Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner Tattoo Cartridges Explained

July 17, 2026 - 2 weeks ago

Every tattoo artist knows the frustration of running out of ink mid-stroke while pulling a long, continuous master line. Stopping to dip into the ink cap breaks your rhythm and can lead to visible overlapping or inconsistent saturation. If you are tired of your lining cartridges running dry too quickly during heavy-gauge work, there is a specialised configuration engineered to solve this problem: the Hollow Round Liner (HRL).

As the next generation of our popular Magnum Premium Cartridges, the Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner Cartridges are meticulously designed for professional artists who demand maximum ink flow, crisp lines, and absolute consistency during demanding linework sessions. These cartridges combine a specialised hollow needle configuration with a triple stabilisation system, premium 304 stainless steel needles and a comfort-focused cartridge design.

Let’s dive deep into the unique mechanics, engineering features, and technical specifications of the Gen 2 HRL family. 

What is a Hollow Round Liner?

At first glance, a Hollow Round Liner looks similar to a standard round liner, but its internal architecture is fundamentally different. In an HRL configuration, the centre needles are intentionally omitted from the grouping, leaving an open middle core. Furthermore, the surrounding pins are grouped with slightly more spacing than a standard round liner.

The Built-In Ink Reservoir

This empty centre core acts as a highly efficient internal reservoir. When you dip into your ink cap, the cartridge pulls a massive volume of pigment up into the tip housing. As you tattoo, this stored ink is delivered in a steady, high-volume stream. The primary benefits include:

• Longer Line Pulls: You can execute long-drawn-out linework and extensive script layouts in a single, fluid motion without constantly stopping to reload.

• Increased Ink Flow: The intentional spacing allows the pigment to flow freely and smoothly.

• Maximum Line Saturation: It effortlessly delivers cleaner, highly saturated, and high-impact lines on the very first pass.

Premium Gen 2 Construction & Engineering

The Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner combines its specialised needle arrangement with our upgraded cartridge housing technology to ensure elite performance on every skin type:

Advanced Triple Stabilisation System

Hollow configurations handle a high volume of ink, making needle stability crucial. The Gen 2 internal structure supports the needles at three critical contact points throughout the housing, drastically reducing unwanted lateral movement and vibrating play for smoother, more controlled strokes.

Ergonomic Comfort Finger Ledge

To keep your hand relaxed and stable over long tattooing sessions, each cartridge features an integrated finger ledge. This adds comfortable width to your grip area, improving tactile control and minimising hand fatigue.

Crystal-Clear Housing Visibility: 

Moulded from premium, medical-grade polycarbonate (PC) plastic, the transparent, clear housing provides a perfect view of both your needle depth and ink flow.

Silicone Safety Membrane: 

Fitted with a high-performance silicone safety membrane, these cartridges provide a reliable, hygienic barrier that prevents fluids and pigment backflow from contaminating your expensive machine and grip.

Technical Specifications

Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner cartridges are engineered for artists who need dependable performance during bold, high-saturation linework. Every cartridge combines premium materials with precision manufacturing to deliver consistent ink flow, excellent stability and reliable results throughout longer tattoo sessions.

Built for Bold, Consistent Linework

Every Hollow Round Liner in the Magnum Gen 2 range features a #12 (0.35mm) needle diameter paired with a Long Taper (6.5mm). This combination provides excellent pigment flow while maintaining the control needed for clean, confident outlines.

The slightly more open needle configuration encourages greater ink delivery than a standard Round Liner, making these cartridges particularly well-suited to larger outlines, traditional tattooing and designs that demand strong, saturated lines with fewer passes.

Combined with Magnum's triple stabilisation system, medical-grade 304 stainless steel needles and silicone safety membrane, the result is a cartridge designed to deliver consistent performance, improved stability and dependable reliability from the first line to the last.

Hollow Round Liner vs Standard Round Liner: The Structural and Functional Differences

Although both cartridge types are engineered for outlining, their internal architecture dictates a completely different performance on the skin. Neither configuration is inherently better; the right choice depends entirely on the style of tattoo you are creating and your personal technique.

Needle Arrangement and Spacing

Standard Round Liners utilise a tight circular grouping of needles pinched closely together at the tip to concentrate focus. In contrast, Hollow Round Liners feature slightly wider circular spacing between the pins and completely omit the centre needles to leave an open middle core.

Ink Flow and Pigment Delivery

Standard Round Liners provide a highly controlled, moderate ink flow, which is crucial for preventing blowouts during delicate work. Hollow Round Liners are built for increased ink flow and higher pigment delivery, using their empty centre core as a built-in reservoir to hold and drop a larger volume of ink.

Line Style and Performance Character

When it comes to visual output, Standard Round Liners excel at creating exceptionally fine, crisp, and precise lines. Hollow Round Liners are optimised for laying down bold, heavily saturated, and high-contrast lines in a single pass.

