Many new tattoo artists have one question on their mind when they are just starting out, “what voltage should a tattoo shader run at”? It is an overlooked part of tattooing until you get to the actual tattooing itself. It might be daunting at first to think about all of this while you are tattooing but it will become like muscle memory once you get used to it.
For a tattoo artist, understanding what the voltage does, finding the right voltage, and how different tattoo machines need different voltages are just the first part. Think of it as a one-time thing that you will learn only by setting up your tattoo machine. After that, it will become much easier! So let’s see how these voltage settings on a tattoo machine work!
Key Takeaways
- As most modern tattoo machines are electric, the voltage plays a key part in determining how fast and how deep the needle will go.
- The right voltage setting for shaders will be more than liners as you need to deposit more ink into the skin.
- Different machines need different voltage settings, where different brands have their own specific voltage range.
- The power supply is where all the voltage magic happens so it is important to know your way around one.
- There are many factors that determine the voltage of a tattoo machine but there are 5 that are major factors.
Voltage and Tattoo Machines: What It Does
Let’s begin with what voltage actually does for a tattoo machine. As modern tattoo machines are electrical, they are usually hooked up to a power supply through a direct connection. This direct connection provides a direct current so that your voltage ratings do not fluctuate while you are tattooing.
The voltage in this case controls the speed at which the needles in the tattoo machine are moving. This would obviously mean that a higher voltage rating means faster movement of the needles. What most people don’t consider with this is the fact that the speed of the needles will also determine how much of the skin is penetrated. The stronger the voltage, the deeper the needle will go into the skin to deposit the ink there.
That is why there is a range that tattoo artist uses when they do a tattoo. Some parts of the skin will need a deeper penetration while other needs far less. For example, lining needs a lower voltage rating than shading because you are not packing as much ink into the skin. A tattoo machine’s voltage range is from 2V to 20V, but most if not all tattoo artist uses between the 6V and 10V rating for their work!
The Right Voltage for Tattoo Shading
As I have mentioned about the need for different voltage ratings, let’s dive a bit deeper into finding the right voltage for tattoo shading. First, tattoo shaders have many needles in the machine itself. This is to get a larger surface to pack as much ink as possible. While this is not the main thing about the voltage, it is worth mentioning.
The speed does not really matter as much for tattooing. The speed of the needle has to match the speed of your hands so you will have to get used to that eventually. What matters is how much the skin is being penetrated while also keeping the client’s health in mind. That is why most shaders are run at a rating of 8V to 10V. This is the ideal amount of voltage that you will be needing for shading. The speed that you get with this voltage range gives tattoo artists exactly the control they will need!
The faster the needles are moving; the more vibration will run through the machine. Some artists offset this by either wrapping their tattoo machines or running at a lower voltage rating. But it is important to get used to this rating! There is a reason why most artists use this 8 to 10V rating for shading and have become an industry standard of sorts. With enough practice, you can also get used to this rating.
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Different Tattoo Machines and Their Voltage
Along with the voltage rating for needle speed and penetration, there is also the fact that different types of tattoo machines will need their own voltage setting. So let’s see what the voltage ratings are for different types of machines.
| Tattoo Machine Types | Voltage Rating Range |
| Rotary Machine | 6V-8V for lining; 8V-10V for shading |
| Coil Machine | 7V-9V for lining; 9V-12V for shading |
| Pneumatic Machine | 10V for lining; 10V-12V for shading |
As you can see, rotary machines are comparably operating on a lower voltage rating than the other two types of machines. The buzzing noise you hear in a tattoo shop is due to the coil machine, which needs a tad bit more than the rotary machines. But the pneumatic machines need a larger voltage rating due to the inner mechanism of the machine. It is all about how the tattoo machines work at the end of the day and how used to it you are which will determine the voltage setting you want on it.
There is more to these as well because certain brands have their own ideal voltage setting for lining and shading. The DragonHawk tattoo machines need about the ideal 6V to 8V even though it is a coil tattoo machine. Most tattoo kits will come with their own instructions for their voltage ranges so be sure to read them when you are setting up your tattoo machines and then adjust the voltage setting so that you will be comfortable with it.
Tattoo Power Supply Guide
Now that we are set with the voltage reading necessary for shading (and a bit about lining), let’s now look at the power supply that you will have to tinker with to get those settings.
- Power switch: Does exactly what you would think it does, it switches on the power supply for your tattoo machine.
- Voltage knob: This is where the voltage magic happens! Turning this will give you the voltage rating that you will be needing for your tattoo machine.
- Display: The display will show you mainly the voltage rating. Some of the more advanced power supplies can also show you other important things on the display such as the duty cycle and which setting you are on.
- Dual switch: The switch here is for the power supplies that allow multiple tattoo machines to be attached to one power supply. This can be handy if your power supply has one input for shaders and one for liners and you can freely switch between the tattoo machines with a flick of the switch.
- Duty cycle: While not important for the power supply, a duty cycle reading on the power supply can make you a better tattoo artist! It determines how long the needle is in the skin. The ideal percentage for this should be 50%. The reading is done through the spring action as soon as the needle touches the skin.
- Foot pedal: The foot pedal will allow the use of the vertical movement of the tattoo machine. There will be a connector for this on the power supply itself.
- Input jacks: This is where you will be hooking up your tattoo machines and any accessories like the foot pedal. They will be labeled accordingly.
With that, you are now familiar with most of the tattoo power supplies out there on the market!
5 Factors That Affect Tattoo Voltage
There are many factors that affect tattoo voltage, so let’s look at some of the important ones.
- Type and resistance of the material
- Length and cross-sectional area of the wire
- Temperature of the machine (higher voltage means it will be running hotter!)
- Presence of magnetic devices near the machine and power supply
- The connector jacks and what type they are.
FAQs
What amperage does a tattoo shader need?
Most shaders will need anywhere from 0.5A to 1.5A to work. The rating will be listed on the instructions of the tattoo machine.
Is a tattoo power supply AC or DC?
A tattoo power supply needs a direct current or DC. The adapter for your power supply will change the alternating current or AC from your wall socket to DC.
What setting should my tattoo be for shading?
For shading, the contact screw and the armature bar need to be at a distance of 2mm!
Final Thoughts
Overall, that is what you can expect with the voltage rating of a tattoo machine! A shader will require more voltage as it needs penetration of the skin to deposit the ink in the dermis of the skin. This rounds it about at 8V to 10V for most shaders but as we saw, there are different types of tattoo machines and they require their own voltage rating. Even the brand that you are using will need to be considered for the voltage! All in all, make sure to read the instruction of your tattoo machine and figure out the general range for shaders, and then fine-tune it to match your preferred voltage setting!
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