Common Questions
Stuff people ask before booking. If the answer to yours isn't here, send a quick message and I'll reply directly.
Booking
- How Do I Book a Tattoo With You?
- DM @pokestaytattoo on Instagram or email pokestaytattoo@gmail.com with a few sentences on what you have in mind, a rough size, the placement, and reference images if you have them. I'll reply with availability and a quote.
- How Far Ahead Should I Book?
- Small to medium pieces are usually a few weeks out. Larger custom work or sleeves can be a month or two depending on the queue. Reach out early if you have a specific date in mind (birthday, anniversary, trip to Wellington).
- Do You Do Walk-ins?
- Most of my work is booked ahead. I do open up occasional walk-in or short-notice slots, so keep an eye on @pokestaytattoo on Instagram for last-minute availability.
- Do You Do Free Consultations?
- For larger or more involved pieces, yes. I'd rather sit down and talk through the idea than guess from a DM thread. For smaller bookings the conversation usually happens in chat.
- Is There a Deposit?
- Yes. A small non-refundable deposit secures your booking date and comes off the final price on the day. The deposit covers the design and consult time before the session.
- Can I Bring a Reference Image of Someone Else's Tattoo?
- Bring it as a conversation starter, not a copy request. I'll reinterpret rather than recreate another artist's piece. That gives you something that's yours, and it's how custom tattooing is meant to work.
Pricing & Time
- How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Wellington?
- Pricing depends on size, placement, and time. Smaller pieces start in the low hundreds NZD. Half-day sittings are quoted on the brief. A deposit is required to lock in a booking and comes off the final price.
- How Long Will My Tattoo Take?
- A small piece is typically one to two hours. A palm-sized custom piece runs two to three hours. Sleeves, back pieces, and large traditional panels are booked across multiple sessions. I'll give you a realistic estimate when I send the quote.
- What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
- Card, EFTPOS, or bank transfer on the day. Deposits are paid by bank transfer when you book.
- Should I Tip My Tattooer in New Zealand?
- Tipping isn't expected in NZ the way it is in the US. The quoted price is the price. If you want to leave something extra you're welcome to, but no one will be offended if you don't.
First Tattoos & What to Expect
- Will My Tattoo Hurt?
- Honestly, yes, but it's manageable. Most people describe the sensation as a hot scratch. Ribs, sternum, hands, feet, and the back of the knee are the more sensitive spots. Outer arm, outer thigh, and back are easier first placements.
- What's a Good First Tattoo?
- Something the size of a deck of cards or smaller, in a placement you can see in the mirror, in either blackwork or traditional. That gives you a piece that ages well and a sense of how your skin handles it before committing to anything bigger.
- Do I Need to Be 18 to Get a Tattoo in New Zealand?
- Yes. Under New Zealand law you must be 18 or over to get a tattoo. I'll need to see government-issued photo ID at the start of your session.
- Can I Bring a Friend or Partner With Me?
- One support person is welcome for the first part of the session. The studio is a small private space, so it's not somewhere to bring a group. Let me know in advance if someone's coming.
Styles
- What Styles Do You Tattoo?
- Blackwork, fine line and dot, saturated colour, and traditional. If you're between styles, send a brief with references. Most pieces sit somewhere on the spectrum between those four.
- Do You Do Cover-ups?
- Yes, with some constraints. Send a clear photo of the existing piece via Instagram DM along with your idea. Blackwork is the strongest cover-up language, and faded fine line is the easiest base to cover.
- Can You Tattoo Over Scars or Stretch Marks?
- Often, yes, once the scar is fully healed (usually at least a year old). Some scarred skin holds ink differently, so I'll have a look in person before quoting on a piece directly over scar tissue.
Healing & Aftercare
- How Long Does a Tattoo Take to Heal?
- The surface scab-over heals in about one to two weeks. Full settling into the skin takes four to six weeks. Avoid sun, swimming pools, and the gym for the first one to two weeks, and keep the area moisturised.
- How Should I Prepare for My Session?
- Eat a proper meal, drink water, get a normal night's sleep, skip the alcohol the night before, and wear something that gives easy access to the placement. Headphones and snacks make long sittings easier.
- Do You Offer Free Touch-ups?
- Yes, within the first six months for anything that's settled unevenly through normal healing. Touch-ups for sun damage, picking, or anything caused after healing are quoted as new work.
Visiting the Studio
- Where Is the Studio?
- Whitetail Tattoo, Level 3, 41–47 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington. Right off Cuba Street, five minutes' walk from Courtenay Place and the Wellington CBD.
- Is There Parking Nearby?
- Wilson and council parking is available along Dixon Street and around the Cuba Quarter. The studio is also a short walk from the central Wellington bus and train interchange.
- Is the Studio Licensed and Following NZ Health Standards?
- Yes. Whitetail Tattoo operates under Wellington City Council's Health (Registration of Premises) requirements, including single-use needles, hospital-grade sterilisation, and full barrier protection during sessions.