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.

Tips on getting your first tattoo

People get tattoos for different reasons, but no matter what your motives, it always pays to do your research beforehand. There’s a few things you need to be aware of before getting your first tattoo…

Avoid alcohol

Having a wee drink before you get your first tattoo may seem like a good idea, just to give you that little bit of Dutch courage, but don’t be tempted. Alcohol is an anticoagulant, which means it thins the blood. This thinning makes you bleed more during the tattooing, making it more difficult for the ink to settle properly. This can skew your new design, and make the recovery process take longer. Alcohol of course also impairs your judgment, so getting drunk before going into a tattoo parlour is never a good idea for obvious reasons.

Aftercare is crucial

Getting a tattoo isn’t like getting an injection; it’s not over once you leave the room. The next few days are extremely important for the healing process. You may have seen people with cling wrap around a new tattoo, but this isn’t a good idea. Your skin needs oxygen to breathe and heal itself, and wrapping it in plastic turns it into a bacterial playground, which can lead to infection. Clean and moisturise the tattoo the week after getting it, and you should be fine.

Know what you’re getting

Many people have foreign words or symbols tattooed on their bodies, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Chinese, Japanese or Arabic characters can look amazing, but make sure you know what they translate as. No matter how good they look, if you’re new ink means “Roundabout ahead” then you’re going to look like a bit of a dick in any language.

Come see us at Sunset Tattoo and we’ll make your first tattoo something special that you’ll never regret. 

Looking for a tattoo studio you can trust?

If you want something stylish that suits your personality, then Sunset is the right Auckland tattoo studio for you!

Tattoos are a great way to express your individuality. We understand this and we realise how important tattoos can be to people, especially if it’s your first one. Here at Sunset Studios, we are passionate about skin art and we love to work closely with our clients. If you come to our Auckland tattoo studio, you’ll get exactly what you want.

Those who have already taken the plunge know: once a tattoo is under your skin, there’s no turning back! You don’t want to end up with a tattoo that you might regret. So before we start our work, we make sure you are 100% satisfied with the design. You can trust us – our advice is honest and professional. This might be a big moment for you, or it could just be another day. Either way, we want you to feel as relaxed as possible, so you can really enjoy the experience. Our Auckland tattoo studio is comfortable, quiet and friendly.

And of course, we also meticulously follow all health and safety regulations. Our tattoo studio is spotlessly clean; pop in and you’ll see for yourself! If you have an idea for a tattoo, bring it in and let us work from that. Alternatively, if you have absolutely no idea what you want, but know you want something, we can create a design for you from scratch. Whatever works for you! We suggest you have a look at our online gallery before you drop in.  

So if you’re looking for a professional and hygienic tattoo studio in Auckland, call us today, or drop by for a chat in person. Our friendly, helpful and professional staff will be happy to answer all your questions.