Round Liner vs Round Magnum – When to Use Each Needle Type
The most common question tattoo artists ask when switching to cartridges: "Which needle do I actually need?"
If you've been staring at a product page wondering what separates a Round Liner Long Taper (RLLT) from a Round Magnum Long Taper (RMLT), you're not alone. Here's the definitive breakdown.
What Is a Round Liner (RLLT)?
Round liners have needles arranged in a tight circular cluster. The Long Tapervariant means the needle tips are longer and more gradually tapered — giving you a finer, more precise point of contact with the skin.
Best for:
- Fine line work and single-needle detail
- Script and lettering
- Geometric and dotwork tattoos
- Portraits requiring sharp, clean lines
- Outlining before shading
Why Fenris RLLT? Our 12/0.35mm and 08/0.25mm round liners are our bestsellers for a reason — the long taper allows ink to flow smoothly without blowouts, even at speed.
What Is a Round Magnum (RMLT)?
Round magnums arrange needles in a curved, fan-like spread. This wider configuration covers more surface area per pass, making them ideal for filling and blending.
Best for:
- Colour packing and solid fills
- Smooth gradients and blending
- Watercolour-style tattoos
- Large background fills
- Soft shading in realism
The RMLT advantage: The curved needle arrangement follows the natural contour of the skin, reducing trauma and allowing for smoother, more even ink saturation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Round Liner (RLLT) | Round Magnum (RMLT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Needle arrangement | Tight circle | Curved spread |
| Best use | Lines & detail | Fill & shading |
| Coverage per pass | Narrow | Wide |
| Skin trauma | Minimal | Low |
| Recommended sizes | 03, 05, 07, 09 | 07, 09, 11, 13 |
| Taper | Long | Long |
Which Size Should You Choose?
For liners (RLLT):
- 03–05 → ultra-fine detail, single needle work, micro realism
- 07 → standard outlining, most versatile
- 09–12 → bold lines, tribal, neo-traditional
For magnums (RMLT):
- 07–09 → tight shading, small areas
- 11–13 → large fills, backgrounds, colour packing
- 15+ → large-scale work, full back pieces
The Fenris Recommendation
Starting out? RLLT 12/0.35mm is our most popular cartridge — versatile enough for both outlining and tight shading, with a long taper that forgives technique variations.
Building your kit? Pair it with an RMLT 10/0.30mm for shading and you'll cover 80% of tattoo styles with just two cartridges.
Not sure which to try first? Our Sample Box lets you test multiple configurations before committing to a full box.
Fenris Cartridges are designed and quality-tested for professional tattoo artists. Every cartridge features a membrane safety system to prevent ink backflow.
