Tattoo Glossary — S
Single Needle (1RL)
Tattooing with a single needle, producing the finest possible lines. Used primarily in fine line and minimalist tattooing.
Related styles
See also
Fine Line
A tattooing style using ultra-thin needles to create delicate, precise work with minimal line weight — botanical drawings, portraits, lettering, and geometric compositions.
Hand-poke (Stick-and-poke)
A method of tattooing that uses a single needle applied by hand, without a tattoo machine. The needle is dipped in ink and pressed into the skin with controlled hand pressure.
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.