Single Needle & Fine Line Tattooing

Here at The Ink Factory in Dublin, we have seen a massive increase in popularity for single needle and fine line tattoos. People are no longer solely opting for the bold look that comes alongside traditional tattoos, but are now seeing the beauty in the subtle sophistication of fine line tattoos. 

You might have stumbled on this page because you’re not sure what style of tattoo you like best, and hopefully are wisely doing your research, or maybe you’d like to know what the difference is between traditional, fine line, and single needle tattoos etc. We’re gonna run through some of the FAQs we get daily in our Dublin Studios, such as what exactly are single needle tattoos, how are fine line tattoos created compared to traditional, where did they come from and who does them best. Read on for the 411 on single needle & fine line tattoos.

What is a Single Needle Tattoo?

A single needle tattoo is a variation of a fine line tattoo. It is, essentially, the finest of fine line tattooing. That means that, unlike the standard use of multiple needles when tattooing, there is only one needle being used. This results in super thin, dainty and detailed pieces. Single needle tattoos can achieve a really realistic aesthetic in a tattoo. With the use of a single needle, you can achieve shading and detail much like you could in a drawing. The result is a stunning detailed work of art. These tattoos are usually monochrome but aren’t limited to just black and white. They are often small subtle tattoos rather than big pieces.

Single Needle Tattoos Vs  Fine Line Tattoos

As we said, a single needle tattoo is a type of fine line tattoo. Fine line tattoos can still use multiple tipped needles, but you’ll get the finest line possible from the use of a single tipped needle, or in technical terms; a ‘one round liner’ (1RL). The other option is usually a 3RL, which can also produce gorgeous, fine tattoo results.

Hand Poked Fine Line vs Machine Fine Line

Single needle and fine line tattoos can be achieved via hand poke or machine method. Stick and poke tattoos operate in the same way as machine work, in terms of needle tips, the only difference is that they’re done by hand, rather than with a gun, which often lends a certain level of detail in itself. When it comes to fine line and single needle tattoos, machine work is usually more popular and the go-to method.

How Does a Single Needle Tattoo Work?

So if you’re wondering what the craic is with single needle tattoos, such as how they work and how you can get such a detailed piece, well It all comes down to the evolution of tattoos and tattoo machines. Nowadays, tattoo gun technology allows for the use of a single tipped needle, which allows for the exquisite detail and precision that we see in single needle tattoos.

Where Did Single Needle Tattoos Originate?

It’s hard to say exactly since the history of tattooing is immense and complex, but most people would consider an American man, Mark Mahoney, to be the ‘founding father’ of single needle monochrome tattoo art. In the 1970’s, Mahoney began illegally tattooing in Boston and soon paved the way for detailed black and grey single needle tattoos. He’s known worldwide and has famously done tattoos on Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Do Single Needle Tattoos Hurt Less?

Nope. Well kind of..so the tattooing process remains the same and so IT hurts the same, but because single needle tattoos are most commonly monochrome; they can hurt less than colour. Colour tattoos are more invasive because we need to push the ink further into the skin so the colour holds. So black and grey tattoos usually hurt less. Some people report that a single needle hurts less but others don’t feel a difference. I suppose with a single needle tip, you could consider fine line tattoos as less invasive, which is also why they heal quicker, but the pain is still around the same.

Popular Designs For Fine Line Tattoos

Fine line and especially single needle tattoos allow for so much extra precision and detail. This means the most popular choices for their designs are often beautiful subjects with elements of intricacy. These generally include animal tattoos, such as fine line butterfly tattoos, dragon tattoos, elephant tattoos; as well as rose and sunflower fine line designs. The designs can be anything though, since the single tipped needle works just as a pencil would, so if a design can be drawn, it can be tattooed just the same through the magic of fine line tattooing.

Single Needle & Fine Line Tattoos at The Ink Factory

All of our incredibly talented tattoo artists have dabbled in single needle and fine line tattooing, but the ones we mention below specialise in the art. If you’re interested in fine line tattoos or have any more questions, we’re always here to help and can sort you out with whatever it is you’re looking for.

Xo – TIF