The composite battery-integrated tattooing machine totally avoids a clip cord and the drag associated with it. The new machine comprises a base frame for removably holding a needle bar housing assembly, a tattoo needle assembly removably mounted to reciprocate within the needle bar housing, a reciprocating motion generator having at least one electromagnet and a make and break mechanism for effecting reciprocating motion of the tattoo needle assembly, a battery, a rheostat, and a switch for actuation of the reciprocating motion of the tattoo needle assembly. An important switch arrangement is radio operated; other switches are hand operated. Special subassemblies are provided for conversion of known professional tattooing machines into the new type having battery power integrated with the tattooing machine. Experts can now tattoo without the annoying drag of a clip cord.