STENE THEORY

• Stratum corneum: dead keratinized layer. Pigment deposited here will flake out during healing.
• Epidermis: 0.05mm - 0.1mm. Rapid cell turnover makes this layer unstable for lasting ink.
• Dermis: 1.5mm - 2mm is the upper papillary dermis target. This is where collagen density and macrophage encapsulation hold pigment long-term.
• Hypodermis: below 2.5mm. Needles here cause blowouts, blurred lines, and unnecessary trauma.
• Lymphatic system: macrophages engulf pigment particles, fixing ink in the dermal matrix. The lymphatic clearance rate dictates how much pigment settles vs. fades.

• #08 (0.25mm): minimal trauma, maximum detail. Best for 1RL single-needle fineline and delicate stippling.
• #10 (0.30mm): standard fineline diameter. Balances saturation and skin forgiveness.
• #12 (0.35mm): bold linework. Higher pigment load but increased trauma and blowout risk in fine areas.
• Bugpin: smaller-diameter needles grouped tighter than standard. Produces finer, denser marks but clogs faster.
• Standard: larger-diameter needles grouped at nominal spacing. More stable, less prone to clogging, better for bold outlines.
• Long Taper (LT): needle point stays sharp longer. Creates smaller punctures, less trauma, ideal for delicate greywash and fine lines.
• Medium Taper (MT): slightly blunter point. More capillary action, higher ink flow, better for solid packing and bold work.

• Cleanse: Green Soap wash to remove surface oils and debris.
• Degrease: 70% Isopropyl Alcohol wipe to evaporate moisture and open the stratum corneum.
• Prime: Stencil Primer applied in a thin, even layer. Let dry 15 - 20 minutes before applying stencil.
• Transfer: Apply stencil with firm, even pressure. Avoid dragging or rolling.
• Wipe technique: 'Dab, Don't Drag'. Pat the area with a clean, damp wipe. Dragging erases fine stencil lines.

• At 6.5V / 100Hz, target hand speed of 8 - 10mm per second.
• Faster voltage demands faster hand speed. Slower voltage allows slower, more deliberate passes.
• Listen to the pitch: a high-pitched rattle usually means the needle is too shallow or losing contact.
• A bogged-down hum indicates too much resistance - the needle is too deep, too slow, or the skin is oversaturated.

• Ink spitting: needle hangs too far out of the tube. Reduce needle protrusion to 1.5mm - 2mm from the tip.
• Pooling: needle sits too deep in the tube or capillary action is too strong. Check cartridge tension and tip clearance.
• Pigment dilution: use distilled water for clean, transparent greywash. Use witch hazel for slower drying and richer saturation.
• Dilution ratios: 1:1 for soft greywash, 1:3 for ultra-transparent tones, straight black for solid saturation.

• Inflate a latex balloon to 80% capacity.
• Use a 3RL configuration to practice linework on the surface.
• Objective: ink saturation without bursting the balloon.
• Teaches surface tension awareness, depth control, and pressure sensitivity.

• Load the machine with distilled water instead of pigment.
• Work on premium fake skin with consistent texture.
• Objective: perfect hand speed and depth consistency by observing the 'cut' in the skin before adding pigment.
• The water evaporates, leaving no stain - ideal for repeating motion paths until they are muscle memory.

Rule: Higher voltage = Faster hand speed requirement.

• Stretch: Anchor, Pull, Lock. Skin must be 'drum-tight'.
• Depth: If it feels like 'butter', you're in the dermis.
• If it 'snags', you're too shallow.
• If it 'bleeds / spreads' instantly, you're too deep.

• Days 1-3: SecondSkin on. No sweat, no sun.
• Days 4-14: Unscented lotion (thin layer 2x daily). Do not pick.
• Days 15-30: Sunscreen is mandatory. The ink is 'settling'.

• Barrier film every surface: machine, power supply, clip cord, tray, bottle necks, and client chair arms.
• Setup sequence: wash hands, don gloves, lay barriers, unwrap sterile supplies, then load cartridges.
• Breakdown sequence: remove needle first, dispose in sharps, remove gloves, then strip barriers inside-out.
• Cavicide: 3-minute contact time on hard surfaces. Do not shortcut dwell time.
• Cross-contamination traps: phone, lighting switches, ink bottles, and the tops of squeeze bottles.

• Formula: (Rent + Disposables per client + Insurance + Software Fees) / Total Monthly Hours = Base Cost.
• Add desired profit margin to Base Cost to set minimum hourly rate.
• Edmonton fineline market range: $150 - $250 per hour for established artists.
• Track needle, ink, stencil, and aftercare costs per appointment to find true per-client overhead.
• Price for output, not just time. Small, complex fineline work should reflect skill density, not clock duration.