Loose 5 Round Liner (L5RL) Tattoo Cartridges | Maverick Supply Co.
The Character Brush: A Guide to the L5RL Loose Round Liner
At the end of the day, we do what we do because we love the craft and the way a tattoo sits in the skin for a lifetime. There’s a specific kind of "soul" in a line that has a bit of weight and a natural, hand-drawn feel. Part of finding your own unique style is staying curious - experimenting with a parallel grouping like the L5RL (Loose 5 Round Liner) is how you move away from a clinical look and toward a style that feels organic and timeless.
When it comes to medium-weight linework that needs to flow with the body, the L5RL is a shop favorite.
What Exactly is an L5RL?
The L5RL consists of five of our high-quality #12 (0.35mm) needles. While a Tight Round Liner (TRL) pulls the points inward to a sharp, focused tip, the needles in a Loose Round Liner sit parallel to each other.
This grouping style leaves just a little bit of "breathing room" between the pins. The result? A slightly larger footprint on the skin and a much more generous ink flow. It isn't "blunt," but it provides a softer entry that allows the pigment to saturate the skin with less effort, giving you a line that feels "etched" rather than "scratched."
Why You Should Experiment with the L5RL
We always encourage artists to step outside their go-to configurations. If you find yourself having to go over your lines twice with a tight liner to get them solid, the L5RL might be the solution you've been looking for.
Classic Traditional Outlines
For American Traditional or Neo-Traditional work, the L5RL is a powerhouse. It provides that classic line weight that defines the genre. Because the needles aren't compressed, the ink dumps more consistently, helping you achieve that solid, "weepy" black line that heals beautifully.
Organic & Botanical Illustration
When you’re tattooing flowers, woodgrain, or animal textures, a perfectly clinical line can sometimes look out of place. The L5RL allows for a more "sketchy" or organic feel, letting the lines follow the natural curves of your design with a softer, more artistic edge.
Packing Color in Tight Spaces
Don't limit the L5RL to just outlines. It’s an incredible tool for packing color or black into those tiny corners where even a small mag is too wide. The loose grouping of five needles allows you to "scrub" in pigment with incredible efficiency.
The Maverick Standard: Every L5RL we produce is a long taper, precision-polished needle. We don't cut corners on the finish. A long taper ensures a softer entry, and the high-polish finish ensures that your ink flow remains consistent from the first dip to the final wipe.
Quality Vetted by Experience
We manage every detail from our home base in Las Vegas to ensure Maverick gear supports your best work. Every cartridge is designed to meet the rigorous demands of a professional shop environment.
-
Silicone Membrane: High-performance backflow protection to keep your machine safe.
-
EO-Gas Sterilized: Individually packaged because safety is the foundation of the craft.
-
Universal Fit: Ready to lock into all major rotary and cartridge machines.
The Maverick Difference
-
Tattooer Owned: Founded by Austin, a 26-year veteran of the industry.
-
Vetted Quality: Every product is personally tested and approved by Austin.
-
Free U.S. Shipping: No minimums. No fine print.
-
Fast Fulfillment: Order by 1 PM PST, and we ship it the same day.
Final Thoughts
Finding your own unique style means never being afraid to try a different tool. The L5RL is a versatile, dependable brush that adds a level of character to your work that tight liners just can't match. If you haven't played around with the organic flow of a Loose 5 lately, give it a shot on your next project.
Try them. Then decide.
Shop the Loose 5 Round Liner (L5RL) Collection ->
🧭 Explore More from Maverick
-
🌿 Eco-Friendly Tattoo Supplies - Sustainable essentials for the modern shop.
-
🧊 FREEZO Liquid Solidifier - Efficient, safe cleanup in seconds.
-
🎧 Support Your Local Tattooer Podcast - The real voice of tattoo culture on YouTube.