Strictly speaking, there is no such common tattoo needle sizes which is suitable for all tattooists. The selection of tattoo needles varies according to different artists’ habits ,the types of tattoo designs and tattoo machines.
The sizes of tattoo needles are as the following:
(The size sources were copied from getbetterlife.com tattoo needle description)
Round liner size, (RL): 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Round shader size (RS): 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Flat shader size (FS): 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15
Single Stack Magnum (M1) size: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15
Double Stack Magnum (M2) size: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17
Magnum Round size (MR or RM): 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15
Common tattoo needle sizes according to different needs:
1. RL1, 3, 5 are for of small tattoo linings.
2. RL7, 9, 14, 21, for whole back tattoo, and thick lines. The RL7 and RL 9 are perfect in shading tribal tattoo designs.
3. FS5, 7, 9, 11, for making whip stroke, and shading.
4. M5, 7, 9 for coloring small and medium tattoos.
5. M11, 13, 15, 17 for large tattoo design coloring.
6. The MR7, 9, 11 are for light shading, super for general portraits.
In fact, the most important thing to consider first is not the tattoo machines but the disposable tattoo needles and suited size tubes and tips. Cause, safe first. The disposable tattoo supplies are called one time used supplies, usually made of plastic and silica gel.
These tattoo supplies are very important for applying safe tattoos. Do not believe that ultrasonic tattoo cleaner could sterilize the supplies, the only professional way to sterilize your tattoo needles, tubes, tips and other re-useable tattoo supplies is autoclave. The ultrasonic cleaner performance great in, but for killing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. But bacteria like HIV could only be sterilized by autoclave sterilizer.
So now you know why better to buy disposable tattoo needles, tubes, tips, grips for your beginner tattoo kits.
