Tattoo Shading Technique Analogy: How To Get Smooth Shades

[@josephwarrick3020]

I'm just a beginner and really appreciate the time you take to explain things in depth. When I want some advice I watch your videos. Thank you very much for all the knowledge you share!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Joseph Warrick thanks for watching!

[@WeaponXLive]

@@JonoSmithTattoo Same sentiment. As much as my mentor and other artists show, I still always refresh myself with your videos. You, my man, are a easily the most informative on here.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

@@WeaponXLive thank you I really appreciate that 😁

[@achannel5066]

Until you gave the example with a pencil swinging motion, I realized " how to". Thank you so much.Cheers.

[@pagefamily218]

Jono, thank you for explaining. It was an issue I had in the beginning and took forever to work it out and you explained it in minutes. Love your videos and the advise you are sharing.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Page Family thanks for the great feedback and thanks for watching!

[@marvinlightfoot6965]

Exactly what I needed... Been working on my shading ... Now maybe I can get my shading to match my line work

[@katrinaivory5039]

Thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏾 I only watched two videos so far and fixed significant issues in my work. You’re highly appreciated!!

[@MalaiAndreasMixail]

It's pretty impressive that you engage with your subscribers. The sad fact is that you're doing such a great job, but just a small amount of people see you, however, I bet this small amount of people loves you! I used to draw for years, self taught artist... I kinda got it, I never went to lessons or any course. I quit because it wasn't worth it. Recently, I got a tattoo, my first tattoo.. And I saw how everything is happening, I saw every single move of the girl that tattooed me, and I got so impressed, I was feeling so good, I can't even explain the feeling that I had. Back in 2013, my brother wanted to buy me a tattoo machine and get somewhere with it, but I refused it because I was too young, that was my excuse... Now I kinda regret it. Now I wanna get into the tattoo thing, I wanna start tattooing, found some professional kits online and thought of buying them, everything is sterilized and well packed. The only thing that I'm missing is an opinion from a tattoo artist. I really need someone to tell me, to inspire me, to get things clear for me. I don't really wanna follow any course for this, I never followed any course for any of my hobbies, I believe in myself and I think that I can get to it. Daily I'm spending hours and hours reading, watching videos. How to be safe, clean, sterilized and everything about tattooing. I really need your opinion.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for your great feedback and your question. Ok to start with if you're going to be a tattooist know this: The tattoo industry is FULL of haters. People will tell you you're no good. They will tell you not to bother even trying as it's only for the select few. When you search forums for help you will usually get loads of abuse from people and a lot of times given the wrong information. Without a doubt a tattoo apprenticeship is the best and fastest way to get into tattooing but it's by no means the only way. You certainly get do it on your own though I don't condone practicing on people and I would also say you really need to be 100% safe and sterile. You can practice tattooing very safely on practice skin. As for the online 'kits', to be honest I would stay away from them. The machines are not good and the ink is like unsterile water. It acts nothing like quality ink. You'd be best to source a reputable tattoo supplier and buy yourself a decent machine and some decent ink. You don't need to spend an absolute fortune though you do really need to spend more than you would on a cheap 'all-in-one kit'. I'd recommend you buying a quality liner and shader coil machine, some quality needles (liners & mags), a power pack, practice skin and some quality ink. That will get you going. It is hard to get into the tattoo industry but if you are persistent there's no reason why you can't make a career of it. You need to be VERY motivated to learn, you need to be able to take constructive criticism and you need to be patient. I struggled to get into the industry and there was a few times I almost quit because I was listening to the haters. As soon as I stopped listening to the haters and focused on my own work I eventually got there and now own my own studio. This is one of the reasons why I started my channel because I personally think if everyone shared their knowledge it will help the tattoo industry move forwards and not hold it in the Stone Age like many many people would like to keep it. Thanks for watching and good luck with it all!

[@MalaiAndreasMixail]

Love you dude! Haters gonna hate anyway. Didn't expect to get such a detailed response, I appreciate you so much even tho I just discovered you. If you got Facebook/Instagram, add me if you want, you can find the links on my profile. I'll give you a shoutout if you got Instagram. And if I'll get somwhere with this, it will be thanks to you.

