Ask your mentor to lay out each type of tattoo needle. Label each needle as your mentor explains the name of the type of needle and the purpose. Study the name and grouping of each needle.
Participate in a needle-making session with your mentor. Name the needle as you are putting the pieces together. Even though the shop may order pre-made needles, making your own is an important learning exercise. Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you may order pre-made needles.
Watch your mentor and other tattoo artists choose needles for each tattoo. Compare the needle size with the detail and size of the tattoo. Draw tattoo designs in varying sizes, color and detail. Determine a tattoo needle size for each design. Allow your mentor to explain which needle choices are correct and help with the incorrect choices in this exercise.
Sterilize needles that are pre-made or delivered to the shop. Place the needle into a sterile pouch. Label the pouch with the type of needle and the date. Repeating this process daily will ensure that you are learning the correct names and numbers that identify the tattoo needles, while performing a task that all tattoo artists learn and execute in the shop.