Obtain a unique piece of artwork and explore a captivating country.

“Easy to organize and book. Tattoo looks fantastic and did some sightseeing to boot. Ticked a few things off the bucket list, well worth the travel”

— Katie C, AUSTRALIA

The trip of a lifetime:

Traveling for a tattoo in New Zealand allows you to combine two enriching experiences: obtaining unique artwork and exploring a captivating country. You can embark on thrilling adventures like bungee jumping, hiking through national parks, or indulging in world-class cuisine. The diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage of New Zealand make it an ideal destination for tattoo enthusiasts seeking more than just a tattoo—immersing themselves in a vibrant, unforgettable journey.

Location

  • Ship Shape Tattoo is located 30 mins north of Auckland CBD in beautiful rural New Zealand.

  • A 10-minute drive away from the studio is Orewa, an idyllic beach town with great restaurants and a laid-back vibe. The perfect place to stay while getting a new tattoo.

  • Renting a car is not only the best way to get to the studios in the morning but also for exploring the highlights of the Hibiscus Coast.

How I can help

  • I’m always happy to answer any questions and give hotel recommendations, local restaurant information, or ideas to entertain your traveling companion while you're getting fresh ink. Don’t hesitate to ask about any aspect of travelling over to get tattoo.

Explore New Zealand

  • Exploring New Zealand while getting your tattoo is an incredible bonus. The country boasts breathtaking natural landscapes. While visiting Ship Shape Tattoo, you can also take the time to immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of New Zealand, creating unforgettable memories.

“Ben is a great artist to travel to work with. Not only will you be getting tattooed by one of the best artists going around, but Ben is very helpful and will offer plenty of advice on tattoos, bookings, and travel. He is happy to book multi-day sessions to accommodate clients' travel itineraries and is upfront regarding the time needed to complete the tattoo and costs. Plus you get to travel to and explore New Zealand! Highly recommended.”

— William, AUSTRALIA

 The process

Contact

Frist things first, get in touch with your theme/idea. Send over any reference images that help explain your idea. Some photos of the placement area you would like tattooed.

Consult

Once I have all the information needed we talk over the key aspects of the piece. Placement, size, style and what best works for you. For larger pieces, I offer a free face-to-face chat or phone consult.

Dates

Once we both have a solid set idea and have worked through the details I’ll send over some appointments dates. To hold any appointments made I’ll ask for a deposit. Then we’re set in stone.

Design

I’ll start design work about a week or two before and slowly refine things until the day of that tattoo. I don’t charge for design work, it’s all included in the tattoo day rate.

Tattoo

On the day we will talk over the design, how the piece will fit and work with the placement and make any final changes. After a quick stencil we get to the good stuff… tattoo time!

Featured Work

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • I work on a set day rate, a day is 9 am to 4/5 pm. How long a piece takes really comes down to how complex the final design is and the final size. Once I have some basic information, I can give a quote on time and cost.

  • No, normally I’ll start design work about a week or two before and slowly refine things until the day of the tattoo. I don’t charge for design work, it’s all included in the tattoo day rate.

  • No, numbing cream is only good for 2-3 hours so for a 5-6 hour day it’s not a good idea. It always makes the skin irritated, puffy, and harder to tattoo.

  • Not normally, Ship Shape is a busy studio and fills up fast. If there is a good reason to bring someone to the appointment please let me know and I’m sure we can work something out.

  • I accept cash, PayPal, bank transfer and all major cards (Visa/Mastercard)

  • Stay hydrated, moisturize the placement area daily for a week or two before the appointment, and lastly get a good night’s sleep the night before.