[@MrLeomejia]

Malai Andreas Mixail this is great! Hi both of you, i'v been learning how to tattoo for like six months now, fortunately i came across with the right people, i am a good artist and i just love to learn new stuff, i have done six tattoo's, two of them in my own skin, and i just practice and practice every day to get better, i now you can too! And Jono thank you so much for sharing what you know :) greetings from Bogotá-Colombia

[@Jaxenjuice]

Please get an apprenticeship , the more you tattoo unprofessionally , the less likely you will be offered a. Spot . - just finished my apprenticeship

[@untoldofficialyoutube8563]

Shut up

[@sjustice280]

Amazing information thus is good stuff. Thanks for being generous with your knowledge!!

[@PassionRapper]

Love how you explain things man seriously

[@jacobstalman940]

Your are open a door for me, very helpful video. I have tried it out it's working a lot better. With lines I did it this airplane mode but I did no for shading .thanks a lot.

[@ivanmendoza8457]

Pendelum motion guys works great for building up lines aswell

[@lucymaio4979]

That was quick!!! Just checked the time in England, its 1.15 am Why are you not sleeping lol Your a legend Jono Thanks so much Lucy

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Haha that’s alright! I’ve always got time to answer questions for my subscribers.

[@jestaramziwande7058]

Thank u so much Teacher the way u explained especially on the Aeroplane landing it started to make sense to me nd I even polished my Shading Amen

[@simonhalifax9342]

Great video and explanation 👍👍👍

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks bro. I’ve got loads more on the way soon.

[@simonhalifax9342]

Great keep it up .

[@kchun5515]

how deep would you go in when using this type of shading speed n technique?

[@Denka187]

having any pointers on round shaders , they tent to pack more than gettin smooth shading - not saying that using rounds for bigger areas but they kinda are hard to shade smaller areas with aswell , maybe they need lower volts compared to the magnums ? great videos keep it up

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I don’t often use RS that much but when I do I tend to use them more for packing colour in small areas rather than actually shading with them. You can achieve smooth shades with them but you’ve got to be really careful not to do too many passes otherwise you run the risk of getting a dark and patchy finish. I run the power at the same voltage I use for shading with a mag. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@duncankent1330]

Hiya jono I've left some comments on some of your other videos I'm just learning and yours is the channel I use to get all my information and tips from I live near chesterfield in Derbyshire and brought some ink from a place called I.T.S Ltd in Chesterfield it's called aqueous lining ink I brought a sheet of reel skin as you suggested to me however I've the coil liner machine set up right I think. It's got a 47 uf capacitor and it's a 10 wrap I brought off line from a builder in Blackpool it runs sounds healthy at 7.5v I have measured my needle throw when I push the need out full it's 4mm I make sure I only use half that total throw which would be 2mm of penatration I've used a 3rl and a 9rl but when I wipe all the ink comes out I'm sure I'm definitely going deep enough I've no problems with a melon or a bannana I'm thinking or hoping it's the ink I'll keep at it but just wanted thoughts on the kinda ink I should invest in. I realise your an extremely busy guy but would really value your advice. Loving all the videos I'm a keep going over ones I've watched to make sure I ain't missed anything out . Many thanks Duncan.

[@kattattoos23]

Thank you!! This helped me so much!!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@TheLuketh1990]

Very helpful thanks!

[@scoutpurpose4888]

Thank you so much Jono. You really took the time to give a very great analogy on how it's really done. The best ever to your life.

[@arjunrathod6807]

Very helpful video sir.

[@thenorthproject8465]

Thanks for the video, I tried your colour packing technique to tattoo my first practice skin tattoo, worked a treat, will now have a go at this, keep up the good work =)

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Glad it helped you out. Thanks for watching!

[@edzis2k996]

Thank you soooooo much for explaining this,not many ppl do that.. ur the man!!! Tnxx

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks bro I appreciate that!

