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PorVidaLA

CURVED MAGNUM - Tattoo Cartridges

CURVED MAGNUM - Tattoo Cartridges

Regular price $28.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $28.99 USD
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Needle Gauge
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Por Vida LA Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Cartridges

Smooth transitions. Even coverage. Controlled saturation.

Por Vida LA Curved Magnum Tattoo Needle Cartridges are designed for artists who want smooth shading, efficient color coverage, and softer transitions across the skin.

Curved Magnums—also commonly called Soft Edge Magnums or Round Magnums—arrange the needles in two staggered rows with the outer needles gradually curved back, creating a rounded working edge instead of the completely straight edge found on a traditional Straight Magnum.

This curved configuration helps artists create smooth gradients and blended transitions while reducing the chance of leaving harsh edge marks when used with proper technique.

Every cartridge features our signature Por Vida LA red housing along with our color-coded membrane system, helping artists quickly distinguish Curved Magnums from Straight Magnums, Round Liners, and Round Shaders during setup.

Each cartridge also comes individually packaged in our pre-cut, easy-open packaging, designed to be easier to grab, open, and organize throughout your workflow.

Curved Magnum Sizes

Available in:

5CM • 7CM • 9CM • 11CM • 13CM • 15CM • 17CM • 19CM • 23CM • 25CM • 27CM

Our wide range of Curved Magnum configurations gives artists options for everything from small, controlled shading areas to large-scale color and black & grey work.

5CM – 9CM

Small & Controlled

Great for:

  • Smaller tattoo areas
  • Tight spaces
  • Detail shading
  • Small gradients
  • Controlled color application
  • Smaller black & grey pieces

These sizes provide the smooth characteristics of a Curved Magnum while maintaining greater control in compact areas.

11CM – 15CM

Versatile / Medium Coverage

Great for:

  • General shading
  • Black & grey
  • Color blending
  • Smooth gradients
  • Medium-sized tattoos
  • Color packing

These are versatile sizes for artists who want a balance between control and surface-area coverage.

17CM – 19CM

Large Coverage

Great for:

  • Larger shading areas
  • Background work
  • Color saturation
  • Large black & grey pieces
  • Smooth transitions over wider areas

The wider grouping allows artists to work efficiently while maintaining the softer edge associated with a Curved Magnum.

23CM – 27CM

Extra-Large Coverage

Designed for:

  • Large-scale tattoos
  • Broad backgrounds
  • Large color sections
  • Back pieces
  • Large black & grey compositions
  • Efficient shading and saturation across wider areas

These are the largest Curved Magnum configurations in the Por Vida LA collection.


#10 Gauge — 0.30 mm

All Por Vida LA Curved Magnums use a #10 needle gauge, equivalent to a 0.30 mm individual needle diameter.

We selected 0.30 mm because it provides a versatile balance of pigment delivery, control, and smooth coverage.

Why We Chose #10 / 0.30 mm

The 0.30 mm diameter is well suited for Curved Magnum configurations because it provides:

  • Consistent pigment delivery
  • Smooth shading
  • Controlled color packing
  • Reliable saturation
  • Versatility for black & grey and color work
  • A balance between coverage and precision

Keeping the needle gauge consistent across the Curved Magnum collection also makes choosing a cartridge simpler.

Artists can select their preferred grouping size and taper while maintaining the familiar characteristics of a 0.30 mm needle diameter.


Two Taper Options

Por Vida LA Curved Magnums are available with two taper options:

3.5 mm Medium Taper
5.5 mm Long Taper

Offering both allows artists to choose a cartridge based on their preferred technique and the type of result they want to achieve.

3.5 mm Medium Taper

Our 3.5 mm Medium Taper is designed for artists who prioritize pigment delivery, saturation, and efficient coverage.

It is especially well suited for:

  • Color packing
  • Solid saturation
  • Filling larger areas
  • Stronger pigment delivery
  • Bold shading
  • Traditional-style color work

Best For:

Coverage + Saturation

The Medium Taper pairs the smooth curved edge of the Magnum grouping with a taper suited for efficient pigment application.


