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Safety and Hygiene is paramount here at Sunset
Hygiene is paramount when getting a tattoo, and we here at Sunset Tattoo take our responsibility very seriously. When selecting an Auckland tattoo studio you should make sure that they follow the strict Health & Safety guidelines of the Auckland Council.
Sunset Tattoo is the Auckland tattoo studio you can trust. Coming to us for a tattoo is not only an enjoyable and stress-free experience, but a safe one. We practice the highest level of hygiene and meticulously adhere to the Auckland council Health & Safety guidelines. Our studio itself is spotless, never mind our needles!
How do we make our Auckland tattoo studio safe and sterile?
We always keep our tattoo accessories in the most sterile condition. Before we start working on your tattoo, our tattoo artist will disinfect and shave the area where you want your tattoo. We do this with disposable razors that we only use once. We will also show you the sealed tattoo needle and open the pouch in front of you. After we’re finished with your tattoo, we’ll throw the needle out. Each needles is only used once, and you can see this for yourself, putting your mind at rest.
It is likely that your skin will bleed a little when getting a tattoo. That’s why all our tattoo artists are wearing gloves throughout the entire tattooing process. It’s safer for you and for them. You could walk into a hospital and not notice the difference. That’s how clean and hygienic our Auckland tattoo studio is!
For a safe, and friendly tattoo experience, visit our Auckland tattoo studio today, or contact us via phone: +64 (9) 376-3423 or drop us an email on: info@sunsettattoo.co.nz
Why you should never copy someone else's tattoo
Ok, we get it. If you've never had a tattoo before, it's very easy to see one you like, and want a copy of that. But it's not a good idea, and here's why:
It means something to someone else
Maybe the best reason not to copy someone else’s tattoo design is simply this; it’s not yours.
We don’t mean you didn’t create it, so you can’t use it (more on that later), we mean it’s nothing to do with you, and everything to do with someone else.
If someone has that design on their skin, it’s probably going to mean something to them on a personal level. It may have been specially designed to remind them of a person or a memory, so you taking it not only degrades that memory, but doesn’t fit with you and your life.
Find a design that suits you, that’s personal to you, and this way it’s yours.
It's insulting to the artist
It’s one thing to sit down with an artist and design a tattoo, or even bring one in you’ve designed yourself. It’s quite another to bring a design in another artist has created and demand that.
It’s insulting to the tattoo artist. It’s like bringing a packed lunch into a restaurant and wondering why the chef is pissed at you.
Any tattoo artist worth their salt can create a design for you, so asking them to copy someone else’s is a big faux pas.
It's literally stealing
This is more a moral issue, although sometimes it can be a legal one.
Stealing someone else’s design is no different than stealing their novel. It’s their creativity in a physical, material form, and it should be respected.
Copying their work is not only morally wrong, but disrespectful to the original artist. And it may also get you into legal trouble.
Stay clear of all these problems by simply designing your own tattoo or using your artists previous designs.
If you would like an original tattoo, then come see us here at Sunset.
The Sunset family make the papers!
Check out this lovely wee piece in Stuff about Sunset’s founding mother Misery, AKA Tanja Jade Thompson.
Misery
Misery is one of New Zealand’s most beloved and respected pop artists, doing her country proud by exhibiting all over the world in places such as Berlin, Taiwan, Paris, Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Her Chinese Tahitian grandmother fostered Misery’s artistic talent inspiring her intense passion for Pacific and Asian art during their time together and on trips to Tahiti, which is still evident in her work today.
As a teen, Tanja went to Metropolitan College which enhanced her penchant for art. It was there her unique and distinct characters evolved, heavily influenced by obscure Japanese cartoons, cults and Gods, and all things magical.
Misery’s creative reach is extensive, ranging from highly crafted paintings and wall art to animation, fashion and toys and more recently children’s decor brand Misery Guts. She also sculpts, having completed two commissioned bronzes in Auckland’s Art District of Karangahape Road in 2016.
