Needle Depth 101: How to Hit the Dermis Without Guessing

Needle depth is one of the most intimidating parts of tattooing. Too shallow = patchy. Too deep = blowouts and trauma. But hitting the dermis isn’t guesswork — it’s a system. 1. Know the Layers You need to understand where you’re aiming: • Epidermis – thin outer layer• Dermis – where tattoos live• Subcutaneous – fat layer (do NOT tattoo here) The dermis is about 1–2mm deep depending on body area. 2. Use Proper Needle Hang Your needle should hang out of your cartridge enough that you can see it hit the skin without burying the tip. Too little hang = inconsistenciesToo much = digging Fire cartridges have consistent membrane tension, which helps stabilize how the needle rides — especially for beginners. 3. Listen to the Skin Proper depth sounds and feels: • crisp• smooth• non-scratchy• consistent Too shallow = scratchy and thinToo deep = loud, punchy, too much vibration 4. Watch the Ink Flow A good line leaves clean, steady ink.If the ink looks faint or skips → shallow.If it spreads under the skin → too deep. 5. Control Your Angle Most lining is done between 45–60 degrees. Too flat → shallowToo upright → blowouts 6. Keep the Skin Tight Loose skin absorbs the needle like a sponge, making you go deeper than intended. Triangle stretch = flat canvas = perfect depth. 7. Use Body Position, Not Wrist Guessing Move your entire upper body to maintain consistent depth.Do not “wrist-drive” depth into the skin. 8. Test on Different Skin Types Depth varies by: • ribs• stomach• wrists• ankles• thighs• upper arm Some areas are naturally thinner, needing a lighter depth. 9. Slow Down (But Not Too Slow) Speed controls how long the needle sits in the skin. Too slow: blowoutsToo fast: shallow Find a tempo where your hand speed matches your machine speed. 10. The Beginner-Friendly Rule of Thumb When using high-quality cartridges like Fire: 1–2mm penetration + solid stretch + consistent angle = dermis 90% of the time. Master this formula and depth becomes predictable instead of terrifying.