Most requested
Black and grey realism
For portraits, animals, religious pieces, skulls, statues, family memorials, and full sleeve concepts. This is the best fit when you want depth, contrast, and a tattoo that feels serious.
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Hamilton, New ZealandTattoo Artist
TATTOO ARTIST. Rapucci
Good Honest Tattoos ' Hamilton East. Custom realism, black & grey, colour, and Māori-inspired work. Over 25 years of craft, one piece at a time.
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Yrs
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Tattoos
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Awards
Studio OpenTue to Fri, 10:00am to 5:00pm · Hamilton East
Black & Grey✦Bold Colour✦Māori Inspired✦13 International Awards✦Best of Show · NZ Tattoo Festival 2015✦5000+ Tattoos✦25 Years of Craft✦Hamilton East · NZ✦Black & Grey✦Bold Colour✦Māori Inspired✦13 International Awards✦Best of Show · NZ Tattoo Festival 2015✦5000+ Tattoos✦25 Years of Craft✦
Hamilton Tattoo Guide
Tattoo artist in Hamilton, NZ.
If you are comparing tattoo artists in Hamilton or Waikato, start with the style, the healed result, and the way the design is built for your body. Felipe Rapucci works from Good Honest Tattoos in Hamilton East, creating custom black and grey realism, colour work, cover ups, sleeves, memorial tattoos, and personal designs made to last.
High value work
Custom sleeves
Large pieces need planning. The design should follow the arm, leave room for contrast, and connect the main subject, background, and flow before the first session starts.
Problem solving
Cover ups and reworks
A good cover up is not just a darker tattoo. It needs the right subject, scale, texture, and direction so the old tattoo disappears without making the new one look heavy.
What style should you choose?
Choose realism if you want portraits, animals, statues, warriors, religious work, or dramatic black and grey. Choose colour if the design needs warmth, flowers, fantasy, or strong visual impact. Choose ornamental or fine line only when the placement and skin type suit the level of detail.
Budget guide
Small tattoo$150 to $350+
Medium custom tattoo$350 to $900+
Half sleeve$1,000 to $2,500+
Full sleeve$3,000 to $8,000+
Cover up workQuote needed
Book a Session
Pick your date.
Select your date, pay a $100 deposit to confirm. I'll be in touch before your session to discuss your design.
Recent Work.
View full portfolio →Black & Grey
Black & Grey
Colour
Colour
Black & Grey
Colour
Black & Grey
Black & Grey
Black & Grey
Black & Grey
Recognition
25 years.
Recognised.
Recognised.
13×
International Awards
Recognised across New Zealand and Australia for excellence in tattoo artistry across multiple disciplines and styles.
2009 to 2022
01
Best of Show
Best of Show, the highest award at the NZ International Tattoo Festival 2015, Auckland.
NZ Intl Tattoo Festival 2015
5k+
Tattoos Completed
Over five thousand unique pieces across realism, black & grey, colour, Māori-inspired, and cover-up work. Every one custom.
25+ Years · Hamilton NZ
What I do
Three crafts.
One obsession.
One obsession.
01
INK
Tattoo Artist
Custom realism, black & grey, bold colour, Māori-inspired, and cover-ups. 25+ years, 5000+ pieces. Every tattoo designed from scratch.
View portfolio →02
CODE
Websites & Apps
Fast, smart websites, landing pages, and custom apps built for real people. Designed to convert, backed by LAXXY Technology.
03
DESIGN
Graphic Designer
Logos, brand identity, social media kits, and print. Sharp across every platform. Designed to mean something and built to last.
Questions people ask
Tattoo questions in Waikato.
Real work answers real questions.
People search for price, style, pain, cover ups, and who to trust. This section gives Google, ChatGPT, and your clients clear answers while showing the quality of your work beside the advice.
Book a consultWho is the best tattoo artist in Hamilton?
The best artist depends on the style you want. For black and grey realism, portraits, sleeves, cover ups, and custom work, look for healed work, years of experience, reviews, and a portfolio that matches your idea.
How much should I budget?
Small tattoos can start around a few hundred dollars. Larger realism, cover ups, and sleeves need a proper quote because size, placement, detail, and sessions change the final price.
Do you do custom tattoo designs?
Yes. Bring your idea, references, placement, and size. Felipe builds the design around your body, the main subject, and how the tattoo will age.
Can I book from outside Hamilton?
Yes. Clients travel from Waikato and around New Zealand. Use the booking page, pay the deposit, and send your references before the appointment.
Tattoo advice
New tattoo guides.
Read the full guides without leaving this page. These articles help clients understand pricing, style choices, cover ups, healing, and how to choose the right tattoo artist in Hamilton.
Budget guide
How much does a sleeve cost in Hamilton?
A clear guide for planning a half sleeve or full sleeve, including sessions, design detail, and deposit.
Style guide
Black and grey realism vs colour tattoos
How to choose the right style for portraits, animals, flowers, fantasy work, and long term contrast.
Cover ups
Can my old tattoo be covered?
What makes a cover up possible, why size matters, and what subjects work best over old ink.
Client Reviews
What people say.
★★★★★
"
Felipe is the shizzz! Real deal artist. He spent the time getting to know what I like and what I don't, did a great job fixing up my hands. Definitely getting all my tats here from now on.
June 2025 · Google Review
★★★★★
"
I had the absolute best experience at Good Honest Tattoos. Felipe worked really well with me designing the tattoo I wanted. I cannot be happier. Best in the game.
June 2025 · Google Review
★★★★★
"
Had the pleasure of getting my whole leg tattooed by Felipe over 8 sessions. The quality, care, and detail is second to none. Unforgettable experience.
June 2025 · Google Review