Complete guide: Tattoo Needles Cartridge Pro Plus RL
Pro Plus RL cartridges are tattoo needles of the Round Liner type: the needles are grouped in a tight circular formation, optimized for fine lines, clean outlines, details, and lettering. They are made of stainless steel, feature a safety membrane that prevents ink and biological fluid backflow, and come sterilized with ethylene oxide, individually packaged, single-use. The range sits between the budget Limited series and the premium Kwadron series — a suitable choice for artists who want a superior finish without the premium price. The displayed price is per piece.
How to use
- Check the integrity of the sterile packaging: if the blister is open, punctured, or damaged, do not use the cartridge.
- Wash your hands, put on disposable gloves, and prepare the work station with protective barriers on the machine and surfaces.
- Open the individual packaging only right before the session, in front of the client if possible, and remove the cartridge without touching the tip.
- Mount the cartridge onto the tattoo pen with standard grip (or onto a rotary machine equipped with a cartridge adapter) and twist until it is firmly secured, with no play.
- Adjust the needle exposure length from the grip, according to the technique and configuration used.
- Start at a low voltage and gradually increase until you achieve the desired line — roughly 6–8V for 1RL–3RL, 7–9V for 5RL–7RL, and 8–10V for 9RL–14RL; the correct voltage also depends on ink consistency and skin type.
- During the work, change the cartridge if the line becomes inconsistent or you feel increased resistance to penetration — a cartridge generally maintains its optimal sharpness for 1–3 hours.
- At the end, immediately dispose of the used cartridge in a sharps container, never in household trash.
Tips from us
- If you're building your stock, start with 3RL and 5RL — they are the most versatile configurations: 3RL for fine lines, details, and script, 5RL for standard outlines and large letters.
- For a typical 2–4 hour outlining session, plan for 2–4 cartridges and always keep 1–2 extra as backup.
- For lining, use high-fluidity black lining inks — they flow evenly through the RL configuration and reduce the risk of inconsistent lines.
- If you're using a cartridge adapter on a rotary machine, check that there is no axial play: even a small play visibly affects line quality.
- The anti-backflow membrane protects the machine, but does not replace protective barriers (wrap on pen/clip cord) — use them together.
- Test the line on artificial skin or a practice area when switching to a new configuration, to calibrate your voltage and hand speed.
Warning: Sterile, single-use product: never reuse or re-sterilize a cartridge, not even for the same client in a future session. Sterility is guaranteed only as long as the individual packaging is intact — a damaged blister means the cartridge is compromised and must be discarded. Always work with gloves and protective barriers and dispose of used cartridges exclusively in sharps containers, in accordance with hygiene standards for tattoo studios.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pro Plus RL cartridges fit my pen?▾
Yes, Pro Plus RL cartridges are universally compatible with all tattoo pens that have a standard cartridge grip. They also work on rotary machines equipped with a standard cartridge adapter — they mount identically. The only important check: the adapter must be tightened correctly, with no axial play, otherwise line quality suffers.
Which RL configuration should I choose if I'm a beginner?▾
The range covers configurations from 1RL to 14RL, but for a start the most useful are 3RL and 5RL. 3RL is suitable for fine lines, details, and small lettering, while 5RL is for standard outlines and versatile work. Together they cover most of your lining needs, so it's worth having both in stock before expanding to very fine (1RL) or thick (9RL–14RL) configurations.
Can I reuse a cartridge if I only used it a little?▾
No. Cartridges are single-use, and sterility is guaranteed only upon first opening of the individual packaging. Once used — or even just removed from the blister — the cartridge can no longer be considered sterile, and there is no safe method of re-sterilization at studio level for such consumables. They are disposed of in a sharps container after each client.
How does Pro Plus RL compare to the Limited range and Kwadron?▾
Pro Plus is the middle step: compared to the budget Limited range, it has tighter manufacturing tolerances, more quality control steps, and additional needle polishing — which means cleaner lines and less trauma per pass. Compared to Kwadron, the difference lies in the micro-finish of the needle: Kwadron has a slightly finer polish, especially relevant for competition-level single needle work. For everyday professional work, Pro Plus RL offers about 90% of the performance at a more accessible price.
What does the membrane in the cartridge help with?▾
The integrated safety membrane prevents backflow of ink and biological fluids from the cartridge into the pen. It is an important hygiene element because it reduces the risk of cross-contamination of the machine between clients. However, it remains mandatory to use protective barriers on the pen and work with gloves — the membrane complements, not replaces, the hygiene protocol.
What voltage should I set for lining with these cartridges?▾
Roughly: 6–8V for fine lines with 1RL–3RL, 7–9V for standard outlines with 5RL–7RL, and 8–10V for thick outlines with 9RL–14RL. Always start at the lower end of the range and gradually increase until you achieve the desired line — the optimal voltage also depends on ink consistency, skin type, and your working technique.
