How to Tell a Shader Needle Apart From a Liner

Point the needle tips toward you and notice how they are grouped. Needles are grouped or soldered together in a pattern. Both shading and lining needles will be grouped in a circular pattern with three, five or seven needles.

Assess whether or not the needles are in a straight line; if so, this is a type of shading needle.

Note how close together the tips of the needles are to the center. If the needles' points are almost touching, this is a liner needle. There will be virtually no space between the points so that it gives a deep coloring by injecting ink close together.

Note how far apart the needle points are. If the points are spread out and not close to touching, this will be a shading needle. It will produce a lighter coloring because ink is injected farther apart from each needle point.