RL, RS and Magnum: stop buying tattoo needles by guesswork
Needle count is only part of the label. Learn to distinguish grouping, diameter and taper, then compare catalogue options without confusing size with technique.
The label looks like a code, but contains several questions
“RL”, “RS” and “CM” appear beside numbers, and buying a first box starts to feel like learning a new language. You do not need to memorise an entire catalogue. Separate three questions: how many points are there, how are they grouped, and what are the individual pins like?
This guide helps you read specifications and discuss choices with a mentor. It does not prescribe depth, voltage or technique on skin. Identifying a product and learning to use it are different parts of training.
RL and RS: the letters are not a size
RL stands for Round Liner and RS for Round Shader. Cheyenne describes shaders as a more openly arranged grouping than liners. The letters identify an arrangement, not an exact line width.
Two boxes with the same pin count therefore need not be equivalent. Look for the complete grouping and individual pin diameter before comparing them. Packaging photographs and housing colours cannot replace those details.
Magnum and Curved Magnum: read the full name
Catalogues include Magnum alongside Curved Magnum or Soft Edge variants, with abbreviations such as M1, RM and CM. Killer Ink lists these as distinct families, while Cheyenne publishes different configurations and diameters within its range. Do not assume every brand uses an abbreviation identically.
Open the exact product specification and look for its grouping diagram. The commercial name is a clue; the manufacturer’s documentation should establish what you are buying.
Diameter and taper: the other details that matter
Diameter describes the thickness of an individual pin, not the total width of the grouping. Taper refers to the sharpened section of its tip. Cheyenne lists diameter and taper as separate characteristics; keep them separate when comparing products too.
A listing that says only “15 needles” is missing information you need for comparison. It is a little like comparing two brushes by counting their bristles: the number matters, but it is not the whole story.
A catalogue example: EMALLA ELIOT
The EMALLA ELIOT Curved Magnum page gives you a specific family to examine. Open its options and check the selected variant: pin count, diameter, taper and quantity per box. Whenever an option changes, read the full reference again before buying. The manufacturer separates gauge (for example, 08/0.25 mm), grouping and taper. Use that structure as a checklist of fields, not as a universal recommendation for that size.
A second page for practising comparison
The Mast Pro cartridges in our catalogue provide another reference for practising this reading. Do not choose a box merely because its number resembles another one. Write the specifications side by side and mark anything missing. A useful purchase answers a specific exercise agreed with your mentor.
The checklist worth taking shopping
Take these questions to the product page and your training. Resolve missing information before buying variety for its own sake.
- Which exact grouping and variant am I selecting?
- Are pin count, diameter and taper listed separately?
- Is compatibility documented for my machine or grip?
- Can I identify the manufacturer, batch, expiry and packaging instructions?
- How many cartridges are in the box, and which learning exercise justifies the choice?
Fewer boxes, better questions
For a beginner, a small selection you understand is a better study starting point than one box of every reference. Write down what you expect to compare and review it with your mentor. The letters become less intimidating once you know what to look for and what they cannot tell you.
Sources and editorial notes
- Cheyenne · Safety Cartridges
- Cheyenne · Shader 0.30 Capillary Cartridges
- Killer Ink · Tattoo needles and configurations
- EMALLA · ELIOT Curved Magnum
Manufacturer and organiser facts are linked above. Our selection and reading advice expresses TattooXpert’s editorial judgement.
Our editorial methodFROM THE PAGE
TO YOUR STUDIO.
EMALLA ELIOT Curved Magnum with a clear reference for restocking.
Mast Pro Round Liner cartridges: identify your configuration and restock with purpose.
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