Complete guide: Tattoo Machine BISHOP
A professional rotary from the Bishop family, designed specifically for artists transitioning from coil machines to rotary or who simply prefer a machine with weight distributed towards the back. The body is CNC-machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, hand-polished and anodized, and the custom-designed Japanese precision Namiki motor ensures consistent linear motion. Its major advantage is flexibility: it works with both traditional needles and tubes and cartridges, via the included piston bars — a natural bridge between classic and modern setups.
How to use
- Prepare your workstation: sanitized hands, new gloves, and disposable barriers on everything you touch during the session (machine, cable, power supply).
- Choose your working configuration: bar needles with traditional tubes, like on coil machines, or cartridges — mounted with the appropriate piston bar, included in the package.
- Secure the needle in the double clamp: it holds it perfectly in position, without rubber bands. Check for no lateral play before starting.
- Connect the machine to the power supply via the RCA cable and cover the cable with a disposable protective sleeve.
- Turn on the power supply at a low voltage, test the machine in the air, and gradually increase until you achieve the rhythm suitable for your technique.
- Work taking into account your machine's stroke (3.5 or 4.2): a shorter stroke hits softer, a longer one hits firmer.
- At the end: dispose of needles or cartridges in sharps waste, remove barriers, then wipe the machine and cable with a surface disinfectant.
Tips from us
- If you're coming from coils, start with the traditional tubes and needles you already know — the transition is much smoother — and switch to cartridges only when you feel comfortable with the machine.
- Take advantage of the double clamp for fine detail work: eliminating lateral needle movement is exactly what you need for clean lines with small groupings.
- Choose the stroke based on your predominant style: the shorter stroke (3.5) is more forgiving for shading and delicate work, the longer stroke (4.2) delivers a firmer hit, useful for lines and packing.
- Never submerge the machine in liquids or put it in an autoclave — the motor will be damaged. Proper sanitization is by wiping with a surface disinfectant.
- Keep the invoice and packaging: the product has a 1-year warranty.
- Periodically check the tightness of the clamp and piston bar — any play that develops over time will be directly visible in the line quality.
Warning: The machine body is not autoclavable — it is sanitized by wiping with a surface disinfectant and covered with disposable barriers for each client, including the RCA cable. Everything that comes into contact with the skin (needles, cartridges) is used sterile, single-use, and disposed of in a sharps container. Reusable tubes and grips are mechanically cleaned and sterilized in an autoclave before each use, in accordance with sanitary standards for tattoo studios.
Frequently asked questions
I'm coming from a coil machine — is this a suitable choice for me?▾
Yes, it is exactly the audience it was designed for. The weight distribution towards the back, balanced by the ergonomic design, closely mimics the feel of a coil machine, and the fact that it works with traditional needles and tubes means you can keep the setup you're used to at first. When you're ready, switch to cartridges using the included piston bars — without changing the machine.
Can I use cartridges with this machine or only classic needles?▾
Both. The machine accepts traditional bar needles and tubes, as well as cartridges, via the piston bars included in the package. You essentially cover both systems with one machine: classic setup for those who prefer traditional control, cartridges for quick configuration changes during the session.
Which stroke should I choose: 3.5 or 4.2?▾
It depends on the style you work most in. As a general rule for rotaries, a shorter stroke (3.5) hits softer and offers more control for shading, gradients, and fine work, while a longer stroke (4.2) delivers a firmer hit, preferred for solid lines and packing. If you do a bit of everything, the shorter version is usually more versatile; if you predominantly work with bold linework and packing, the longer one will serve you better.
How do I sanitize the machine between clients?▾
The machine itself is not autoclavable and should not be submerged in liquids — the motor would be compromised. The correct protocol: during the session, cover the machine and RCA cable with disposable barriers; after the session, dispose of the barriers and needles or cartridges in sharps waste, then thoroughly wipe down the machine body and cable with an approved surface disinfectant. The anodized aluminum finish withstands common studio disinfectants well. Reusable tubes are sterilized separately in an autoclave.
What power supply is it compatible with?▾
The machine has an RCA connection, the current standard for rotaries, so it works with any professional power supply that has an RCA output or with which you use an RCA cable. If your power supply only has a clipcord output (typical for coil setups), you will need an RCA cable or adapter compatible with that power supply.
What warranty does it have and where is it manufactured?▾
The product has a 1-year warranty. All parts, except the motor, are manufactured in the USA: the body is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum on 5-axis Kitamura CNC machines, in an ISO 9000 facility in California, then hand-polished to a mirror finish and anodized. The motor is a Japanese precision Namiki motor, custom-designed for this machine.
