The most important decision you will make is matching your idea to the right artist. Tattoo styles are as different as painting styles, and most great artists specialize.
 
Styles offered at Tattoolicious include:
• Fine line
• Polynesian and Hawaiian
• Black and grey realism
• American traditional
• Bold color
• Neo-traditional
• Portrait
• Japanese traditional
• Cover-ups
 
How to choose
• Start with the style. Save photos of tattoos you love and notice what they have in common: thin delicate lines, bold outlines and bright color, soft black and grey shading, and so on.
• Study portfolios. Look for healed work, not just fresh photos, and look for pieces similar in size and style to what you want.
• Ask questions. A good artist will tell you honestly if your idea will hold up over time, or if a different size or placement would work better.
• Do not shop on price alone. A tattoo is permanent. Choosing the right artist matters more than saving a little money.
 
Every artist at Tattoolicious is a specialist. Tell the front desk what you are looking for and the crew will match you with the right artist when they can. Browse portfolios on our Artists page.
 
Walk-In vs Appointment
Tattoolicious welcomes walk-ins every day during open hours. Walk-ins are first-come, first-served based on artist availability.
• Walk in for: same-day ideas, smaller pieces, flash, and meeting the crew.
• Book an appointment for: large custom pieces, sleeves, realism, Polynesian work, cover-ups, or a specific artist.
 
If you are visiting and have your heart set on a particular piece, book ahead so it fits your schedule.
 
Free Tattoo Consultations
Consultations at Tattoolicious are free. A consultation is where you and the shop talk through your idea, size, placement, style, budget and timing.
 
To get the most out of it, bring or send:
• Reference images
• Where on your body you want it, and roughly how big
• Your preferred style and any artist preference
• Your budget range
• Your travel dates if you are visiting Hawaii
 
You can book a free consultation online at /contact-us/consultation or call (808) 949-8287.
 
ID and Age Requirements in Hawaii
You must be 18 or older with a valid photo ID. A selection of our artists will tattoo 17-year-olds with parental consent; the parent or guardian must be present, and both need valid photo ID.
 
Accepted photo ID usually means a government-issued ID such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. Bring the physical ID with you. A photo of your ID on your phone may not be accepted.
 
You will also fill out a consent form before your session. Let your artist know about any medical conditions, medications, allergies or skin conditions, and if you have questions about whether tattooing is safe for you, check with your doctor first.
 
How to Prepare: Eat, Hydrate and Skip the Alcohol
How you feel on the day makes a real difference to how the session goes.
• Eat a full meal before your appointment. Low blood sugar can make you feel lightheaded or more sensitive to pain.
• Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of. Hawaii heat makes this extra important.
• Do not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before your session. Alcohol and blood thinners such as aspirin can increase bleeding. A shop will not tattoo someone who is intoxicated. If you take a prescribed medication, do not stop it without talking to your doctor.
• Get a good night's sleep. Being rested helps with pain tolerance.
• Skip sunburn. Do not get sunburned on the area you plan to tattoo. Sunburned skin needs to heal before it can be tattooed.
• Moisturize in the days before, but skip heavy lotions or oils on the day of your tattoo.
• Bring snacks and water for longer sessions.
 
What to Wear to Your Tattoo Appointment
• Comfortable, loose clothing that gives easy access to the placement. A tank top for shoulders, shorts for legs, a button-up you can wear backwards for back pieces.
• Dark clothing, so ink does not show if it gets on your clothes.
• Something loose to wear home over the fresh tattoo.
• A light layer, since the shop is air-conditioned.
• Skip strong perfume or cologne out of respect for your artist and other clients.
 
Tattoo Placement and Pain
Yes, tattoos hurt, but most people find it more manageable than they expected. The feeling varies by person, placement, size and session length. Many people describe it as a scratching or stinging sensation.
 
Placement tips
• Areas with more muscle or padding, like the outer arm, forearm, calf and thigh, are often easier for first-timers.
• Bony or thin-skinned areas, such as ribs, spine, feet, hands, ankles and the inner elbow, are often more sensitive.
• Hands, feet and fingers can fade faster and may need more touch-ups. Ask your artist.
• Think about what you will wear, your work, and how the tattoo will sit with future pieces.
 
Managing pain
• Breathe slowly and steadily.
• Bring headphones (ask your artist before putting them in).
• Tell your artist if you need a short break. Do not move suddenly without warning.
• If you are nervous, say so at your consultation so your artist can walk you through what to expect.
 
How Long Does a Tattoo Session Take?
It depends on size, detail and placement. A small, simple piece can often be done in a single short visit. Large custom work like sleeves, back pieces and detailed realism is often split into several sessions. Your artist will give you a time estimate at your free consultation.
 
Plan for a little extra time on top of tattooing for paperwork, stencil placement and setup.
 
