Probably the hardest part of a tattoo artist’s journey is the very beginning. You might have seen some tips on the internet or looked at some videos about practicing tattooing. But the best thing you can honestly do when you start is practice as much as possible! I began my tattoo journey with a practice machine and spent countless hours practicing on synthetic skin. For that reason, I have reviewed 10 of the best tattoo gun for beginners so that you too can start out your journey on the right foot!
Top 11 Best Tattoo Gun For Beginners In 2023
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Tattoo Pen Kit Wormhole Cartridge Rotary | #### |
 | Best for All Type Tattoo Dragonhawk Tattoo Kit, Complete Tattoo Pe | #### |
 | Best for Dual Power Capacity Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Cartridge Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best for Frequent Practice Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best for Ergonomic Lightweight Design Wormhole Rotary Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best Value for Money Wormhole Tattoo Gun Kit Cartridge Needles Rotary Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best for All Category Tattoo Artist Wormhole Tattoo Gun Tattoo Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Complete Tattoo Pen | #### |
 | Best for Short Time Use – Wormhole Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun Kit Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best for Long Time Working STIGMA Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine | #### |
 | Best for Beginners & Semi-Professional Romlon Tattoo Kit – Complete Tattoo Pen | #### |
 | Best for Shading and Lining ITATOO Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun for Beginners | #### |
1. Best Overall – Tattoo Pen Kit Wormhole Cartridge Rotary Complete Professional Tattoo Machine for Beginners (TK108) (Red)
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: TK108
- Tattoo gun size: 4.57 inches
- Speed: 10V 10,000RPM
- Stroke length: 3.5mm
Description
Get the complete best overall tattoo kit on the market with an amazing tattoo gun in the Tattoo Pen Kit Wormhole Cartridge Rotary Complete Professional Tattoo Machine for Beginners (TK108)!
Features
- Complete set: included everything needed for practicing tattoo
- Ergonomic design: made to feel just like a rotary machine
- Adjustable needle: made to work with varying depths to get the right amount of ink into the practice skin
How to set up and use
With all practice tattoo guns, you will need to first set them up properly so that you can start using them as soon as possible. So here is how you will set up the tattoo gun, from needle to power supply.
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
When you need a good tattoo gun as a beginner, there is no doubt in my mind that the Tattoo Pen Kit Wormhole Cartridge Rotary Complete Professional Tattoo Machine for Beginners (TK108) is the perfect beginner-friendly tattoo gun out there! It is lightweight and made to mimic an actual tattoo machine which will help when you hold a real one. It is very easy to set up as well, making for a very easy setup in practice. The only problem I would say is that if you were to practice on real skin, you will need better quality tattoo ink that you need to buy separately. Otherwise, the weight and feel, combined with how easy it is to use for practice make this my best overall tattoo gun on the list!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to set up and disassemble | Ink is not meant for real skin |
| Mimics real tattoo machine | |
| Beginner-friendly | |
| Very easy to tattoo on synthetic skin |
2. Best for All Type Tattoo – Dragonhawk Tattoo Kit, Complete Tattoo Pen Machine Kit, Tattoo Gun Kit For Beginners
Specification
- Brand: Dragonhawk
- Model: Atom M1-B
- Tattoo gun size: 4.88 inches
- Speed: 12V 10,500RPM
- Stroke length: 4mm
Description
Get the tattoo gun that is meant for all types of tattoo designs with the Dragonhawk Tattoo Kit, Complete Tattoo Pen Machine Kit, Tattoo Gun Kit For Beginners!
