Guide To The Best Tattoo Gun For Beginners And Professionals

Tattoos are brilliant forms of artwork. For many people they hold fond memories and make a statement about their personalities. For tattoo artists, they offer a way to help people preserve memories and express themselves.

Do you want the ability to turn your artistic skills to tattooing?

Are you a tattoo fan, and want to take your hobby one step further?

Owning a tattoo gun, often called a tattoo machine, is one step toward creating artwork that lasts a lifetime. Skill, training and strict hygiene matter just as much.

Did you know that the first tattoo machine was patented by Samuel O’Reilly in 1891? It was adapted from Thomas Edison’s autographic printing pen.

There’s more to tattooing than just buying any old gun and finding a willing participant. Tattooing breaks the skin, so infection control comes first.

The best tattoos require the assistance of the best tattoo gun.

But how do you know what type of tattoo gun will suit you?

This article is useful for budding beginners through to seasoned professionals and will ensure your permanent artwork is the very best it can be.

Top 5 Best Tattoo Guns For Beginners​ & Pros

Image	Model	Kit	Colour
Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit	Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit	Yes	Brown and black
Dragonhawk Rotary Aluminum Tattoo Machine	Dragonhawk Rotary Aluminum Tattoo Machine	No	Black
New Cast Coil Tattoo Machine	New Cast Coil Tattoo Machine	No	Brown and silver
Solong Tattoo Hybrid Tattoo Pen	Solong Tattoo Hybrid Tattoo Pen	No	Black
Solong Tattoo Complete Tattoo Kit	Solong Tattoo Complete Tattoo Kit	Yes	Silver and brown

Different Types Of Tattoo Gun

Some tattoo guns are more desirable for beginners and others cater towards the professional end of the market.

However, it often comes down to a case of personal preference. Read on to find out more about the types of tattoo guns available to help you make your decision.

Rotary Tattoo Guns

Rotary machines use an electric motor to drive the needles. The earliest patented tattoo machine was a rotary design.

The needle is attached to a cylindrical motor and inserts the needle into the skin in a smooth and fluid motion.

They are quiet and many artists find them gentle on the skin, which helps when you’re learning the art of tattooing.

Coil Tattoo Guns

These type of guns are more complicated than rotary machines. However, they do offer more precise lines and are generally the preferred gun for experienced users.

This is great for the look of the tattoo, but in inexperienced hands a coil machine can overwork the skin.

Pneumatic Tattoo Guns

Pneumatic tattoo guns are lightweight and use forced air from an air compressor to move the needle up and down.

Their main selling point is that they are easier to clean and sterilize than coil machines, which have to be taken apart.

Liner and Shader Tattoo Guns

Liners and shaders are often needed to create the one tattoo.

The liner gun creates straight, bold lines and the shader gun helps fill the tattoo with bright and vivid color.

Tattoo Kits

If you’re new to tattooing, starter kits are a great way to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and equipment.

They generally include tattoo guns, a power supply and a variety of inks. Buying a kit is often cheaper than buying each piece separately.

Be aware that the FDA links do-it-yourself tattoo kits to infections and allergic reactions. Use new, sterile, single-use needles, and practice on synthetic skin before working on a person.

Tattoo Gun Brands

Dragonhawk

Dragonhawk offers an extensive range of tattoo machines. They sell everything from inks to power supplies, machines and accessories.

Their kits are aimed largely at beginners and hobbyists, so they are a common first purchase.

Solong Tattoos

Solong Tattoo offers an extensive range that caters to a wide variety of needs.

Whether you want to deck out your professional tattoo shop, or simply enjoy the tattoo experience from the comfort of your own home, Solong Tattoos have you covered.

Ink Machines

For a high-end professional brand, look no further than Ink Machines. They specialize in tattoo guns only, truly catering for the sophisticated artist.

Their machines are built with working professionals in mind.

The Top Five Tattoo Guns

Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit

A tattoo kit is a great way to buy everything you need in one convenient purchase.

The Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo kit is easily one of the best tattoo starter kits as it contains tattoo machines, needles, inks, a foot pedal and a power supply.

