5RL vs 7RL: Which Needle Do You Need?

There are a plethora of needles available for tattooing. But not all of them have the same uses. So it can be quite confusing to know which one you should be getting. 

So confused between  5RL vs 7RL?

5RL and 7RL are both very similar because the number of individual needles present in them are very close. But 5RL is used for more intricate work with finer details. While the 7RL is used for shading and bolder detailing. 

This does not explain the comparison between the two needles. But everything you want to know can be found in this article right here!

General Overview

Difference between 5RL and 7RL needle is highlighted below. 

Aspect	5RL	7RL
Configuration	5 needles grouped tightly together in a circular pattern	7 needles grouped together in a circular pattern
Usage	Crating finer details	Shading
Line Thickness	Finer	Thicker
Detail Quality	Finer details	Better for bolder detailing
Shading	Takes longer	Easier with better textures
Pain Level	Same
Ease of Use	Same
Price	Click here	Click here

In-depth Comparison

Let’s see the details of all the aspects mentioned in the table.

Configuration:

RL stands for Round Liner. A round liner is a formation of needles in a tight circular formation which is used for lining. 5rl and 7 rl, both, fit in this category and differ just in the individual number of needles present. 

What does 5RL mean? The “5RL” designation refers to the needle configuration. This is a round liner with 5 needles grouped tightly together in a circular pattern. These needles are typically very fine, with diameters ranging from 0.20mm to 0.35mm. This depends on the manufacturer and the intended use.

Like the 5RL configuration, the 7RL configuration is a common needle grouping used in tattooing. The “7” in 7RL refers to the number of needles in the configuration. It has seven individual needles grouped tightly together in a circular pattern at the tip of the needle.

Winner: Draw, individual numbers of needles have different use cases that we will see later on. 

Usagebility:

5rl is used for making thin lines and creating intricate details. 7rl is used for medium-sized lines and shading. 

What are 5RL tattoo needles used for?

5rl needles are primarily used for creating thin to medium lines and for shading small areas. They are often used for fine details in tattoos. Such as outlining intricate designs or creating delicate shading in small areas like the eyes or lips.

Tattoo artists may also use 5rl needles for certain tattoo styles. For example, in traditional Japanese tattooing, the outlines of the design are typically thin and clean. So a 5rl needle would be a good choice for creating those lines. 

Watercolor tattoos often feature subtle shades and gradients. Here 5rl needles may be used to create the softer edges of those gradients.

So what are 7rl tattoo needles used for?

7rl needles are often used for creating medium-sized lines in tattoos. Such as outlining larger areas or creating bolder details. They can also be used for shading medium-sized areas. Or for creating gradations of shading in certain tattoo styles, such as black and gray realism.

Some tattoo artists may prefer to use 7rl needles for certain techniques, such as whip shading. This technique involves using quick, circular motions to create a soft, shaded effect. The slightly larger diameter of 7rl needles can help to create a smoother and more even shading effect in whip shading.

Winner: This round is also a draw because both needles have their unique uses. 

Line Thickness of Tattoo:

5rl creates thinner lines while 7rl creates comparatively thicker lines. But most of the time the differences are indistinguishable. 

In tattooing, the thickness of a line created by a needle depends on several factors. This includes more than just the needle configuration. It also includes the depth of needle penetration, the pressure applied, and the viscosity of the ink being used.

A 5RL needle configuration allows for the creation of fine, consistent lines with a consistent width. However, the thickness of the line can be adjusted by varying the depth of the needle penetration. Or just by adjusting the pressure applied by the artist.

A 7RL needle configuration allows for the creation of slightly thicker lines than a 5RL needle, with a consistent width. However, the thickness of the line can be adjusted as well.

Generally speaking, a 7RL needle will create a slightly thicker line than a 5RL needle. That is given since the needles in a 7RL configuration are slightly larger in diameter. 

However, the difference in line thickness between a 5RL and a 7RL needle may be minimal. And it may not be noticeable to the naked eye.

Winner: This round is again a draw because both fine and thick lines have their uses. And the difference in thickness is almost indistinguishable in some cases. 

Detail Quality of Tattoo:

Generally, a 5RL needle is capable of producing slightly finer and more intricate details compared to a 7RL needle.

The 5rl configuration allows for the creation of fine, consistent lines with a consistent width. Thus it is a versatile tool for creating detailed designs.

Because a 5RL needle is capable of creating fine lines, it is often used for intricate details and small designs. The small size of the needle configuration also allows for greater precision and control during the tattooing process. This can lead to a higher level of detail in the final design.

