TATTOO TIPS

Igla · Moderator Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 176 Location: Solun

TATTOO TIPS

Types of Tattoos

Abstractions

Abstractions are tattoo designs that are mostly derived from archaic tattooing
Almost all the tribal tattoos belong to this category, as well as Celtic or modern, western abstract designs
Naturalistic Tattoos
When attempt is made to portray some things in naturalistic style, they tend to take natural form. Naturalistic tattoos fall in this category
The portrayal involves detailing, shading and perspective to make an image look realistic
Pledge or Dedication Deigns
These kinds of designs are associated with sailor or 'traditional' western tattooing
Some examples of pledge or dedicated tattoos are the heart and name banner tattoo, the anchor with a ship name, and the insignia of a military regiment

Simplifications or Stylized Designs

Simplifications or Stylized appear in all styles of pictures
This may range from a cartoon character, flash from the wall of the tattoo shop to animals or flowers
You can also stylize non-flash, custom tattoos. This may include hearts, stylized flowers, leaves, and other images and characters

Complex Structures or Combinations

Another popular tattoo type is complex structures like the traditional Japanese body suits or an amalgamation of images and characters which are not directly associated with each other.

HOW DOES A MODERN TATTOO
MACHINE WORK

The tattoo machine ('gun' is a misnomer) is really a basic doorbell
circuit (you know--you push a button and somewhere in the kitchen this
little arm bangs the hell out of a bell thingie). For you techies out
there it's a DC coil and spring point(s) machine. Both doorbell and tat
machine were invented before household current was available.
It is essentially in 3 sections: The base, the mechanism, and the
sanitary tube. The base really is the bulk of the metal; a rabbit ear
with a screw in it, bent at 90 degrees to hold coils. In the front
there's a round hole to hold the sanitary tube.
Some people think the base looks like the handle of a gun. The base
houses the mechanism, which consists of two coils of wire wrapped around
an iron core.
At the top of the mechanism is a set of silver contact "points" (like
the end of a wire); one usually on a spring mechanism, the other either
the end, or on the end of a screw.
The spring connects to the base and a bar, which is connected to the
needle arm (90 degrees offset). The needle arm is connected to the
needles (which are soldered onto the bar), and moves up and down inside
the sanitary tube.
The coils connect to a DC power supply (between 6 - 12VDC), via a spring
coiled U-cable. The U-cable is called a "clip cord," designed to move
easily between machines but also stay in place and not fall out and
spark all over the place. The springs hold the cable in/onto the
machine.
One side of the coils is connected to the power supply, the other end to
the point on the screw on the bunny ear, which is insulated from the
base. Through the points, the current flows via the coils and the base
of the machine. This causes the coils to become electromagnetic. The
electro-magnet pulls down the bar, which does two things: pulls down the
needles, and opens the points. The points being open turn off the
magnet. The spring assembly brings back the bar, which causes the
needles to move up *AND* make contact with the points. This causes the
whole cycle to happen again making the needles go up and down.
Most machines have a large capacitor across the coils/points, which
keeps the points from arcing and pitting, and wearing out so quickly. A
capacitor is a device that holds energy kind of like a battery, but
charges and discharges much faster (parts of a second rather than 3 or 4
hours). The capacitor charges while the points are open, so when they
close, the difference in voltage across them is nill. The points are
really an automatic switch controlled by the spring to turn the thing
off and on quickly. In old cars where there were points there was a
condenser (aka capacitor) for the same reason.
The sanitary tube sucks up the ink in capillary fashion, and the needles
load up as long as there's ink in the small portion of the tube.It's
called "sanitary" because of the cutout at the bottom of the tube, which
can be rinsed out.
My understanding is that there are three layers of skin: Scaly layer,
epidermis, and dermis. Tattoo machines are adjusted to penetrate into
the dermis layer but NOT *through* it (below it is the fat layer of the body).
When the needles go into the sanitary tube they have a layer of ink on
and between them. The needles make little holes in the skin, and the ink
is deposited into the holes. This is why the skin has to be stretched so
blobs of ink don't stay. Otherwise, the skin will latch onto the
needles, grab the ink from them and generally make a mess.
Ink just put into the scaly layer would be replaced quickly and fade
away. While ink into the epidermis will stay, my conjecture is that the
dermis makes for more ink and perhaps a more vivid image.
Machines are really of two types: Liners, and shaders. They areexactly
the same, but are set up differently. The gap for a liner isaround the
thickness of a dime, and a shader is the thickness of a nickel.
Liner needles are usually arranged on the bar in a circular pattern.
Shader needles are usually straight (like a comb), although Spaulding &
Rogers sells a 15-needle round shader. The needles are small sewing
machine needles, usually made of stainless steel. Liners are in 1, 3, 4,
5, & 7-needle combinations, set in a round configuration. Note: There
can really be any number of them but these seem to be most common.
Shader needles are in a straight row and usually are in groups of 4, 6,
7, 9 needles. The sanitary tubes are designed especially for the
combination of needles, so there's a special tube for each different
number of needles in a needle bar assembly
Shaders are mounted on flat needle bars while liners are mounted on round bars
There are two other types of machines. Spaulding & Rogers revolution (don't know
of an artist that uses this one), which is a DC motor that turns a cam that raises and
lowers the needle bar assembly through a sanitary tube. The other is something that
I have never seen (even in pictures) but they are used in prison and are made of tape
Recorder motors, and for the life of me I don't know how they work.

