Understanding Depth and Pressure
Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard, sending ink below the skin’s surface into fat, blurring the tattoo. Excessive pressure increases pain levels significantly.
Start with the needle a few millimeters into the skin and move it along the outline. The needle tip should stick out 1-2mm. Excessive bleeding means it’s too deep. Push hard enough to reach the dermis layer, as too light of a touch will cause the tattoo to fade quickly, while too deep blurs the tattoo. Tattooing takes skill to learn the proper depth and pressure.
Rotary machines need less pressure than coil machines. Start slow, increase speed with confidence. Light pressure is used for skin deep tattoos, while slightly harder pressure is necessary for most tattoos. Too much pressure causes pain, bleeding, and skin damage. Experienced artists can guide proper pressure.
Needle and Machine Handling
Ensure the needle bar is down, and the washout is up inside the tube to protect needles. Pushing needles damages them. Pulling the machine achieves the best results.
Tips for Aspiring Tattoo Artists
Drawing is essential for aspiring artists. Focus on tattooing for hours straight. It’s expected to experience back, arm, and neck pain after years of tattooing. Commit years to develop skills. Let ink bottles sit for 1 minute before use and shake them for 10-15 seconds at a time.
Smooth tattoo lines use size eight needles. Overworking with size three needles scars the skin. There are four lining styles. Stretch the skin taut for precise lining. Avoid tattooing fresh stretch marks, as the skin is still healing.