Getting your first tattoo? Then read this

If you have been thinking about getting your first tattoo, then we can help.

Sunset Tattoo is a professional tattoo studio in Auckland. As one of the most respected studios in the city, we pride ourselves on giving good advice, especially to people who are considering their first tattoo.

Before you go under the needle, consider the following:

Tattoos are permanent

Yes, ok, we all know that, but understanding that is something completely different. If you’re 18 and want a tattoo of your partner’s name, we would really advise you to think about it. Because let’s be honest here, statistically, you’re not going to be together in a few years. Think about what you’re doing, and truly ask yourself if you’ll be happy with this same tattoo a decade from now.

Do your research

If you’re unsure about what type tattoo you want, research it. Talk to people, and read tattoo websites and forums. Your first tattoo is a big deal, so don’t get one just for the sake of getting one.

Once you’ve decided on a design, do your research on tattoo studios. Find somewhere that is clean and reputable (like us!), with a large portfolio of work (like us!), with a friendly and supportive environment (like us!).

Aftercare is essential

The process doesn’t stop once you leave the studio. Proper aftercare is a vital part of getting your first tattoo. Without it, you could run into some serious health issues. We offer a range of creams and advice for you in the weeks following your first tattoo.

We take our profession very seriously, least of all our Health & Safety responsibilities. Getting inked in our tattoo studio in Auckland is a safe experience. We practice the highest level of hygiene and meticulously adhere to the Auckland council Health & Safety guidelines.

So if you're interested in getting your first tattoo with us, give us a call or pop into the studio for a chat.

What not to do in a tattoo studio

Tattoo artists have a great job. Unlike most people, they do what they love for a living.

But that doesn’t mean it’s an easy job.

There are things that make tattoo artists want to pull their hair out (or yours), either because they are so mind-numbingly stupid, or incredibly offensive.

If you do go for a tattoo, please don’t do any of the following…

Scoff at the price

Tattoo artists are just that – artists. And art costs money. No artist wants to sell their work for less than it’s worth, so pay up! And remember, when it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for.

You’ll probably be charged at an hourly rate, so the cost is dependent on the size and detail of your tattoo. If you feel the tattoo is too much, then go away and save some more. The attitude of “I know a guy who’ll do it for half that price” is one which will you will absolutely regret in the long run.

Turn up drunk

We won’t tattoo you if you’re pissed. Simple as.

If you need a wee bit of Dutch Courage to get inked, then you shouldn’t be getting a tattoo in the first place. Drunk people are a pain in the ass and not fun to work with. On top of that, it’s dangerous to get a tattoo with alcohol in your system. It thins the blood, making healing more difficult, so stay off the booze.

Not turn up at all

Not turning up to your appointment is a big no-no. We offer a free consultation here at Sunset, but there’s a reason we take a deposit once you make a booking. When we book a time for you, that means we’re not taking any other customers, so if you don’t turn up, that’s money we could have been earning. Instead we’re twiddling our thumbs, wondering if you’ve chickened out, forgotten, or been hit by a bus. It’s usually chickened out though.

If you need to cancel or move your appointment and give us more than 48 hours notice we will keep the deposit as shop credit for you.

Are tattoos suitable for vegans?

Did you know that 1-in-10 people in New Zealand is either a vegetarian or vegan? That figure has jumped significantly in the previous decade, and it looks like it’s only going to increase.

With a substantial part of the public against animal products, how does this affect the tattoo industry? With many tattoo products made from animal products, or at the very least tested on animals, there is a danger that the industry is missing out on a significant demographic.

What contains animal products?

Tattoo Ink is the biggest offender, with many containing glycerine from animal fat, gelatine from hooves, or shellac from beetles.

But it’s not just ink. Many supplies contain animal products, such as latex gloves, aftercare creams, and stencil paper.

In fact, if you’re being really strict about it – which most vegans are – then pretty much everything in a tattoo studio can be attached to animals in some way. Even aluminium foil isn’t vegan because it contains vark, which is made from silver metal beaten between sheets of ox guts.

Eternal Ink – Suitable for Vegans

Here at Sunset Tattoo we use the world-famous Eternal Ink.

Eternal Ink is not tested on animals and free of animal by-products, so there’s no guilty conscious tagging along with every purchase.

Made from organic pigments, deionized water and hamamelis water, this bright coloured ink is supplied in a medical grade sealed bottle, ensuring its longevity before and after opening, the ink pigments are regularly evaluated for testing and comply with all health and safety regulations.

The brand trusted by tattoo artists around the world, Eternal Ink lead the way in tattoo ink by setting strict standards in product consistency, quality ingredients, and outstanding performance. They take great satisfaction in knowing that artists believe and trust in their product.

If you would like a guilt-free tattoo, then come see us at Sunset!

Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good

We all love a bargain, and finding a gem in an op-shop now and again is fantastic. New Zealand isn’t exactly the cheapest place to live, and for anyone making minimum wage, the less we pay, the better off we are.

But tattoos are different.

Never make price the deciding factor

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.

The cost of something isn’t the same as the price

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 you might end up like this bell-end.

The latest tattoo ink colours from Sunset

Sunset tattoo are now in the tattoo ink supply business! And what a range we have for you tattoo artists out there!

We are proud to be an official distributor of the world-famous Eternal Ink.

Made from organic pigments, de-ionized water and hamamelis water, this bright coloured ink is free of animal by-products and even suitable for vegans.

They arrive sealed in a medical grade bottle, ensuring hygiene, and the ink pigments are regularly tested and comply with all health and safety regulations.

Eternal Ink is not tested on animals, so there’s no guilty conscious tagging along with every purchase. Check out our sister site Tattoo Station for all your tattoo supply needs, including the incredible Eternal Ink.

Amazing colour sets

The amazing Liz Cook created this palette of colours. The set features a vibrant collection of rich violets and some eye-catching greens.

Chucks Seasonal Spectrum Series features an assortment of colours found throughout the seasons. You'll love the colourful range of warm and cool hues. 

Detroit put a nation on wheels and rolled us through a lifetime of memories. The Motor City Ink Set is a flashback to Detroit speed. Here are 12 hues inspired by vintage sheet metal fantasies, high gloss paint and all the reckless joys of a fine ride.

Designed by tattoo artist Halo, the Eternal Ink Halo Fifth Dimension ink set collects 12 opaque hues of intense light Use the hues straight from the bottle as complementary or as high-value tints to quickly provide additional pop and impact to your art!

The Eternal Ink portrait series has been designed to give depth and contrast to portrait work. With warm and cool tones, this set blends a perfect assortment of colours for portrait and pin-up work.

Myke Chambers' art is instantly recognizable with rich, saturated hues and strong symbolic images inked in his unmistakable style. Presented here are 12 of Chambers' favorite hues mixed perfectly to Eternal inks high standards.