Features
- Low noise: work and practice without making noise
- Water resistant: don’t have to worry about splashes of ink and water
- Line and shading: easy to line and shade your tattoo
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
They saw that you don’t forget your first love and I have special place in my heart for Dragonhawk tattoo guns because they were my very first tattoo machines! The Dragonhawk Tattoo Kit, Complete Tattoo Pen Machine Kit, Tattoo Gun Kit For Beginners includes everything you need for the start of your tattoo journey and it is great for all types as well! The tattoo kit is wonderful but the best thing about it is the tattoo gun. It is low noise so you don’t get that buzzing noise stuck in your head all day long. It is also brilliant for shading and lines so that makes this the perfect way to start getting into tattooing. The only iffy thing about the whole kit is the pedal which doesn’t come with instructions and takes getting a bit used to. But once you do, then you are set for a great tattooing experience!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great overall kit | The foot pedal takes getting used to |
| Tattoo gun is very good for lining and shading | |
| Low-noise tattoo gun |
3. Best for Dual Power Capacity – Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Cartridge Tattoo Machine for Beginners Rotary Tattoo Pen Type Machine Kit Complete Tattoo Supplies WTK070
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK070
- Tattoo gun size: 4.37 inches
- Speed: 8200RPM
- Stroke length: 4mm
Description
Get a tattoo gun that is easy to switch between liner and shader with the Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit WTK070!
Features
- Power fail-safe: automatically turns off when voltage is too high
- Online guide included: to help you get started on your tattooing journey
- Direct drive system: for easy needle placement
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
When you need a tattoo machine that works well in any voltage for both lining and shading, then the Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit WTK070 is great! It has a fail-safe so that you don’t use too much voltage during your tattooing which makes it very safe to use. It also uses precision voltage tuning so you get the exact voltage you need. Along with that, you have an in-line for both lining and shading so you don’t have to switch colds for the machine, just need to flip the switch! The only downside is that the motor only gives about 8,000 RPM which is quite low and you don’t get to explore higher-RPM tattoo guns.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Power fail-safe | Low RPM |
| Precision voltage tuning | |
| Easy to switch for lining and shading |
4. Best for Frequent Practice – Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit with Power Supply and Tattoo Cartridge Needles Complete Tattoo Kit for Beginners WTK063
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK063
- Tattoo gun size: 4.02 inches
- Speed: 8V 10,000RPM
- Stroke length: 1 to 3.5mm
Description
Get to practicing frequently with the Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit with Power Supply and Tattoo Cartridge Needles Complete Tattoo Kit for Beginners WTK063!
Features
- Safe to autoclave: can be sterilized in autoclave
- Integrated design: feels just like drawing
- High-frequency stability: does not shake much at higher-RPMs
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
What I liked about the Wormhole Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit with Power Supply and Tattoo Cartridge Needles Complete Tattoo Kit for Beginners WTK063 were its very easy-to-understand instructions. The setup and tattooing were very easy to do and it felt like I was holding a pen to draw instead of a heavy machine. It also stays stable at higher RPMs which was fantastic to gauge what RPM you want to use for the tattoo gun. But the pedal was really sensitive and can be cause for concern for beginners to not get into the habit of using a bad pedal.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stable for long periods | Sensitive pedal |
| Feels like drawing | |
| Easy-to-understand instruction |
5. Best for Ergonomic Lightweight Design – Wormhole Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with 20 Color Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit Gold
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK090
- Tattoo gun size: 4.02 inches
- Speed: 10V 10,000RPM
- Stroke length: 4.5mm
Description
Get one of the most beginner-friendly ergonomic tattoo guns with the Wormhole Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with 20 Color Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit Gold!
Features
- Optimal maneuverability: move the tattoo gun with ease
- Lightweight: easy to hold for long periods
- Non-slip handle: made to stay on your hands
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
Tattoo guns that mimic actual rotary tattoo machines are hard to get but it is always great to have one that stays stable in your hands. That is exactly what the Wormhole Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with 20 Color Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit Gold provides for your hands with its ergonomic design. I used it for a few hours and had no problems with my hands as it was very lightweight and easy to move around. But the best thing about the tattoo gun was how it was made to not fall from your hands, which is something you definitely need for a tattoo gun when you are a beginner so you don’t constantly worry about it falling. The only problem I had was the tattooed skin that was included with the tattoo gun which was too thin to practice reliably.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and easy to move | Thin tattoo paper |
| Ergonomic design | |
| Non-slip grip |
6. Best Value for Money – Wormhole Tattoo Gun Kit Cartridge Needles Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen, Complete Tattoo Supplies for Beginners WTK104
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK104
- Tattoo gun size: 4.02 inches
- Speed: 8V 10,000RPM
- Stroke length: 3.5mm
Description
Get the value for money tattoo gun in the Wormhole Tattoo Gun Kit Cartridge Needles Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen, Complete Tattoo Supplies for Beginners WTK104 for Beginners!