Product description
Tattoo Machine BISHOP Recommended for artists transitioning from coil to rotary, or who prefer backweight. Special ergonomic design that balances the backweight forward, giving a better balance. Works with traditional needles and tubes, as well as cartridges via the included plunger bars. All parts other than the motor are made in the USA. Custom designed Namiki precision Japanese motor. Aircraft aluminum on state-of-the-art 5-axis Kitamura CNC machines in our ISO 9000 facility in California. Hand polished to a mirror finish, then anodized to the highest industry standards. Perfect linear driven motion for accuracy. Powerful motor that works well for most styles of tattooing. Double needle clip, which holds the needle perfectly in place, eliminating the need for rubber bands and any lateral motion of the needle. This allows the artist to pick away at those ultra-fine details.1 year warranty
The Bishop rotary tattoo machine is the original model that revolutionized the rotary tattoo industry, created by Franco Vescovi in Orange County, California in 2009. This iconic machine established the quality and performance standard for all rotary machines that followed, combining a precision Swiss Maxon motor with aircraft aluminum construction anodized to industry standards. Weighing under 115 grams, the original Bishop rotary is one of the lightest professional machines available, offering exceptional balance that naturally integrates into the artist's hand movements. The compact, ergonomic design eliminates fatigue even during the longest tattoo sessions, and the Swiss Maxon motor guarantees consistent performance, minimal vibrations, and exceptional durability. The aircraft aluminum construction anodized to aerospace industry standards provides superior resistance to wear and corrosion, maintaining the premium finish long-term. The Bishop rotary is compatible with standard tubes and grips, giving artists flexibility in choosing their preferred working configuration. The cable connection provides stability and constant power from the power supply. Each Bishop machine is entirely manufactured in the USA with strict quality controls and comes with a manufacturer warranty. This is the machine that laid the foundation for the entire Bishop ecosystem, remaining the trusted choice of thousands of professional artists worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions What motor does the original Bishop rotary tattoo machine use? The original Bishop rotary tattoo machine uses a Swiss Maxon motor, recognized worldwide for its precision, reliability, and exceptional durability. The Maxon motor provides consistent performance with minimal vibrations and low noise, ensuring the perfect control needed for all tattooing techniques. How much does the Bishop rotary tattoo machine weigh? The Bishop rotary tattoo machine weighs under 115 grams, making it one of the lightest professional machines available on the market. The anodized aircraft aluminum construction allows this minimal weight without compromising durability or performance. The exceptional balance significantly reduces hand fatigue during long sessions. Who created the Bishop rotary tattoo machine? The Bishop rotary tattoo machine was created by Franco Vescovi in 2009, in Orange County, California. Vescovi founded Bishop Rotary with the goal of creating a rotary machine that would offer performance superior to traditional coil machines, at significantly reduced weight and dimensions. Bishop quickly became an industry benchmark. What material is the Bishop tattoo machine made from? The Bishop tattoo machine is constructed from aircraft aluminum anodized to aerospace industry standards for finish and wear resistance. This premium material provides the optimal ratio between low weight and extreme durability, and the anodization protects the surface against scratches, corrosion, and cleaning agents used in the professional environment. Is the Bishop rotary compatible with standard tubes? Yes, the Bishop rotary tattoo machine is compatible with standard tubes and grips, giving artists complete flexibility in choosing their preferred working configuration. This universal compatibility allows the use of both reusable stainless steel tubes and disposable tubes and grips. What types of tattoos can I create with the Bishop rotary? The Bishop rotary tattoo machine is extremely versatile and can be used for all tattoo styles, including lining, shading, color packing, black and grey realism, portraits, traditional, and neo-traditional. The Maxon motor performance and the machine's exceptional balance allow precise control regardless of the technique used. Is the Bishop tattoo machine made in the USA? Yes, every Bishop tattoo machine is entirely manufactured in the United States of America, in the company's own facilities in Orange County, California. Local production allows strict quality controls at every stage of manufacturing, guaranteeing that each machine meets the exacting standards of the Bishop brand. How does the Bishop rotary tattoo machine connect to the power supply? The original Bishop rotary tattoo machine connects to the power supply via cable with a standard connection. This cable connection provides constant, stable power without the autonomy limitations of batteries. The machine is compatible with all professional power supplies available on the market. What warranty does Bishop offer for the rotary machine? The Bishop rotary tattoo machine comes with a manufacturer warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional components. Bishop Rotary provides complete technical support and after-sales service, with the option to send the machine for repair or replacement in case of defects covered by the warranty. Why is the Bishop rotary considered revolutionary? The Bishop rotary is considered revolutionary because it was one of the first rotary machines to demonstrate it could match and exceed the performance of traditional coil machines. The combination of Swiss Maxon motor, aircraft aluminum, and ergonomic design at under 115 grams set a new industry standard, inspiring generations of rotary machines.
