Only 4 weeks until the Great Auckland Flash Party of 2018!

It’s that time of year again when some of the best tattoo artists in country descend on Auckland for a weekend of tattoo madness!

The Great Auckland Flash Party is now in its third year in the Auckland Tattooing scene, and it’s all happening right here at Sunset Studio a month from now.

Doors open 11am on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of April, get down early because there are no bookings!

It’s first come first served, and we have hundreds of line drawings to choose from, so the first people here get a bargain with our special, one-time only, Flash Party prices!

Each artist will put a variety of fresh new line drawings up in the shop, with lower than usual pricing, ranging from around $100-$300.

 Some of these artists are booked months ahead or live in different cities, so it’s a great opportunity to get an affordable, one-off tattoo from one of your favourite artists.

Which artists are tattooing?

We have some of the very best tattoo artists in the country ready and willing to give you a design you’ll love for ever.

The team from Sunset will be there of course, including TomTom, Capilli Tupou, Tristan, Magali, and Mash Primrose.

Daniel Octoriver from Goodluck Tattoo in Melbourne will be crossing the Tasmin for the Party, as will Adrian Hing, Sashimi roll, and Moses Mezoghlain.

Other artists from around New Zealand will be heading to Auckland, including Sam Carter from Gypsy Kidds in Napier, Steve Wood and Graeme Allan from Sacred Tattoo and our good friend Jacob Cross.

For two days only we have hundreds of designs at special flash day prices!

Don’t forget to check out our Instagram for daily posts of our guest artists work! @sunset_tattoo_nz

Anchored Tattoo Stencil solution by Nikki Hurtado

The artists here at Sunset have decades of combined experience, and as a result, we only use the best for our tattoo supplies.

That’s why, after a lot of research and testing, we have landed on Anchored Stencil Solution, by world-renowned artist Nikko Hurtado.

Every artist will tell you that a good tattoos begin with a good stencil, and we now stock the very best.

Nikko Hurtado

Born in California in 1981 to Hispanic heritage, Nikko Hurtado grew up in the high desert drawing cartoons and characters for fun.

He went to the Art Centre of Pasadena for a few years in his teens, but it wasn’t until his early 20s when Nikko’s career changed. After calling in to see a friend in his tattoo studio, he was offered an apprenticeship.

He started tattooing the next day, and now his Instagram has 1.5 million followers, celebrities like The Rock adorn his work, and he is one of the most successful and famous tattoo artists in the world.

Trial and Error achieves results

After years of development, testing, trial and error, Nikko Hurtado has perfected a tattoo stencil solution.

With his own unique formula, the respected tattoo artist has created an effective solution, producing crisp, clear lines which last for hours.

Guaranteed to be loved by tattoo artists around the world, this special tattoo stencil solution provides an even truer representation of the original drawing.

The long-lasting formula will stay crisp for hours, allowing you to work from start to finish without having to worry about fading or missing parts of the design.

Come see us at Sunset for your tattoo supplies

Sunset Tattoo have also been in the game a long time, and we’ve discovered what works and what doesn’t.

That’s why we started our own Tattoo Supply store, Tattoo Station with all the equipment and essentials that we use ourselves for our work.

We sell everything from our own special range of Botan Needles, through to the world famous Eternal Ink, and now we’re delighted to add Anchored Tattoo Stencil solution to the list.

Contact us today if you have any questions about our range.

Sunset Tattoo Studio also sell tattoo supplies

Did you know Sunset Tattoo also have a sister site? Tattoo Station are New Zealand’s top supplier of high-quality tattoo supplies, and all at a discounted rate.

Kiwi artists who have been in the industry for long enough, know the difference between high-quality tattoo supplies and the cheaper, mass produced knock-offs. A good artist will also know the difference higher quality equipment and supplies make to a finished tattoo. That’s why artists in New Zealand know to come to Sunset for their tattoo supplies.

Tattoo Station artist supplies

We have worked in the tattoo industry a long time, and with so many years collective experience, we know what makes for decent equipment and supplies.

But we also know we’re paying over the odds for tattoo supplies here in New Zealand.

That’s why we decided to cut out the middle-man and bring our own tattoo supplies to the country.

