The grip is the only part of the machine your hand actually touches. Its diameter and material decide how much control you keep and how tired your hand gets over a long session. The tip aligns the needle and manages ink flow. Here we compare the options in our grips and tips range.

Choosing a grip diameter

  • 22–25 mm: slim, pen-like feel for detail and fine line work.
  • 30 mm: the common middle size, balanced for most artists.
  • 35 mm and up: thicker grip, less strain, favoured for long shading sessions.

Think about how you hold a pen: artists who grip tightly tire less on a thicker barrel.

Disposable sterile grips

Sterile out of the pack, discarded after the session. No autoclave cycle, no packing, no waiting. Most models come with the tip already fitted, which speeds setup further. This is the most practical option in busy studios and on guest spots. See disposable sterile grips and tips.

The trade-off is unit cost, which adds up quickly in a studio running several sessions a day.

Steel and aluminium grips

Reusable. After the initial outlay, the only running cost is sterilisation. The extra weight steadies the machine, and many artists prefer steel for exactly that feel. The condition is a properly run autoclave process with records. Find them under tattoo grips.

Tip types

The tip must match the needle configuration you are running:

  • RT (Round Tip): for RL and RS needles
  • DT (Diamond Tip): for fine lines and detail
  • FT (Flat Tip): for magnum and flat needles
  • Open tip: easy to clean and lets you see ink flow

Tip size must match needle count — a 9RL needle takes a 9 round tip. Options are in needle tips.

If you run cartridges

Cartridge systems need no separate tip; it is built into the cartridge. You only need a cartridge-compatible grip. For a full comparison of the two systems, see our guide in tattoo needles.

A practical approach

Most studios run both: disposables for the daily flow, steel grips for longer planned sessions. Whichever you pick, make sure grip, tip size and needle configuration all match.

Same-day delivery to studios around Taksim, Istanbul and courier shipping nationwide. Everything is in grips and tips.