Several needle manufacturers include bugpin size needles and nano sizes in cartridge needles and manual needles. When deciphering tattoo needle sizes, bugpins, nanos, and taper, all come into play in different ways.

Bugpins are usually .30 or smaller, however when the sizes get really small they are referred to as "nano" size needles.  There are no rules so to speak on what exact size needle is a bugpin or a nano, as that is up to the manufacturer to label the needles.  It would be safe to say that a .12, .15, and a .18 are considered nanos.

A tip to remember:

The taper determines the end size of the needle as it touches the skin.

We don’t always have exact taper information but you can identify it if it’s listed on the packaging code or use an eye loupe to help.

Hope that helps with needle clarity and some of the terms we hear today as PMU artists.

- To your PMU success,

PMU Artist & Needle Specialist
Inside Needle Knowledge

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