Complete guide: Tattoo Needle Cartridge Hummingbird RS
Hummingbird Round Shader (RS) needle cartridge, designed for fine shading, delicate transitions, and pepper shading techniques on small to medium areas. The needles are made of stainless steel, individually sterile packaged, and single-use, while the internal safety membrane prevents blood and ink from entering the machine grip. It is an affordable choice for both artists who use many cartridges in daily work and beginners practicing shading.
How to use
- Check the individual sterile packaging before opening: it must be intact, within the expiration date, and undamaged. Never use a cartridge with compromised packaging.
- Prepare the pen-style machine: cover the machine body with a protective barrier (disposable film or sleeve) and put on new gloves.
- Remove the cartridge from the blister and insert it into the machine grip, twisting firmly until it is fully seated.
- Adjust the needle depth from the grip and set the voltage for shading—the product description indicates a recommended range of 6.5–8.5 V; start low and adjust based on cartridge response.
- Test the pigment flow on a practice surface (artificial skin or a tissue) to ensure the ink flows evenly before working.
- Perform shading with controlled movements, depositing pigment gradually—the round configuration of RS needles is suitable for texturing and fine transitions, not for lines.
- After finishing the work, remove the cartridge and immediately dispose of it in a dedicated sharps container. The cartridge is strictly single-use.
Tips from us
- Choose the configuration based on the area: small numbers (3RS) for micro-texturing and fine pepper shading, medium (5RS) for versatile everyday shading, and large (7RS–9RS) for denser shading areas.
- If you are a beginner, 5RS is the configuration recommended in the description as the most versatile—practice on artificial skin first before real work.
- The safety membrane reduces the risk of backflow but does not replace basic hygiene: continue using barriers on the machine and grip for each client.
- For pepper shading, work at a lower voltage (lower end of the range) with short, perpendicular movements to the skin.
- Store cartridges in their original packaging, in a dry place away from sunlight, and periodically check the sterilization expiration date.
- The displayed price is per piece—calculate your needs for a job before ordering, especially for extensive shading that consumes more cartridges.
Warning: Cartridges are sterile and strictly single-use: do not reuse them and do not attempt to re-sterilize them under any circumstances. Do not use a cartridge whose packaging is open, wet, or damaged. Always work with gloves and protective barriers, and after use, dispose of the cartridge in a sharps container according to hygiene regulations for tattoo studios.
Frequently asked questions
What does RS mean and what is this cartridge used for?▾
RS stands for Round Shader: the needles are arranged in a circle with controlled spacing, allowing gradual ink deposition. It is the right configuration for fine shading, texturing, delicate transitions, and pepper shading on small to medium areas—not for contour lines, where liner (RL) cartridges are used.
Which tattoo machines is Hummingbird RS compatible with?▾
According to the product description, the cartridges have universal compatibility with standard pen-style machines, no adapters needed. Basically, if your machine accepts standard cartridges with twist-lock grip, Hummingbird RS should work directly. If you have a less common machine, check its manual that it accepts standard cartridges.
Are the cartridges sterile? How should I store them properly?▾
Yes, the needles are single-use and individually sterile packaged. Sterility is guaranteed only as long as the packaging remains intact—store them in the original box, in a dry place away from moisture and sunlight, and never use a cartridge with an open or damaged blister. Cartridges do not require 'maintenance': after use, dispose of them in sharps waste.
Can I reuse a cartridge if I only worked with it a little?▾
No. The cartridge is single-use: once removed from the sterile packaging and used, it cannot be safely cleaned or re-sterilized. Reuse poses a risk of infection and transmission of bloodborne diseases. Use new, sealed cartridges for each client and each session.
Which configuration should I choose if I am a beginner?▾
The description recommends 5RS as the most versatile configuration for basic shading. The range covers 3RS for micro-texturing, 5RS for fine everyday shading, 7RS for medium areas, and 9RS for denser round shading. Start with 5RS, practice on artificial skin, and expand to other configurations as you develop your technique.
At what voltage should I run RS cartridges?▾
The recommended range from the product description is 6.5–8.5 V: lower end for pepper shading with small configurations, higher end for denser shading with 7RS–9RS. Each machine and hand technique differs, so test on artificial skin and fine-tune until you achieve the desired pigment deposition.
