What are 3RL needles?
3RLs are versatile needles with many uses in traditional tattooing. Artists use them to create solid lines, like those in calligraphy, tribal patterns, and geometric designs. They're also great for drawing intricate details and micro tattoos, as well as packing color on small areas. Some artists even use them for dot work and precise shading.
As PMU needles, 3RLs are employed in many procedures. PMU techs often use them to line the eyelashes and lips. Artists also use them for stippling during eyebrow procedures, drawing one hair strand at a time. As you can imagine, this technique creates realistic hair strokes, but it also takes a long time to finish.
What are the variations in 3RL needles?
3RLs can vary in terms of their taper, diameter, and configuration, and these variations can influence factors like ink flow, penetration depth, and line thickness.-
Taper. This refers to the length of the needle's points. Longer tapers cause less skin trauma and produce fine lines, making them ideal for highly detailed designs. Shorter tapes facilitate increased ink flow, which is excellent for drawing bold lines.
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Diameter. This refers to the needle's thickness. Thinner needles produce fine lines, while thicker 3RLs create wider dots and lines.
- Configuration. Despite having similar designs, 3RLs can vary in terms of the space between each point. Tighter spacing creates tinier dots and thinner lines, while looser configurations offer wider coverage.
What configurations are similar to 3RLs?
Tattoo needles continue to evolve, helping artists explore new styles and techniques or improve how they accomplish specific processes and effects. Here are needle configurations that bear similarities with standard 3RLs:Round shaders
Often indicated as RS, round shaders are practically similar in shape and design to standard round liners. However, the spaces between their pins are wider, allowing them to create slightly thicker lines. This configuration is perfect for adding depth and shading to tattoos. In PMU, RS needles are often used in procedures that require filling areas with color.3RL flat hybrids
Also known as TriFlat™ needles, these hybrids feature 3RL needles arranged in a straight line similar to a standard flat except soldered wider apart. This configuration lets artists draw multiple lines and dots in a single pass, increasing the efficiency of stippling and other techniques traditionally accomplished using 3RLs. In PMU, for example, artists can use 3RL flats to cut the time needed to draw hair strokes for eyebrow procedures.What should artists know before using 3RLs?
Although 3RLs are popular needles for tattoo artists, they may not always be the best choice. Artists should remember that although 3RLs can be used for shading and packing color, they're ideal for small spaces only. Using them as tattoo shading needles on wider areas of the skin is time-consuming and, thus, impractical. It's generally safer to use broader configurations like flats and magnums for such applications.
Moreover, because they hit small, concentrated areas of the skin when used, they can result in significantly more skin trauma than broader configurations. One way to address this issue is by using 3RL flats for stippling. Not only do they accomplish the same task faster, but they also distribute trauma over a wider area, making them less uncomfortable for clients.
3RL needles are versatile tools that can accomplish multiple tasks in traditional tattooing and PMU. As with any other tool, artists must understand what 3RL needles can do and their ideal usage. Knowing these will help them get the most out of their tools and provide clients with the best outcomes and experience.