[@JenOfAllTrades]

Omg this is exactly the video I needed to see. The 1st one that actually explains technique. I have problems getting the ink to go in while shading. Cant wait to try this. Thanks so much!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

You're welcome! Hope it helps you out. Make sure you've subscribed to get the latest videos. I've just made an in depth one on all the stages I go through when doing a portrait tattoo. There's more advanced techniques on shading in it. It'll be uploaded this week at some point. Thanks for watching!

[@JenOfAllTrades]

Absolutely. That sounds like a must watch video. I subscribed after watching this last night. I look forward to more videos. Thanks again!

[@johnsagad294]

Jen Of All Trades how did you do with this technique. Im also still studying tattooing. Follow me on instagram @bakuleman

[@JenOfAllTrades]

It worked reall well for me. I don't have IG or I would check you out. I do have several tattooing videos on my channel tho. I made a playlist for them all. I'm just a scratcher but idc what anyone says, everyone started somewhere.

[@tapp0ut107]

Jen Of All Trades

[@carlmarshall40]

Thank you for the video

[@dandeane8106]

Mate this has really helped me out as shading was a real problem for me but this has helped no end.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for the feedback Dan. Glad it's helped you out!

[@CATNOIR_HELLCAT_RACING]

great video man.. and whats better voltage? please

[@JungliZtSoldier1]

very helpful thanks. Is there any danger of going too light and as a result doing too many passes? in terms of damaging the skin

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Usually damage to the skin comes from the machine not running right & also bad technique. You can cause damage to the skin with too many passes but that would require a lot of passes (if the machine and technique were right). It's best to try and select the right shade of grey wash before doing a pass so you don't need to do as many before you hit the right shade. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@JungliZtSoldier1]

Okay that makes sense. Thanks for the reply and extremely useful videos, they're much appreciated

[@Andras393]

how is it being a lefty..curious because im one as well. do you normally start right to left to reduce ink smudging ?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I usually start at the bottom left and work up and right to avoid smudging the stencil.

[@CardiacSpitter]

I've been tattooing for about 5 months now and your videos have been extremely helpful. Probably the best that I've come across so far. I've watched your content repetitively trying to grasp the art of tattooing. I think I would improve a lot faster if I could physically be around a tattoo artist to correct my flaws..but..COVID😔 Anyways my shades always look like streaky lines instead smooth blends and I can't seem to fix it🤦🏾‍♂️

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I’m glad the channel is helping you out. I’ll be doing a video on how to fix this problem soon which should make things easier for you. At the bottom of it all though, just keep practicing and keep improving. It doesn’t happen overnight but it will happen the more time you dedicate to it. Thanks for watching!

[@maiconferreira7538]

Tenta usar uma agulha magno round brother

[@achronicleofshepherds]

Very informative, thank you

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks. Got loads more videos coming soon!

[@willemijnmorrien9334]

How fast is the machine going? Thnx!

[@lucymaio4979]

Hi Jono Is the a mag always used in the forward direction you show in the video or can you also turn it around to reach tight areas and use the same technique ? Hope this makes cense, I don't know how else to explain it Lucy

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Hi Lucy, the mag is very versatile and can be turned at many angles to get into those tight areas. Thanks for watching!

[@mariorjcorbin]

Excellent tutorial, thank you!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@daniellevitela1933]

Nice helped alot

[@bikramajumder__inkredible5955]

Lots of love... From india

[@Zachariah_Pini]

Thankyou my friend. You are a very kind man.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for watching!

[@deshkataste8386]

Sir how to know that if our magnum needle reaches hypodermis layer???

[@Inkrebelnz]

Think you really should mention a soft shader setup or with all those passes i can see a few chewed up overworked skins. A lot more to it than this but great effort. Btw i use the plane concept with my apprentices but more a land' runway' take off buzz and only for lining. Should do one on whip shading while your at it

[@TDUBSohtrue]

Doing the lords work here mate. Thanks heaps. Much appreciated. Do you have instagram?

[@benjaminmassie2978]

the holly grail we been lookin for it for geerations

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching dude!

[@AngelsTattoo]

Nice 👌👌

[@locosico]

Thanks for the knowledge, very helpfull. I got a question: how many passes you can do when shading without hurting the skin?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

It really depends on how the machine and your technique. As a rule of the skin is looking quite red and you’re not hitting the correct shade, then maybe choose a darker greywash to get there quicker.

