Complete guide: Da Vinci V2 M1 Cartridge Needles
Needle cartridge in M1 magnum configuration, from the Da Vinci V2 range developed by Bishop — a sterile, single-use consumable designed for shading and color packing. The needles are made of 304 surgical-grade stainless steel, and the molded medical-grade plastic body includes a safety membrane and vent hole for better ink flow. It fits pen-style machines and cartridge adapter grips, so you can use it regardless of your current setup. It is a suitable choice for both experienced artists and those just building their supply kit.
How to use
- Check the individual packaging before opening: the sterile seal must be intact and the sterilization expiry date valid. If the blister is damaged, do not use the cartridge.
- Prepare your workstation: washed hands, new disposable gloves, protective barriers on the machine, clip cord/battery, and frequently touched surfaces.
- Open the blister and insert the cartridge into the pen-style machine or adapter grip until it is properly seated with no play.
- Turn on the machine at a low voltage and visually check the needle stroke and their exit from the tip — the movement should be smooth, without friction or abnormal noise.
- Gradually adjust the machine settings according to the technique used: gentler for shading, more sustained for color packing, based on your preference and style.
- During the session, periodically wipe the tip of excess pigment with a clean disposable tissue to maintain visibility and ink flow.
- At the end, remove the cartridge without touching the needles and immediately discard it in the designated sharps container. Never reuse it.
Tips from us
- The M1 (magnum) configuration is built for surfaces: shading, gradients, and color packing. For outlines and lines, use a liner cartridge — do not force a magnum to do a liner's job.
- Work with the magnum at a slight angle to the skin, not aggressively perpendicular — this reduces trauma at the edges of the needle row and gives more even shading.
- The safety membrane in the cartridge limits ink backflow toward the machine, but it does not replace hygiene: continue to use a protective cover on the machine for each client.
- Do not block the tip with excess work ointment — the vent hole and ink channel work best when the tip stays clean.
- Store cartridges in their original sealed packaging, in a dry, clean place, away from moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures.
- Keep several pieces on hand for long sessions: if a cartridge falls, touches a non-sterile surface, or becomes damaged, replace it on the spot.
Warning: The cartridge is sterilized with EO gas and is strictly single-use: it must not be resterilized, disinfected, or reused under any circumstances, not even on the same client. A cartridge with an opened, damaged blister or expired sterilization must be discarded. After use, dispose of it exclusively in a sharps container, in accordance with hygiene standards for tattoo studios. Always work with gloves and protective barriers and change them between clients.
Frequently asked questions
What does "M1" mean in the cartridge name?▾
M1 is the standard notation for magnum: the needles are arranged in two staggered rows (woven), forming a wide working surface. This is the classic configuration for shading, gradients, and color packing on medium to large areas, where a liner would require far too many passes.
Which machines is this cartridge compatible with?▾
According to the manufacturer, Da Vinci V2 cartridges fit all pen-style machines and standard cartridge adapter grips. Essentially, if your machine accepts the universal cartridge system, this model mounts directly. If you have a less common setup, check beforehand that your grip is a standard cartridge adapter.
Can I reuse the cartridge if I disinfect or autoclave it?▾
No. It is a sterile, single-use consumable, sterilized with EO gas at the factory. The plastic body and internal membrane are not designed to withstand resterilization, and the risk of cross-contamination is real. After each session, the cartridge goes directly into the sharps container.
What materials is it made from?▾
The needles are made of 304 surgical-grade stainless steel, and the cartridge body is molded from medical-grade plastic, designed to fit precisely with no needle play. The cartridge includes a safety membrane to prevent ink backflow and a vent hole that aids ink flow.
I am a beginner — should I choose M1 or a liner for my first set?▾
It depends on what you are practicing. For outlines and lines you need liner cartridges (RL); M1 comes into play when you move on to shading and color packing. Most beginners work with both types: the liner for the skeleton, the magnum for volumes. If you are just starting out, get a few of each and see what works for you on synthetic practice skin.
How can I tell if a cartridge is no longer good to use?▾
Do not use the cartridge if the blister is opened, punctured, or damp, if the sterilization expiry date has passed, if the needles appear bent or off-center upon visual inspection, or if it has touched any non-sterile surface after opening. In any of these cases, discard it and open a new one — the cost of a cartridge never justifies the hygiene risk.
Product description
Bishop DA VINCI V2 are those most popular cartridges With over 2 years of development, the needles have been put to the test by artists from all over the world. Bishop fine-tuned every aspect of the cartridges and made no compromises. The needles are made of Japanese 304 stainless steel, which offers the best quality of steel available for tattoo needles. This allows the needles to stay sharp even during long tattoo sessions. Each needle undergoes a strict 8-step quality control process to ensure excellent needles every time. Each needle has its own custom molded plastic body that is engineered to fit precisely. This process ensures that those magnums will have no "wiggle room". The liner needles have the first technology that allows the liner needle to have a constant pressure that causes the needle to pass through the bottom of the tip. This allows precise and controlled vertical movement. Characteristics: The needles have a safety membrane Designed with a vent/breather hole to allow better cough flow It fits all types of adapter handles and pen type machines Made of 304 surgical stainless steel and medical grade plastic100% sterilized EO gas
Da Vinci V2 M1 Cartridge Needles are magnum cartridges from Bishop's Da Vinci V2 range, one of the most respected American tattoo equipment brands. The Da Vinci V2 range is designed as a mid-range option with premium quality, benefiting from Bishop's expertise in needle design but at a more accessible price than the flagship line. The M1 configuration arranges needles in two staggered rows for maximum coverage in shading and color packing. Needles are quality surgical steel with precise soldering and medium taper ensuring good ink flow. The safety membrane prevents backflow efficiently, and the return mechanism is calibrated for consistent tactile feedback. Standard #12 gauge (0.35mm). Universal compatibility with all pen-style machines — works excellently on both Bishop Fantom (the native combination) and Cheyenne Sol Nova, FK Irons Xion, and others. Compared to Cheyenne Craft M1, Da Vinci V2 offers slightly better ink flow due to Bishop's membrane design. Against Kwadron M1, Da Vinci V2 is slightly inferior in precision but more accessible in price. Against Big Wasp X M1, performance is comparable with the Bishop brand advantage. Available from 7M1 through 15M1. Box of 20 EO-sterilized cartridges, CE compliant. The smart choice for artists wanting Bishop quality at a controlled budget.