Buying it as a kit is usually cheaper than buying all the equipment individually.

The quality of the needles, machines and ink may not be up to scratch for professional users, but beginners and home users will find it’s a great kit to help boost your tattooing skills, without blowing the budget.

The variety of parts and ease of use make it a popular choice for beginners. Inks from any kit should be treated with care; the FDA warns that even sealed ink can be contaminated.

Check The Best Price Here

Dragon Hawk Rotary Aluminum Tattoo Machine

Made from super lightweight aluminum, the Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine is ideal for the budding professional.

It’s easy to use and is less damaging to the skin than some other tattoo machines.

The gun comes fully assembled with a power cord, foot pedal and clip cord, according to the listing.

That means you’re ready to get tattooing as soon as the Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine arrives on your doorstep.

It’s smooth and quiet, and perfect for home users who are used to using coil machines but want to test out the quality of results that come with using a rotary machine.

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New Cast Coil Tattoo Machine

For a machine that helps you produce amazing results as well as looking good itself, look no further than the New Cast Coil Tattoo Machine.

The ergonomic design makes it easy to use and it offers both shader and liner types to ensure you can create any style of tattoo.

It’s an inexpensive machine, but it doesn’t come with the accessories that many other machines provide.

For this reason it’s more suited to professionals who have the ability to attach a power supply and pedals with minimal fuss.

A professional artist also has the skills and ability to modify the machine to suit personal needs and enhance results.

The overall look of the gun is striking and suits an eclectic tattoo parlor.

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Solong Tattoo Hybrid Tattoo Pen

For fine precision and minimal noise, the Solong Tattoo Hybrid pen is ideal.

It feels as close to an actual pen as you will find from a tattoo gun, making it very user-friendly for beginners.

It’s lightweight and comes with a plug adapter, but you do need to have your own power supply in order to make the pen work.

The outer casing of the pen comes in many different colors, but the color of the ink doesn’t vary.

However, for a novice tattoo artist looking to build on both skills and confidence, this neat little pen is ideal.

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Solong Tattoo Complete Tattoo Kit

This extensive tattoo kit by Solong is one of the best tattoo kits for beginners.

It’s a budget starter kit that comes with a large range of supplies, including inks, needles, tips, grips and ink cups. Check the current listing for exact contents.

However, it’s important to remember that it’s an introductory kit. The quality of the ink may not be as good as you can buy individually.

If you’re more on the professional end of tattooing, this can be rectified by investing in better quality ink through a separate purchase to enhance the overall look of the tattoo.

For a large quantity of starter items in one box, the Solong Tattoo Complete Tattoo Kit is a solid option.

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Tattoo Gun Buying Guide

In order to buy the most appropriate tattoo gun for you, you need to understand your needs and personal style.

Each tattoo gun classification and type offers different functionality and control, so it’s important to know your skills and choose the best tattoo gun that suits your style the best.

You also need to be aware of which gun is more suitable for dominant lines, and which offers the most vibrant color shading in order to maximize the effect of the tattoo.

Finally, you have to be aware of what you else you’ll be needing in order to create your tattoos.

A tattoo kit will often provide you with everything you need, including ink to help you get started.

These are also handy for budding tattoo artists on a budget, as they often include a variety of guns to help you discover which one suits you best.

Safety and the Law

The practice of tattooing is regulated locally, and many places require artists and studios to be licensed. Check your local rules before tattooing anyone.

The FDA warns that unsterile equipment and needles can spread infections such as hepatitis, HIV and staph, and that contaminated ink can cause infections too. Signs of trouble include a tattoo that isn’t healing, a rash or a fever, and anyone with these signs should see a health care professional.

In Conclusion

The right tattoo gun depends on your skill level and style.

Beginners often start with a full kit, while professionals usually choose a single machine and add their own power supply. Whatever you buy, learn proper hygiene and local licensing rules before you start tattooing people.

Sources

• Think Before You Ink: Tattoo Safety, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Tattoos & Permanent Makeup: Fact Sheet, U.S. Food and Drug Administration