[@highlydysfunctionashow259]

i just began tattooing 2 days ago, and the knowledge ive retained from a few of this channels videos has already helped develop me into a intermediate artist im excellent at outlining at the moment so long as its not to crazy detailed and with the help of this video my shading has already improved a good deal.

[@rainsleepstudios]

I have an important question. I've been tattooing for over a year I've done over 300 tattoos and I've still fucked up every single time I've ever tried to do I big black tattoo. My friend wanted big huge black letters his girl wanted black baby feet etc. I allwaayyysss have to do two sessions becuase its as if ive litterally just scribbled a black crayon on a pic... idk whats going on. If its a small black tat its all good i use a rs and it looks great but when its big i use a 7m1 then touch up with a rs but it still doesnt work right? Can you help me out i have no idea why it looks like this my colors are good my lines are good its only black that does this. I use moms ink but I'm switching to kura Tora or how ever you spell it

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

This could be down to a number of things but I’ll cover the most common. Usually when you pack a small area you really take the time to pack the black in solid. Now when some people move to bigger areas (especially apprentices) they tend to start to speed up without even realising it. This can result in the black not being packed as tight as it would have been on a smaller area. It could be your machine needs to run a little harder. A RS will have less resistance in the skin than a mag so sometimes the machine needs to be tweaked accordingly. If it’s a massive area and you’re using the same ink pot, you can actually dilute the ink with blood which effectively makes your black into a grey wash which will heal patchy. Make sure you have lots of little caps of black instead of one big one. It could just be your technique. What is obviously working for you using a RS might not be working for you using a mag. It could even be something as simple as needing to change your ink and try a different one. Again, I can’t definitely say which your actual issue is because I can’t see you tattoo but they are usually the common problems. Thanks for watching.

[@rainsleepstudios]

I think that it maybe the moving to fast without realizing and also the grey wash on accident. Thank you i will work on north of those

[@vihangaraveen8891]

Man u saved me. Thanks for the great video❤️

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

You’re welcome! Got loads more on the way!

[@vihangaraveen8891]

Cool👍

[@jptrout235]

Hey jono do you prefer to shade with a short stroke or something around 3.5?

[@corntastetrain]

고마워요 thank you for easy & understandable explain!

[@uncleboogie69]

Great video:)

[@danle6221]

What kind of machine did u use? Thank you

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

A Cheyenne hawk pen.

[@billyjennings1523]

Just so happens that I learn best from analogies. Awesome thanks

[@edgarssilis6195]

I know you need skin to vibrate. But if tiny bit of presure. It will not be to shallow and fall out when healed?

[@jessjoekelly2279]

Hey can you move the camera first line can't see second line your thumb

[@Zara_edits12]

Great vid bro

[@jamesbaldacchino3007]

Hi Jono, if you wanted say like you’re tattooing a realistic portrait, and say you are light shading the forehead, from one side to another using the pendulum motion, isn’t it going to overlap and get darker shades when doing it? Unless you don’t do longer strokes. Thanks Hope you could upload a vid about it. Thanks

[@alisarose1407]

Practice using a sharpirme on a balloon so that you're getting even coverage with your pendulum swing. You have to move around the curve as needed.

[@derrecklastname720]

Great vid!!!!!

[@tommynewhouse931]

nice video ,agreed great tutoriol

[@dustinspann2977]

It looks like good work, but the camera angle and distance is not allowing us to see what you're doing.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Dustin Spann thanks for the comment. I’ve since upgraded all camera and audio equipment since this video so future uploads should be a lot clearer.

[@montanagold59635]

I still have problems with shading looking patchy on large areas because as you pass over stuff you have already shaded by a little it makes that part darker. So it’s hard to get consistent shade it always looks patchy

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

This video is getting a little old now. If you search my videos there’s a much more recent one on shading with better explanations which might help you out. Thanks for watching!

[@thirupathibandari798]

Thanks 😊..

[@gershen8846]

Are you using straight black or is it diluted?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I used Silverback 666 greywash in this video. Thanks for watching!

