Round shader tattoo needles, sometimes called RS needles or simply RS, are among the most commonly used tattoo needle configurations in body art and cosmetic tattooing. Although this configuration might seem modern, its invention may have taken inspiration from ancient tattooing practices. This post will shine a spotlight on round shaders, their evolution, and how they're currently being used.
What are Round Shaders?
Round shaders are among the several standard tattoo needle configurations available today. A round shader needle typically consists of three or more pins or points soldered together in a circular arrangement onto a single needle bar. This design is similar to what you would see in a standard round liner, albeit with one difference: the pins or a round shader are positioned more loosely than those of a round liner.
This feature is crucial. Because a round liner's points are packed closely together, it creates concentrated dots ideal for packing color and drawing bold, solid lines. On the other hand, the looser points of round shaders create less condensed dots, making them some of the best needles for shading and blending.
How did RS Needles Come to Be?
As you know, tattooing has been an art form for thousands of years. In some cultures, tattoo artists realized how grouping multiple needles can help create denser lines and cut the time needed to draw their designs. This principle might have inspired the invention of configurations featuring multiple needle points, such as magnums, flats, and round shaders.
Single-use needle cartridges are the most recent step in tattoo needle evolution, appearing in various standard and specialized configurations. Cartridges allow tattoo and permanent makeup (PMU) artists to switch needle configurations quickly, increasing their efficiency and helping prevent cross-contamination.
What are RS needles used for?
Round shaders are used for various tattooing techniques and PMU procedures. In particular, they are suitable for the following techniques:
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Shading. True to their name, round shaders make excellent tattoo shading needles. They create less dense dots, making them perfect for creating shadows and gradients to add depth and dimension to a design. The RS's shape and design allow for even dispersion of ink, which helps create transitions between dark and light areas.
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Filling. Similar to shading, round shaders are excellent for filling large areas with color. This is especially true with larger needle groupings, which can cover wider areas with a few passes. Unlike round liners, however, round shaders are less likely to cause trauma to the skin because of the looser arrangement of their pins.
- Blending. One of the most challenging techniques in tattooing is blending different colors seamlessly. Round shaders can make this task easier as they help create smoother transitions between color tones.
Round shaders are versatile and essential needles for any tattoo artist or PMU practitioner. They allow for efficient shading, filling, and blending of color in a design. And with the advancements in needle cartridge technology, using round shaders has become even more convenient and hygienic.
Whether you're purchasing round shaders or other configurations, it's crucial to prioritize quality and sterility. At Grip Needles, our needle cartridges are constructed from the highest-quality materials and designed to enhance users' precision, comfort, and productivity. Check out Grip Needles' products today!