5.5 mm Long Taper

Our 5.5 mm Long Taper gradually narrows toward the point, creating a more refined contact area.

It is especially useful for:

  • Smooth black & grey shading
  • Soft gradients
  • Blending
  • Controlled transitions
  • Layered shading
  • Artists who prefer a more refined feel

Best For:

Control + Smooth Transitions

The Long Taper complements the Curved Magnum configuration particularly well when creating gradual transitions and softer shading.


Medium vs. Long Taper

Taper

Primary Strength

Great For

3.5 mm Medium

Pigment delivery & saturation

Color packing, filling, solid coverage

5.5 mm Long

Control & softer transitions

Black & grey, gradients, blending

Neither taper is universally better.

Artists who prioritize solid saturation and efficient color packing may prefer the 3.5 mm Medium Taper, while artists focused on smooth gradients and controlled shading may prefer the 5.5 mm Long Taper.

Having both options allows each artist to choose what works best with their technique, machine settings, and desired result.


Curved Magnum vs. Straight Magnum

Both configurations use two staggered rows of needles, but the shape of their working edge is different.

Straight Magnum

The needles form a straight working edge.

This makes Straight Magnums an excellent choice for:

  • Strong color packing
  • Defined coverage
  • Solid saturation
  • Filling larger areas
  • Direct pigment application

Curved Magnum

The outer needles gradually recede, creating a rounded or curved working edge.

This makes Curved Magnums particularly useful for:

  • Smooth shading
  • Black & grey
  • Soft gradients
  • Blending
  • Feathering
  • Gradual transitions
  • Working around the natural contours of the body

The rounded edge can also help artists avoid pronounced track or edge marks during shading when the cartridge is used correctly.

Quick Comparison

Straight Magnum

Curved Magnum

Edge

Straight

Rounded / Curved

Coverage

Direct & defined

Smooth & gradual

Color Packing

Excellent

Excellent

Black & Grey

Great

Excellent

Gradients

Great

Excellent

Soft Blending

Good

Excellent

Both configurations are valuable—the best choice depends on the artist’s technique and desired effect.


Designed for an Easier Workflow

Signature Red Cartridge Housing
A recognizable Por Vida LA design across our cartridge collection.

Color-Coded Membrane System
Different membrane colors help artists quickly distinguish Curved Magnums, Straight Magnums, Round Shaders, and Round Liners.

Pre-Cut Easy-Open Packaging
Individual packaging is designed to be easier to grab and open during setup.

11 Curved Magnum Sizes
Choose from 5CM through 27CM depending on the amount of coverage needed.

Consistent #10 / 0.30 mm Gauge
A versatile diameter selected for a balance of control, pigment delivery, and coverage.

Two Taper Options
Choose between a 3.5 mm Medium Taper and 5.5 mm Long Taper based on your preferred tattooing technique.


Quick Curved Magnum Guide

Size

Coverage

Common Applications

5CM

Small

Detailed shading & tight areas

7CM

Small

Small gradients & color work

9CM

Small–Medium

General shading

11CM

Medium

Black & grey & color

13CM

Medium

General-purpose Magnum work

15CM

Medium–Large

Broader shading & blending

17CM

Large

Larger shading areas

19CM

Large

Backgrounds & color work

23CM

Extra Large

Large-scale shading

25CM

Extra Large

Broad coverage

27CM

Maximum

Large-scale coverage

Cartridge Specifications

Configuration: Curved Magnum / Soft Edge Magnum
Available Sizes: 5CM, 7CM, 9CM, 11CM, 13CM, 15CM, 17CM, 19CM, 23CM, 25CM, 27CM
Needle Gauge: #10 / 0.30 mm
Taper Options: 3.5 mm Medium / 5.5 mm Long
Housing: Signature Por Vida LA Red
Membrane: Color-coded for easy configuration identification
Packaging: Individually packaged with pre-cut easy-open design

Por Vida LA

Smooth coverage. Controlled transitions. Built for the way artists work.

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