The Sunset family
The article in Stuff shows around Tom and Misery’s home, introducing the kids too; Charlie, Ramona, and Billie.
“This is kind of the house my husband grew up in,” Misery says in the article. “His mum bought the villa next door, and he moved in there with his mum and two sisters when he was a little kid.
“Tom’s mum got together with Johnny, who owns the house we live in now. Johnny had two sons, and they kind of joined the families together. At one stage, this house was joined to the house next door with a tunnel.
“As everybody grew up and moved out of home, Johnny, who was an architect, built a beautiful home out the back. So we kind of live in a commune.
“When Tom and I got together, we moved in here and had flatmates. That was about five or six years ago. All the flatmates have moved out, and children have moved in.
“Our house is probably the most rundown, lived-in house on the street. It's quite obvious we're artists - there's always stuff everywhere. It's a classic old villa that's been transformed a little bit to make it more of a flat.”
Join us this weekend at the New Zealand tattoo festival
This weekend sees the return of the largest tattoo event in Australasia, and the team from Sunset will be there!
The New Zealand Tattoo & Art Festival will be held at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth on the 25th/26th of November, with some of the best artists in the world in attendance.
Now in its seventh year, the festival sees over 250 artists and models attending, making it the biggest this side of the world.
With tattoo artists such as Ryan Ashley Malarkey, Tommy Helm, and Dan Smith coming over from the USA, the festival has garnered a reputation worldwide, and is only set to get bigger every year.
Entertainment highlights will include Head Like A Hole live on Saturday the 25th, 3 shows a day from FMX superstar Levi Sherwood, BMX, live performances from U.K fire dancer Cervena Fox & aerialist Venus Starr.
Come say hello!
It’s still not too late to buy your tickets for this weekend, and by buying through Ticketek now, you can save money rather than paying at the gate.
An adult 2-day pass is only $45, 10 bucks cheaper than paying on the day, and an adult day pass is $30, compared to 35 on the day. Kids 14 and under are free.
Tattoo appointments can be made by contacting the artists direct - once announced, make sure you include the following in your email, size of the tattoo, placement on body, any reference pics you have & your budget, lots artists will also be doing walk up tattoos all weekend long.
Give us a call today with any questions you have about the weekend, or how you can book in one of our outstanding artists.
We’ll see you there!!
The Sunset Tattoo Artists
From humble beginnings just a few years ago, Sunset has grown into one of Auckland’s most thriving and respected tattoo studios.
Tom McMillan opened Sunset with his wife, well known NZ artist, Misery only 3 short years ago, and now Sunset has taken on more artists on a permanent basis, along with special guests popping in from time to time.
Tom McMillan
Tom Tom opened Sunset Tattoo in 2014 working around the world as well as in some of New Zealand's best tattoo studios. He has been tattooing for over 10 years and focuses on specializing in his own unique take on western traditional and Japanese tattoo styles. Tom switches easily between large-scale full body tattoos to palm size one-shot tattoos, and is always on the look out for new, original design challenges.
Tristan Marler
Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, from the Hokianga in the far North. He is trained in Whakairo Rakau (traditional wood carving). He has been blending his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to the art of Tattooing. Tristan specializes in Ta Moko, Blackwork, pattern work, geometric and dot-work tattoo styles.
Thomas Clark
Thomas has been a full time Ta Moko artist for the past 12 years. Thomas is a well-respected Māori artist whose formal training and applied practice allows him to cross several artistic disciplines – Tā Moko (Traditional Markings on Skin), Kirituhi (Applied Skin Design), Rauangi (Abstract Painting), Whakairo Uku (Clay Sculpture).
Mash Primrose
Mash specialises in bold western traditional tattooing with his own unique take. His tattoos are perfect for anyone looking to get a traditional tattoo with a modern stylish twist.
Capilli Tupou
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.
Magali Corpas
Magali Corpas is the newest member to the Sunset tattoo family. She specialises in contemporary blackwork and delicately lined tattoos. See more of Magali's work here: @magalicorpastattooer