Features
- Adjustable: switch the voltage for shading and lining with ease
- Strong motor: up to 10k RPM at 8 volts
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
As a beginner, you will need to make smart investment choices when you are practicing tattooing because everything you need will come at a cost. That is why the tattoo gun and the tattoo kit in Wormhole Tattoo Gun Kit Cartridge Needles Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen, Complete Tattoo Supplies for Beginners WTK104 is the best value for money that you can have! It has a strong and stable motor for your tattooing practice and it has good RPMs so you get used to the more advanced rotary machine. The voltage changes can be adjusted on the fly and I really liked the foot pedal that was included with the kit. The only downside is the shader needles which I particularly didn’t feel would be good for actual skin practice. They are fine for practice on fake skin but not real skin.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong and stable motor | Shader needle not safe for real skin practice |
| Easy to change voltage | |
| Good foot pedal |
7. Best for All Category Tattoo Artist – Wormhole Tattoo Gun Tattoo Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Complete Tattoo Pen Kit with Tattoo Power Supply Tattoo Ink Tattoo Supply for Beginners and Tattoo Artist WTK074
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK074
- Tattoo gun size: 4.13 inches
- Speed: 8V 8,000RPM
- Stroke length: 1 to 4.5mm
Description
Get a tattoo gun that any tattoo artist will love with the Wormhole Tattoo Gun Tattoo Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Complete Tattoo Pen Kit with Tattoo Power Supply Tattoo Ink Tattoo Supply for Beginners and Tattoo Artist WTK074!
Features
- Resistant to temperature: does not become hot to handle
- Dual control: for both lines and shading
- Easy replacement: for damaged or missing parts of the kit
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
A tattoo gun for all levels of expertise – the Wormhole Tattoo Gun Tattoo Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Complete Tattoo Pen Kit with Tattoo Power Supply Tattoo Ink Tattoo Supply for Beginners and Tattoo Artist WTK074 is a tattoo gun for every tattoo artist! As someone who has been tattooing for a while now, this was really good to use, and felt like with practice getting used to the shape I could do tattoos with this on my clients! Changing between shading and lining needles was very easy and the foot pedal responds well to the change. The tattoo gun was also very tolerant to temperature and never got hot in my hands. Other than the shape, which needs a bit of practice, it’s a great tattoo gun!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Temperature resistant | The shape takes getting used to |
| Easy to change needles | |
| Foot pedal responsiveness |
8. Best for Short Time Use – Wormhole Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit Cartridge Rotary Tattoo Kit Complete for Beginners Tattoo Pen Type Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit WTK080
Specification
- Brand: Wormhole
- Model: WTK080
- Tattoo gun size: 4.45 inches
- Speed: 10,000RPM
- Stroke length: 3.5mm
Description
If you need a tattoo gun in a pinch, then the Wormhole Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit Cartridge Rotary Tattoo Kit Complete for Beginners Tattoo Pen Type Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit WTK080 is the tattoo gun you need!
Features
- Easy to setup: very convenient to set up and start practicing
- High-quality power supply: power supply that shuts off when too much voltage is applied
- Suited for other cartridges: most other cartridges work on it as well
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
If you are looking to have a short-term replacement, then the Wormhole Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun Kit Tattoo Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit Cartridge Rotary Tattoo Kit Complete for Beginners Tattoo Pen Type Machine Kit Tattoo Pen Kit WTK080 is a great tattoo gun for you! It might rattle quite a bit, but the way other cartridges work on this tattoo gun makes it the perfect replacement for your broken tattoo gun. The power supply is also great and very intuitive to use for your tattoo gun which makes the overall package a good buy in a pinch without sacrificing too much in quality.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Other cartridges work on this | Rattles quite a bit |
| Perfect replacement tattoo gun | |
| Good power supply |
9. Best for Long Time Working – STIGMA Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Rose Gold with Digital Tattoo Power Supply 7 Ink Colors 20 pcs Cartridges Tattoo Grip Cohesive Bandage
Specification
- Brand: Stigma
- Model: EM125KIT02BP142-8
- Tattoo gun size: 6.26 inches
- Speed: 9,500RPM
- Stroke length: 4.5mm
Description
The STIGMA Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Rose Gold with Digital Tattoo Power Supply is the tattoo gun you buy that will last all throughout your apprenticeship practices!
