Starting out as a tattoo artist is exciting but it’s also easy to make mistakes that can hurt your results, your reputation, and even your client’s skin. Understanding the most common tattoo machine mistakes and how to avoid them will help you progress faster and tattoo more confidently.
1. Using the Wrong Voltage
Running your tattoo machine at the wrong speed can cause problems:
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Too high: Skin trauma, blowouts, excessive bleeding.
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Too low: Inconsistent lines, patchy shading.
Fix it: Follow our tattoo machine voltage settings guide to match your settings to your task (lining, shading, or color packing).
2. Incorrect Needle Depth
Many beginners set their tattoo needle depth too shallow or too deep.
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Too shallow: Ink fades quickly.
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Too deep: Pain, scarring, and ink spreading under the skin.
Fix it: Adjust your depth to target the dermis (around 1–2 mm). See our needle depth guide for details.
3. Skipping Sterilization Steps
Poor hygiene is one of the biggest red flags for clients and a serious health risk.
Fix it: Always follow proper tattoo machine sterilization steps and workspace hygiene protocols.
4. Inconsistent Hand Speed
If your hand speed doesn’t match your machine’s voltage, your lines may appear shaky or your shading patchy.
Fix it: Practice on synthetic skin while adjusting your voltage until your motion feels smooth and consistent.
5. Not Stretching the Skin
Tattooing on loose skin causes the needle to bounce and lines to wobble.
Fix it: Always stretch the skin with your free hand to create a smooth surface for the needle.
6. Overworking the Skin
Going over the same spot too many times leads to unnecessary trauma and slower healing.
Fix it: Make clean passes, let the skin rest, and avoid chasing perfection in one go.
7. Ignoring Maintenance
Beginners sometimes overlook basic tattoo machine maintenance, leading to poor performance.
Fix it: Regularly clean, lubricate, and inspect your machine for loose parts or worn components.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are part of learning, but the faster you correct them, the quicker you’ll improve as a tattoo artist. Keep refining your technique, follow safe practices, and never stop learning.