Ideal Applications and Session Types

Standard Round Liners are best for fine line tattoos, intricate lettering, micro-realism, and delicate ornamental work where detailed precision is mandatory. Hollow Round Liners are best for traditional, neo-traditional, illustrative, and heavy outlines, making them the ultimate choice for longer lining sessions where you need to pull extensive master lines without constantly stopping to re-dip.

What Makes Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liners Different?

Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner cartridges introduce several improvements designed to enhance consistency, comfort and control. Key features include:

• Hollow Round Liner configuration

• Triple stabilisation system

• Medical-grade 304 stainless steel needles

• Comfort finger ledge

• Transparent cartridge housing

• Silicone safety membrane

• Universal cartridge compatibility

• Colour-coded cartridge identification

• EO gas sterilisation

• Individually blister-packed

Together, these features help provide stable needle performance, dependable ink flow and reliable consistency throughout longer lining sessions.

Why Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liners Use a 0.35mm Needle Diameter

Unlike standard Round Liners, Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liners are supplied exclusively with a 0.35mm (#12 Standard) needle diameter. This larger diameter complements the hollow needle configuration by allowing greater pigment flow and helping create bold, highly saturated outlines.

Benefits of the 0.35mm Diameter

• Increased ink delivery

• Strong line saturation

• Consistent bold outlines

• Excellent visibility in healed tattoos

• Well-suited to traditional tattoo styles

This specification has been selected specifically for artists prioritising confident, high-impact linework rather than ultra-fine detail.

Long Taper for Controlled Saturation

Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liners feature a Long Taper (6.5mm). This taper provides an effective balance between precision and pigment delivery, making it suitable for long continuous outlines, traditional tattooing, illustrative work, decorative tattoos, and bold script. The longer taper allows smooth, controlled penetration while maintaining excellent ink flow.

Best Applications: When Should You Reach for an HRL?

The massive ink delivery and robust line weights of the Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner make it a popular choice across several specific tattoo styles:

1. Bold Outlines & Traditional Tattooing

If you are working on American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, or heavy illustrative styles, you need solid, clean lines that hold their visual weight permanently. The HRL drives ink deep and uniformly, creating crisp outlines in a single pass.

2. Large-Scale Graphic Linework & Blackwork

When mapping out massive tribal borders, mandalas, geometric frameworks, or large back-pieces, standard liners require too many re-dips. The Hollow Round Liner lets you cover extensive ground efficiently while maintaining a dependable line weight from the start of the stroke to the finish.

3. Heavy Script & Lettering

Pulling the long, sweeping walls of heavy script or graffiti-style lettering demands uninterrupted ink flow. The reservoir design ensures your needle won't run dry halfway through a crucial letter stroke.

Universal Compatibility & Professional Setup

You do not need a specialised machine to take advantage of this high-volume lining system. Magnum Gen 2 cartridges are built with a universal connection, making them fully compatible with all universal cartridge grips and industry-standard rotary pen machines. Whether you run a Bishop Power Wand, Dragonhawk Fold 2 Pro, or AVA EP7+, these cartridges click and lock safely into place.

To keep your workspace organised and fast-paced, the cartridges are colour-coded, and the specific needle grouping size is stamped directly onto the clear plastic housing for immediate identification during setup.

Final Thoughts

Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner Tattoo Cartridges are designed for artists who demand bold, saturated linework without compromising stability or control. Their slightly more open needle configuration promotes increased ink flow, making them particularly effective for traditional tattooing, illustrative designs and larger outlines.

Combined with a triple stabilisation system, medical-grade 304 stainless steel needles, a comfort finger ledge, transparent housing and universal compatibility, they deliver the consistency and reliability expected in a professional studio. If your work regularly calls for confident, high-impact linework, Hollow Round Liners offer a dependable solution for achieving clean, saturated results across every session.

Ready to experience triple-stabilised precision without breaking the bank? Head over to Magnum Tattoo Supplies to explore our complete technical range, compare advanced configurations, and find the perfect cartridge collection for your tattooing style! 

FAQs

What is a Hollow Round Liner tattoo cartridge?

A Hollow Round Liner is a round liner configuration where the needles are spaced slightly further apart than a standard Round Liner. This allows increased ink flow and produces bolder, more saturated lines.

What's the difference between a Hollow Round Liner and a standard Round Liner?

Standard Round Liners are designed for fine precision and delicate outlines, while Hollow Round Liners prioritise greater pigment delivery for heavier, more saturated linework.

What tattoo styles are Hollow Round Liners best for?

They are commonly used for American Traditional, Neo Traditional, Japanese tattooing, illustrative work and larger decorative designs requiring bold outlines.

Why do Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liners use a 0.35mm needle?

The 0.35mm diameter complements the hollow needle configuration by increasing pigment flow, helping artists produce consistent, saturated outlines with fewer interruptions.

Are the Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner cartridges sterile?

Yes. Every cartridge is individually blister-packed and EO gas sterilised for professional single use.

How many cartridges are included in each box?

Each box contains 10 individually sterile Magnum Gen 2 Hollow Round Liner cartridges.