Expert Tips for Increased Performance
As a tattoo artist, your tools play a crucial role in your creativity. Neuma tattoo machines are crafted to provide precision, versatility, and reliability, empowering you to fine-tune your machine effortlessly to match your unique style and preferences, elevating your artistry to the next level. In this guide, we’ll dive into some settings, stroke profiles, and voltage recommendations to help you get the most out of your Neuma tattoo machine.
Getting Started: Voltage Recommendations
Starting with the right voltage is important for achieving clean lines, solid colors, and subtle shading. Here are some foundational suggestions to help you find your sweet spot:
- Lining: Begin at 7.5–8 volts. Adjust slightly based on your hand speed and pressure
- Color Packing: Try 6.7–7.2 volts
- Black and Gray Shading: For light-handed tattooing, aim for 5.8–6.5 volts. For those with a more direct approach, increase to 6.5–6.8 volts
While the Neuma tattoo motor supports voltages from 4.5 to 10 volts, staying within the 5.5–9 volts range ensures peak performance and tattoo machine longevity.
Advanced Voltage Tuning: Stippling and Low-Speed Techniques
For stippling and/or more intricate tattooing, you can reduce the voltage further. By removing the spring and relying only upon the cartridge’s tension, you can lower your operating speed to as low as 3.5–4 volts. However, keep these tips in mind:
- Try using an aluminum bearing arm for delicate, light-touch work
- If you want to apply more pressure, you can a brass bearing arm for greater rotational inertia and energy transfer to the needle point
Choosing the Right Bearing Arm
Your choice of bearing arm significantly impacts the feel and performance of your tattoo machine:
- Aluminum Bearing Arm: Since aluminum is much lighter than brass, the aluminum bearing arm offers a softer hit, making it ideally suited for black and gray shading, fine lines, and delicate tattooing
- Brass Bearing Arm: Designed for bold lines and solid packing, our brass bearing arms provide a smoother needle action since they carry more energy through each stroke cycle
Understanding Stroke Profiles and Lengths
Neuma Tattoo Machine’s variable stroke profiles allow for unparalleled versatility. Each stroke profile will enhance different tattooing techniques, relative to your hand speed and your tattooing style:
Stroke Profiles
- 20% (Liner): Best for fast hand movements like lining. The rapid insertion and retraction of the needle ensures clean, precise lines
- 28% (All-Arounder): Balances speed and smoothness, making it versatile for shading, lining, packing, and layering
- 33% (Hybrid): Combines the best features of the 20% and 40% profiles. Great for moderate hand speeds with reduced snagging risk
- 40% (Blender/Shader): Ideal for slower, rhythmic hand movements like pendulum shading or multi-pass color realism
Stroke Lengths
- 3.6mm: Offers a faster needle strike velocity, ideal for all types of tattooing
- 4.2mm: Recommended for looser skin areas like the stomach. NOTE: Using longer strokes can add stress to your tattoo machine. Neuma Tattoo Machines recommends using the shortest stroke length you can comfortably work with in order to give your tattoo machine the longest possible lifespan
Pro Tips for Tattoo Machine Longevity
- Stick to the recommended voltage range to prevent unnecessary wear
- Shorter stroke lengths reduce radial forces on the motor, extending its lifespan
- Match your stroke profile to your hand speed and tattooing style to minimize friction
Your Neuma tattoo machine is a powerful tool designed for customization. By experimenting with voltage, stroke profiles, and bearing arms, you can tailor its performance to complement your unique style. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to Neuma Tattoo Machines, these tips will help you unlock its full potential and keep it running smoothly for years to come.
