing and I can’t for the life of me feel comfortable holding the “right” way. The only way it feels comfortable is basically holding it more like a pen with my thumb and pointer way closer to the tip. My lines are way more straighter doing it this way. I also have really small hands, not sure if that makes a difference or not. Can someone let me know if I should be trying to do it the other way or just do whatever works for me?? Thanks in advance for any help 🙂
Thank you for your tips. I’ve got an A level art degree and I took it with a tattooist that wanted to go on after the 18 month every day course and train me to tattoo and work in one of his shops. Sadly I never took his offer. He always used to say that I would be able to do it. I’ve just bought a decent wireless,and after a few tips by yourself it feels natural to me. So I’m going to keep on with it on my skin pads and see how it goes. I appreciate your advice so far and will be looking back on your site and hopefully become better for it. This will be the first time I’ve ever used a tattoo gun.
THANKYOU SOOO MUCH. When I started practice tattooing with your first method because my mentor told me so, it feels horrible. the grip is not stable, my hand is shacking, the result was disappointing. And then I find your article, the way you hold your tattoo machine is the way I normally hold my pen and that’s my forever comfort zone.
Thanks for your tattoo content I’m new at the tattooing always been very artist inclined and wanted to tattoo(also have many tattoos) but finally took the leap and got a really nice wireless tattoo machine and bought all the outlined and shaders cartridges and grips cups ink etc…i spent over 300 spares no expense because common guys this shit is forever not an area to go to the bargain bin clearance section for a tattoo machine and equipment 😂but sorry to mumble on but I’m subscribed and watch/like every article and tell all my friends about you thanks for all the content
Hello, how are you? I was perusal your article of your new position or grip of the machine. The truth is I’m trying to adopt it to be able to draw good lines. I’m having problems now with the drawing of the line. I feel that my hand doesn’t flow. There’s no depth consistency when pulling one. line, could you help me by sending me good photos of how you grip the machine as it looks, supporting your fingers on the cartridge and on the canvas, I just want to adopt your grip perfectly since the article does not show very well the angles of how you grip the machine as it should look. my hand perfectly
Guys please tell me that holding a machine gets better I’ve got small hands and kinda chunky machine so I’ve got the machine resting on my middle finger but I can’t seem to have my lines going straight still. I’m much better with a 03RL then with a 05RL. How is this possible? Whatched many articles and everyone says that as the needle gets smaller it gets harder to draw lines.😅 Can the needle be rubbish make?
Another great content, the way you explained can be understood by the simplest and one who are new to tattoos, the way we hold our machine changes as we progressed, Ed Hardy and other pioneers of tattoing holds their machines almost as they woulfd a pencil wuthva tiny grip, but that’s not for us, as you’ve always mentioned tsttoing is subjective, to each their own, but with the new age tattoo pens, the way you hold it just feels right if you’ve had experience with the middle finger method, i give this article a 5 star and 2 thumbs up, reasoon why when yoy tattoo a real skin, the middle finger method isn’t always applicable, you might even be capable of tattooing with your left hand, your progressiveness is mind f****, and your ambition, dedication, diligence and hard work pays off, a genius at content creation, RESPECT Brother 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I’m in dire need of help here, I’ve seen most people say you should tattoo on a 90 angle or 45 at most, but ultimately 90 is the most optimal and so on, as I see here you’re holding it at like a 60ish? Is that correct? Because that’s the way I kinda feel comfortable too but the 90 angle thing is making me so anxious
I noticed that the ball of my thumb starts hurting a lot after a while when practicing, is this normal for beginners? Is there anything that I need to change like loosening my grip or increasing/decreasing the amount of grip tape wrapped on my machine? Great article btw! Will definitely try this out as I am still trying to get used to holding my machine. 🙂