The thicker lines created by a 7RL needle have their uses in detailing as well. Especially since it allows for a higher level of detail in designs that require slightly bolder lines or shading. However, the level of detail achievable with a 7RL needle also depends on the skill and technique of the artist.

Winner: 5RL wins since it can create finer details. 

Shading of Tattoo:

Shading with 7RL is easier and it offers a smoother and denser texture. 

When using 5RL needles for shading, the tattoo artist will typically use a stippling or circular motion. This is used to create a soft and gradual gradient. 

The technique involves first dipping the needles into the ink. And then lightly tapping or dragging the needles across the skin to create the desired shading effect.

The size of the 5RL needle means that the shading process may take longer compared to larger needle groupings. 

When using 7RL needles for shading, the technique is similar to using 5RL needles. The tattoo artist will typically use a stippling or circular motion to create a soft and gradual gradient. But the larger needle grouping can create a slightly different effect. 

With 7RL needles, the shading can be more dense and have a slightly smoother texture compared to 5RL needles.

That being said, with better and appropriate ink you may produce better results with 5RL needles. For example, kuro sumi ink and 5RL needle will get better shading than 7RL with normal ink. 

Winner: 7RL wins because of better shading effects. 

Pain While Tattooing:

Both needles don’t have much difference in terms of pain. But the pain level while tattooing can vary depending on your personal pain tolerance and the location of the tattoo.

Generally, tattooing with 5RL needles is considered to be moderately painful. The pain can feel like a series of sharp, stinging sensations or a continuous dull ache. 

However, some people may find it to be more painful than others. Especially if they have a lower pain tolerance or are getting tattooed in a sensitive area of the body.

Like with 5RL needles, the pain level with 7RL (Round Liner) needles can also vary depending on several factors.

Generally speaking, tattooing with 7RL needles is similar to 5RL needles in terms of pain level. It can be moderately painful, with the sensation feeling like a series of sharp, or stinging sensations. 

Some people may find it to be more or less painful than 5RL needles, depending on their individual experience.

Winner: This round is also a draw because the pain level is basically the same. 

Ease of Use of the Needle:

Both the 5RL and 7RL are commonly used needles by artists. 

Using 5RL (Round Liner) needles for tattooing is a common practice among tattoo artists. And it is not considered to be particularly difficult for experienced artists. 

However, using any type of needle requires skill, and practice. It even more so requires attention to detail to ensure that the tattoo is applied properly and safely.

Using 7RL (Round Liner) needles for tattooing is also a common practice among tattoo artists. And like with 5RL needles, it is not considered to be particularly difficult for experienced artists.

Even if you are starting your tattoo artist career in your 40s, these needles should not be any trouble for you. 

Winner: This round is also a draw.

Price:

5RL and 7RL have very similar, if not the same, pricing. 

The price of 5RL needles varies depending on the brand and quantity. Wormhole 5RL Tattoo Cartridge Needles which come in a pack of 20 disposable tattoo needle cartridges for $12.99. 

The price of 7RL needles also varies depending on the brand and quantity. For example, Wormhole 7RL Tattoo Cartridge Needles come in a pack of 20 disposable tattoo needle cartridges for $12.99. Another option is Dragonhawk 20Pcs Extreme Cartridges Disposable Tattoo Needle Standard 7 Round Liner which costs $14.99.

Winner: this round is a draw since both the needles cost the same. 

Verdict

There is no objectively better option between 5RL and 7RL. Both are very similar since the difference in number of individual needles is not much. This makes them indistinguishable in some aspects. 

Both if you need a needle for more detailed work, 5RL is clearly the better option. That is because of its smaller size and capability of producing finer details. 

On the other hand, 7RL is the better option when it comes to shading effect. Shading with 7RL is easier and it produces smoother and denser textures. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the difference between 5RL and 5RS?

5RL is a Round Liner needle configuration used for creating thin, precise lines, while 5RS is a Round Shader needle configuration used for shading and filling in larger areas. The number “5” in both cases refers to the diameter of the needle grouping, which is 0.30mm.

What is a 5R needle?

A 5R needle is a type of tattoo needle configuration that consists of five needles arranged in a flat or straight line. The “R” in 5R stands for “Round,” indicating that the needles are grouped together in a circular formation.

What are RL and RM needles?

RL (Round Liner) and RM (Round Magnum) are tattoo needle configurations used for creating different types of lines and shading. RL needles are arranged in a circular formation for thin, precise lines, while RM needles are arranged in a circular formation for thicker lines and shading.

Conclusion 

That concludes our discussion on 5rl vs 7rl. Both are quite similar but have their unique uses. 

The article should make it easier for you to pick between the two depending on your need. 

Good luck!