Questions, answered.

Send Bruno a direct message on Instagram at @brulhos.tattoo. It's the quickest way to reach him and the only booking channel for now.

In your first message, include where on your body you'd like the tattoo, a rough size in centimetres, whether you're thinking colour or black and grey, and any reference photos that show the style or idea. If you have a budget or a timeframe in mind, mention that too. The more Bruno knows up front, the faster he can give you a clear answer.

For most custom work, yes, and it's free. It's a fifteen-minute chat in the studio or on a video call where you and Bruno talk through the idea, placement, size and style. By the end you'll have a design direction and a quote range.

For small, simple pieces Bruno can often sort everything over Instagram messages without a separate chat.

Once you're happy with the plan, you lock in your date with a minimum $50 deposit. The deposit comes off your final price, so it isn't an extra cost.

It holds your appointment and covers the time Bruno spends drawing your design. Need to move it? Message Bruno at least 24 hours before and your deposit moves to the new date. If you cancel within 24 hours without notice, the deposit is kept. Full details are on the policies page.

Every piece is drawn custom, so it's best to message first. If Bruno has a gap on the day and the design is small, he may be able to fit you in, but a quick Instagram message before you come in saves a wasted trip.

The studio is at 8 Bayfield St, Rosny Park TAS 7018, on Hobart's eastern shore. It's open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and tattoo sessions are by appointment.

Because every tattoo is different. Size, placement, level of detail, colour and the number of sessions all change the time a piece takes, so a price list would be misleading for most custom work.

What you can count on: you'll know the design, the price and the plan before Bruno starts. There are no surprises on the day.

Yes. Whether it's your first tattoo or you're finishing a full sleeve, Bruno draws something custom for you. He'll show you the design on the day of your session, before anything starts, and small adjustments are normal. The stencil goes on first so you can check size and placement in the mirror before a single line is tattooed.

Absolutely. Reference photos are one of the most helpful things you can send. Out of respect for other artists, Bruno will use another artist's tattoo as inspiration rather than copying it line for line, and he'll draw a version that suits your body and the way you want it to look.

Bruno is happy to tattoo just about anything. The work he loves most is fine-line, botanical and floral pieces, bold colour work, and classic Japanese designs. You can see examples of all of these in the portfolio.

Small, simple pieces can take under an hour. A palm-sized detailed piece is usually a few hours. Sleeves, back pieces and chest panels are done over several sessions, normally spaced a few weeks apart so your skin can heal between them. Bruno will give you a realistic estimate when he quotes.

Get a good night's sleep, eat a proper meal an hour or two before, and drink plenty of water the day before and on the day. Your body handles a tattoo much better when it's rested and fed.

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand, as it can thin your blood and make the session harder. If you take prescribed medication, including blood thinners, keep taking it as your doctor advised and let Bruno know.

Keep the area moisturised in the days before and stay out of the sun. Sunburnt or broken skin can't be tattooed. Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the spot, and bring snacks, water and headphones for longer sessions.

Yes. You must be 18 or over to get tattooed, and you'll need to bring photo ID to your appointment. No ID means no tattoo, even with a parent present.

If you're sick on the day, message Bruno to move your appointment. Your immune system needs to be at its best for healing.

It's standard practice to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding to get tattooed. If you have a medical condition that affects healing, such as diabetes or a skin condition, talk to your doctor and let Bruno know before booking.

You don't need to shave. Bruno will prepare the skin on the day with a fresh disposable razor. If you're thinking about numbing cream, ask Bruno first, as some products change how the skin takes ink.

Yes, a bit, but most people find it far more manageable than they expected. It's often described as a hot scratching feeling. Areas with more muscle and padding, like the outer arm, forearm and calf, tend to be easier. Ribs, spine, feet, hands and the inside of the elbow are usually more intense.

Being rested, fed and hydrated makes a real difference. You can ask for a break at any time, and Bruno will make sure you're comfortable in the chair the whole way through.

Hobart Tattoos is a council-registered studio and Bruno is a licensed tattooist. Needles are single-use and opened in front of you. Surfaces, machines and bottles are covered in fresh barrier film for every client, and gloves are changed throughout the session.

One person for support is usually fine, especially for a first tattoo. Let Bruno know when you book so he can make sure there's room.

Bruno will cover your tattoo before you leave and tell you how long to keep that covering on, as this depends on the type of wrap used. Follow his instructions first.

Once the covering comes off, wash your hands, then gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Don't rub it.

Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free tattoo balm or moisturiser two or three times a day. Less is more: the skin should look slightly hydrated, not greasy. Keep this routine up until the tattoo has finished peeling, usually two to three weeks.

Don't scratch, pick or peel the flakes. Let them fall away on their own, or you can pull ink out and leave patchy spots.

Don't soak the tattoo for about three weeks. That means no baths, swimming pools, spas, saunas or the ocean. Short showers are fine.

Keep it out of direct sun until it's healed, and avoid tight clothing or straps rubbing on it. Sleep on clean sheets and keep pets away from the fresh tattoo.

For the first few days the area can be red, a little swollen, tender and warm, and may weep a small amount of clear fluid or ink. This is normal.

Around days four to seven it will start to flake and itch, a bit like a mild sunburn peeling. After that, the tattoo can look cloudy or shiny for another couple of weeks while the new skin settles. The surface heals in two to four weeks, and the deeper layers take a little longer.

Infections are uncommon when aftercare is followed, but know the signs: redness or swelling that keeps spreading or getting worse after the first two to three days, increasing pain or heat, yellow or green discharge, a bad smell, red streaks, or a fever. If you notice any of these, see a GP or pharmacist promptly, then let Bruno know.

Sun is the biggest thing that fades tattoos. Once your tattoo is fully healed, use SPF 50 sunscreen on it whenever it's exposed, and keep your skin moisturised. Colour work in particular stays brighter for much longer with good sun protection.

Often, yes. Cover-ups, rework and recolours are a big part of what Bruno does. Send him a clear photo of the tattoo taken in daylight, with a coin next to it for scale, and tell him what you'd like instead.

A cover-up usually needs to be larger and a little darker than the original, and not every idea will hide every tattoo. Very dark or heavy old work sometimes needs a few laser fading sessions first. Bruno will be honest about what will work.

Most tattoos heal perfectly, but sometimes a small spot heals lighter, often from picking or rubbing. Wait until the tattoo is fully healed, then send Bruno a photo on Instagram and he'll let you know if a touch-up is needed.

Large projects are planned as one design from day one, so the whole piece flows together rather than being a collection of separate tattoos. Bruno will map out the overall design, then work through it over several sessions, usually a few weeks apart so each section can heal. Talk to him about how many sessions to expect and how to space them around your schedule.