Curved Mag vs Flat Mag Tattoo Needles: Which Magnum Cartridge Should You Use?
Curved Mag vs Flat Mag Tattoo Needles: Which One Should You Use?
Magnum needles are some of the most important tools in tattooing.
If you're shading black and grey, blending gradients, or packing color, you're almost always reaching for a mag.
But once artists start building their cartridge setup, a common question comes up:
Should I use curved mags or flat mags?
Both configurations are designed for shading and color packing, but they behave differently in the skin. Understanding those differences can help you choose the right tool for the tattoo style you're working in.
At Maverick Supply Co., we carry both curved magnum cartridges and flat mag cartridges, and each one has its place in a professional tattoo setup.
This guide breaks down the differences so you can decide which configuration works best for your tattooing style.
What Are Magnum Tattoo Needles?
Magnum needles are tattoo needle groupings arranged in stacked rows rather than a circular formation.
This allows artists to cover larger areas of skin efficiently compared to round shaders.
Magnum cartridges are commonly used for:
• Black and grey shading
• Smooth gradient blending
• Color packing
• Filling large areas of skin
• Background shading
Because the needles are spread out in rows, they distribute ink more evenly and allow artists to move quickly across larger tattoo areas.
Most professional tattoo artists keep multiple mag configurations ready during a session, switching between them depending on the shading technique being used.
Curved Magnum Tattoo Needles
Curved mags are one of the most popular needle configurations in modern tattooing.
Instead of being arranged in a straight row, the needles form a slight arc or curve.
This design allows the needles to hit the skin more gradually, reducing trauma while spreading pigment smoothly.
Curved mag cartridges are ideal for:
• Black and grey realism
• Smooth shading gradients
• Portrait tattoos
• Soft transitions between tones
• Illustrative tattoo styles
Because the curved formation distributes pressure evenly across the skin, artists often find curved mags easier to control when building smooth tonal transitions.
This is why curved mags are commonly used for realism and smooth shading styles.
👉 Shop Maverick Curved Open Mag Cartridges (COM)
Curved Open Mag vs Curved Closed Mag
Curved mags are available in two housing styles.
Curved Open Mag (COM)
Open mag cartridges allow artists to see the needle grouping while working.
Some artists prefer this design because it improves visibility and control while shading.
Open cartridges are often used by artists who like to watch exactly how the needles interact with the skin during the tattoo.
👉 Browse Curved Open Mag Cartridges
Curved Closed Mag (CCM)
Closed mag cartridges cover the needle grouping with the cartridge housing.
The needles behave exactly the same in the skin, but the closed housing hides the grouping slightly.
Some artists prefer this design simply because it reduces visual distraction while working.
👉 Explore Curved Closed Mag Cartridges
Flat Magnum Tattoo Needles
Flat mag needles are arranged in a straight horizontal row rather than a curved arc.
Because of this structure, flat mags hit the skin more directly and deliver stronger pigment saturation.
Flat mag cartridges are commonly used for:
• Traditional tattoo styles
• Neo traditional tattoos
• Bold color packing
• Filling tight spaces near linework
Artists often choose flat mags when they need maximum color saturation and strong edges.
Flat mags are especially useful when packing color next to outlines, where control and solid pigment delivery are critical.
👉 Shop Maverick Flat Open Mag Cartridges (FOM)
Curved Mag vs Flat Mag: Key Differences
Understanding how these configurations behave can help you decide which tool works best for each tattoo.
Curved Magnum Advantages
• Softer contact with the skin
• Easier to build smooth shading
• Great for realism and portrait work
• Ideal for soft black and grey gradients
Flat Magnum Advantages
• Stronger pigment saturation
• Excellent for packing color
• Ideal for bold traditional tattoos
• Better control along edges and outlines
Many professional tattoo artists keep both curved and flat mags in their setup so they can switch depending on the section of the tattoo they're working on.
Bugpin Magnum Cartridges
Another important factor when choosing mag cartridges is needle diameter.
Standard tattoo needles are usually #12 (.35mm) in diameter.
Bugpin needles use a smaller diameter, typically .30mm (#10).
Bugpin mag cartridges are often used for:
• Black and grey realism
• Portrait shading
• Smooth gradient transitions
• Fine detail shading
Because the needles are thinner, they allow artists to build ink gradually without overloading the skin.
This makes bugpin mags extremely popular among realism tattoo artists.
👉 Explore Maverick Bugpin Magnum Cartridges
How Tattoo Artists Build Their Magnum Setup
Most artists use multiple mag configurations during a tattoo session.
A typical setup might look like this:
Soft shading
• Curved Mag (COM)
Portrait realism
• Bugpin Curved Mag (BP-CM)
Color packing
• Flat Mag (FOM)
Large shading areas
• Curved Closed Mag (CCM)
By switching between these cartridges, artists can move smoothly between shading, blending, and color packing throughout the tattoo process.
Why Artists Choose Maverick Magnum Cartridges
Maverick Supply Co. cartridges are designed by tattoo artists who understand what working professionals expect from their tools.
Every magnum cartridge is built with:
• Precision grouped stainless steel needles
• Silicone membrane backflow protection
• Consistent needle spacing
• Medical-grade cartridge housings
• EO gas sterilization
When you open a Maverick box, you know every cartridge will perform the same.
No surprises.
No inconsistencies.
Just reliable tools for the craft.
👉 Browse All Maverick Tattoo Cartridge Needles
Final BOSS Thoughts
Both curved mags and flat mags are essential tools for professional tattoo artists.
Curved mags excel at smooth shading and realism, while flat mags shine when packing bold color and working near linework.
Understanding how each configuration behaves allows artists to choose the right tool for each stage of the tattoo.
Whether you're building smooth gradients or packing solid color, the right mag cartridge makes the work easier.
Run it clean.
Run it precise.
Run it Maverick.
Want to learn more about tattoo cartridge needles? Check out our complete Understanding Tattoo Cartridge Needles Guide for a deep dive into all needle configurations.