Features
- Durable motor: will last a long time
- Advanced gear system: quiet and reliable
- Digital display: a precision reader with great visibility
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
When you want a tattoo gun that lasts, the STIGMA Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Kit for Beginners Rose Gold with Digital Tattoo Power Supply will be the last one that you buy for practice. I bought one years ago because it boasted Japanese parts and still works to this day. The motors are quiet and very reliable. It never gets too hot either which makes working with the tattoo gun for practice all the better! The kit itself lacks good cartridges because it only includes single-needle cartridges but the tattoo gun is compatible with most cartridges so you can always get other ones for your practice.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compatible with other cartridges | Kit only includes single-needle cartridges |
| Quiet and reliable motors | |
| Durable | |
| Doesn’t get hot even under long practice time |
10. Best for Beginners & Semi-Professional – Romlon Tattoo Kit – Complete Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen LED Power Supply 40Pcs Cartridges Needles
Specification
- Brand: Romlon
- Model: N/A
- Tattoo gun size: 3.7 inches
- Speed: 9,000RPM
- Stroke length: 4.5mm
Description
Get a premium tattoo gun with the Romlon Tattoo Kit – Complete Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen LED Power Supply 40Pcs Cartridges Needles that can be used for both practice and real skin!
Features
- Multiple needle cartridges: great for practicing shading and thicker lines
- High-quality material: made with premium material for comfort and quality
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
When you are out of the realm of fake skins and moving on to real skin, the Romlon Tattoo Kit – Complete Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen LED Power Supply 40Pcs Cartridges Needles is the tattoo gun that you need! It’s a bit more on the expensive side but the quality of the tattoo gun is really good. The tattoo kit is also very versatile and has multiple-needle cartridges for your practice needs. These are also safe for real skin so you wouldn’t have to worry about practicing with it and then moving on to real skin tattoos!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality material for tattoo gun | Expensive |
| Perfect kit to practice on real skin | |
| Multiple-needle cartridges for practice |
11. Best for Shading and Lining – ITATOO Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with Tattoo Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit WTK164(Black)
Specification
- Brand: ITattoo
- Model: WTK164
- Tattoo gun size: 4.02 inches
- Speed: 8V 8,000RPM
- Stroke length: 4mm
Description
Get the best shading and lining for your tattooing practices with the ITATOO Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with Tattoo Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit WTK164 (Black)!
Features
- Lasting stability: works well even after long use
- Non-slip handle: easy to grip
- Lightweight: able to move around easily for shading and lining
How to set up and use
Here is how you will be setting up this tattoo gun and get to practicing:
- Make a tattoo stencil of your desired design
- Wrap your tattoo gun with grip tape (don’t need a plastic wrap for practice)
- Insert the cartridge needle and rotate it to lock it in the tattoo gun. Rotate the grip to adjust the needle depth
- Insert the RCA cord into the back of the tattoo gun. Make sure the cord is completely pushed in
- Connect the other end of the RCA cord to either liner or shader (whichever one you are doing) and the foot pedal to the power supply
- Adjust the voltage to about 6 to 8V to get the machine started
- Place your stencil on the practice skin
- Get the color in inkwells and transfer it to the tattoo needle
- Place the tattoo needle on the practice skin and start tattooing (Here you can adjust the voltage to what you prefer but don’t go over 10V)
- Practice as much as you want!
Expert Verdict
Shading and lining are really important basics to learn when you are just starting to learn how to tattoo. That is why the ITATOO Tattoo Kit Tattoo Gun for Beginners Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit with Tattoo Inks Power Supply Tattoo Pen Kit WTK164(Black) works great in your favor for the best lines and shades in a tattoo! The tattoo gun glides very easily on the skin and makes the lining more accurate and shading even deeper. The different settings like the needle depth and stroke are all in the tattoo gun and you can change the settings on the fly. However, the power supply has no display so it gets difficult to change the voltage rating correctly.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good for clearer lines | No display on the power supply |
| Perfect for deeper shading | |
| Easy to adjust settings |
How to Pick Your Top Choice Tattoo Gun?
