The Global Tattoo Trend Index

To better understand the appeal of tattoos around the world, YEAY has created the Global Tattoo Trend Index. The list is a result of data gathered from hundreds of tattoo studios across the world, including some of the industry’s most prestigious parlours. 

To better understand the background of the research and reflect the general opinion on the topic of tattoos, YEAY partnered with Appinio to ask 5,000 people the following six questions:

1. Do you have a tattoo?

2. Would you get a tattoo (again)?

3. Do you regret your tattoo?

4. Do you consider tattoos mainstream?

5. How did you find your tattoo artist?

6. Have you had a tattoo removed, or are you considering it?

The results are quite interesting as you can see below:

Other interesting trends from the ‘Tattoo Index’ include:

•The city with the most parlours per capita was Miami Beach, USA with 28.48 per 100,000 citizens.

•The city with the cheapest tattoo parlours was Colombo, Sri Lanka at an average cost of $22.00 per hour.

•The city with the most expensive tattoos was San Francisco, at an average cost of $280.00 per hour.

•Denpasar, Indonesia is the city where tattoos were most likely to be purchased by visitors with a 99% likelihood.

•Tahiti, French Polynesia and Auckland, New Zealand were found to be the cities where tattoos are most likely to be gifted at 60%.

•Gifted tattoos are most likely to be given by parents in Delhi, India (60%); ‘other’ family members in Milan, Italy (50%); from friends in Reykjavik, Iceland (90%) and from a partner in Madrid, Spain and Córdoba, Argentina (99%).

As part of the Tattoo Index, YEAY ran the survey comprising 5,000 participants on the general topic ‘tattoo’. The results revealed that while only a small minority of respondents (13.6%) have a tattoo, the majority (66.3%) consider tattoos to be mainstream.

The findings also revealed the breakdown of the ways in which people with tattoos found their tattoo artist: through a recommendation (54.2%), visiting parlours (23.2%), online (13.6%), and other (8.9%).

Don't skimp when it comes to getting a tattoo

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 skimp when it comes to tattoos

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.

Cheap tattoos look cheap.

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.

Backpackers! Come get your memento tattoo to bring home!

Backpackers know the score. Word spreads around hostels and the backpacking routes about where to go and what to do, and word of mouth is spreading about Sunset Tattoo.

More and more of our international guests are coming to see us about a tattoo, wanting a memento of their travels, and it’s all thanks to our outstanding reputation.

New Zealand is the greatest country in the world

There aren’t many better countries in the world to travel around than New Zealand. With our stunning landscapes, friendly citizens, and unique culture, Aotearoa is one of the safest and greatest places to backpack.

Many people want to remember their time here with a permanent souvenir, a tattoo to bring home and show off to friends and family.

Tribal tattoos are all the rage in Europe, but how many people back home can say theirs is an original, Maori design, created by a native Kiwi?

Only people who come to us and see Tristan can!

Tristan can give you a Maori 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.

Why call Sunset?

We take Health and Hygiene very seriously here at Sunset Tattoo, and our outstanding record is testament to our professionalism. Locals know they can trust us, and we’ve build up such a rock-solid reputation in Auckland that now word is spreading to the backpacking community.

The word around hostels, message boards, and along the camping trails is that Sunset Tattoo in Auckland is the place to go for a tattoo souvenir of New Zealand. Professional, clean, and experienced, you can’t go wrong with one of our designs!

Email us or pop into the studio for a chat!

Koi Fish tattoos – meaning and symbolism Part 2

Welcome back to our second part of the meaning and symbolism behind one of the tattoo industry’s most popular designs, the koi fish.

Symbolism in koi designs

The koi represents many things, but mostly determination, perseverance, and strength, all harking back to their legend of swimming to the top of a waterfall and turning into a dragon.

This myth also incorporates the ideals of overcoming obstacles and reaching a goal, as well as completing a transformation in life.

Dragons of course are extremely powerful, and koi can represent someone who believes they are on a journey to becoming successful.

Koi and their colours

Koi were originally carp, but much like how dogs came from wolves, humans have bred them into their own species.

Along the way, certain fish were bred for their colours, resulting a beautiful rainbow of options. Each colour of koi represents a different meaning.

The black koi is associated with overcoming darker obstacles, such as drug addiction, depression, or an abusive relationship. The black koi is favoured by those who have come through a lot in life, and have finally made it out the other end.

Red, as in most cultures, represents love. Variants of red can represent female family members, such as orange for a mother and pink for a sister.

Red is also of course a symbol for power and bravery, with associations with blood. It is also said that if a koi is caught, it will await the cut of the knife without a quiver with the bravery of a Samurai warrior facing the sword in battle. This clearly portrays the cultural beliefs in the strength and courage of the koi.

The blue koi is often very masculine and can be associated with reproduction. Blue and white koi are symbols of the son of a family. As with anything blue, it also represents peace, tranquillity, and calmness.

Tattoos often use a combination of yellow and orange to represent a gold-coloured koi. These gold-coloured fish symbolize fortune and wealth. The Japanese term for them is yamabuki.

Come see us for a beautiful koi tattoo

If you would like a stunning koi tattoo, come and talk to us here at Sunset. Tomtom has extensive experience with Japanese art, and some of his work is simply stunning.

Contact us today for more information, or if you’re in Auckland, why not pop in and say hello. Are friendly staff will be happy to have a chat with you.

Koi Fish tattoos – meaning and symbolism Part 1

Wildly popular in the tattoo industry are koi fish, especially when it comes to Japanese themed designs.

If you’re thinking about getting a koi tattoo then read this first to understand their meaning and history. The design, colour, shape and direction of the fish can change its meaning.

Koi fish in Chinese and Japanese culture

Koi have a long history in first Chinese and then Japanese culture, with the former introducing the fish to the later.

Koi fish feature in the work of Japanese tattoo art because of a long-standing legend of how the fish become dragons. Most of the meaning and symbolism behind the fish stems from this ancient myth.

According to legend, there were once thousands of koi swimming up the Yellow River in China, only to be halted by a waterfall. Most of the koi turned back, but some continued to make it to the top of the waterfall, struggling for a century.

Finally, a single koi successfully leaped to the top of the waterfall, and to reward his dedication, the gods turned it into a beautiful golden dragon.

To this day, the waterfall is known as "Dragon's Gate".

The direction of Koi in a tattoo

This one is open to interpretation depending on who you ask, but remember, a tattoo is all about you, and what’s you derive from its meaning.

For some, koi swimming upstream symbolise someone who is currently struggling against the current, but refuses to give up – just like the koi in the legend.

Swimming downstream however can mean that you’ve already overcome serious challenges, and now you are no long fighting the current.

Check in next week for part two, when we talk about the colours and symbolism of koi in tattoos.