Complete guide: Tattoo Needles Cartridge Pro Plus RS
The Pro Plus Round Shader cartridges are sterile, single-use tattoo needles made of stainless steel, designed for concentrated shading and localized fills with high precision. The compact circular grouping, wider than a Round Liner, distributes ink over a moderate area while maintaining control in tight spaces — details in portraits, shading in lettering, stippling, and dot work. They are a mid-range choice for artists who want a step up from budget cartridges, as well as for beginners seeking a consistent tool. The integrated membrane prevents fluid backflow into the machine, and each cartridge comes individually packaged, sterile.
How to use
- Check the blister before opening: the seal must be intact. Damaged packaging means sterility is no longer guaranteed — do not use that cartridge.
- Prepare the hygienic workstation: disposable gloves, protective barriers on the pen, clip cord/cable, and work surfaces, following standard cross-contamination prevention practices.
- Open the blister only just before the session and insert the cartridge into your standard cartridge system pen, twisting or pressing until it locks firmly, according to your machine's mechanism.
- Adjust the needle protrusion from the grip and set the voltage as a guideline: 5–7 V for delicate shading and subtle transitions, 7–8.5 V for standard shading, 8–10 V for dense saturation.
- Test the operation before touching the skin: check needle movement and ink flow, then fine-tune the voltage based on skin response and desired visual result.
- Work with controlled passes: the RS is made for shading in small areas, transitions, stippling, and dot work — fewer passes over the same area mean less trauma to the skin.
- At the end of the session, remove the cartridge and immediately dispose of it in a sharps container. The cartridge is strictly single-use.
Tips from us
- Choose the configuration based on the work surface: the range goes from 3RS to 18RS — small numbers (3RS, 5RS) for dot work, details, and shading inside letters, larger numbers for broader localized fills.
- For lettering and ornamental work, combine the RS for shading with a Round Liner from the same range for outlines — you get a consistent set with predictable behavior.
- The RS can also be used as a 'thick liner': it produces a line with softer edges than RL, an effect sought after in traditional and neo-traditional styles for organic outlines.
- Always start at low voltage and increase gradually — it's easier to add saturation than to fix an overworked area.
- The anti-reflux membrane protects the machine from fluids, but does not replace protective barriers on the pen — use them together, not one instead of the other.
- The displayed price is per piece, so estimate your consumption per session (shading usually uses more cartridges than linework) and order with a reserve.
Warning: Cartridges are sterilized and individually packaged, exclusively single-use. Do not reuse or attempt to resterilize a cartridge — after use, it becomes a sharps waste with biological risk and must be disposed of only in a dedicated container. Do not use cartridges with a broken, perforated, or damaged blister. Always work with gloves and protective barriers, and if the needle touches any non-sterile surface before use, replace the cartridge.
Frequently asked questions
Will this cartridge fit my tattoo machine?▾
Yes, Pro Plus RS cartridges are universally compatible with standard pen-style machines that use the cartridge system. If your machine accepts standard grip cartridges, they fit directly without adapters. Just make sure your pen is a cartridge system machine, not a classic on-bar needle machine, which uses a different system.
What's the difference between RS and RL, and when should I choose RS?▾
Both group needles in a round formation, but the Round Shader (RS) has a wider and more compact grouping than the Round Liner (RL), designed for shading rather than fine lines. Choose RS for concentrated shading in small areas — details in portraits, shading in lettering, transitions, stippling, and dot work. For outlines and clean lines, stick with RL.
Can I reuse a cartridge if I clean or sterilize it at home?▾
No, absolutely not. Cartridges are single-use, sterile in individual packaging. Once opened or used, the cartridge cannot be restored to a sterile state through studio or home methods, and reuse poses a serious risk of cross-contamination. After the session, dispose of it in a sharps container — no exceptions.
I'm a beginner — what RS configuration should I choose?▾
To start, a small configuration like 3RS or 5RS gives you the best control: it's suitable for shading in tight areas, dot work, and transition exercises, where mistakes are more visible and easier to correct. As you progress to larger fills, you can add bigger configurations from the available range (up to 18RS), depending on the surfaces you work on.
What voltage should I use for an RS cartridge?▾
As a guideline for this range: 5–7 V for delicate shading and subtle transitions, 7–8.5 V for standard shading, and 8–10 V for dense saturation. These are starting points, not fixed rules — the optimal voltage depends on your machine, personal technique, and skin response, so start low and fine-tune as you go.
