Calling all Backpackers! Get a tattoo memento before you leave!

Backpacking is one of life’s great privileges. It’s an experience that not only stays with you, but changes who you are and your outlook on life.

And New Zealand is hands-down the best country in the world to backpack in. The friendly people, fascinating culture, and stunning natural landscapes all make it the perfect destination for any traveller.

If you’re here exploring our beautiful country, you’ll want a souvenir of your time here, and what other way is more perfect than a Maori tattoo?

Bring a piece of New Zealand back home to show off to your friends and family, and have a piece of Aotearoa stay with you forever.

Sunset Studio specialise in Maori Tattoos

If you’re interested in getting a Maori tattoo before you leave us, then you should come see Tristan at Sunset Tattoo.

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 came to Tom and asked about bringing his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to tattooing.

He is now tattooing full time with Sunset, and specializes in Ta Moko, Blackwork, pattern work, geometric and dot-work tattoo styles.

Safe, friendly and professional

Tom McMillan opened Sunset Studio with his wife, well known New Zealand artist, Misery, and despite only being a few years old, Sunset Tattoo is one of the most respected tattoo studios in Auckland.

We pride ourselves on our dedication to our strict health and hygiene practices, using only the best materials and equipment. In fact, our desire to only use the best led us to create our own tattoo supply company, Tattoo Station. 

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

Beware of dodgy tattoo ink!

You know what’s surprising? The tattoo industry in New Zealand is NOT regulated.

Of course, there are rules about health and hygiene, but as for specifics about tattoos – who can tattoo, where you can tattoo, what you can tattoo with… the government doesn’t give a shit!

That is why it is so important to go to a respected, reputable tattoo studio if you’re getting a tattoo.

Tattoo Ink In New Zealand

Of course, if the industry isn’t regulated, that means that tattoo ink isn’t regulated either.

One third of Kiwis under the age of 30 have a tattoo, and with one of the highest rates of tattooing in the world, you’d expect laws about tattooing, but there aren’t any.

There are guidelines set out, but these aren’t legally binding in any way, and following them is completely voluntary.

Kiwi tattooists are expecting New Zealand laws to change soon when it comes to ink, as the European Chemicals Agency just published a list of potentially toxic chemicals used in some tattoos.

Australian laws

Our Australian cousins across the Ditch are more on the ball when it comes to regulation.

Tattoo artists in Australia are required to have a licence before tattooing a person, with breaches resulting in jail time.

This is something New Zealand may copy soon, with terrible “homers” causing infections and blood poisoning.

This is bad for the industry as a whole, with professional studios and artists like us, being lumped in with a bunch of aresholes doing tattoos in their garage for their mates.

We only use the best tattoo ink at Sunset

Here at Sunset, we are proud to be an official distributor of the world-famous Eternal Ink.

Made from organic pigments, deionized 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.

Eternal Ink are very picky about who they let sell their high-quality products. We are the only distributors in Auckland given this privilege and we take it seriously.

Contact us today if you’d like to order some of the finest tattoo ink at the cheapest prices, or head on over to our sister site, Tattoo Station and take a look at the other tattoo supplies we offer.

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.