Tattoo Station was born just over a year ago, and is already one of New Zealand’s premier tattoo supply stores.

High quality and a reasonable price

By cutting out the middleman, we are able to bring the best equipment and supplies from around the world right here to Aotearoa and sell at incredibly low prices.

From the world-famous Eternal Ink, to local, hand-made tattoo machines, we only use the best here at Sunset, and that’s why we only sell the best.

Tattoo Station is a site run by artists for other artists.

We’re not a warehouse in China selling crap, and we’re not a brand in America selling a name.

Avoid international shipping, along with the huge mark-ups in price and tax. Stay local, support Kiwi business, and get the best products for the best prices.

Check out Tattoo Station today for what we offer, and if you’ve any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Get your first Maori tattoo with Sunset!

If you’re here visiting our beautiful country, you’ll want a memento of your time in New Zealand, and what other way is more perfect than a Maori tattoo?

Tristan is the man to see!

Tristan is our resident tattoo artist who specialises in Maori tattoos and Pacifica designs.

Being Maori himself, Tristan understands the meaning, complexity and history behind genuine Maori tattoos.

From Hokianga in the Northland, Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, and graduated in 2014 from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute.

With his diploma in traditional wood carving (Whakairo Rakau), Tristan specializes in Ta Moko, Blackwork, pattern work, geometric and dot-work tattoo styles.

Ta Moko tattoos

It’s impossible to know when Tā Moko first started as there are no written records before the Europeans arrived. Instead, historians have had to rely on archaeologists and the accounts of the first European settlers.

Excavated sites have found tattooing tools dating back to the very earliest settlers, using the technique of rhythmically tapping a bone chisel, lashed to a small wooden shaft into the skin.

Some of the earliest accounts of tattooing in New Zealand were by Captain James Cook’s artist on board the Endeavour, Sydney Parkinson. Parkinson sketched and painted local Maori displaying their Moko, and described in detail the different styles and patterns he witnessed.

Come talk to us about a Maori tattoo

If you’re backpacking or holidaying here in New Zealand and would like a beautiful reminder of your time here, call in and see us for the perfect souvenir - a beautiful, unique Maori tattoo.

Despite only being a few years old, Sunset Tattoo is one of the most respected tattoo studios in Auckland, priding ourselves on our dedication to our strict health and hygiene practices.

Our desire to only use the very best materials and equipment led us to create our own tattoo supply company, Tattoo Station.  

Come talk to us today if you’re interested in a stunning Maori Tattoo.

Dragon Tattoos – Symbolism and History

There are two constants in the Universe; nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, and dragon tattoos are fucking awesome.

One of the great things about dragon tattoos is how versatile they can be. Whether it’s the traditional Asian style or more like the dragons of European folklore, the end result always looks spectacular.

History of Dragon tattoos

The weird thing about Dragons is, they appear in almost every culture, and experts believe these myths evolved independently from each other.

Some say real-life animals such as crocodiles and komodo lizards inspired the myths, but that doesn’t explain why they are found in cultures which don’t have those animals.

Another theory is whale or dinosaur bones being discovered, and the creative human brain just filled in the gaps, imagining giant reptiles.

Symbolism of Dragons

Dragons symbolise many different things across varying cultures. In China for example, dragons were seen as the embodiment of Ying and Yang, the perfect mix of good and evil. They represent power, strength, and good luck, with the dragon used as the symbol of the emperor.

 In Japan, Dragons symbolise water deities, and are associated with rainfall and bodies of water (like our Taniwha). They are usually long, thin, snake like, and without wings.

Compare that to the European style of dragon, which is typically a force of evil in the world. Many myths have people defeating dragons in combat, rescuing the maiden and proving their worth, like Hercules or St George.

Dragon Tattoos

Getting a dragon tattoo is not something you should take lightly. There are so many different versions, symbols, styles and meanings behind a dragon tattoo, so it pays to do your research beforehand.

Because of the different types of dragons, they can be placed anywhere on the body, as big or as small as you like.

From cute little cartoon dragons on your ankle, through to full body designs, dragon tattoos are as varied and as popular as any other type of tattoo.

If you’re interested in getting a dragon tattoo but don’t know where to start, come talk to us at Sunset and we’ll help.