What Is a Tattoo Cartridge?
A tattoo cartridge is a self-contained unit that combines the needle, the housing, and a safety membrane. Unlike traditional tube-and-needle setups, cartridges lock into a grip and are discarded after each use, making them faster, safer, and more consistent for professional artists.
AXIS cartridges are engineered with 316L surgical-grade stainless steel needles — the same alloy used in medical implants — ensuring superior sharpness retention and minimal skin trauma.
The Four AXIS Cartridge Types
Round Liner (RL)
Needles arranged in a tight circle. Designed for crisp, clean outlines. Available in needle counts from 1RL (single) to 18RL. The smaller the number, the finer the line.
Round Shader (RS)
Circular needle arrangement with more spacing between pins. Used for colour packing, smooth shading, and soft gradients. Holds more ink per stroke than a liner.
Magnum (M1 / Curved Magnum)
Flat rows of needles — the workhorse of colour saturation and large area coverage. The curved (soft) magnum follows skin contours, reducing trauma on longer sessions. Ideal for blending large colour fields.
Flat Shader (FS)
Straight row of needles side by side. Delivers precise geometric fills, bold black, and sharp-edged shading. Popular for illustrative and blackwork styles.
How to Choose the Right Cartridge
- Linework & detail: Round Liner (3RL–9RL for most work; 1RL–3RL for micro-detail)
- Greywash & realism: Round Shader (9RS–14RS) or Curved Magnum
- Colour fill & cover-ups: Magnum (11M1–15M1)
- Geometric & tribal black: Flat Shader (7FS–14FS)
Pro tip: Start larger sessions with a fresh cartridge on detailed areas first, then switch to a second cartridge for shading — you preserve needle sharpness where it matters most.
The AXIS Membrane System
Every AXIS cartridge contains a high-tension silicone membrane that acts as a one-way valve between the needle bar and the grip. This prevents ink and fluid back-flow into the machine motor — extending machine life, improving hygiene, and maintaining consistent ink flow throughout the session.
Compatibility
AXIS cartridges comply with the universal cartridge standard and are compatible with all major professional rotary machines: Cheyenne Hawk, FK Irons Spektra, Bishop Wand, Dragonhawk Atom, Mast Archer, and others. Confirm your machine accepts standard cartridges before ordering.