Frequently Asked Questions What is Bishop's Da Vinci V2 range? Da Vinci V2 is Bishop's mid-range line, positioned below the Bishop flagship range but above generic competitors. It benefits from Bishop's expertise in design and quality control, but uses cost-optimized manufacturing processes. Result: cartridges with 85-90% of Bishop flagship performance at 50-60% of the price. V2 represents the second generation, with improvements over the original Da Vinci in membrane and tolerances. It is Bishop's equivalent of Cheyenne Craft — brand quality at accessible pricing. Does Da Vinci V2 M1 work on Bishop Fantom? Yes, this is the native combination. Da Vinci V2 M1 on Bishop Fantom is the perfect calibration — both designed by Bishop and optimized to work together. On Fantom with 3.0mm stroke, optimal voltage for Da Vinci V2 M1 is 7.5-8.5V. Fantom's powerful motor efficiently drives Da Vinci V2 magnums of any size. This is probably the best mid-range combination in the industry from a machine-cartridge synergy perspective. How does Da Vinci V2 M1 compare to Cheyenne Craft M1? They are direct competitors. Da Vinci V2 M1 wins slightly on ink flow due to the membrane inspired by Bishop flagship. Cheyenne Craft M1 wins on brand recognition in Europe and lot-to-lot consistency. Prices are similar (80-120 RON / 20 pcs). In practice, differences are minor — both are excellent mid-range choices. If you have a Bishop Fantom, Da Vinci V2 is the natural choice. If you have a Cheyenne Sol Nova, Craft is natural. On any other machine, test both. What voltage for Da Vinci V2 M1? Optimal voltage: 7-9V. Smooth shading: 7-7.5V. Standard color packing: 7.5-8.5V. Aggressive color packing: 8.5-9V. On Bishop Fantom: 7.5-8.5V is the sweet spot. On Sol Nova: 7-8V. On FK Irons Xion: 7.5-9V. Da Vinci V2 M1 has a reasonably wide sweet spot, working well across a varied voltage range without significant performance degradation. Is Da Vinci V2 M1 suitable for realism? Yes, Da Vinci V2 M1 can be used for realism with good results. It does not reach the level of Cheyenne Safety M1 or Kwadron M1 in absolute consistency, but for semi-realism and standard studio realism, it delivers solid results. The Bishop membrane provides good ink flow, and the M1 configuration covers surfaces efficiently. For competitive or ultra-high-end realism, invest in Safety or Capillary. For everyday realism, Da Vinci V2 M1 is more than sufficient. What Da Vinci V2 M1 sizes are available? Da Vinci V2 M1 is available in standard configurations: 7M1, 9M1, 11M1, 13M1, and 15M1. 9M1 and 11M1 are most popular. All come in #12 gauge (0.35mm) with medium taper. The range covers the full spectrum from medium detail (7M1) to very large surfaces (15M1). Stock recommendation: 9M1 and 11M1 as your base. Is Da Vinci V2 made by Bishop? Da Vinci V2 is designed by Bishop and manufactured under their quality oversight. Actual production may involve partner facilities (unlike the Bishop flagship range manufactured in own facilities), but specifications, materials, and quality control are dictated by Bishop. This is standard industry practice for mid-range lines — allows premium brands to offer accessible products without compromising minimum quality standards. How much does Da Vinci V2 M1 cost in Romania? Da Vinci V2 M1 sits between 70-110 RON / 20 pcs on the Romanian market, positioned similarly to Cheyenne Craft M1. More expensive than Big Wasp X M1 (55-80 RON) but more accessible than Kwadron M1 (90-130 RON) or Cheyenne Safety M1 (150-210 RON). Arguably offers the best brand-recognition/price ratio in the mid-range segment for artists who value the Bishop brand. Does Da Vinci V2 M1 work with dense ink? Da Vinci V2 M1 works well with medium-consistency inks but may struggle with very dense formulas (thick white, opaque yellow) on smaller configurations (7M1). The Da Vinci V2 membrane is efficient but not at Cheyenne Safety level — dense inks may cause occasional starvation. Solution: for dense inks, increase voltage by 0.3-0.5V or lightly dilute with witch hazel. On larger configurations (11M1+), the issue is rarer due to the larger distribution surface. Is Da Vinci V2 M1 individually sterilized? Yes, each Da Vinci V2 M1 cartridge is individually sterilized with ethylene oxide (EO) and packaged in a hermetic blister with sterilization indicator. Lot number and expiration date are visible on packaging. EO sterilization is an efficient and safe industry standard, though different from the gamma sterilization used by Cheyenne. Both methods are accepted by international health authorities. Shelf life: 3-5 years from manufacturing.