[@edmarprieto9552]

Thank you for your beginners tutorial i bought a dragonhawk mast pen and planning to tattoo but still afraid to try it on real skin hehe

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Edmar Prieto thanks for watching and good luck with your journey!

[@kimberly25christinesmith72]

how do you avoid over working the skin and making the maximum effect with every swipe? i notice with fake skin which im still working on i can get shades good by starting super light and layering but i worry if it was human skin it would be overworked?

[@darrylflesher9646]

Any recommendations on coil machines for both lining and shading? looking for something which hits hard but I do have a fairly fast hand speed. I'm looking to go into more solid blackwork but I like a bold line. Any names you've come across as recommendations would be awesome!

[@eddiebarrett3227]

There's one thing you didn't mention is that to lighten your shade is to just thin the ink with a little water,....

[@Mike_E_DeShaman]

It would of been nice if we could see the needles instead of the back of your hand

[@Zachariah_Pini]

He tells you what size he's got lol 9 curved mag

[@Kaasbaas045]

@@Zachariah_Pini its not about the size its about the motion in the ocean

[@reichardvega-reyes4028]

Don't you hate how long it takes to take the color the fake skin?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes colour in general does take a lot longer than standard black.

[@chasingsunset9801]

Im newbie.thank you for the lesson 🤘😂

[@roosterbasquiat9258]

What voltage are you running at?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

9.5 volts for shading.

[@Sam-sp7qh]

Is that the real cheyene pen?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes it's an original. Check out my unboxing video on it. Thanks for watching.

[@wheelyumdee3289]

Honestly does not matter what volts it is . Because everybodies hand moves different .

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Very good point.

[@drewnelson5860]

Aaaaaaaaaand my world is changed forever

[@jackoplas1504]

nice

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks bro appreciate that.

[@mohanraj6868]

Nalla vilakkam 👍

[@PataWTF]

Do you have a instagram side or something where i can see the work that you did? You have a lof of interesting videos but i will only watch them if i whould think you are a good tattooer and i like your work, dont want to see the thoughts of an artist that i dont like like tattoo university or johnny gault. I am already tattooing well, but maybe i could learn something new

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

There's some pics of my work on instagram: fadetoblacktattoo & also some of my apprentice's. If you search my videos there's an actual portrait tattoo which I do as well you can check out. Thanks for watching and good luck with your tattoo career.

[@PataWTF]

Jono Smith thanks man, you too

[@Bodycam-uploads]

PataWTF john gualt can actually tattoo well. i seen some work he did and its not bad, at all.

[@PataWTF]

Joseph for me johnny gault isnt a good tattooer. Not bad but not good enought to explain people how to tattoo. His bigges interest is to sell his selfmade machines, i hate that guy.

[@SykesFW]

1st, I've ordered a few reel skins, based off of your review, will be giving them a try. 2nd is a question, I use coil machines and want to get a pen style machine, I've got about $350 that I can spend right now, what do you recommend and what pen are you using, thanks

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Personally I use a Cheyenne Pen. I'm not sure what they cost in the USA but if you're nearly there with the money I'd save a little bit extra and get one if those. You could probably get a Cheyenne Hawk or even a Cheyenne Thunder for that cash. It's not a Pen but is a very good machine that takes cartridges. I've also heard 'Nedz' rotary pens are really good but I've never used one. What I wouldn't do, is be tempted to buy a clone from eBay which look identical to a branded machine such as a Cheyenne Pen. I got chance to use one a few months ago and they are absolutely terrible. They're heavy, sluggish, very temperamental. They don't retract the needle when they're turned off, which can potentially be dangerous for needle stick injuries. The list goes on. I know some people bang the drum about high end machines being a rip off and they are the same as the clones but speaking as a professional tattooist I can tell you they are worlds apart and you'd be wasting your money on a cheap machine. It's kind of like saying you can use a rolling pin to hammer in a nail instead of using a hammer. Technically you could but the hammer is purpose made and would do a much better job. Hope this helps. Good luck with it all & thanks for watching.