When you want to pick out your tattoo gun, what you will need are top-quality materials! The best tattoo gun is those made with brass, copper, or iron. My issue with these machines for beginners is not only are they heavy but also expensive. That is why I would suggest an aluminum alloy tattoo gun for beginners so you can move the tattoo machine around and get comfortable with the alignment with the skin.
Lightweight tattoo guns are perfect to understand the basics of tattoo guns and positioning which is why I would suggest that be your top priority for tattoo guns. Since you will be practicing long hours, lightweight tattoo guns will also make the experience more enjoyable instead of the painful ones that I went through when I first started with heavier tattoo machines.
The next thing that you want to look for in a tattoo gun is the kit that comes with it. It is a good idea to buy a bundle instead of individual parts because the costs of fake skin, cartridges, etc. can rack up pretty fast. With an initial bundle, you can at least start with the practice and gauge what you need for the future. A good tattoo gun will be compatible with other cartridges so that is definitely a must-buy for a beginner. Finally, a long-lasting tattoo machine is what you need so make sure to initially buy a lightweight one and then switch to a copper tattoo gun for a long-lasting machine!
When Should You Buy a Beginner Tattoo Machine?
The thing with tattoo machines and tattoo guns is that you can buy them whenever you want! But if you are looking to head into apprenticeship then you will need one as soon as you start. As a hobby, you can buy a tattoo machine whenever to practice as you like. But for an apprenticeship, it is a good idea to buy a practice tattoo gun so that you can get used to drawing on fake skin at least. As an apprentice, you won’t be allowed to hold tattoo machines at all by your mentor but you can always practice at home to be ahead.
But as a beginner, you should definitely first polish your drawing skills before starting to practice on fake skin. A tattoo artist with poor drawing skills will suffer because your drawing skill is questioned and you need it to make the design that you are looking to tattoo. That is why even before buying, make sure you are practicing extensively on tracing paper so that you at least get the design right. When you are confident in your drawing skill and want to get into tattooing, that is when you should buy a tattoo machine!
Remember that you should never jump to real skin right off the bat. Learning the ways around the tattoo machine takes time and takes getting used to the machine itself because they are much thicker than pens you might be used to. Not to mention the needle depth and strokes are something that will be completely alien to you at the beginning. That is why always practice on fake skin first before you get to real skin!
FAQs
How do you use a tattoo gun for beginners?
If it is for practicing, then you can just assemble the machine, attach the grip tape, and start tattooing on fake skin. For real skin, you need to go through extensive sterilization to be able to make the tattoo gun safe for your skin.
Do you push or pull a tattoo gun?
You actually have to do both! You push the needle to get it into the skin but you need to pull out the needle if you meet with no resistance from the skin.
What voltage should a beginner tattoo be?
I would always recommend starting at 8 volts and then making minor adjustments between 6 to 8V as a beginner. These are the rating that will make sure that you are not causing damage to your tattoo machine as higher voltages should be used by more experienced tattoo artists.
What size tattoo needle should I get for beginners?
As a starter, you can use round shaders like 3RL, 5RL, and 7RL and get 1F to 7F for lines. As you gain more experience, then you can use Magnum shaders and curved Magnums which need a bit more experience to use properly.
How deep should you set a tattoo needle?
For practice, you can start with 1mm to 2mm as this would mimic the depth of skin that you will be tattooing at. You should not go below 1mm as it is too shallow and over 2mm is too deep.
Final Thoughts
Tattooing is a great way to let your creativity flow and for beginners, I would consider these 11 tattoo guns to be the best! While I liked using all of them, I really liked the Dragonhawk, Stigma, and the Wormhole TK108 my personal favorites on the list! These were the best out of the bunch for me personally and I would consider these to be very beginner-friendly. I hope one of these tattoo guns’ reviews has given you the push you needed to get the machine and start practicing tattooing! As always, get those lines perfectly aligned and shades just right with these tattoo guns!