DO TATTOO NEEDLES BECOME
DULL WITH USE

The following information is provided by Uncle Bud <>:
Tattoo needles do not dullen with age, but instead become sharper by the
repetitive honing motion they experience in the tattoo machine.
This happens because the metal of the sanitary tube rubs against the
needles, and the softer metal (the needles) will wear. The problem with
these sharpened needles is that they sharpen into flat razor-like edges,
and begin cutting the skin instead of piercing small holes.
Since a tattoo is created by the conical shape of the needle
transferring pigment into the skin with the aid of a wetting agent, the
needle's shape is as important as its sharpness. Pigment does not
transfer into the skin as efficiently when the shape is altered, and can
also lead to scarring.
Another problem with needles is the occurrence of burs or barbs when the
needles hit the side or bottom of the pigment caps.
While it is possible to use the same set of needles for more than eight
hours (on the same client, of course), correct needle configuration,
setup, and alignment of the needle and machine are very critical.

Tattoo Machine

Tattoo machines are those machines which are used for creating or designing a tattoo
Tattoo machine is a gun shaped machine that marks skin with ink
With the help of electromagnetic coils the needle bar of the tattoo machine moves up and down in alternation, which drives the pigment or the ink into the skin
In Europe, the tattoo machines are called as tattoo guns but Americans usually call it tattoo machine
The use of the term "tattoo gun" does not go favorably with the tattoo artists in America
Anyone using the term "tattoo gun" is looked down upon
The tattoo machine was invented by Thomas Edison and patented in the United States in the year 1876
It is interesting to note that the machine was patented as an autographic printer and it was only in 1891 that Samuel O'Reilly realized that Edison's invention could be tailored to introduce ink into skin, and patented the tube and needle system
This is the same old system which we use today
The tattoo machines are designed to control the needle depth to almost any degree
It is because of this control, tattooing has become a very accurate art form

Tattooing Techniques

Tattoo art is thousands years old
Each region has its own tattooing techniques
Different tattooing techniques have evolved over a long period of time
Diverse climatic conditions, cultures and ethos are the main reason behind numerous tattooing techniques
Though techniques may differ but all achieve the same goal of creating tattoo marks on the body
In western countries
Tattoo artists use a machine called tattoo gun
This tattoo machine helps the artists to work at a fast rate
These tattoo guns can make anything from fine lines to broad backgrounds
Firstly the tattoo artists pull the skin tight for making outlines for designs
Thereafter they color the images according to need. Tattooing requires a lot of patience as even a small tattoo can take hours to complete
In Samoa
Tattoo artists use a hand powered instrument to make tattoos on the body
These tools are made of organic substances such as a mallet and combs made from pig teeth
The ink they use in tattooing is a mixture of water and the ashes of candlenuts or burnt lama nuts
The combs are dipped in the dye and are struck by the mallet to imprint the skin
This is indeed one of the most interesting traditional tattooing techniques around

Irezumi

Is the Japanese traditional tattooing technique. Irezumi is also a hand powered method of tattooing
Though western style machines are being used for the purpose but the depth and precision these traditional machines provide is simply awesome
Tattoos created by traditional method are unique and can't be reproduced by a machine
The most important feature of this method is colorful pictures of dragons and Samurai

Tattooing Tips

Before visiting the tattoo studio make sure that the tattoo studio has biohazard containers for blood-stained objects, sharps containers for old needles, autoclaves and accessible facilities for washing the hands with hot water and soap
Go for a knowledgeable, well-mannered and helpful tattoo artist
A knowledgeable tattoo artist will not tattoo minors, mentally ill and also the drunken ones
A professional tattoo artist ensures that the customer is satisfied with and sure about the design before applying the tattoo design
He will be in a position to answer all your questions
You must insist that the tattoo artist wash his or her hands with water and soap or a standard sanitizing agent, and wear latex gloves
Before tattooing, make sure that the artist always opens new, sterile needle packages in front of you and always use new, sterile disposable instruments
Always keep in mind to remind the artist to use fresh ink for each session
The tattoo artist must provide clear tattoo aftercare instructions and products
To ascertain authenticity of the artist you can enquire about his/her association with professional organizations and groups

