A flow limiter is an adjustable screw or collar on the back of some airbrushes that limits how far back the trigger can travel, capping maximum paint output. It’s useful for fine detail work where you want to prevent accidental over-pull of the trigger.
By setting the flow limiter, you can work quickly without the risk of suddenly dumping too much paint. It’s particularly useful when doing repetitive tasks — painting dots, lines, or patterns — where consistent paint volume matters.
Not all airbrushes have a flow limiter. It’s more common on mid-range and professional models. Some artists rarely use it; others swear by it for controlled detail work.
How to set it: Load paint, set your desired maximum flow by pulling the trigger back to your preferred position, then tighten the limiter screw against the trigger mechanism at that point.
Related: Dual-Action · Trigger Control · Needle