Product description
Cartridge needles The needles have a safety membrane that prevents blood and ink from entering the handle. Precision is the strong point when it comes to cutting needles. The packaging is biodegradable and the plastic from which the tip is made is medical. Material: Stainless steel The needles are single-use and sterile packaged The price is per piece
Hummingbird RS Cartridge Needles are Round Shader cartridges from the value Hummingbird range, completing the Hummingbird set with fine shading and pepper shading capability at minimum pricing. RS configuration arranges needles circularly with controlled spacing for gradual ink deposition in small areas, enabling texturing, delicate transitions, and pepper shading techniques with good control. Functional safety membrane preventing backflow, surgical steel with decent sharpness, standard #12 gauge (0.35mm), versatile medium taper. Universal compatibility with all pen-style machines on the market — works on Cheyenne Sol Nova, FK Irons Xion, Bishop Fantom, Dragonhawk Mast, EZ P2S, and any other machine with standard grip. Available from 3RS through 9RS, covering micro-texturing (3RS), versatile fine shading (5RS), medium areas (7RS), and denser round shading (9RS). At Hummingbird pricing, you get a functional RS for daily fine shading, pepper shading, and texturing — not at Kwadron or Cheyenne Safety level, but accessible and reliable. Compared to Big Wasp X RS, loses on consistency but wins on price. Against Da Vinci V2 RS, loses on flow but wins on cost. Combined with Hummingbird RL (lining), RM (soft shading), and M1 (color packing), completes a full Hummingbird set at the lowest possible price for certified quality cartridges. Box of 20, individually EO-sterilized, CE compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions Does Hummingbird RS work for pepper shading? Yes, Hummingbird RS 3RS-5RS works acceptably for standard pepper shading. Not at the constancy level of Cheyenne Capillary or Safety, but sufficient for technique development and general studio work. Low voltage (6-7V), perpendicular movements. Accessible pricing allows high consumption — important for pepper shading requiring many cartridges. What Hummingbird RS configurations are available?3RS, 5RS, 7RS, 9RS. 5RS most versatile. #12 gauge, medium taper. Stock: 5RS predominantly. What voltage for Hummingbird RS?6.5-8.5V. Pepper shading 3RS: 6.5-7.5V. Standard 5RS: 7-7.5V. Dense 7RS-9RS: 7.5-8.5V. Membrane may require slightly higher voltages than premium. Test and adjust. Hummingbird RS vs Big Wasp X RS? Big Wasp X RS superior in consistency and flow. Hummingbird RS wins on price. Practical difference: 10-15%. Tight budget → Hummingbird. Optimal mid-range performance → Big Wasp X. Is Hummingbird RS good for B&G? Functional for basic-intermediate level B&G. 3RS-5RS with grey washes at moderate dilutions (1:1, 1:2). Hummingbird membrane handles diluted inks acceptably. Not recommended for high-end B&G portraits — invest in Safety RS or Kwadron RS for those. For B&G practice and standard studio work, Hummingbird RS is sufficient. How much does Hummingbird RS cost?45-70 RON / 20 pcs. Most accessible quality RS. Savings vs Cheyenne Safety RS (150-200 RON) are 80-130 RON per box — money that can be invested in ink or practice. Is Hummingbird RS sterilized? Yes, individual EO sterilization, hermetic packaging, sterilization indicator, lot number, expiration date. CE. Complete biosafety. Does Hummingbird RS work on any machine? Yes, universal compatibility. Works on all standard pen-style machines without adapters. Popular entry-level combo: Dragonhawk Mast + Hummingbird RS = fully functional shading setup at minimum price. Can I use Hummingbird RS on real clients? Yes, Hummingbird RS is sterilized, CE certified, and produces acceptable shading for real tattoos. Final quality depends predominantly on the artist's technique, not the cartridge brand. An artist with good technique will achieve good results with Hummingbird RS. Recommendation: when experience and budget allow, evolve toward more performant brands for increasingly demanding work. Is Hummingbird RS suitable for beginners? Ideal for beginners. Minimum pricing allows intensive practice. Safety membrane and certified sterilization ensure safety. Recommendation: start with 5RS for basic shading, practice daily on synthetic skin, and evolve toward more complex configurations (3RS, 7RS) as technique develops. Invest saved money in quality practice skin and good ink.
