Getting dotty lines when lining tattoos


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SarDar

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Hi looking for advice. I'm using 5rl and 3rl needles and getting nice clean lines sometimes and then these faded spotty lines others. I'm thinking I must be going too fast so it's the needle points I can see but even going over the line isn't helping. Too much Vaseline maybe?
 

DKJ

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thetattooyoyo
From my little experience (wait for the pro answers), it could be your hand being too speed and/or not enough depht.

But not enough depht is better than too much.

I dunno about the fact that it doesn't work with another pass?

Can you tell us what your machine, needle and ink are?
And also which part of the body you're tattoing ? (Various skin density over one body)

Peace,

DKJ
 

SarDar

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From my little experience (wait for the pro answers), it could be your hand being too speed and/or not enough depht.

But not enough depht is better than too much.

I dunno about the fact that it doesn't work with another pass?

Can you tell us what your machine, needle and ink are?
And also which part of the body you're tattoing ? (Various skin density over one body)

Peace,

DKJ
Hawk mast pen, mast Evo needles, intenze ink and its the ankle region. I know it's a tricky spot because the skin is thin but I'm sure it's more a technique issue like you said
 

Dazza

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Sounds like a machine speed v hand speed issues with a little bit of not deep enough or not consistently deep enough,do you have a photo ?
 

SarDar

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Sounds like a machine speed v hand speed issues with a little bit of not deep enough or not consistently deep enough,do you have a photo ?
Could be the machine speed, I was recommended to run between 7-8 for lining and i use it at 6.7
 

MalligaMallan

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If you run it at lower volts than recommended it's not likely you would get dottier lines, but the opposite. Higher volts =more space between the dots. Lower volts=less space between the dots.

If you have lowered your volts and get dotty lines, you have to lower your hand speed too.

If you can't/don't want to lower your hand speed more, you have to increase volts.
 

DKJ

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thetattooyoyo
If you run it at lower volts than recommended it's not likely you would get dottier lines, but the opposite. Higher volts =more space between the dots. Lower volts=less space between the dots.

If you have lowered your volts and get dotty lines, you have to lower your hand speed too.

If you can't/don't want to lower your hand speed more, you have to increase volts.
Wait... Wait... Wot?!

There's a typo, ain't it?

Peace,

DKJ
 

MalligaMallan

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Oooops!! DKJ TexasPT !! What was I thinking??? Blame it on these confusing times ?

SarDar Sorry!! It's the complete opposite!! If you run it at lower volts it can be the reason for your dotty lines :) :
1. Low volts with fast hand speed: Dots
2. High volts with low hand speed: No dots. But instead there are other risks.
 
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Dazza

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Could be the machine speed, I was recommended to run between 7-8 for lining and i use it at 6.7
So this is a chinese made machine ,made by people that don’t tattoo ,I’m not sure you should take what they say as gospel ,
 

SarDar

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So this is a chinese made machine ,made by people that don’t tattoo ,I’m not sure you should take what they say as gospel ,
Ive always heard really good things about Dragonhawk products and the machine runs really well. I think upping the volts a bit to what was recommended or slowing my hand down could be the go
 
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Could be the machine speed, I was recommended to run between 7-8 for lining and i use it at 6.7
Hey so I was always told to run low and slow. I typically don't run my machine above 6.0. It's unnecessary I believe. All I'm doing is creating a faster paced dynamic and less of a matrix. (Meaning a controlled situation) I am self taught mostly however. So my opinion may vary than from everyone elses. But with a five line and the machines I use, I run 4.8 4.9v. That's sounding extremely low right? Well that voltage really lends me to a very gracious time frame that in can spend in the skin layering and with the rotary, like you mentioned you have, by reducing voltage you will really notice a difference in the trauma caused. Plus reduces the vibration which adds more control for me over my machine. It's a much more relaxed pace. I understand in a shop you have to be moving and get that tattoo done. I however do appointment based sessions only now and most of my clientel actually appreciate the extra time I spend needle fucking them haha given I have a light hand. Ride it low and slow is my approach! And p.s. depth does seem like an issue your having. Turn that machine way down from where your at. If you can run say a 9rl standard at 5.6 or less it think your at a better approach to produce a tighter tattoo. I'm only 26 though and self taught what do I know tho? Also that tight 5 your running,.....again lower speed. That's a small needle grouping. That needle configuration breaks a smaller amount of surface area so it has less resistance than a say 9rs. So you need to adjust your power supply to a lower setting. If not your just gonna tear some shit up if your not careful. Lower than 5.5......try like maybe 4.8,...4.9v,.....5.0vflat somewhere in that range you'll find a magic number,....if agin, you want to try and slow the pace just a bit. You'll still get the tattoo done if consistent, however just a Lil longer it will take.its your choice however do what you do. Hopefully this formula i have just given you works for you.
 
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Hi looking for advice. I'm using 5rl and 3rl needles and getting nice clean lines sometimes and then these faded spotty lines others. I'm thinking I must be going too fast so it's the needle points I can see but even going over the line isn't helping. Too much Vaseline maybe?
Hey sorry I thought I read 5 and 9rl lol. 3rl I would say go between 4.6 and 4.8 that's about an del you need to push 3 needle pins in the skin. Seriously, usually most things you need to do with needles can be achieved with lower voltage than what tjem chinese dumbies advise you to use.....WAY LOWER
 

SarDar

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Hey sorry I thought I read 5 and 9rl lol. 3rl I would say go between 4.6 and 4.8 that's about an del you need to push 3 needle pins in the skin. Seriously, usually most things you need to do with needles can be achieved with lower voltage than what tjem chinese dumbies advise you to use.....WAY LOWER
I went back in today with 4.8 and it worked a dream!! Slowed my hand down as well and I noticed it didn't hurt half as bad either!! Your logic makes perfect sense, less needles to push in, less volts required. Thank you
 

aaaaaaaa

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I went back in today with 4.8 and it worked a dream!! Slowed my hand down as well and I noticed it didn't hurt half as bad either!! Your logic makes perfect sense, less needles to push in, less volts required. Thank you

Hah, I’m having the same issue with the same machine and same needle sizes - I originally practiced with 4.8 on oranges and bananas, but for some reason switched to 7.0 when I started tattooing myself. I’ll try doing what you did and switch back to 4.8 to see if it works better!
 

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