EIKON TEAM | PUBLISHED MAR 31, 2025

One year in, and the most common question we still get about Eikon Cartridges is...

“What's the difference between the purple, blue, and red labeled boxes?”

So let's put this one to bed once and for all, shall we?

Breaking the “Colour” Code

Unlike some brands that use colour coding to indicate the needle configuration of a cartridge (Liners, Shaders, and/or Magnums), we decided to use colour to highlight something you can't see as easily; the tattoo needle's diameter or gauge. So put down that eye loupe, and let's talk colour-coded diameters…

Purple Label → 0.25mm / #8

Our Purple labeled cartridges are our Bugpins, or Tights. They’re a 0.25mm or #8 gauge needle, and are only available in a select few configurations: two Liner options and two Curved or Soft Edge Mag options.

Bugpins are known for producing good, but slower, ink flow due to the tightness of the grouping, and they’re perfect for thin lines as well as intricate or highly detailed work.

Where to Start: RL25LT-03

Blue Label → 0.30mm/ #10

Blue labeled Eikon Cartridges are made with a 0.30mm diameter or #10 gauge needle. Although some brands and artists consider this to be still within the Bugpin range, they’re a bit looser than the Purple labeled cartridges and will provide a slightly faster, but steady and controlled, ink flow. Many artists use 0.30mm tattoo needles across the board, from Liners through to Mags, but they’re more commonly used in Round Liners and Round Shaders.

If you’re looking for precision and speed, the Blue label’s got you covered.

Where to Start: RL30LT-07 or RS30LT-09

Red Label → 0.35mm / #12

Our Red labeled cartridges use 0.35mm diameter or #12 gauge needles. If you came from the traditional needle side of tattooing, you probably know these as “standard needles.” These are popular across all tattoo needle groupings and tattooing styles and provide even faster ink flow, produce nice bold lines, and pack colour better than thinner diameter needles.

Our Red label line has something else going for it, in that we offer select Soft Edge Mag configurations in Medium Taper to, yet again, up your colour-packing game.

Where to Start:  MG35LT-09 or SEM30LT-09

Next time let's talk tapers…