Complete guide: Cheyenne Craft Cartridge Needle LINER (RL)
Needle cartridge in Liner (RL) configuration from the Craft range by German manufacturer Cheyenne, with stainless steel needles, single-use and sterile packaged. The patented safety membrane prevents blood and ink from entering the grip, and its seal meets the requirements of European standard EN 17169. The RL configuration groups the needles in a tight round formation, designed for drawing lines and outlines — from beginning artists to professionals looking for a reliable lining cartridge. The Craft range includes 19 needle configurations, covering most tattooing techniques, and the displayed price is per piece.
How to use
- Wash and disinfect your hands, then put on disposable gloves before touching the cartridge.
- Check the individual sterile packaging: it must be intact, without tears or signs of opening. If the seal is compromised, do not use the cartridge.
- Open the blister immediately before the session and remove the cartridge without touching the tip area with anything non-sterile.
- Mount the cartridge in the machine or grip compatible with the cartridge system (the product belongs to the Cheyenne Hawk Needles category, so it is intended for the Cheyenne system) and make sure it is properly secured.
- Start the machine idle and visually check the needle stroke and tip — the movement should be uniform, without play or abnormal noises.
- Adjust the needle projection (depth) according to the lining technique you are using and start working.
- At the end of the session, remove the cartridge without touching the needles and immediately dispose of it in a special sharps container.
- Sanitize the machine and replace all protective barriers before the next client.
Tips from us
- Use the RL configuration strictly for lines and outlines — for shading or fill there are dedicated configurations in the 19 variants of the Craft range.
- Open the cartridge only in front of the client or immediately before work; a cartridge removed from its packaging and not used immediately is no longer considered sterile.
- Even though the safety membrane prevents fluids from entering the grip, continue using standard protective barriers on the machine and cable — the membrane complements hygiene, it does not replace it.
- Store cartridges in their original packaging, in a dry and clean place, away from moisture and extreme temperatures.
- If the tip of the needles touches any non-sterile surface before work, replace the cartridge — the cost of a new cartridge is always less than the risk of contamination.
- Being a disposable sold per piece, calculate your need per client and per session to always have stock of the sizes you frequently use.
Warning: The cartridge is single-use: do not reuse it and do not attempt to re-sterilize it in any way, not even in an autoclave — after use it must be disposed of in a sharps container, according to studio regulations. Do not use cartridges with damaged or opened sterile packaging. The safety membrane compliant with EN 17169 prevents blood and ink from passing into the grip, but it does not eliminate the obligation to work with gloves, protective barriers, and disinfected surfaces for each client.
Frequently asked questions
What does the RL configuration mean and what is it used for?▾
RL stands for 'Round Liner': the needles are grouped in a tight round formation, designed for drawing lines and outlines. It is the basic configuration for lining — from fine lines to standard outlines. For shading, gradients, or fill, other configurations are used (for example shader or magnum), which you can also find in the Craft range, available in 19 needle configurations.
What machines are Cheyenne Craft cartridges compatible with?▾
The product belongs to the Cheyenne Hawk Needles category, so it is designed for the Cheyenne cartridge system. If you work with a machine of another brand that uses a cartridge system, check the machine manufacturer's specifications to see if it accepts cartridges compatible with the Cheyenne system before ordering — not all grips and machines use the same attachment standard.
Can I reuse a cartridge if I used it only a little or only on myself?▾
No, under no circumstances. The needles are single-use and sterile packaged precisely to guarantee safety for one-time use. Once removed from packaging and used, the cartridge comes into contact with skin, blood, and pigment and must be disposed of in a sharps container. Reusing it poses a real risk of infections and transmission of pathogens, regardless of whom the cartridge was used on.
What is the role of the safety membrane in the cartridge?▾
The patented membrane acts as a physical barrier between the needle part and the machine grip: it prevents blood and ink from traveling up into the grip during work (backflow phenomenon). Its seal meets the requirements of European standard EN 17169, the standard dedicated to tattoo safety. Essentially, it protects both the client and the equipment — but it does not replace protective barriers and normal machine sanitization between clients.
Are these cartridges suitable if I am a beginner?▾
Yes, with one essential condition: you are already working under proper guidance and with strict hygiene rules. Being sterile, single-use cartridges with a safety membrane and stainless steel needles, they offer safe and predictable behavior while you practice lining. Choose the liner size suitable for the style you are practicing and stick with the same configuration for a while to build hand consistency.
Is the displayed price for one cartridge or for a box?▾
The price is per piece, meaning for a single cartridge. It is useful to know when calculating your cost per job: in a session you typically use at least one liner, plus other configurations depending on technique. If you have consistent consumption, order in advance the necessary quantity for the sizes you use most often.
Product description
Cartridge needles Cheyenne Craft needles have the highest quality needles. The patented safety membrane prevents the penetration of blood and ink into the handle. The tightness of the safety membrane complies with all the requirements of the European standard EN 17169. The cartridges are available in 19 needle configurations, suitable for most tattooing techniques. Material: Stainless steel The needles are single-use and sterile packaged The price is per piece
Cheyenne Craft Cartridges LINER (RL) represents Cheyenne's entry-level premium line, designed to deliver German Cheyenne quality at an accessible price point. Craft is Cheyenne's answer for artists wanting the reliability and safety of the German brand without the full investment required by the Safety or Capillary lines. The RL configuration groups needles in a tight circular formation with converging tips, optimized for clean, precise line work. Cheyenne Craft uses a simplified yet effective safety membrane that prevents ink backflow while maintaining acceptable flow. Needles are quality surgical steel, individually sterilized, with medium taper suitable for versatile lining from fine line to standard outlines. Compatible with all Cheyenne and universal pen-style machines. Available from 3RL through 9RL. Compared to Cheyenne Safety RL, Craft delivers approximately 85% of the performance at 60-70% of the price — the main difference being the simpler membrane and slightly relaxed tolerances. Against Big Wasp X RL, Cheyenne Craft wins on consistency and brand reputation. Against Kwadron RL, Craft is slightly inferior but significantly more accessible. Box of 20 cartridges. EO sterilization, CE compliant. Recommended for beginner and intermediate artists wanting Cheyenne quality without the full premium, as well as professionals as a backup option or for practice.
Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between Cheyenne Craft and Cheyenne Safety? Cheyenne Craft is the entry-level line, while Safety is the mid-premium line. Main differences: Safety has an advanced safety membrane with superior ink flow, tighter manufacturing tolerances, and perfect lot-to-lot consistency. Craft has a simplified but functional membrane, acceptable tolerances, and very good consistency. Both are manufactured under German Cheyenne standards. For daily professional work, Safety is worth the additional investment. For practice, backup, or beginning artists, Craft provides an excellent entry point into the Cheyenne ecosystem. Is Cheyenne Craft RL compatible with all machines? Yes, Cheyenne Craft RL uses the standard universal cartridge connection, compatible with all modern pen-style and rotary machines. Works on Cheyenne Sol Nova, FK Irons Xion, Bishop Fantom, Dragonhawk Mast, EZ P2S, and other machines with standard 25mm grip. No adapters or modifications needed. Cheyenne Craft is actually one of the most universally compatible cartridges on the market, making it a practical choice for studios using diverse machines. What voltage should I run Cheyenne Craft RL at? Optimal voltage for Cheyenne Craft RL is between 7-8.5V, slightly higher than for Safety or Capillary due to the simpler membrane offering slightly more resistance. For fine line with 3RL: 7-7.5V. For standard lining with 5RL: 7.5-8V. For thick outlines with 7RL-9RL: 8-8.5V. On Sol Nova, you can reduce by 0.3V. Tip: if ink is not flowing consistently at the set voltage, increase slightly — the Craft membrane may need slightly more input than Safety for optimal flow. Is Cheyenne Craft RL suitable for beginners? Yes, Cheyenne Craft RL is one of the best choices for beginning artists. It offers Cheyenne quality and safety (safety membrane, sterilization, CE) at a price that allows the high consumption specific to the learning phase. The predictable cartridge behavior helps develop correct technique from the start. It is much better to learn on Cheyenne Craft than on ultra-cheap no-names with inconsistent quality. Once the hand stabilizes, the transition to Safety or Capillary will be natural. How many Craft RL cartridges come in a box? Each Cheyenne Craft RL box contains 20 individually wrapped and sterilized cartridges. Individual packaging is a sealed blister with sterilization indicator, lot number, and expiration date. The outer box contains barcode for verification and all CE compliance information. It is the same packaging standard as Safety — the difference is only in the technical specifications of the cartridge itself, not in packaging or sterilization. Is Cheyenne Craft RL made in Germany? Cheyenne Craft is designed by Cheyenne in Berlin, Germany, under their quality standards. Specific production processes may vary — some components may be manufactured in partner facilities under Cheyenne quality oversight, unlike Safety and Capillary which are manufactured entirely in Germany. Regardless of production location, every Craft batch passes through Cheyenne quality control and carries CE certification. This is one of the ways Cheyenne keeps Craft pricing more accessible. Can I use Cheyenne Craft RL for fine line tattoo? Yes, Cheyenne Craft RL in the 3RL configuration can be used for fine line tattoo with good results. It will not reach the precision level of Capillary 3RL (capillary flow) or Safety 3RL (advanced membrane), but for most fine line work, the difference is acceptable. Use moderate voltage (7-7.5V), constant hand speed, and quality thin ink. For artists specializing exclusively in fine line, we recommend Safety or Capillary. For occasional fine line, Craft is perfectly adequate. What is the price difference between Cheyenne Craft RL and Big Wasp X RL? Cheyenne Craft RL sits between 80-120 RON / 20 pcs, while Big Wasp X RL is between 55-80 RON / 20 pcs. The 25-40 RON difference per box (approximately 1.5-2 RON per cartridge) is justified by the Cheyenne brand, slightly superior consistency, and safety reputation. If budget is your main priority, Big Wasp X offers excellent value. If you prefer the safety of an established German brand with the longest history in the industry, Cheyenne Craft is worth the difference. Does Cheyenne Craft RL have a safety membrane? Yes, Cheyenne Craft RL includes a safety membrane that prevents ink and biological fluid backflow. It is a simplified membrane compared to Safety's (which has a more complex design and optimized flow), but functionally fulfills the same protective role. This means that from a safety perspective, Craft meets the same standards as Safety — there is no compromise on biosafety. The difference is in performance (ink flow), not in safety. Is upgrading from Craft to Safety worth it? Depends on career stage and work volume. If you tattoo daily, paying clients, yes — Safety provides a perceptibly better experience: smoother ink flow, superior consistency, and more predictable feedback. If you tattoo occasionally, practice, or are starting out, Craft is sufficient and you save money that can be invested in other aspects (better inks, synthetic skin practice). Practical tip: when you can draw 100 consecutive straight lines on practice skin without error, you are ready for the upgrade.