Complete guide: Cheyenne Craft Cartridge Needle MAGNUM (M1)
The Craft line cartridges are the affordable version of Cheyenne needles: single-use stainless steel needles, sterile-packed, with a patented safety membrane that prevents blood and ink from entering the handle, in compliance with the European standard EN 17169. The MAGNUM (M1) configuration arranges the needles in two staggered rows for large coverage — ideal for shading, color packing, and gradients. It is aimed at artists working with cartridge-system pen machines, as well as those looking to enter the Cheyenne ecosystem with a smaller investment.
How to use
- Check the individual sterile packaging before use: if the blister is damaged, opened, or wet, do not use the cartridge.
- Prepare your workstation: disposable gloves, protective barriers (film) on the machine, clip cord/grip, and work surfaces.
- Remove the cartridge from the packaging without touching the tip and insert it into the grip or pen machine compatible with the cartridge system until it is firmly seated.
- Adjust the needle protrusion (how far they extend from the tip) according to the desired technique and working depth.
- Start the machine at a lower voltage, check the needle movement and ink flow, then gradually adjust until you achieve a consistent flow.
- Work the shading or fill with uniform movements; the magnum M1 configuration is designed for larger surfaces and tonal transitions.
- When finished, remove the cartridge and immediately dispose of it in a sharps container — it is strictly single-use.
- Sanitize the grip and machine according to your usual procedure: disinfect, and autoclavable grips go in the autoclave.
Tips from us
- Choose the configuration size based on the working area: fewer needles for small areas and shading details, more needles for fills and large surfaces — the Craft line covers the range from 7M1 to 15M1.
- The safety membrane protects the inside of the handle, but does not replace barriers: continue to use protective film on the machine and grip for each client.
- The price is per piece, so calculate your needs per session and always keep a few spare cartridges in case one is dropped or contaminated.
- Store the cartridges in their original packaging, in a clean, dry place, to maintain the integrity of the sterilization.
- If the ink flow seems inconsistent, increase the voltage in small steps and test on synthetic skin before working on a client — each machine has its optimal point.
- The Craft line is available in 19 needle configurations; keep a small stock of the M1 sizes you use most often, so you don't run out in the middle of a project.
Warning: The cartridges are single-use and sterile-packed: never reuse them, regardless of the cleaning method, and do not use a cartridge with compromised packaging. After the session, dispose of them exclusively in a sharps container, in accordance with regulations for tattoo studios. Always work with gloves and protective barriers — the safety membrane reduces the risk of handle contamination but does not replace standard workstation hygiene.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines are Cheyenne Craft M1 cartridges compatible with?▾
Cheyenne cartridges use the grip system that has become the industry standard, so they work with Cheyenne machines and, in general, with pen machines that accept Cheyenne-compatible cartridges — the product description mentions examples like Cheyenne Sol Nova, FK Irons Xion, Bishop Fantom, Dragonhawk Mast, or EZ P2S. However, check your machine's specifications to ensure it accepts Cheyenne-system cartridges before ordering.
What techniques is the MAGNUM (M1) configuration suitable for?▾
M1 means needles arranged in two staggered rows, a geometry designed for large coverage: solid shading, color packing, and broad gradients. It is not the right configuration for fine lines — for outlines, liner configurations (RL) are used, and the magnum comes into play for shading and fills.
Can I reuse a cartridge if I disinfect it thoroughly?▾
No. The cartridges are single-use, sterile-packed, and cannot be safely re-sterilized at home or in the studio. Reuse poses a risk of infection and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. After each session, dispose of the cartridge in a sharps container, and clean the grip and machine separately.
What does the safety membrane do and what does EN 17169 mean?▾
The patented Cheyenne safety membrane prevents blood and ink from traveling up from the cartridge into the handle, protecting the machine from cross-contamination between clients. The membrane's seal meets the requirements of the European standard EN 17169, concerning safety and hygiene in tattooing. Even so, protective barriers and normal hygiene procedures remain mandatory.
Which M1 size should I choose if I'm just starting out?▾
The Craft M1 range goes from 7M1 to 15M1. The practical rule: the larger the working area, the more needles you choose — small sizes for tight spots and detail shading, large ones for fills and large pieces. A medium size from the range is the most versatile choice to start with, and as you define your style, you can add smaller and larger sizes.
Is the displayed price for one cartridge or for a box?▾
According to the product description, the price is per piece, meaning for a single cartridge. Keep this in mind when calculating your consumption: for one session you need at least one cartridge per configuration used, plus spares in case of accidental contamination or dropping.
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 MAGNUM (M1) delivers Cheyenne's magnum performance at the most accessible price in the German portfolio. The Craft line represents the gateway to Cheyenne quality, with a simplified yet effective safety membrane and surgical steel needles manufactured under Cheyenne quality oversight. The M1 configuration arranges needles in two staggered rows for maximum coverage, ideal for solid shading, color packing, and wide gradient transitions. Standard #12 gauge (0.35mm) ensures sufficient rigidity for consistent penetration in any skin type. Medium taper allows good ink flow without starvation during fill sessions. Universal compatibility with all pen-style machines: Cheyenne Sol Nova, FK Irons Xion, Bishop Fantom, Dragonhawk Mast, EZ P2S. Compared to Cheyenne Safety M1, Craft offers approximately 85% performance at 60-70% of the price — ideal for practice or as backup. Against Big Wasp X M1, Craft offers Cheyenne consistency but at a higher price. Against Kwadron M1, Craft is inferior but carries the Cheyenne name. Available from 7M1 through 15M1. Box of 20 individually EO-sterilized cartridges. CE compliant. Recommended for artists wanting to experience Cheyenne magnum quality without the full investment required by Safety or Capillary.
