Mastering your first kit requires understanding three pillars: how far your needle sticks out, the electrical power driving it, and the angle of your hand.
Needle hang is the distance the needle protrudes from the tube tip. Total depth is how deep it actually goes into the skin. For beginners, the goal is the Dermis (the second layer of skin). Too shallow and the ink fades; too deep and it "blows out," looking like a blurry bruise.
A common laymens trick: hang your needle about the thickness of a dime (approx 1.0mm - 1.5mm) for standard lining.
Usually between 2mm and 3mm. You don't bury the whole hang into the skin; you only use the tip.
Voltage is the speed of the machine's motor. Think of it like a bicycle: high voltage is pedaling fast for steep hills (lines), while lower voltage is a casual stroll (soft shading). Beginners often start too high; it is better to work slow and steady.
The angle of your machine determines how ink is deposited. A vertical angle (90 degrees) pushes ink straight down, which is perfect for solid lines. A slanted angle (45-60 degrees) allows for "brushing" the skin, which is ideal for smooth gradients and shadows.
The "Sweet Spot" is the harmony between how fast your hand moves and the voltage. If your hand moves faster than your voltage, your lines will look like dashed dots. If your voltage is higher than your hand speed, you risk chewing up the skin.