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Quick answer
For a traditional tattoo in Kuching, go to Borneo Headhunters on Wayang Street or Skrang Tattoo on China Street, both known for Iban hand-tapping. For modern fine-line work, Space Studio in Batu Kawa publishes prices from RM400. Eric Kueh on Padungan Road and the private Zen Ink round out the list. Book ahead, because hand-tap masters often travel.
Getting a tattoo in Kuching means more than picking a design. Sarawak is where Iban hand-tapping survived and then came back, and many of the artists who led that revival still work a short walk from the waterfront. At the same time, the city has a young fine-line scene. This guide lists the studios we verified in October 2026 and explains how to approach Bornean motifs with respect.
How we picked these Kuching studios
Each studio appears in at least two independent sources, such as its own Instagram plus press coverage or a Sarawak directory. We also looked for signs of work in 2025 or 2026. No studio paid to appear, and we do not publish ratings. Our wider list of the best tattoo shops in Malaysia uses the same rules.
Hand-tapping in Sarawak: a short, respectful primer
In Iban, a tattoo is called pantang or kelingai. Traditionally, three people take part. One person taps, one stretches the skin, and one receives the tattoo. The artist uses two sticks: a needle stick and a striker. Old recipes made ink from cooking-pot soot. Today, reputable studios use sterile needles and commercial ink instead.
Many motifs had meaning and rules. For example, the bunga terung, an eight-petal rosette on the shoulders, marked a young man's coming of age and his journey, or bejalai. Others, such as the tegulun hand mark, belonged only to men who had earned them. So if you are not Iban or Dayak, ask the artist which designs suit you, and accept their answer. Our guides to Malaysian tattoo designs and the Borneo hand-tap tattoo guide go much deeper.
The best tattoo studios in Kuching
Borneo Headhunters Tattoo & Piercing
Ernesto Kalum founded this studio in 1998, and it is the best-known name in Bornean tattooing. He helped lead the revival by studying elderly practitioners in remote longhouses. In 2017 he gave actor Henry Golding his bunga terung tattoos. His long-time apprentice, Robin Unau Gaong, also works here. The studio was posting new work in October 2026.
Skrang Tattoo & Piercing
Boi Skrang runs this studio and keeps a back room just for hand-tapping sessions. According to the Borneo Post, he tattooed Anthony Bourdain with a bunga terung at a Skrang longhouse. He was also vice-president of the Kuching Tattoo Art Association at the 2025 expo. A 2023 directory listed hours of noon to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, so confirm before visiting.
Space Studio
Space Studio opened in 2019 and focuses on soft, delicate fine-line tattoos. Its website publishes prices from RM400 to RM2,500 and up, depending on the design. Founder Denny Lee leads a team of senior and junior artists. The studio also offers pico laser removal and tattoo classes.
71st Skinslavery Tattoos (Eric Kueh)
Eric Kueh works from a shophouse on Padungan Road and takes bookings by DM. Padungan is easy to reach from most city hotels. So it suits visitors who want a modern custom piece without leaving the centre. Check his feed to see if his style matches your idea.
Zen Ink
Zen Ink was formerly called Slash Studio Tattoo. Artist Chian takes bookings by DM or WhatsApp. A private studio works well for small, delicate pieces and for anyone who prefers a quiet room. Because there is no public address, confirm the location and hygiene setup before you go.
Inkzation Tattoo Studio
Nicholas Jenta Anchu, an Iban artist who started tattooing at 16, runs Inkzation. He was president of the Kuching Tattoo Art Association in 2025. In a Bernama interview, he said he welcomes outsiders' interest in Iban tattoos. We could not find a street address or active social account, so reach the studio through the association or local contacts.
Tattoo prices in Kuching
Space Studio is the only Kuching studio here with published rates: RM400 to RM2,500 and up. At the 2022 Kuching Tattoo Festival, organisers quoted a minimum of RM150 per design. However, that is an old festival figure, not a studio price. Hand-tapped work often takes longer, and master artists usually charge more. So ask how they price a session before you commit.
Confirm every quote before booking. Our Malaysia tattoo price guide shows typical RM ranges by size and style.
Tattoo festivals in Sarawak
Kuching has a busy event calendar. The Kuching International Tattoo Expo in September 2025 had 49 machine booths and 10 hand-tapping booths. Next, the Sarawak International Tattoo and Cultural Festival 2026 is listed for 23–25 October 2026 at Kuching Community Hall on Jalan Padungan, according to Tattoofilter and World Tattoo Events. Event details can change, so check the organisers' own channels first. Our tattoo expo guide tracks other dates.
Festivals are a good way to meet hand-tap artists from across Sarawak in one place. That said, a convention booth is busy and public. For a large or meaningful piece, book a studio session instead.
Healing a Borneo tattoo in Kuching's climate
Kuching is hot, humid and often rainy. Hand-tapped tattoos heal much like machine work, but you still need clean hands, light moisturiser and loose clothing. Also skip swimming, including trips to Damai beach, for about two weeks. Follow our tattoo aftercare guide for each step.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a traditional Iban tattoo in Kuching?
Borneo Headhunters on Wayang Street and Skrang Tattoo on China Street are the best-known hand-tap studios. Inkzation in Kota Samarahan also offers a traditional bamboo-needle option.
Can non-Iban people get a bunga terung tattoo?
Many Iban artists welcome respectful interest, and bunga terung is the motif most often given to visitors. Even so, learn its meaning and let the artist advise. Avoid status marks such as the tegulun.
Does hand-tapping hurt more than a machine?
It varies. Some clients say hand-tapping felt gentler than a machine, but that is a personal account, not a rule. Pain also depends on placement.
How much is a tattoo in Kuching?
Space Studio publishes RM400 to RM2,500 and up for fine-line work. Other studios quote per design, so ask for a written price before booking.
Is there a tattoo convention in Kuching in 2026?
The Sarawak International Tattoo and Cultural Festival is listed for 23–25 October 2026 at Kuching Community Hall. Check the organisers' channels to confirm.