Cheyenne is the Berlin-based tattoo machine, cartridge and pigment creator known worldwide for its industry-changing innovations and reliable German manufacturing!

They’ve been a solid inspiration for many of the tattoo supplies brands we’ve worked with over the years, and even today the rest of the industry looks to them for inspiration.

We spoke to Marc Nelius, product manager at Cheyenne, about how the company has revolutionised the tattoo industry with everything from the first Cheyenne products, through creation of the universal safety cartridge, and right up to the feature-packed SOL Nova Unlimited II!

When was Cheyenne first set up, and what was the first ever product?

Cheyenne designed its first tattoo system in 2005 - the machine was named CONDOR. It operated with the needle cartridge system which Cheyenne invented, and which today has become the industry standard. The CONDOR was great in engineering and workmanship. But there were many improvements yet to be made.

It took a team of the best artists and engineers working together to release the Hawk Spirit. We can proudly claim that the Cheyenne Hawk Spirit – in combination with that new needle cartridge system – changed the landscape of tattooing equipment forever, and set a new benchmark for all competitors.

How did you, as a company, persuade tattoo artists to switch to rotary machines?

I honestly have to admit that I wasn’t part of that, and I cannot tell if it was persuasion or convincing people to try out something completely different. It must have been exhausting and tough in the beginning!

My colleagues tell me that there was a general scepticism from artists about using rotaries. But once they tried, we got them hooked!

Today there is no need to persuade artists to work with rotary machines. Many younger artists have never even used a coil machine, though they maybe should, to appreciate the ease and luxury nowadays and gain some respect for everyone who paved the way in the past - before Cheyenne, and the overwhelming offer of rotary machines available now.

Besides that, modern rotary machines have tremendous advantages regarding ergonomics, weight and vibration compared to coil machines.

The start of Cheyenne in the early to mid-2000s was surely quite challenging. A German brand, coming up with a completely different approach to tattoo equipment was not instantly welcomed at all. But there were people at Cheyenne who believed in what they did and the consistency of what they believed in led to what is now tattoo history!

Why do you think that Cheyenne’s background in medical technology is so important?

The importance of the medical background can easily be seen for example in the invention of the safety membrane in our cartridges. Those membranes were already patented in 2004, and from the beginning played an important part of the whole concept of our products.

Not only did Cheyenne invent the easily exchangeable cartridges system in general, but the invention of the safety membrane was also hygienically groundbreaking to avoid cross contamination.

Can you tell us a bit about the Cheyenne Unlimited II and how it improves upon the original Unlimited?

At Cheyenne we have a history of being the inventor of new concepts. For example, Cheyenne released the first self-sufficiently powered tattoo pen machine about 10 years ago.

Then the SOL Nova Unlimited was the first ever wireless tattoo machine with an exchangeable regular and affordable Panasonic battery, and the simple gesture control to adjust the frequency was revolutionary.

We kept those features in the SOL Nova Unlimited II and in addition it now has a display and can be run in four different modes.

The Steady mode still provides that strong constant hard hit especially for linework and most effective colour packing. Three different softer Responsive Modes feel like three different soft springs in a coil machine - that way artists can adjust the softness of the hit for less skin trauma and effective layering at the same time.

How long did it take the team to perfect the Unlimited II?

Developing a tattoo machine is a bit like developing your style as an artist - the moment you believe you’ve achieved perfection is unfortunately the moment you stop progressing! So, we will hopefully never be at that point and will always try to get better.

Always close to perfection, but never fully satisfied.

What made you decide to incorporate a screen into the Unlimited II?

The decision to incorporate a screen simply came from user feedback.

We try to improve and develop our equipment according to the needs and wishes of artists. Though the SOL Nova Unlimited is loved by many because of its simple one button system, there are also many artists who like to see the exact frequency.

That’s why the SOL Nova Unlimited II can display the frequency in Hertz and Volts now!

Why are rechargeable, replaceable batteries the hottest trend in tattoo machines right now?

If rechargeable, replaceable batteries are the hottest trend than this is another little sign for the innovative character of Cheyenne Professional Tattoo Equipment!

Why use an expensive individual battery installed into a control unit if there is an affordable solution you can rebuy basically everywhere? This was our approach, and we will continue with that.

How was the original Cheyenne safety membrane developed?

The first idea in the earliest days of a tattoo cartridge was a spring for back snapping of the needle, and a separate membrane to prevent any liquids entering the grips and the machine due to hygienical reason. Luckily, some smart person at Cheyenne soon discovered the solution by combining those two into the Cheyenne Safety membrane. And that’s the standard even now!