Product description
Cartridge needles Membrane needles The product is sterile, individually packaged and is for single use. Material: Stainless steel The price is set per piece
Pro Plus RL (Round Liner) cartridge needles are superior mid-range tattoo needles, designed for precise lining and clean outlines at an excellent quality-to-price ratio. Manufactured from stainless steel with a high-quality polished finish, these Round Liner needles group in a tight circular formation, optimized for fine lines, precise outlines, intricate details, and professional lettering. Pro Plus RL positions itself between the budget Limited range and the premium Kwadron range, offering a needle finish superior to Limited with tighter manufacturing tolerances. The integrated safety membrane prevents ink and biological fluid backflow, meeting professional hygiene standards. Ethylene oxide sterilization and individual packaging guarantee sterility of each cartridge. Universally compatible with all standard cartridge-grip tattoo pen machines. Available in configurations from 1RL to 14RL, these cartridges cover the full range of lining needs — from single needle for micro-realism to large configurations for bold outlines. Pro Plus RL is our recommendation for artists who want premium quality without the premium cost. The Pro Plus range is the result of a more rigorous manufacturing process than Limited — tolerances are tighter, quality control stages are more numerous, and the needle finish benefits from additional polishing. This investment in quality translates directly into visibly better results: cleaner lines or transitions, less trauma per pass, and cartridge-to-cartridge consistency that allows the artist to rely on the instrument without constant adjustments. Pro Plus is our recommendation for artists looking to upgrade from budget without jumping to premium pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions How does Pro Plus RL compare to Kwadron RL? Pro Plus RL offers approximately 90% of Kwadron RL performance at a more accessible price. The main difference is in needle micro-finish — Kwadron has a marginally finer polish. For standard outlines, the difference is nearly imperceptible. For competition-level single needle realism, Kwadron remains superior. Pro Plus RL is the smart choice for everyday professional work. What Pro Plus RL configurations are most versatile? The most versatile Pro Plus RL configurations are 3RL and 5RL. 3RL is perfect for fine lines, details, script, and small lettering. 5RL is ideal for standard outlines, large letters, and versatile work. Together, these two configurations cover 70-80% of an average artist's lining needs. Always keep both in stock. Is Pro Plus RL good for micro-realism? Pro Plus RL in 1RL or 3RL configuration can be successfully used for micro-realism. The finish quality is good enough for very fine lines and microscopic details. For competition-level micro-realism where every micron matters, top artists may prefer Kwadron RL. However, for high-level micro-realism, Pro Plus RL delivers impressive results. What voltage do you recommend for Pro Plus RL on lining? For lining with Pro Plus RL, we recommend: 6-8V for fine lines with 1RL-3RL, 7-9V for standard outlines with 5RL-7RL, and 8-10V for thick outlines with 9RL-14RL. Always start at the lower voltage and increase until you achieve the desired line. Correct voltage also depends on ink consistency and skin type. Can Pro Plus RL be used on rotary machines with an adapter? Yes, Pro Plus RL is compatible with rotary machines equipped with a standard cartridge adapter. It mounts identically to any tattoo pen. It works well with adapters from all major manufacturers. Ensure the adapter is properly tightened with no axial play — even slight play significantly affects line quality. What ink do you recommend for Pro Plus RL on black lining? For black lining with Pro Plus RL, we recommend high-fluidity black lining inks: Dynamic Black, Eternal Ink Lining Black, Intenze Zuper Black, or World Famous Outlining Ink. These inks have optimal viscosity to flow uniformly through the RL configuration without clogging or producing inconsistent lines. How many Pro Plus RL cartridges do I need for an outline session? For a standard outline session (2-4 hours), plan for 2-4 Pro Plus RL cartridges. One cartridge maintains optimal sharpness for 1-3 hours, depending on technique and skin type. Change the cartridge when the line becomes inconsistent or when you feel more penetration resistance. Always have 1-2 extra cartridges as backup. Is Pro Plus RL suitable for lettering and calligraphy? Yes, Pro Plus RL in 1RL, 3RL, and 5RL configurations is excellent for lettering and calligraphy. The superior needle finish compared to the Limited range produces cleaner, more consistent letters. For script with thickness variation (thick-thin), artists alternate between 3RL and 5RL or adjust pressure. Results are professional and durable. How should I properly store Pro Plus RL cartridges? Store Pro Plus RL in the original box at room temperature (15-30°C), in a dry place away from direct light. Do not open the blister before use. Check the sterility indicator and expiration date on each cartridge before use. Cartridges with damaged packaging should never be used. Is Pro Plus RL better than no-name import cartridges? Significantly better. Pro Plus RL has certified quality steel, professional EO gas sterilization, functional safety membrane, and consistent quality control. No-name import cartridges frequently have uncertain steel quality, unverified sterilization, and membranes that may fail. The risk to client health is not worth the few dollars saved.
