There’s a lot to dial in when you’re tattooing. Voltage is one of the big ones. If you’re trying a new style or new machineOpens a new window, figuring out the right voltage can feel like guesswork.
This guide keeps it simple with all the info you need to run your machine the way you work.
What Voltage Actually Does
Voltage controls two things:
- How fast your needle moves
- How hard it hits
That’s it. But those two factors decide everything — line quality, trauma, saturation, and how your client heals.
Run the wrong voltage and you’re either chewing up skin or barely getting pigment in. Get it right and the work heals clean.
How Voltage Affects Your Work
Higher voltage = faster, harder hits
Lower voltage = slower, softer hits
Different techniques need different power. Here’s the basic range most artists start with:
• Lining: 7.5v–9v
• Shading: 6v–8v
• Color Packing: 7v–9v
These aren’t rules, but they're solid starting points. Your machine, needles, technique, and client’s skin all factor in.
Breaking Down the Voltage Ranges by Technique
1. Lining (7.5–9v)
For clean, consistent lines, you need enough power to get in and get out. Most artists bump voltage a little higher here so the needle snaps in cleanly.
For fine-line and single needle work, you might run your machine a little lower. This gives you more control when pulling those delicate lines.
2. Shading (6–8v)
Shading needs balance. Too high and you're tearing skin. Too low and you’re overworking the same spot. Stay mid-range (the sweet spot) and adjust as needed. Every artist has different preferences.
3. Color Packing (7–9v)
You want solid saturation without trauma. If you’re wiping constantly or your client is flinching with every hit, your voltage is probably too high. If you’re spending forever on one area, then it's probably too low.
Different Machines, Different Needs
Rotary vs Coil
- Rotaries usually run at lower voltages. They’re efficient and smooth.
- Coils need more juice because the electromagnetic system requires more power. Spring tension and tuning also affect voltage.
If you’re switching between the two, expect the voltages to feel different even at the same number.
Pen Machines
Pens are lightweight, quiet, and built for precision. Usually they run slightly lower than standard rotaries because the design is efficient. Great for detail work and longer sessions.
Voltage Isn’t Everything
Other factors play a role in your performance, and influence what voltage you should use.
Needle Configuration
More needles = more power needed.
Large mags need higher voltage. Single needles? Keep it lower.
Technique + Style
Your workflow changes the voltage you use. Slow whipping, soft transitions, heavy color packing all need different power. Use the ranges we gave you above as a guide, but trust your hand.
Client Safety + Comfort
Voltage affects trauma. Trauma affects healing.
Keep these in mind:
- Skin Type: Sensitive or reactive skin can’t handle high voltage.
- Pain: Cranking power to “move faster” usually backfires. Slower healing + unhappy client = not worth it.
Comfort matters. Good healing matters even more.
Pro Tips from Working Artists
- Listen to your machine. Smooth = good. Strained, shaky, or buzzing weird = fix your voltage.
- Test on synthetic skinOpens a new window Opens a new windowbefore switching techniques.
- Ask other artists. Everyone has their own dialed-in ranges. No shame in getting insight.
And Don't Overthink It
Voltage is just another tool that helps you work your way.
Start with the basics. Adjust as you go. Pay attention to the skin, the machine, and your client. Every artist evolves and voltage is just one of those things you’ll dial in with experience.