What is the role of the membrane in the cartridge?▾
The integrated safety membrane acts as a barrier that prevents ink and fluids from flowing back from the cartridge into the pen mechanism. This reduces the risk of machine contamination between sessions and clients. However, the membrane only protects the inside of the cartridge — sanitizing and covering the pen with protective barriers remain mandatory for every session.
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 RS (Round Shader) cartridge needles are superior mid-range tattoo needles, designed for concentrated shading and localized fills with high precision. The Round Shader configuration groups needles in a compact circular formation wider than RL, enabling ink distribution across a moderate area with precise control. Manufactured from stainless steel with a high-quality finish, Pro Plus RS delivers consistent and reliable shading performance. The RS is the fundamental instrument for shading in tight spaces — portrait details, shading in lettering, transitions in small areas, stippling, and dot work. The integrated safety membrane prevents fluid backflow, and ethylene oxide sterilization guarantees sterility. Individual blister packaging. Universally compatible with all standard pen machines. Pro Plus RS positions itself between Limited RS and Kwadron RS, offering a visible quality upgrade from budget at an accessible cost. Available in configurations from 3RS to 18RS, these cartridges are the optimal choice for artists who want quality without major financial compromises. 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 What makes Pro Plus RS different from Limited RS? Pro Plus RS offers a visibly superior needle finish compared to Limited RS. This translates to: cleaner transitions, less trauma per pass, more uniform ink flow, and better cartridge-to-cartridge consistency. The price difference is moderate and justified by the visible quality improvement. It is the natural upgrade from Limited. Is Pro Plus RS good for dot work? Yes, Pro Plus RS in small configurations (3RS, 5RS) is excellent for dot work. The superior finish compared to Limited produces more uniform and consistent dots. Each dot receives the same ink amount with the same shape. For geometric dot work where uniformity is critical, Pro Plus RS offers a clear advantage over the budget range. What Pro Plus RS configuration do you recommend for ornamental shading? For ornamental, we recommend Pro Plus RS in 5RS or 7RS. 5RS offers excellent control for shading between ornamental lines, allowing fine transitions in tight spaces. 7RS is suitable for broader areas of the ornamental design. Combined with Pro Plus RL for outlines, you get a complete set for quality ornamental work. How does Pro Plus RS compare to Kwadron RS? Pro Plus RS offers approximately 85-90% of Kwadron RS performance at a significantly more accessible price. The main difference is in needle micro-finish — Kwadron has tighter tolerances and superior batch-to-batch consistency. For everyday professional work, the difference is subtle. For competition work, Kwadron remains the reference. Does Pro Plus RS work well for shading in lettering? Excellently. Pro Plus RS in 3RS or 5RS configuration is one of the most popular instruments for shading in lettering. The compact configuration allows precise work inside letters without exceeding edges. The Pro Plus finish ensures clean, uniform transitions. Combined with Pro Plus RL for letter outlines, the result is professional. What voltage do you recommend for Pro Plus RS? For Pro Plus RS we recommend: 5-7V for delicate shading and subtle transitions, 7-8.5V for standard shading, and 8-10V for dense saturation. Pro Plus RS responds well to fine voltage adjustments thanks to the superior finish. Start at low voltage and adjust based on skin response and desired visual result. Can Pro Plus RS be used as a liner for thick lines? Yes, Pro Plus RS in small configurations (3RS, 5RS) can produce thicker, more textured lines than RL. This technique is frequently used in traditional and neo-traditional styles for more organic, natural outlines. The line produced by RS has softer edges than RL, creating a distinctive and interesting artistic effect. How many Pro Plus RS cartridges come in a box? Pro Plus RS cartridges come in standard boxes of 20 pieces, each cartridge individually packaged in a sealed sterile blister. This is the standard quantity offered by most manufacturers. For repeat orders or large quantities, check the volume offers available on tatuat.ro for volume pricing. Is Pro Plus RS recommended for students and early-career artists? Yes, Pro Plus RS is an excellent recommendation for students and early-career artists. The superior quality over Limited helps develop correct technique — the needles respond more predictably and consistently. The accessible price allows free consumption in practice sessions. It is the minimum investment that makes a real difference in the learning process. Does Pro Plus RS have a safety membrane as good as Kwadron? The Pro Plus RS safety membrane fulfills the same basic function as Kwadron's — preventing ink and biological fluid backflow. The protective functionality is equivalent under normal usage conditions. Minor differences in membrane material do not significantly affect the safety function. Both are safe for professional use.
