Round Liner vs Round Shader: differences, uses and how to choose

The Round Liner is a configuration in which the points are soldered in a circle, in a compact group. In the needle code it is written RL, preceded by gauge and number of points: 1003RL means 0.30 mm points, three of them, Round Liner configuration. The tight group leaves little space between the points and gives a focused mark, which is why it is the configuration most associated with outlines.

The Round Shader uses the same circular layout, but with the points spaced further apart. In the code it is written RS (for example 1007RS). The extra space changes how the group sits on the skin and it is the configuration traditionally linked to shading. How open the group is depends on the manufacturer: there is no standard distance.

Both are circular configurations: what separates them is the distance between the points, not the number. A round liner and a round shader with the same gauge and the same number of points therefore share two of the four elements of the code and differ in configuration. The comparison below is meant to read that difference, not to decide which one is better: it depends on the work and on the hand.

The round liner is the usual choice for lines and outlines; the round shader for shading and light fills. These are typical uses, not rules: many artists line with a round shader or shade with a round liner, choosing the number of points and the gauge for the result they want. Wide fills are usually done with other configurations, such as the Magnum.

The gauge of each point and the number of points matter as much as the configuration. With the same configuration, thinner points give a finer mark; more points cover a wider area. In a round liner the number of points mostly changes the thickness of the line, in a round shader the width of the area covered. The taper further changes the shape of the tip. To read all these elements together, use the needle code decoder.