Why a cheap tattoo can turn out to be the most expensive

Ok, we get it. Everyone loves a bargain. And there’s certainly nothing like finding a gem in an op-shop now and again. Living in a consumerist society, we’re trained to find the cheapest price for things, and the less we pay, the better off we are.

But tattoos are different.

Never choose a tattoo on price

If you’re seriously considering a tattoo, then put the price out of your mind. If price is your main concern, then you’re not serious about it.

Figure out what kind of tattoo you want first, where it’s going to go and how big you want it. Then find a respectable, experienced tattoo artist.

Talk with them about your ideas, and what you want as a finished product. Think about what you want ten years from now.

Now ask about the price.

If it’s outside of your budget, either explain that to the artist and figure something else out, or simply wait until you’ve saved up enough.

Sometimes the cost is more than financial

If you make the mistake of going cheap, then you may regret it for the rest of your life.

Let’s just say you’ve gone to see a tattoo artist, explained what you wanted, and they have quoted you something that’s a couple hundred more bucks than you were expecting. The smart thing to do is to save up and come back another day.

The dumb thing to do is go to someone who’ll do it cheaper.

People who tend to do tattoos ‘cheaper’ are usually not only less skilled than professional tattoo artists, but a lot more dangerous.

There will always be someone who’s bought a tattoo gun off Trade Me and thinks they know what they’re doing. Without the proper training in Health &Safety, or their premises meeting hygiene standards, a tattoo from someone like this is just asking for trouble.

Even forgetting about the risk of disease such as Hepatitis from previously used needles, there’s a very real threat of your tattoo becoming infected.

Not to mention the fact it’ll probably look completely shit.

Remember, good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good.

Sunset welcomes Capilli Tupou and Ten Tigers Tattoo!

Sunset Tattoo is stoked to announce that the world famous Capilli Tupou will be working with us from now on.

Capilli has been working in New Zealand and all over the world for the past decade and will be running his own brand new studio from inside the Sunset Tattoo building!

Ten Tigers Tattoo

Welcome Ten Tigers Tattoo! Over the next year Capilli will be hosting plenty of amazing international guests, right here in Cross Street. Ten Tigers guarantees a clean environment, friendly atmosphere and quality workmanship. 

Capilli Tupou is an artist specialising in old school traditional style tattooing. As a New Zealander of Maori (Te Rarawa) and American Samoan heritage, Capilli brings his own unique Polynesian slant to the style.

Seeking a career change where he could use his creative abilities, Capilli began tattooing in 2008 and found himself a place with Two Hands Tattoo.

In 2011, Capilli took up an opportunity to join Sacred Tattoo , before returning to Two Hands Tattoo in late 2015.

A renowned and respected tattoo artist

Capilli’s work has been admired both within New Zealand and abroad, allowing him to work at some of the best studios around the world.

It is our genuine pleasure to welcome him to Sunset, and we look forward to seeing some of his amazing work in the coming months.

If you would like to make a booking with Capilli, you can contact him by clicking here. Or if you’d like to make a booking here at Sunset, you can contact us by clicking here.

We are happy to help with any questions you might have. If you are after a custom tattoo, please send us a description of what you are looking to get done, and we can pair you with the right artist. From there we can book you in for a free consultation. 

If you already have an existing image that you would like to get tattooed, just send it through to us and we should be able to quote it for you.

Sunset Tattoo are heading to Tauranga this month!

The New Zealand International tattoo expo will be held in Tauranga on the 18th and 19th of February this year, and Sunset Tattoo will of course be attending.

Fabian, Mash and TomTom will be heading down to the Bay of Plenty to show off their skills and catch some sunshine.

NZ International Tattoo & Art Expo

The New Zealand International Tattoo & Art Expo is a lively and interesting experience.

Now in its seventh year, the expo continues to outdo itself. This year featuring an even more impressive line-up of artists and performers at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga.

Top of the must-see list for many will be our Ink Masters travelling all the way from the USA. We have Kamil, Tatu Baby & Jime, and over 150 tattoo artists from all around the world, including the very best New Zealand tattoo talent, will also be present over the weekend.

