EIKON TEAM | PUBLISHED APR 29, 2022

While the math is still out on exactly how much more flow these cartridges offer, there’s no doubt that Cheyenne® Capillary Cartridges hold more ink and disperse it over a longer duration than traditional cartridges. This means you’ll spend less time dipping back into the well and more time laying down lines. Cheyenne’s Capillary Cartridges guarantee you an evenly distributed ink flow that lasts longer after each dip. For this reason, capillary cartridges are a fan favorite of Black and Grey artists because of the amount of ink they hold and produce while lining and filling large areas.

Cheyenne Capillary Cartridges are available in 18 different configurations in the following groupings: Liner, Magnum and Soft Edge Magnum.

Cheyenne Dropping Science

“Inside the tattoo cartridge tip is a capillary reservoir. When filled, Capillary Cartridges hold more ink than conventional tattoo cartridges. Improved needle guidance allows ultra-precise work in any direction even though a good flow of ink and needle precision when working are mutually exclusive with cartridges. To work precisely, the needle channel in the cartridge must be narrow so that the needle has very little play, but that in turn prevents a good flow of tattoo pigment. For the needle to move freely, a larger opening is needed”... Enter the Capillary Cartridge.

“In addition to longer ink flow, there is a channel in the tip of the cartridge and a reservoir above that fills with ink when the needle is dipped into the ink cap. Unlike standard needle cartridges on the market, the channel spirals around the needle group, so the needle sits more tightly, and the spiral shape ensures even wetting at all times. This ensures excellent ink flow with unprecedented precision.”

Capillary Cartridge Do’s, Don'ts and Tips

Do: Pause while dipping your needle to allow the reservoir to fill completely. You may be so used to your old cartridges, that you automatically dip too quickly to allow the Capillary Cartridge to fill up and take advantage of its added space. Like the Karate kid, once you retrain your dipping style, you'll be unstoppable.

Do: When swapping out your cartridges during a session, make sure that any cartridge you plan to reuse during the session is rinsed well as ink and blood residue could dry out and clog the capillary. To avoid this, place your Capillary Cartridge in a cup with water. When you do this, it’s important to not allow the water level to go past the tip of the cartridge.

Don’t: Allow the push-bar and the shaft of the cartridge to come into contact with your rinse water. Handle your used Capillary Cartridge carefully to prevent cross-contamination.

Tip: Capillary Cartridges are lining beasts, the lining configurations far outselling the other groupings. If you are looking for a place to start, liners are it.

Do: Rinse your Capillary Cartridge a little longer when switching between colors to ensure that all the capillaries are cleaned out. This will help prevent any unintentional colour blends when moving to your next colour.

A lot of the information and images in this article have been sourced from a March 2022 article posted on Cheyenne’s Blog. You can find it in its entirety HERE