FAQ

We charge by piece, not by hour, on most work — quoted up front in the consult. For multi-session pieces we lock an hourly day-rate so you can plan the rest. Cash and EFTPOS welcome. No surprise fees.

• How much does a tattoo cost at Easy Tiger?

  Walk-in flash starts at $150 NZD for small pieces and goes up from there based on size, placement, and complexity. Custom pieces are quoted in consult — typical range is $250–$1,500 for a single-session custom, day-rates are $1,200–$1,800 NZD for full-day sittings. We always quote up front, never on the chair. The price reflects the artist's experience, the design time before you sit, the consumables, and the sit time itself.

• Is there a minimum tattoo price?

  Yes — $150 NZD covers the studio setup, fresh needles, ink, prep time, and a small piece up to about 3cm. Below that it costs us more to set the room than the tattoo costs you. We're happy to do tiny pieces — we just need the minimum to cover the chair.

• What payment methods do you take?

  Cash, EFTPOS, and major credit/debit cards. We don't take cheque, crypto, or 'send it later'. The deposit you pay at booking comes off the final price on the day; the rest is settled at the end of your appointment.

• Do you do payment plans or interest-free options?

  Not directly — but for multi-session pieces you only pay for the session you're sitting that day, so the cost spreads naturally. We'll never lock you into a contract.

• Do you charge for consultations?

  No. Walk into the shop for a chat, or DM us with references — initial design discussion is on the house. If the design takes serious custom drawing time (multi-page reference work, mash-ups, multiple sketch rounds), the deposit at booking covers that time.

• Do you charge for touch-ups?

  First touch-up within 12 months is free, on us, provided you followed the aftercare reasonably. After 12 months, or if the heal went off the rails because of how it was looked after, a small touch-up fee applies — quoted in the room. Touch-ups on hands, fingers, and feet are excluded because they always need them.

We book in person, on Instagram, or by text — whatever's easiest for you. A deposit holds the chair and a sketch direction; without one the date doesn't lock.

• How do I book a tattoo at Easy Tiger?

  Easiest path: DM us on Instagram (@easytigertattoo_nz) or text +64 22 511 6969 with references, rough size, placement, and an artist preference. We come back within a week with an artist match, sketch direction, and a deposit link. The deposit locks the date.

• How much is the deposit?

  $150 NZD for sittings up to a half-day, $300 NZD for full-day sittings, $500 NZD for multi-session work. The deposit comes off your final price — it's not an extra charge, it's a hold. We take it because we draw the design before you sit and we lose chair time if you no-show.

• Are deposits refundable?

  Deposits are non-refundable, but they're transferable to a new date if you give us at least 48 hours' notice. Reschedule once, twice — we get it, life happens. After two reschedules we'll ask for a fresh deposit because the design time stacks up.

• How far ahead should I book?

  For custom work — 2 to 6 weeks ahead depending on the artist's books. Joey, Scout, and Evander usually have a 3–4 week wait; Brad books a few weeks out for fineline. For flash off the wall, often same-week or same-day.

• What should I send when I message you?

  Three things make it fast: (1) reference images — even loose ones, just to anchor the vibe; (2) rough size and placement on the body; (3) artist preference or 'anyone on the bench'. Bonus points for telling us your availability — daytime, evenings, weekends.

Walk-ins are welcome when an artist has the chair — never guaranteed, but often available, especially mid-week early afternoons.

• Do you take walk-ins?

  Yes — when there's a gap on the day. Best days for walk-ins are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday afternoons. Weekends fill up early. Pop your head in or DM us 'walk-in today?' for a real-time answer.

• What's flash and how does it work?

  Flash is pre-drawn designs the artists have ready to go. You pick one off the wall (or from an artist's page on this site, where each artist shows their available flash), tell us who you want to put it down, and we lock the date. Each flash piece gets put down once — when it's gone, it's gone. We don't repeat flash.

• Can I see the flash wall before I come in?

  Yes — each artist's profile page on this site shows their available flash sheets in the Recent Work / Flash tray. We restock most weeks. If you spot something and want it, message us with a screenshot and the artist's name to claim.

• Can I bring my own design?

  Yes — bring references, sketches, photos of pieces you like, anything. We don't copy other artists' work (it's tattoo-etiquette and copyright), but we'll happily riff a design in the spirit of what you're showing us. If it's something a friend drew, bring them along to consult.

Eat before. Hydrate. Wear something that gives easy access to the placement and that you don't mind getting a little ink on.

• What should I do the day of my appointment?

