Interview with RJ Hill – General Manager at Inkjecta

Inkjecta is the Australian tattoo machine manufacturer that has taken the world by storm!

Having just released its first ever pen-style machine, the Inkjecta Flite Pen, we were eager to find out how it came about and what the company might have in store for us next.

We spoke with RJ Hill, General Manager at Inkjecta, about the company’s beginnings, the tattoo scene in Mount Barker, and how they decided to make the brand’s first pen-style machine.

Can you tell us Inkjecta’s origin story?

Inkjecta was started by Byron Drechsler and Chris Cashmore as a natural progression of their combined experience and passion for tattooing, tattoo machines, and the industry itself.

It all started from a single tattoo using an old rotary prototype machine Chris had made, and the rest is history.

How long have you worked at Inkjecta, and what do you do?

I’ve been with Inkjecta for 6 years, and I do a bit of everything! My official title is General Manager, and while that means a lot of my role is based around overseeing the larger scale and administrative side of things, I still get to jump in and build when the need arises - that’s where I started.

What is the Inkjecta team like?

The best way I could describe the team is quintessentially Australian. They know how to have a good time, and nothing is off limits when it comes to workshop banter, but they’re also hardworking and get it done when they’re put under the pump!

Are all your machines still built by hand?

Absolutely! Everything we do here is still done by hand, produced either in-house or within a 50km radius of our workshop.

Why did you decide to make the Inkjecta Flite Pen, your first pen-style rotary machine?

Ultimately it came down to demand: people love our interchangeable stroke and give systems, but wanted them in a pen format. The switch to a shorter give bar took some time to test and fine-tune, but we’re really happy with the outcome.

How does the digital needle depth adjustment work?

The Flite Pen and Flite X1 machines both have a secondary motor in them that controls the depth adjustment. They work on two slightly different systems, but ultimately function the same, allowing for easy adjustment on the fly with the press of a button.

Which wireless battery packs can the Flite Pen be used with?

The Flite Pen can be used with any RCA based battery pack. Our universal battery is ideal due to the power band that is offered through Inkjecta’s custom speed-controlled motors, and it is the only battery pack on the market that offers up to 16 volts of power.

How important is adaptability in your products?

Adaptability is the heart of Inkjecta! Having access to 5 different stroke lengths and 6 different types of give bar means that you really do have access to essentially infinite options to suit your style, perfect your feel, and adjust for technique.

We understand that some people just want something simple that they don’t have to think too hard about, which is why with the Flite Pen we have offered 3 pre-configurations for Shading, Lining and an All-rounder. But all of those machines - along with all of our other Flite machines - can still be adjusted and customised to suit your preferences.

Who designs the look of these machines, including your iconic Troopa design?

I believe the Troopa was Byron’s brainchild, and is still our most popular colourway!

The look of our machines has always been a result of function over form. The design ethos has been all about delivering unparalleled power, consistency, and adjustability, with ergonomics becoming more of a focus around the advent of the X1, and the Ergo grip that was designed in conjunction with that machine. I’m sure everyone would agree that it has resulted in some very unique designs!

Are you still working on new machines that use traditional needles, or have you switched entirely to universal cartridges?

We are currently focused on cartridge systems, but that doesn’t mean we’ll never explore that avenue again.

How do you select your sponsored artists?

Our sponsored artists are all people who have both a genuine connection with our machines, and who we believe are some of the best in their respective specialties. People use Inkjecta machines for every style under the sun, which is the result of their adaptability. We are honoured to work with the artists that we do!

How has the tattoo industry changed since you joined it?

I feel like the industry has broadened, in a few different senses. In the technological age, the barrier to access knowledge is so much lower than it has ever been, meaning that I think we are seeing artists come through now that we might not have 10 or 15 years ago. This extends to the amount and types of studios we’re seeing as well.

We have also crossed a threshold of how widely tattoos are accepted, thanks to changing perspectives and time in the spotlight in general.

What is the tattoo scene like in Mount Barker and greater South Australia?

Mount Barker is essentially a satellite of the capital of South Australia, Adelaide. As I mentioned above, we’re seeing a lot more new studios popping up, all of which are artist-run. I’ve noticed more studios starting to really zero in on a particular style of tattoo and aesthetic as well.

The quality of tattoos in general is really high these days, and Adelaide - and Australia in general - has and is producing some absolutely phenomenal artists.

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

That’s hard to say! I started getting tattooed about 17 years ago, and I am fairly heavily covered. My favourite tattoo is probably my Billy Butcher from The Boys. It was a massive single day sit and is on my outer calf from ankle to knee and was done by the legend Jayden Pengilly who co-owns Fallen Muse studio in Adelaide (with Troy Slack, another phenomenal artist who did one of my hands).

What are your interests outside of work?

I’m a massive nerd to be honest. I play a card game called Magic the Gathering with my mates, and my wife and I both play a lot of Call of Duty together!

Which artists are doing amazing work right now?

So many people, I could list our entire roster for you! But I’ve seen some insane stuff coming from Jayden Pengilly (I’m obviously biased), Jace Holden, Nick N2N, Natasha Animal Tattooer, Tom F Tattoo, and Vanius Anomaly to name a few!

What do you think will be the next big thing in the tattoo world?

Tribal? Who knows!

I think the focus for both manufacturers and artists at the moment is on perfecting what they’re already doing. We’re at an all-time pinnacle in terms of available technology and the work that artists are able to create, and I think that it’s all about small increments that will lead to long term benefits. Maybe 2024 will be the year someone discovers how to tattoo painlessly!

Will we see the Inkjecta team at any conventions in 2024?

Absolutely, I’m heading over to Milan convention in a couple of weeks, and we’ve loose plans to hit a few different spots over the coming 12 months, though we only tend to lock them in a month or two before based on what’s going on at home for Inkjecta!

What’s next for Inkjecta?

I won’t give away too much, but we’re continuing to listen to the people, and are working on our next release currently. We’re actually in the first prototype stage, so we think 2024 is going to be a big and exciting year!

Huge thanks to RJ for filling us in on the background of this brand we love!

Head to the Killer Ink shop now to find the Inkjecta Flite Pen as well as classic Inkjecta machines, and follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news!