[@SykesFW]

Jono Smith with the thunder, I see it has a detachable grip, do those have to be autoclaved to sterilize, I mean what's the cleaning process for it, I wouldn't thing you could just go from 1 session to another without cleaning it

[@SykesFW]

lollypopkyd thanks, I'll look into that one, I still haven't picked one out yet

[@19voodoo69]

Blackbook Madhatter?

[@2ndrunraidshadowlegends631]

I'd recommend the cheyenne pen. The hawk grips are somewhat harder to maintain sterile. Due to the grip not being fully detachable. Hope that helps better

[@ghoul3227]

It wouldnt cause an execisve trauma in passing so much times over the skin?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

No as long as your machine / hand speed are right as well as your technique it’s absolutely fine. Thanks for watching!

[@jlabsteinc]

How long should the needle stickout best for this technique? And best voltage? For those who can answer my question. Thank you!

[@dayone269]

I'm no pro yet but I have had a lot of progress using this technique, I am using it literally as I'm typing this practicing on 4.7 and laying some nice variants into some waves/ sky above, my machine doesn't have a lot of give so the low voltage is nice, good luck stay busy use the knowledge and apply the "principal" to your own skill set like experience points

[@movernmoversson4884]

Never further than 2 mm! Over 2 mm. could result in blood poisoning cause your leaving the dermis layer of the skin and proceed into the subcutaneous layer!

[@6942ggg]

would be nice to change the camera so we can see what your doing

[@llahe21]

Maybe do another video with a better camera, it’s a little hard to see

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes this video is quite old now. I’ve actually got an updated version on my other videos with upgraded lighting and sound. Thanks for watching!

[@hifi8844]

I've always been told doing multiple light passes to build tone can sometimes over work the skin. Is there anyway you can avoid this ? Also sometimes get a lot of redness building tones.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

If you're getting lots of redness you could be running your machine a little too hard or fast. Try turning it down a little. Also apply a little less pressure with the machine. I've always done multiple passes and have never had a problem overworking the skin. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@hifi8844]

Jono Smith Cheers. I'm using a HM machine for black and grey but looking at a Cheyenne pen now. I have one more question if you dont mind. You say to use sweeping hand motion how about circles ? Does it just depend on the area. I've heard for large areas sweep works well. I suppose it just depends on the area and you do it naturally sweeps or circles or even whip shade. In addition do you cross hatch at all ? Aa I know this works skin less too.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Depending on the area you can do circle motions but be very careful doing this as you can end up with patchy shading. It all depends on how much room you've got to play with. You can do crosshatching if you've got lines through your shade though if you use a bugpin it usually stops the need for crosshatching.

[@hifi8844]

Jono Smith Thanks for the info. How about what type of grey wash you prefer and dipping methods ?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes I could make a video on that. Thanks for the idea.

[@jhoncarlocuenca216]

i nkow now how to shade.

[@chettercheese3609]

Why is this in 4:3???

[@cegg172]

Subtitle in spanish. Please! Thank you

[@dqmynator2.080]

subtítulo. no need to thank me

[@subhakarmakar198]

Sir i watch almost your all videos, and give like to them please sir can you give me good equipment for tattooing, I can't afford it please sir.. 😢

[@michellewerner7100]

This is a horrible camera angle.

[@konradm6907]

This an excelent shading angle explantaion 😁

[@bmwwop2900]

Nice air plane joke

[@bellafoster5605]

Thank you for helping me I’m going to be using you techniques I’m a good artist so with your help & mate’s on Facebook I will achieve my dream

[@darrylflesher9646]

Any recommendations on coil machines for both lining and shading? looking for something which hits hard but I do have a fairly fast hand speed. I'm looking to go into more solid blackwork but I like a bold line. Any names you've come across as recommendations would be awesome!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I've always used Micky Sharpz for coil machines. They're excellent quality and really reliable. There's plenty of top end machine builders to chose from depending on your budget. FK Irons make excellent machines but are quite expensive. I've also heard good thing about Sun Skin just to name a few. My advice though, whatever you decide to buy, don't buy a Chinese knock off from eBay, they're honestly not worth any amount of money. Thanks for watching.