Tattoo Glossary — L
Liner (needle)
A needle configuration used for drawing lines. Round liner (RL) needles are tightly grouped in a circular formation. Single needle (1RL) creates the finest possible lines; 9RL creates bolder linework.
See also
Needle
The sterile, single-use implement that deposits ink into the dermis during tattooing. Needles come in various configurations (round liner, magnum shader, flat) and diameters.
Shader (needle)
A needle configuration used for filling and shading large areas. Includes round shaders (RS), curved magnums, and stacked magnums. Distributes ink more broadly than liner needles.
Gauge
The thickness of a tattoo needle. Commonly used as a measure of needle diameter. Standard tattoo needles are 0.35mm (#12) or 0.30mm (#10) in diameter.