Tattooing Procedure

All societies and cultures have different tattooing procedures
In some tribal societies they create tattoos by cutting designs into the skin and put ink, ashes or other coloring agents into the wounds
In other cultures tattoo are created by beating ink into the skin using sharpened sticks or animal bones
In Japan the traditional tattooing method is called Irezumi
In this method they make tattoos by hand poking i.e. they insert the ink under the skin using non-electrical, hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel
Today, the most common method of tattooing is with the electric tattooing machines
Though tattoo machines are very popular yet they are not used everywhere
Tattoo machines make tattooing very easy
Tattooing machines insert ink into the skin by way of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit
The tattooing needles go and come out of skin hundreds of times per minute
In prisons tattooing is done with homemade machines as common tattoo machines are not available
But the tattoos created by these handmade machines cause pain and injury
There is also major risk of illness, including such blood-borne diseases as HIV and hepatitis

Tattooing And Body Piercing

Tattooing and body piercing are probably as old as the human civilization
Tattooing and body piercing have been practiced by many cultures for centuries
The discovery of a 4,000 year old tattooed man in a glacier on the Austrian borders proves the long history of tattooing and body art
Each culture had its own connotation of tattooing
Here is important to note that Egyptians identified tattooing with fertility and nobility
In Japan people used tattooing for ornamental, cosmetic and religious purposes as well as for identification and punishment of criminals
In the Polynesian islands, tattooing (both men and women) was a common feature
Tattooing came to be associated with the upper classes in the nineteenth century Europe
Just like tattooing, body piercing has been practiced in different cultures for centuries
Body piercing, along with tattooing was often identified with royalty and portrayed valor and virility
Naval piercing in Egyptian Pharaohs was observed as a rite of passage
Another interesting example is of Roman soldiers, who pierced their nipples to show their manhood
In the Maya civilization, people pierced their tongues as a spiritual rite
Nipple and genital piercing in both man and women was common in Victorian royalty
All this goes to show the both tattooing and body piercing have been practiced by man for thousands of years

Tattoo Ideas

Deciding about the tattoo theme or tattoo idea, before getting tattoo, is an important part of tattooing
Tattoo idea or tattoo theme is something which depends a lot on the likings and disliking of a person
Great tattoo ideas can be generated if a person is a little creative and imaginative
Even if you are not that creative or imaginative you really don't have to worry because there are thousands of internet tattoo art galleries where you can browse to find tattoo ideas that you like
There are so many different tattoo ideas or designs that can be used for tattoo art online that you'll find exactly what you're looking for
Another great advantage of finding tattoo ideas on the internet is that you might just come across tattoo designs or ideas that you had not even thought of
Regarding tattoo ideas most tattoo ideas are rather simple, like you can go for an animal tattoo, religious tattoo, flower tattoos and so on
It is interesting to note that most of the tattoo sites have been set up for each of the different categories of tattoo pictures designs
They help you by saving your time as you don't have to browse through pages and pages for finding tattoo ideas. Believe us, some of the best tattoo ideas are the ones that you come up with yourself, from your own instincts
Even if you are not that good at imagination and creativity don't worry! There are thousands of tattoo art galleries and tattoo sites devoted to tattooing
It is almost guaranteed that you'll be able to find the tattoo idea of your choice
Thereafter you can get the tattoo idea and get yourself tattooed with the tattoo of your dreams!

Tattoo Aftercare

Tattoo aftercare is perhaps the most important part of tattooing art
For centuries tattoo aftercare has been a subject of great debate in the tattoo community
Fresh tattoos are just like wounds which require proper care and attention
If proper care and precaution is not taken tattoos might cause pain or wound
It is because of this reason tattoo aftercare assumes great significance
Generally it is advised that after fresh tattooing the area should be covered to keep out dirt and tattoo from oozing into the clothes
Many tattoo artists advice wrapping or covering the tattooed area with Clingfilm, paper towel or poultry packs
Other tattoo experts recommend that the covering should be left for some time and washed gently afterwards
Since tattoo is a traditional art form, different regions have their own tattoo aftercare methods
In Japan they soak the new tattoo in hot water to clean it
As part of traditional tattoo aftercare, tattoo artists have been recommending a variety of locally available products
Though these products help in preventing cuts, burns, scraps and abrasions from becoming infected but they do not help in healing of new tattoos
A large number of these products contain petroleum or lanolin which chokes skin pores and, in fact, slows down body's healing process
Then, there is possibility of allergic reactions to these products
If applied to new tattoos they can cause skin reactions resulting into loss of ink (color) and permanent disfigurement of tattoos
In recent past many cosmetic and pharmaceutical aftercare products have been developed keeping in mind the needs of tattooing
These products have made tattoo aftercare easier and hassle free
These products are safe, efficient and do not cause any allergy or damage to tattoos
Many professional tattoo artists have been using and recommending these tattoo aftercare products.