Interview with Isabella Pascarelle – Pro Team Coordinator at PEAK

PEAK is the company that brought us high-quality Triton cartridges and the super adjustable Solice Pro wireless tattoo machine, as well as innovative Dotwork Ink Drawing cartridges.

We’ve enjoyed each new release from the company, which is dedicated to making products that perform well and look fantastic!

We spoke with Pro Team Coordinator Isabella Pascarelle about the company’s most iconic products, how she selects Pro Team members, and the secret behind its brightly coloured cartridges!

What is your role at PEAK?

I am the Video Production and Pro Team Coordinator at PEAK! I work closely with tattoo artists to create informational and valuable content, to test and review products, and to keep PEAK at the forefront of the industry. I also run the PEAK Elite and Sponsorship teams.

Why are your PEAK Triton needle cartridges bright orange?

That’s a great question and one we don’t talk about a lot – most people think it’s purely a cosmetic difference, or we liked the colour (which we do), but it was actually chosen for the subtle benefits that it would provide to artists, especially those doing black and grey or a lot of fine line work.

Having to focus for a long time on a monochromatic or limited-colour palette (such as black and grey) can lead to visual fatigue or even momentary lapses in distinguishing gradients. The presence of a bright colour like orange can serve as a periodic 'reset' for the eyes, allowing the artist to better discern the nuanced gradients. The bright colour also helps to refocus the eyes and offer a cognitive reference point – since cartridges must be frequently dipped during a tattoo and artists have to look away, the bright coloured cartridge helps to provide an immediate focus point when returning to the tattoo.

Will you be adding more configurations to the range?

Absolutely! We’re consistently working with and hearing from artists to make sure that we have the right options and configurations – we’ve recently added larger magnums to the line-up along with some unique whip shading/stippling configurations – there’s always something in the works.

How does the stabilisation technology in Triton needles differ from Quartz needles?

PEAK Triton cartridge needles have a unique and patented ball-in track-style stabiliser that helps the needles travel in a precise and straight line. Although the stabilisers in both the Triton and Quartz lines of needles are great, the stabilisation technology in the Tritons are just a bit better, being closer to where most of the movement of the needles is occurring. It greatly reduces the side-to-side play, especially in your small liner configurations.

What goes into designing a new range of cartridges?

A LOT. I think artists would be surprised just how technical a line of needles can be when you’re designing it from the ground up – there’s a perception that they’re all kind of the same, but I think if people got a peek behind the curtain they’d really be blown away by the sheer amount of options that get tested and re-tested in the process, and the subtle nuances of it all.

Everything about the way the pieces fit together, the geometry of the locking components of the plastic parts of the needle cartridge, the shape of the back stem and way the membrane attaches internally can all have a big impact on how the needle glides in the cartridge. Fractions of a millimetre can change a cartridge from being smooth and consistent to wobbly and sloppy.

The membrane is another huge factor – the hardness of the material impacts everything about the performance and how the needles hit, and everything gets tested with artists over and over and over until we’re happy with the feel of the cartridge overall – and all that’s even not even touching on the needles themselves, the material, and how they’re soldered – plus the amount steps in quality control. The whole process can take well over a year or more!

How did you come up with the idea for the ballpoint pen PEAK Dotwork Ink Drawing cartridges?

This is one of those times that our artists really drove the product development – we have a lot of great clients who wanted to be able to do their work on paper or have a tool that would better help to train their apprentices before getting to the stage of practicing on fake skin, so we took that feedback along with the practice of using a ballpoint pen on a coil machine and married them into a pre-made cartridge for ease and convenience.

What’s the biggest selling point for the PEAK Solice Pro?

The biggest advantage of the Solice Pro is its adjustable stroke. With 5 stroke lengths all in one machine, it’s pretty much the answer for all the artists who are having to purchase multiple machines with different stroke lengths for different aspects of their work. Plus, being wireless, it’s really the whole package in one little machine – just grab your Solice Pro, one machine, wireless battery pack, and you’re good to go. I mean convention packing or travel is hard enough as it is, so not having to worry about remembering all your different machines, power supplies, cords, etc., is pretty nice!

Why was it important to have a range of stroke length options?

Freedom and flexibility. You’re not going to find too many artists who are going to want the same type of hit to line a traditional piece or tattoo a name that they do to do a soft black and grey portrait or a realistic rose, but most machines are only offering one stroke option. This forces you to either adapt your working style to the machine instead of the machine adapting to you, or use multiple machines in your setup. With a lot of the recent advancements with cartridges and supplies it just didn’t make sense to have multiple machines set up when one with an adjustable stroke could handle anything you want to throw at it.

How long have you worked with PEAK?

I have been working with PEAK for just under 3 years!

Do you have any tattoos, and if so, which is your favourite?

I have 4 tattoos (and plans for many more). I’d have to say my current favourite is the dagger and butterfly piece I got at the Baltimore Tattoo Convention from a very talented local artist. It was very spontaneous and an awesome experience to get to be the client instead of behind the camera!

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am a huge fan of live music, and love to spend my free time at concerts and music festivals. I have been to 10 music festivals so far, for a wide range of music from EDM to pop to heavy metal and rock, and I can’t wait to continue travelling to new events.

Which tattoo artists are doing amazing work right now?

We work with so many incredibly talented tattoo artists who are really changing the game and pushing the industry. Artists like Kasey “Gonzo” Gonzalez, Harlan Kantner, Bret Bloom, Autumn Hudson and Jesse Vickers are all on our Elite Team for a big reason, and it’s clear when you take a look at the work they’re doing! I’m always keeping an eye out for new artists, fresh styles, and people doing really unique things in tattooing.

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

Yes! We’re extremely excited to get back on the road in 2024.

What do you look for in a PEAK Pro Team member?

We work with a wide range of artists on a few different PEAK teams, but one of the biggest things we look for is passion. Artists who are passionate about the work they do, interested in both teaching and learning, in trying new things, and in helping us become a leader in the industry.

What’s next for PEAK?

I can’t give too much away, but there are a couple of really big projects that have been in the works for a couple years that will be finally coming out soon – you’ll have to catch us on the road in 2024 to find out!