A tattoo machine’s needles hit hard to penetrate the skin to the appropriate depth, delivering the desired effect each time. Usually, artists want that “hardness” to create perfect, solid lines and effortless color packing. However, that's not always the case, and that's where “Give” comes in. Tattoo machines offering a Give function are usually preferred for shading or working on difficult areas of the body, minimizing skin trauma.
The Innovation of Give
A few years back, Artemis Rosakis, our head engineer and co-founder of Stigma-Rotary®, had a groundbreaking invention. He developed a mechanism for a rotary tattoo machine that could adjust the softness/hardness of the hit in seconds, without tools or part swaps. This innovation astounded the tattoo industry and fascinated many artists seeking a lightweight and quiet tattoo machine to make their job easier.
Modern Applications of Give
Today, the Give function is found in many tattoo machines, such as the Stigma® Spear and Stigma® Hyper. It has also recently appeared in direct-drive or dual-drive rotaries like the new Stigma® Force. To achieve a similar effect on a direct-drive machine, the mechanism was translated from analog to digital, allowing artists to control the motor directly with sophisticated software. Artists can easily adjust the machine's sensitivity and responsiveness to their desired level and enable or disable it with a single button.
Benefits of Digital Give
Responsive to Skin Resistance: Enabling Digital Give allows the machine to respond to the skin’s resistance and become softer. This helps artists tattoo on sensitive areas and achieve smooth shading effortlessly.
Versatility for Different Styles: Although Give is loved by artists regardless of their tattooing style, it is especially favored by those specializing in realistic and black and grey tattooing. Artists like Stigma® PROArtists Ivan Panayotov and Jurgis Mikalauskas use the Give feature daily to achieve realism and breathtaking details in their work.
Adjustable Levels: On the Stigma® Force, Digital Give has three levels. Give-1 allows for smoother and more responsive operation compared to the machine’s default Constant mode. Give-2 and Give-3 offer the same effect but also reduce speed when needed to minimize skin trauma and allow for even lighter and smoother shading.
Conclusion
The Give function in tattoo machines, such as the Thorn 2.0, offers invaluable benefits. It transcends traditional tattooing boundaries, providing artists with tools to adapt to different styles, achieve precision, and reduce skin trauma. As the tattoo industry continues to embrace innovation, the ability to fine-tune stroke length stands as a testament to artists' commitment to elevating their craft and delivering unparalleled artistry to their clients.
