Like moths to a flame, punters converge for cut-price tattoos

October is a popular time of year for fans of the spooky and supernatural, but this year’s Halloween decorations will be a little more permanent for some.

Tattoo enthusiasts crowded outside Dunedin’s Subconscious Studios early yesterday morning to secure a slot in a Halloween flash sale.

From disco-dancing ghosts to cats and owls, a range of Halloween-themed designs were available at a discount during the one-day event.

First in the queue was Holly Peck-Locke, who arrived at 5.45am.

She chose a "really, really cool" design of a moth referencing The Silence of the Lambs.

A death's-head hawkmoth, it naturally had a marking in the shape of a skull on its back.

Placed on her left hand, it would also help her to tell her left from her right, she said.

"It’s a little bit spontaneous, but I’ve also been wanting to get moths on my hands for a while, and when I saw the moth design itself, I was like ‘yes, I’m doing it’."

The moth was her 25th tattoo.

Others ranged from a memorial piece for her father inspired by his navy tattoos, to ones that were more lighthearted, such as sharks having a tea party.

She loved Halloween, she said.

"I love the idea of dressing up, and that idea that you can ... be anyone or anything that you want to be is just such a fun thing."

Fellow tattoo enthusiast Madison Mawhinney was getting a crow skull and the character Lock, from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Her friends were getting tattoos of characters Shock and Barrel to complete the trio.

While she had some tattoos that were meaningful, she also loved tattoos simply as a form of art.

"Some of them are just beautiful, and some of them look cool."

Studio owner Martha Butler said flash sale days were held every few months, with themed designs posted on social media a few days beforehand.

They were usually held on a Saturday, and tended to draw a big crowd.

"Seeing this line on a Friday is amazing."

fiona.ellis@odt.co.nz