  Eat a proper meal an hour or two before — blood sugar matters for the sit. Hydrate the day before and the morning of. Don't drink alcohol the night before (it thins the blood). Wear loose, comfortable clothes that expose the placement easily — no skinny jeans for a thigh tattoo. Bring a snack, headphones, a phone charger, and something to occupy you for long sits.

• Can I bring a friend?

  One support person is fine — we have a couch in the front. Larger groups make it hard for the artist to focus and crowd the room, so please keep it to one. Friends are welcome to swing by mid-sit for moral support.

• How long does a tattoo take?

  Small flash pieces sit in 30 minutes to 2 hours. Most single-session custom pieces are 2–5 hours. Full-day sittings are 6–8 hours including a meal break. Multi-session sleeves and back-pieces span 4–10+ sessions depending on size and detail.

• Does it hurt?

  Yes — but it's a manageable kind. Ribs, sternum, inner upper arm, ankle, and hands hurt more; outer arm, calf, thigh, and back hurt less. Numbing creams change the skin's behaviour and we usually don't recommend them. Most clients tell us it's never as bad as they were expecting — the anticipation is worse than the sit.

• Can I bring a numbing cream or take painkillers?

  Numbing creams: we'd rather you didn't — they make the skin rubbery and harder to tattoo cleanly. If you're sitting a known-painful spot for the first time and want one, talk to your artist a week before; some are workable. Painkillers: paracetamol is fine; ibuprofen and aspirin thin the blood, skip them in the 24 hours before.

• What's the minimum age for a tattoo in New Zealand?

  We tattoo from 18 and up — full stop, with photo ID at the appointment (passport, driver's licence, 18+ card, or HANZ). We don't tattoo under-18s with parental consent. It's not a legal minimum in NZ but it's our house rule and it doesn't bend.

• Can I get a tattoo if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

  We don't tattoo pregnant clients. For breastfeeding clients, we'll usually proceed if you're past the first three months postpartum and feel well — talk to your artist beforehand. If you're not sure, ask your GP. We'd rather wait than risk it.

• Can I get a tattoo if I'm sick, hungover, or on medication?

  Sick — no, postpone. Hungover — borderline; if you're queasy or dehydrated, reschedule. Most medications are fine; blood thinners (warfarin, dabigatran), accutane within 6 months, and active chemotherapy are conversations to have with your artist and your GP before booking. Tell us anything relevant when you book — we won't share it, we just need to plan for it.

• Can I get a tattoo if I have a tan or sunburn?

  Sunburn: no. We can't tattoo damaged skin. A tan is fine — we just match the colours to the tone of skin you've got that day. Avoid fresh sun the week before your appointment if you can.

• How does custom work happen at Easy Tiger?

  Step 1: you send references + a brief. Step 2: we match you to the artist whose style fits and they reply with a direction (e.g. 'I'd draw this as a panel piece with a banner — sound right?'). Step 3: deposit secures the date. Step 4: the artist draws the design in the week before your appointment — usually one round of revisions before we put a stencil on you. Step 5: the chair.

• Can I see the design before the day?

  Sometimes — depends on the artist. Most of our crew share a rough sketch a day or two before, with one revision round built in. The final-final design we draw on the morning of, then sketch onto your skin so we can adjust placement live. We don't send finished designs by email weeks in advance — it usually creates more anxiety than it solves.

• Can you cover up an old tattoo?

  Often, yes. Cover-ups need to be 1.5–2x the size of the original and usually go darker. Best is to send a photo of the existing piece + references of what you're picturing, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a cover-up, a rework, or a laser-then-tattoo. Sometimes laser-first gives a way better result.

• Do you do white-ink, UV, or scarification tattoos?

  No. White ink rarely heals the way the Instagram photos sell it; UV ink hasn't been studied long enough for us to feel confident about it; scarification's a different craft. We stick to what we know works.

• Where is Easy Tiger Tattoo?

  4 Beresford Square, Auckland CBD — right outside the new Karangahape CRL station entrance, next door to Northern Line Bar. Two minutes' walk from anywhere on K Road.

• What are your hours?

  Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm until late. Mondays are bookings only — DM ahead to lock the chair. Fridays and Saturdays run later (until about 11:30pm) for evening appointments and walk-ins.

• Is there parking?

  Beresford Square has on-street parking (2-hour limits during the day). For longer sittings, the Wilson Parking at 245 K Road and the City Council carpark at 30 Cross Street are both a 3-minute walk. The Karangahape CRL station entrance is on the same block, so train is the easiest option.

• Is the shop accessible?

  Ground floor, no stairs to enter, wide doorway. The toilet is accessible. If you need anything specific — accommodation for a wheelchair, scent-free room, a quieter time of day — DM us before booking and we'll make it work.