Tattoo Glossary — G
Gauge
The thickness of a tattoo needle. Commonly used as a measure of needle diameter. Standard tattoo needles are 0.35mm (#12) or 0.30mm (#10) in diameter.
See also
Needle
The sterile, single-use implement that deposits ink into the dermis during tattooing. Needles come in various configurations (round liner, magnum shader, flat) and diameters.
Linework
The outlines and structural lines of a tattoo. Clean, consistent linework is foundational to most tattoo styles and a key marker of technical skill.
Shader (needle)
A needle configuration used for filling and shading large areas. Includes round shaders (RS), curved magnums, and stacked magnums. Distributes ink more broadly than liner needles.