If you tattoo, you’ve heard about stroke length. Lining, shading, packing—stroke length matters for all of it. Let’s break it down.
What Is Stroke on a Tattoo Machine?
Stroke length, sometimes called throw, is not the same as needle depth (even though people mix them up all the time). It’s got two meanings, depending on the kind of machine you’re using:
- Coil machines: Opens a new windowStroke = how far the armature bar moves before it hits the needle.
- Rotary machines: Opens a new windowStroke = how far the cam wheel travels in one rotation.
Stroke length affects how hard your machine hits, how fast your needle moves, and how deep your needle can go.
Needle Depth vs. Stroke Length
Needle depth = how far your needles stick out of the cartridge tip.
The longer your needle depth, the longer your stroke needs to be. Why? Because your needle has to pull back far enough to dip into your tube or cartridge and grab more ink.
Short stroke + long needle = dry needles and patchy work. Nobody wants that.
When to Use Different Stroke Lengths
SHORT STROKE (1.8–2.5mm)
Short stroke = fast-moving needles that hit soft. Less trauma, more passes. Great for soft shading and smooth blends. Perfect for black & grey and realism. You’ll also see it in PMU machines.
Machines like the FK Irons EXOOpens a new window offer short stroke options, so you’re not stuck with one-size-fits-all.
Heads up: Short stroke = short needle depth. Keep it tight so your needles can re-ink.
MEDIUM STROKE (3.5mm)
Medium stroke is the jack-of-all-trades. Good for color packing, shading, and lots of techniques in between. Reliable speed, hit, and retraction. Ideal if you're still figuring out your style or need a daily driver that handles just about anything.
Machines like the Cheyenne Sol NovaOpens a new window (which offers a 3.5mm stroke option) and the classic FK Irons Spektra Xion Opens a new window(3.2–3.7mm cams) fall here. They’re good ol' reliable workhorses.
Caveat: If you’re running big mags or laying heavy lines in one go, this stroke might not hit hard enough.
LONG STROKE (4.0mm+)
Long stroke = hard-hitting, slower-moving needles. Bold lines in a single pass. If you're a Traditional or NeoTrad artist, you'll love it.
It’s also solid for color packing and some black & grey… if you’ve got speed and control. Long stroke can beat the hell out of the skin if you’re not careful.
Machines like the FK Irons Flux Max, which offers a 4.5mm strokeOpens a new window, hit like a truck (in the best way).
How to Adjust Stroke on a Tattoo Machine
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With Coils:
Turn the contact screw. More gap = longer stroke. -
With Rotaries:
Adjustable stroke tattoo machines (like the Peak Proteus) let you change your stroke length mid-session. No need to re-bag.
Fixed stroke machines come set up as liners, shaders, or packers, like Bishop’s lineup. Check those out here.Opens a new window
Swappable cam wheels (from brands like Bishop or InkJecta) let you change stroke without switching machines.
Why You Should Use an Adjustable Stroke Tattoo Machine
Adjustable stroke machines are game changers. You can fine-tune your machine for the technique at hand without tearing down your setup or switching to dedicated fixed-stroke machines mid-session.
Whether you’re switching from soft B&G shading to bold color packing or just dialing things in mid-tattoo, adjustable stroke saves tons of time.
One More Thing: Give
Give = the bounce-back after your needle hits the skin.
Coil machines naturally have give.
Rotaries usually don’t, which can mean more trauma with long strokes.
But tech’s catching up. FK Irons offers eGive through Bluetooth-enabled machines and battery packs so your rotary can mimic that coil-style bounce.
Tattoo Machine Throw Is Personal
The right stroke length is different for every artist and situation. It depends on your style, speed, and technique.
Whether you’re still dialing it in or you’ve got your setup locked, understanding stroke length is key. The right stroke length (or throw) can mean the difference between butter-smooth shading and overworked, traumatized skin.
TL;DNR
There’s no one stroke fits all. But there is a right one for the way you tattoo. Refer back to this blog as a guide whenever you need a refresher.