Frequently Asked Questions Is Cheyenne Craft M1 good enough for professional work? Yes, Cheyenne Craft M1 can be used for professional work with good results. It does not reach Safety or Capillary level in ink flow and consistency, but delivers solid performance for standard shading and color packing. Many professional artists keep Craft M1 as a secondary option for lighter sessions or as backup. For the most demanding work (color realism, high-end portraits), we recommend Safety or Capillary. For neo-traditional, traditional, or general shading, Craft M1 is perfectly adequate. What M1 configurations are available in Cheyenne Craft? Cheyenne Craft Magnum M1 is available in 7M1, 9M1, 11M1, 13M1, and 15M1 configurations. 9M1 is the most versatile and most popular. 7M1 for small areas. 11M1 and 13M1 for medium-large surfaces. 15M1 for Japanese sleeves and back pieces. All come in #12 gauge (0.35mm) with medium taper. Standard recommendation: maintain stock of 9M1 and 13M1 as your working base. What voltage works best for Cheyenne Craft M1? Optimal voltage for Cheyenne Craft M1 is between 7.5-9V, slightly higher than Safety M1 due to the simpler membrane. For smooth shading: 7.5-8V. For color packing: 8-9V. For gradients with diluted ink: 7-7.5V. On Sol Nova, you can reduce by 0.3V. If you notice flow inconsistencies, increase voltage by 0.3V — the Craft membrane responds well to slightly higher inputs. Test on practice skin to find the sweet spot on your specific machine. How does Cheyenne Craft M1 compare to Big Wasp X M1? Big Wasp X M1 and Cheyenne Craft M1 are direct competitors in the mid-range segment. Big Wasp X wins on ink flow (the X membrane is more advanced than Craft) and price (more accessible). Cheyenne Craft wins on brand recognition, lot-to-lot consistency, and trust in German manufacturing standards. Practical performance is very close — the difference is 5-10% in favor of one or the other, depending on the parameter evaluated. Recommendation: test both and decide based on personal preference. Does Cheyenne Craft M1 have a safety membrane? Yes, Cheyenne Craft M1 includes a safety membrane preventing ink and biological fluid backflow. It is a simplified membrane compared to Safety and Capillary, but functionally safe. From a biosafety perspective, Craft meets the same standards — no compromise on patient safety. The Craft membrane differs in performance: slightly less consistent ink flow and slightly more resistance to needle movement. These differences do not affect safety, only the user experience. Can I do realism with Cheyenne Craft M1? You can achieve good realism results with Craft M1, though not at the maximum level that Safety or Capillary would allow. Craft M1 works solidly for semi-realism and non-competitive realism. The main limitation is with ultra-fine gradients where minor flow fluctuations from the simplified membrane can create subtle inconsistencies. For competition-level realism or high-end portraits, invest in Safety or Capillary. For standard studio realism, Craft M1 delivers results that clients will be satisfied with. What ink works best with Cheyenne Craft M1? Cheyenne Craft M1 works best with medium-consistency inks that flow easily. Eternal Ink and World Famous Ink are excellent choices — their medium consistency pairs perfectly with the Craft membrane. Avoid very dense inks on small configurations (7M1) where the simplified membrane may cause starvation. Dynamic Black works well for solid black. For grey wash, prepare dilutions at thin-medium consistency. Tip: if using denser ink, increase voltage by 0.3-0.5V. Is Cheyenne Craft M1 individually sterilized? Yes, each Cheyenne Craft M1 cartridge is individually sterilized with ethylene oxide (EO) and packaged in a hermetic blister. Each blister has a visible sterilization indicator confirming successful sterilization process. Lot number and expiration date are printed on packaging for complete traceability. Sterilization standards are identical to Safety — there is no compromise on this chapter. What is the shelf life of Cheyenne Craft M1? Cheyenne Craft M1 has a shelf life of 3-5 years from the manufacturing date, provided it is stored in original intact packaging, at room temperature (15-25°C), in a dry environment. Expiration date is printed on each individual blister and on the outer box. Do not use cartridges with compromised seals or past expiration date. Proper storage guarantees sterility and optimal performance throughout the shelf life. Does Cheyenne Craft M1 work on coil machines? Not directly. Cheyenne Craft M1, like all cartridges, is designed for rotary and pen-style machines with standard cartridge grips. Traditional coil machines use needle bars, not cartridges. Coil-to-cartridge adapters exist but we do not recommend them — they alter geometry and performance. If you use coil machines, opt for traditional M1 bar needles. If you want cartridge benefits, invest in a pen-style machine — even entry-level modern ones offer excellent performance with Cheyenne Craft cartridges.
