If you’ve ever thought of impulsively stepping off the street and into a tattoo parlour, rolling up a sleeve (or pulling down a waistband?) and telling a tattoo artist to go for it, Three Dice Tattoo could be the place for you.

“It happens all the time,” says Dominique Cara. “I’d say it’s 50:50 between walk-ins and sitting down to develop custom designs. Tattoos can be a really last-minute decision.”

Dominique has been managing Three Dice since 2020, and tattooing for the store since completing her apprenticeship in 2022.

“When an apprentice signs up, they tend to bring a portfolio of the work they like to do, and then those skills are refined in house. It takes about a year and a bit before you even touch a machine, you need to pay your dues first.”

There are now four tattooists at Three Dice, each with different specialities.

“We have a small team, but such an array of artists,” says Dominique. “Everyone is known for what they do. We have someone who specialises in freehand script, black and grey realism, colour realism, ornamental – all a bit different in style, and that’s a real strength of the business.”

Three Dice is new to Uptown, having moved from Ponsonby in February 2024.

“Our client base has followed us here, plus there’s a lot of foot traffic and a younger crowd. It’s a lot more vibrant up here. It’s a busy street, so there are lots of people walking by looking in the window. We also have clients right up into their 70s. We’re pretty traditional in the sense of being a street shop – lots of parlours aren’t anymore – but we love that people can just walk in off the street.”

Dominique says that there are always trends in the tattoo industry. For years, new customers have leaned towards small fine work for their first experience, although this may not always be the best approach.

“Pretty little trinket tattoos will always be a thing, but as tattooists we look at the longevity of tattoos and how they will last, and we try to educate people to getting something that is bigger and longer lasting. 

“As I’ve got more tattoos myself, I’ve covered over those smaller ones. But when people are first dipping their finger into it, they think the best thing is to go as small as possible. But you might find yourself regretting it when a small piece gets in the way of something more ornate.”

The tattooists at Three Dice would also caution new clients against tattooing certain parts of the body, encouraging them away from the face, neck and hands, and ensuring the style and size of the tattoo suits the proportions and shape of the body.

“People’s ideas of what looks good in their mind doesn’t always translate to living breathing skin,” says Dominique.

She got her own first tattoo at 15, cherry blossoms on her chest, which are not there anymore.

“I think for people on the outside of tattooing, tattoos are a way of expressing stories and that’s great. But for us in the industry, getting tattoos is often about the artist who’s giving it. It’s about getting tattooed by your peers when you love their designs and their art. It’s not so much the meaning of the tattoo, but the experience of being with that person and having them put on what they love to tattoo.”

Dominique’s body is covered and there are too many to pick a favourite. “I’m covered, so maybe the experience of having a favourite has gone. Every time I get tattooed, that’s my favourite for a while.”