How have Cheyenne cartridges progressed since then?

The body part of the cartridge which is locked into the grip has stayed exactly the same over all the years. It’s been the standard for basically all existing cartridges from other manufacturers till today.

That’s the actual reason why you can use almost all brands in all grips no matter which brand. The Cheyenne Safety Cartridges were simply the blueprint.

The needles themselves, the shapes and sizes of the tips, and many more details were and are constantly improved. The range of different configurations increased significantly, and the invention of the Capillary tips was another milestone for the improved performance of our cartridges.

In 2025 we’ll have some more good news for you!

How do you incorporate feedback from tattoo artists into your products?

Many adaptations in our products and the products themselves are the result of artist feedback. We have ideas, and at the same time we ask and listen to the artists. We want to know their problems, their challenges and wishes. We try to solve existing problems rather than creating them.

Can you tell us a bit about the team working at Cheyenne?

The team at Cheyenne is very diverse. We develop and produce in our own factories, we distribute from our warehouse, we attend tattoo conventions, we have a fantastic team of sponsored artists and much more, so for all those different parts of Cheyenne we have specialists with a passion for tattoos and the company.

How do you choose your Pro Team artists?

Passion for tattoos, passion for Cheyenne equipment, and teamwork are again the keywords. We understand ourselves as a sort of family - without the annoying uncle, but with the common goal to achieve the easiest and best results in tattoos for the customer. Having the feedback of some the best artists worldwide with truly honest and open words helps us so much in taking the next steps!

What happens at the annual Cheyenne Factory Day, and who can get involved?

We started the idea of the Cheyenne Factory Day in 2018 as we wanted to show who we are and what we do. We are a developing manufacturer, maybe one of just a few. Surely the only one in Europe, and certainly an innovator worldwide. Everything started in Berlin and still today we are mainly located in Berlin. Everything we create is still a Cheyenne product done by employees of Cheyenne.

The Factory Day is our chance to open the doors and to say thank you to our partners and customers in a relaxed atmosphere. Since 2018 we’ve held it every year, except 2020 due to the pandemic situation. Everyone who is interested in attending should keep an eye on our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter. We try to vary it a bit every year, so let´s see what will happen in 2025.

Which tattoo artists are doing amazing work right now, and what do you think makes a great tattoo artist?

The number of tattoo artists doing amazing work is quite endless and it would be ridiculous to pick just a few names. There is so much talent, there are so many styles and so many possibilities due to the increased quality of equipment and creativity!

There is surely more than one aspect to this, but a great tattoo artist for me is one who creates a solid long-lasting tattoo, because that´s what a tattoo should be: permanent.

What do you think will be the next big trend in tattooing?

The artists and the customers will define that. Our job is to deliver the suitable equipment and if you look at the progress within the last decade, it would be fair to assume that the sky is the limit!

As a young teenager, even before being into tattoos I was into skateboarding, and I still remember that the most honourable Titus held his opening speech for the Münster Monster Mastership in 1990 by saying that he believed skateboarding was somehow at its peak trick-wise. Just a few years later the level of tricks was unbelievably different, and today it´s hard to not to see them as basically Marvel superheroes. So, I won´t dare to try and predict the future!

How many tattoos do you have, and is there a favourite?

I do not know how many…I got my first tattoo in 1993 when I turned 18, and there are not many spots left unfortunately. I like all my tattoos and just recently I got my neck done by Julian Siebert, so this may currently be my favourite.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I was lucky to be able to turn my interest in tattoos into my job.

Outside of work I still love to cruise on my skateboard occasionally, and I collect boards, mainly with old school graphics from Santa Cruz and other brands from the late 80s. Hitting golf balls is also fun!

Will we see the Cheyenne team at any conventions in 2025?

You will definitely see us at conventions in 2025! We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our booth at Tattoo Planetarium in Paris and Gods of Ink in Frankfurt just to name a few at beginning of the year.

Just come by and say hi!

What new innovations can we expect to see from Cheyenne next?

I can´t say much in detail, but there will be more interesting things coming up…

What’s next for Cheyenne, and for Marc?

We are constantly working on improving our existing portfolio and developing new equipment, so this will continue. I just recently took over the job as Product Manager so I am certain 2025 will be very exciting for me and I am looking forward to it!

Huge thanks to Marc for this fascinating insight into a legendary company!

You can pick up a Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited II for yourself now from the Killer Ink shop, get your Cheyenne-style universal cartridges, and check out the brand’s Instagram for product updates and news about the annual Open Day!

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