Welcome to the home of realisM
TATTOOING IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

Ship Shape Tattoo is a modern, open concept tattoo studio located in Dairy Flat, Auckland.
We offer custom quality work in an all inclusive, safe and clean work environment.

Ship Shape Tattoo isn't just a tattoo studio; it's a community of artists united by their love for tattoos.

What truly sets us apart is our talented, award-winning team of tattooists. With each artist bringing their unique vision and style to the table, we offer our clients various options. From the intricacy of detailed black and grey pieces to the vibrancy of colour realism, our skilled artists strive to bring your vision to life on your skin with unrivalled precision and creativity.

At Ship Shape Tattoo, a great tattoo starts with a custom design in a safe and clean environment. Our studio upholds the highest hygiene standards, offering peace of mind to our clients as they embark on their tattoo journey. We work closely with each client to create custom designs that are true to their vision, going above and beyond to ensure the final result is a work of art they can proudly wear.

But the Ship Shape Tattoo experience is more than just your final tattoo. It's about the journey. Our team isn't just composed of talented artists; we're a group of individuals who love what we do, and that passion shows. We're a pleasure to be around, creating a welcoming and fun environment that adds to the overall experience. When you walk out of our doors, you will have a stunning, one-of-a-kind tattoo and memories of a great time spent with passionate individuals.

As the recognised home of realism tattoos in New Zealand, we are committed to advancing this art form and providing an inclusive platform for artists to showcase their talent.

Walk in appointments


Wednesday Friday Saturday

1443 Dairy Flat Highway, 10am to 5pm

FIND Your Artist

Every tattooist at Ship Shape Tattoo is an independent artist. Please contact your preferred artist to discuss your idea and next steps.

Browse tattoos

EMAIL FAVOURITE ARTIST

GET YOUR NEXT PIECE

My specialities are colour realism and black 'n' grey styles. But I'm always keen to talk tattoos — especially when they're creative and colourful.

BEN KAYE

JASON BAKER

My speciality is colour realism, and I love tattooing a wide range of subject matters — from animal and wildlife pieces to portraits of loved ones.

MATT JORDAN

My speciality is large-scale, black 'n' grey realism — the bigger, the better. I split my time between Studio Takitimu (Northland) and Ship Shape Tattoo.

Matt Wilson

My specialities are black 'n' grey realism and respectful, Japanese-inspired tattooing. I love hearing your ideas and am excited to work with you!

Benjamin Hawley

My specialities are black 'n' grey realism and creating unique lettering pieces heavily influenced by music for my clients.

ASH RYAN

My specialities are black 'n' grey realism and illustrative black work inspired by neo-traditional tattooing.

Will Hall

My focus lies in color trad/Neo and black and grey tattoos, constantly driven to bring a unique twist to my designs.

MISH

My speciality lies in realism — in black 'n' grey or colour. My passion for tattooing drives me to tell client stories.

OLD MATE TATTOO

My speciality is American old school/neo-traditional style. I love incorporating bold lines, colour and humour.

ABBEY MANSON

My specialities are geometric and mandala work. However, I'm always open to other styles to help give clients something special.

John feary

I specialise in Black'n'Grey realism, Geometric and Mandala, and Fineline tattooing

YOU?

The Ship Shape Tattoo team is always open to having guest artists in our studio. Get in touch, and let's see if we can make magic.

Don’t know WHICH ARTIST TO CONTACT? WE’VE MADE IT EASY.

Finding the right artist for your piece is crucial. But what’s the best way to do this? Choosing an artist by their work, of course. Take a look at our inspiration gallery and hover over a piece to see which artist completed it.