Other attractions not to be missed this year include: Tiki Tane, plus the ever popular Miss Tattoo NZ, NZ vs Australia 4 man HMB (Historical Medieval Battles), a fashion show, and aerial silk contortionists.

We have a selection of store to browse in our Market Place and a some of your best local NZ chefs with a series of food trucks.

Don’t miss out on this must-see event for anyone interested in having a good time, surrounded by the unique and quirky! Be sure to book your tickets now to secure a space for your friends and family today.

Sunset Artists at the Expo

Fabian, Mash and Tom will be there, each specialising in their own styles.

Originally from Chile, Fabian is experienced in western traditional tattoos. Mash also specialises in western traditional, but adds his own unique twist. Tom, the founder of Sunset, is skilled in Japanese style tattoos.

All our artists have years of experience, and are open to discussing anything you would like designed. Contact the studio now to make your booking.

Tattoo Myths Busted (Part two)

Following on from last week’s article about tattoo myths, here’s part two. How many of these do you believe?

Myth: You can’t donate blood after getting a tattoo

You can absolutely donate blood after getting a tattoo, but there is of course a waiting period. It differs from country to country, but here in New Zealand, you can give blood six months after getting a tattoo. We recommend donating- you can save someone’s life, and maybe someday someone will save yours.

Myth: Anyone who can draw can tattoo

This one always gets us. Remember that one kid in class who was amazing at drawing, but pretty dumb at everything else? He could draw Eddie from Iron Maiden and it looked AWESOME, so one day his friend decides he wants a tattoo. “I’ll do it for free!” Bad idea. Just because someone can draw, doesn’t mean they can tattoo. Without the proper training, equipment, health & safety knowledge or technical ability, all you’re going to end up with is a mess that will need to be covered up by a professional anyway. Don’t even think about it.

Myth: Black ink tattoos will turn blue over time

While this may have been true 50 years ago, the advancements in tattooing ink have made sure it doesn’t happen today. That old, faded blue tattoo your uncle has isn’t a true representation of tattoos in the modern world. With the latest tattoo supplies, your new ink will look awesome for years to come!

Myth: You should take a painkiller before getting a tattoo

This sounds like a good idea, but it’s not. A lot of painkillers have anticoagulant properties, which will thin your blood and make it difficult to clot. This in turn means you’ll bleed more, and that brings its own problems, such as a higher risk of infection. Popping a couple of aspirin before going to get your tattoo may seem like the sensible thing to do, but please don’t.

Tattoo Myths Busted (Part one)

For those who would never dream of getting one, a tattoo can seem like something dangerous, rebellious or even crazy. Of course, if these people would simply sit and talk with anyone who has a tattoo, they would soon realise they are just normal, everyday people.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about tattoos. Some of these myths go back hundreds of years, but others appear along with new technology or cultural watersheds. In this article, we bust a few of the most common tattoo myths.

Myth: Only gang members have tattoos

Oh please, do we even have to debunk this one? Especially here in New Zealand? We have perhaps the most tattoos per capita in the world, and obviously not everyone is a gang member! And yes, it’s true gang members are notorious for their tattoos, but that doesn’t mean everyone with a tattoo is in a gang. That’s like saying both Hitler and Stalin had moustaches, so everyone with a moustache is an evil dictator!

Myth: Tattoos only hurt if you’re a wimp

Ask any 'tough guy' if his tattoos hurt, and you’ll probably get a “Of course not!” in response. Maybe even a “I fell asleep during mine!”. Here’s the thing- pain is subjective. What hurts one person may not hurt another. People have different sensitivity, especially when it comes to skin. And of course, WHERE you get a tattoo is also a huge factor in how painful it will be. It’s true some people feel nothing, but it’s also true others scream the studio down. You just don’t know which one you’ll be until you go!

Myth: Getting a tattoo can be a health risk

Ok, let’s be clear here; anything can be dangerous if not done correctly. Tattoos are no exception, but as for the myth that you’re risking catching Hepatitis or HIV, well the statistics don’t agree. Licensed tattoo studios must undergo strict health and safety checks by the council, and for this reason, there has NEVER been a single documented case of HIV transmission from a tattoo in New Zealand.

So how many of these myths about tattoos did you believe? Check back next week for part two of our bullshit-o-meter!