How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Honolulu?
Tattoo pricing depends on size, placement, detail, color and the artist. At Tattoolicious, the shop minimum is $100 to $150 depending on the artist. Larger custom pieces are quoted individually, so the best way to get an accurate price is a free consultation. Full details are on our tattoo pricing page.
 
Tips for budgeting:
• Share your budget range early. Artists can often adjust size or detail to fit.
• Ask what is included in your quote.
• Do not choose an artist only because they are cheapest.
 
Tipping Your Tattoo Artist
Tipping is common in the US for tattoo services, much like other personal services, and it is a way to thank your artist for their time and skill. It is never required, and the amount is your choice. Ask the front desk about payment options when you check out.
 
Hygiene, Safety and Hawaii Health Permits
A professional tattoo shop should be clean, organized and properly permitted. In Hawaii, tattoo shops and artists are regulated by the Hawaii State Department of Health.
 
What to look for in any shop:
• Valid health permits and artist licenses, posted or available on request
• Single-use, sealed needles opened in front of you
• Fresh gloves for each client, and changed during the session as needed
• Clean, disinfected work stations and barrier-covered equipment
• Single-use ink caps and supplies, thrown away after your session
 
At Tattoolicious, single-use supplies are used for every client and disposed of immediately after use. If you ever have a question about safety, ask. A good shop will be happy to explain.
 
Cultural Respect for Polynesian and Hawaiian Designs
Tattooing has deep roots in Hawaii and across Polynesia. Traditional Hawaiian kākau and other Polynesian tattoo traditions have long carried meaning about family, identity, protection and ancestry. Many visitors want a Polynesian or Hawaiian design, and that is welcome. The key is to approach it with respect.
• Learn the meaning. Ask your artist what the motifs and patterns represent before you commit.
• Go custom, not copied. Do not copy another person's tattoo. Many Polynesian designs are personal and tied to a specific family or story.
• Tell your story. Your artist can build a design around what matters to you, your journey, the ocean, your family, your connection to the islands.
• Choose an artist experienced in the style. Polynesian and Hawaiian work is a specialty, so look for a portfolio full of it.
• Ask about traditional hand tap. Traditional Polynesian hand-tapped tattooing is a planned experience rather than a quick walk-in. Ask the shop about availability.
 
Browse our Polynesian tattoo collection.
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What Happens During Your Tattoo Session
Knowing the steps takes most of the nerves out of it.
1. Check-in. Show your photo ID and fill out a consent form.
2. Design review. Your artist finalizes the design, size and placement with you.
3. Prep. Your artist cleans and shaves the area if needed and sets up a clean station with single-use supplies.
4. Stencil. A stencil is placed on your skin so you can check the size and position. Look in the mirror and speak up if you want it moved. This is the time.
5. Tattooing. Your artist works section by section. Stay as still as you can and ask for breaks when you need them.
6. Clean and wrap. Your artist cleans the tattoo and covers it with a bandage or second-skin film.
7. Aftercare. You will get aftercare instructions before you leave. Ask any questions before you go.
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For international visitors
 
The shop has smart screens that speak and translate Japanese, German, French and Spanish to help guests communicate about their tattoo.
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Aftercare Basics and Hawaii Timing
The fun does not end when you leave the chair. How you treat your tattoo in the first few weeks decides how it looks for the rest of your life.
• If you are not using second skin, leave the regular bandage on for 2 to 7 hours. If your artist used second-skin film, follow the second-skin timings on our aftercare page.
• Wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of unscented ointment like Aquaphor or Ikonic for the first 3 to 5 days, then a fragrance-free lotion.
• Keep it out of direct sun.
• No swimming, soaking, ocean or other natural water for at least 2 weeks.
• Do not scratch or pick.
• Touch-ups are free within 6 months of your tattoo.
 
Visiting Hawaii? Get your tattoo near the end of your trip so you can enjoy the beach first. For day-by-day healing tips for Honolulu sun, surf and humidity, read our Tattoo Aftercare in Hawaii guide.
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Getting to Tattoolicious and Parking
Tattoolicious is at 1909 Ala Wai Blvd, Suite C2, Honolulu, HI 96815, steps from the Ala Wai Canal and a few minutes' walk from Waikiki hotels. Many visitors simply walk over from their hotel.
 
Validated parking is available across the street at the Waikiki Landmark if you drive. Ask the front desk to validate your parking before you leave.
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Why First-Timers Choose Tattoolicious
• Since 2000 in Waikiki
• 14 resident artists, each a specialist
• Recognized by Inked Magazine as one of the top 14 tattoo studios in the world
• Award-winning: Best of the Day, 1st Place, on all three major days at the Hawaii Tattoo Expo (Pacific Ink & Art Expo), plus the Comic Ink Grand Prize for Best Tattoo of the Entire Show. The shop has a whole wall of awards. See them on our Awards page or stop by in person.
• Walk-ins welcome and free consultations
• Open 7 days
• A sponsored Cheyenne partner shop, one of only 10 in the world and the only one in North America