How to Handle a Tattoo Gun
- 1). Sit in the tattooist chair and get comfortable. Determine which foot you will use to operate the tattoo machine foot control. This control device is used similar to a sewing machine pedal and will control the power supply to the gun. Most people will use their right foot, similar to a gas pedal. However, this is optional. Place the foot control on the floor where it will be most comfortable and then ensure that it is plugged into the closest electrical socket.
- 2). Before touching the tattoo machine, it is essential to wash hands. Use soap and warm water and scrub hands past the wrist and to the elbow. It is important to set the machine up with clean hands so germs do not get transferred from hands to the machine. As an extra safety precaution, go ahead and put on sterile gloves after washing hands thoroughly.
- 3). Set up the colors in disposable or sterilized containers. Most tattoo inks come in small containers with lids. Transfer the amount of ink required into another container so that the needle does not contaminate the ink when color is reapplied. Make sure they are within reach when you are sitting at the tattoo machine. Place any other necessary tools within reach as well. This should include lubricant as well as additional needles and cleansing swabs. Following the tattoo, throw away unused ink from the disposable containers. This ink has been contaminated and cannot be used again.
- 4). Open a sterilized needle and attach it to the tip of the machine. Check the needle and make sure it is screwed in as tight as possible. Always use sterilized needles. The safety guard should be left on until time to actually begin the tattoo.
- 5). Plug the tattoo machine into the power cord running from the foot controller. Check to make sure that this cord will not interfere with the client or get in the way of the work. Once the machine is plugged into the foot control panel be careful not to press down on the panel unless you are ready to tattoo. The machine is now ready for tattooing. It is a good idea to grip the machine firmly and press down on the foot control to get acquainted with the speed and momentum of the device.