Every new PMU artist hits the same wall: the machine came with a box of cartridges, the box says R1, R3, R5, F5, and nobody explained which one to reach for. This guide decodes PMU cartridge needles in plain language — what the codes mean, which configuration suits hair strokes, shading, lips and liner, and what a genuine box costs in Nepal in 2026.
Reading the code on the box
Almost every PMU cartridge code is built from three pieces of information: how many needles are in the grouping, how they are arranged, and how sharply they taper.
- The number — how many needles are soldered into the cluster. R1 is a single needle, R3 is three, R5 is five.
- R (Round) — the needles are grouped in a circle. Round liners are the workhorse of brow work.
- F (Flat) — the needles sit in a straight line. Flats cover area quickly and are used for shading and filling.
- M (Magnum) — two stacked rows, used for soft shading over larger areas.
- Diameter — often written as 0.25, 0.30 or 0.35mm, or as the first two digits of a longer code. Finer needles make finer marks and cause less trauma.
- Taper (LT / MT) — long taper or medium taper describes how gradually the needle narrows. Long taper is gentler and better for soft, buildable work; medium taper deposits more pigment per pass.
So a “30/1 RLLT” is a single 0.30mm round liner with a long taper, and a “1205F” is a five-needle flat. Once the code is readable, choosing gets much easier.
Which needle for which job
| Configuration | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| R1 (single round) | Nano brows, fine hair strokes, precise detail | Least trauma, slowest coverage. The nano artist’s default. |
| R3 (three round) | Softer strokes, light shading, lip line | A middle ground when R1 is too slow and R5 too heavy. |
| R5 (five round) | Shading, ombre brows, lip blush fill | Builds colour quickly; needs a light, controlled hand. |
| F5 (five flat) | Filling and even coverage over an area | Efficient for solid fill work. |
| Meso (9 / 12 pin) | Skin needling and MTS, not pigment work | Available on the G6 range; a different treatment entirely. |
A practical starting inventory for a brow artist is R1 for strokes, R3 for softening, and R5 for shading — then add flats once you are doing ombre and lip work regularly.
Cartridge needle prices in Nepal (2026)
We are the authorized Goochie distributor for Nepal, so these are genuine cartridges with traceable batches, not grey-market boxes.
| Product | Fits | Configurations | Price (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goochie M8 Cartridge Needles | Goochie M8 / M8-4 | R1, R3, R5, F5 | 6,900 / box of 15 |
| Goochie G6 Cartridge Needles | Goochie G6 PMU / MTS pen | R1, R3, R5, F5, 9-Meso, 12-Meso | 6,900 / box of 15 |
| Goochie A8 Cartridge Needles | Goochie A8 Rocket | R1, R3, R5, F5 | 6,900 / box of 15 |
| Goochie PRO Cartridge Needles | Universal PMU & tattoo fitting | 1201RL, 1203RL, 1205RL, 1205F (0.35mm) | 4,830 / box of 15 |
| Goochie Twilight Cartridge Needles | Compatible PMU pens | 25/1 RLLT, 30/1 RLLT, 30/1 RLMT | 3,680 / box of 15 |
| Goochie Microblades | Manual microblading pen | ZXN-Gold 18U, 14F | 5,980 – 6,440 / box |
The Twilight range is worth a mention on its own: it includes a stabiliser part that damps vibration, so the needle stays steadier through fine hair strokes and long shading passes. At NPR 3,680 for all configurations it is also the most affordable way to test whether a 0.25mm or a 0.30mm single liner suits your hand.
Machine and cartridge must match
Cartridges are not universal, whatever a marketplace listing claims. An M8 cartridge is designed for the Goochie M8 (NPR 121,900), an A8 cartridge for the A8 Rocket kit (NPR 53,360), and a G6 cartridge for the G6 kit (NPR 138,000). Forcing a mismatched cartridge produces play in the fitting, which shows up as inconsistent depth and blown-out strokes that you will blame on your technique.
Before you buy a machine, price its cartridges — the machine is bought once and the cartridges every week. Our PMU machine buying guide compares the range, and the pigment guide covers the other half of the consumables budget.
Safety rules that are not negotiable
- Single use, always. A cartridge is used on one client and disposed of in a sharps container. There is no cleaning protocol that makes a used needle safe.
- Open the packet in front of the client. They should see the seal break. This is the standard clients are learning to ask for.
- Check the sterilisation and expiry marking on each individual packet, not just the box.
- Discard a dropped or touched cartridge. No exceptions and no arguments with yourself.
- Use a membrane cartridge or a machine barrier so pigment cannot flow back into the pen.
- Buy from a traceable source. Counterfeit cartridges are the most common fake in this industry, and a burred or misaligned needle causes trauma, scarring and pigment loss.
Troubleshooting: what your needle is telling you
- Strokes blowing out into blur — usually depth or a needle too large for the skin, not the pigment. Try a finer configuration and lighten your hand before changing anything else.
- Pigment not retaining — often too shallow, or too fast a pass with a long taper. Slow down before you go deeper.
- Excess bleeding — you are too deep. Bleeding pushes pigment straight back out and is the main cause of patchy heals.
- Skipping and inconsistent lines — check the cartridge is seated correctly and that the machine’s stroke and voltage suit the configuration.
Practising these judgements on eyebrow practice skin (NPR 2,200) or 3D practice skin (NPR 4,500) costs a fraction of what it costs to learn them on a client.
Frequently asked questions
What do R1, R3 and R5 mean on a PMU needle?
The number is how many needles are in the cluster and R means they are arranged in a round grouping. R1 is a single needle for fine hair strokes and nano work, R3 is three needles for softer strokes and light shading, and R5 is five needles for shading, ombre brows and lip fill. F means the needles are in a flat row.
Which needle is best for hair strokes?
A single round liner — R1, or a 25/1 or 30/1 RL in the Twilight range. A single fine needle creates the crispest stroke with the least trauma, which is why it is the standard for nano brows.
How much do Goochie cartridge needles cost in Nepal?
M8, G6 and A8 cartridge needles are NPR 6,900 per box of 15, Goochie PRO universal cartridges are NPR 4,830 per box of 15, and Twilight cartridges are NPR 3,680 per box of 15 in all configurations. Microblades for manual work are NPR 5,980 to 6,440 per box.
Can I use any cartridge with any PMU machine?
No. Cartridges are made for specific machine fittings — M8 cartridges for the M8, A8 for the A8 Rocket, G6 for the G6 pen. A mismatched cartridge sits loose in the fitting, which causes inconsistent depth and blown-out strokes. Goochie PRO cartridges use a universal fitting compatible with standard PMU and tattoo machines.
Can PMU needles be reused after sterilising?
Never. Every cartridge is single use, disposed of in a sharps container after one client. The packet should be opened in front of the client so they can see the seal is intact.
What is the difference between long taper and medium taper?
Taper describes how gradually the needle narrows to its point. A long taper (LT) is gentler and deposits pigment more slowly, which suits soft, buildable hair strokes. A medium taper (MT) deposits more pigment per pass, which is useful for shading and denser work.
Buy genuine cartridges in Kathmandu
We stock the full Goochie cartridge range at our Sohrakhutte Chowk studio, open every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with delivery across Nepal. Browse the full product range, call +977-9708274017 or email info@artistrynp.com. If you are still learning which configuration suits your hand, our PMU courses train on this exact equipment.
