IslandTAT San Diego Custom Freehand Polynesian Tattooing
Custom Freehand Polynesian Tattoos in San Diego
IslandTAT is a Polynesian tattoo studio in Lemon Grove, San Diego, founded by Joshawa Elsas. Every tattoo is composed freehand on your body around your story — by appointment, in the studio.
★★★★★5.0 on Yelp (242) · 4.9 on Google (63)
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Tattooing since 1999 Freehand body composition Appointment only
Selected Work
Freehand Polynesian compositions — sleeves, chest, back, and leg pieces built to the body.
Artists & Rates
Tattoo rates range from $80 to $400 per hour, depending on the artist's experience and years tattooing.
Tanner Magbanua
Apprentice Tattoo Artist
1 year tattooing
$80 per hour (increasing to $120/hr on Nov 1 and $140/hr on Dec 1)
Maddy Tellez
Senior Tattoo Artist
5 years · Apprenticed under Joshawa Elsas
$200 per hour
Joshawa Elsas
Founder and Owner of IslandTAT
27 years; tattooing since 1999
$400 per hour
Your artist's hourly rate applies to tattoo time. Any separate design work or fees will be explained in your estimate before work begins. Rates reviewed September 2026. Compare the artists →
How It Works
Every tattoo follows the IslandTAT Method: your story first, then a composition drawn freehand on your body.
01
Request
Send a tattoo appointment request with your story, placement, and references. Submitting starts a conversation — it does not reserve a date.
02
Review
We read every request, match it to the artist best suited to the work, and reply by email.
03
Consult & compose
Your artist learns the story, then draws the design directly on your body so it follows your structure and movement.
04
Tattoo & heal
Large pieces are built over sessions with healing time between them. The time needed depends on your artist, placement, coverage, and design detail. After reviewing your project, we'll explain the estimated tattoo time, any separate design work, and how the sessions can be scheduled.
What clients say
This place has flawless reviews for a reason... Josh has been in the game for a long time, travelled for knowledge, and is a master at his craft.
From the ease of scheduling to the time Josh spent with us in designing, we couldn't be happier with the results! Wonderful team.
I searched and searched for a place that respected the tradition of Polynesian tattoos, and am so happy that I found Island Tat!
As Featured In & Recognized By
Frequently Asked Questions
Request a Tattoo Appointment
Share your vision — placement, heritage, timeline, and inspiration.
Each project is reviewed before acceptance. Submitting starts a conversation — it does not reserve a date.
Can't travel to San Diego? Request a remote tattoo design.
Josh took the time to get to know me first and freehanded a design on my arm including the unique elements that mean something to me.
Clients travel from across the country and consultations begin with your story. Read reviews on Google.
Beyond the Studio
Contemporary Polynesian cultural design for brands, apparel, and artwork, plus the education, publishing, and podcast work that sit alongside the tattoo practice.
Education & Tattoo Guide
Motif meanings, regional traditions, and responsible-use guidance.
The Polynesian Tattoo Code
The book by Joshawa Elsas on Polynesian design language.
TATtalk
Conversations on Polynesian tattooing, culture, and meaning.
Design Studio
Polynesian Design Project Inquiry — logos, apparel, artwork and installations, drawn from Pacific traditions through IslandTAT's contemporary interpretation.
Artwork/Design Commission
Commissioned artwork and cultural design projects, including the Kona Café renovation work.
Shop limited-edition drops in the IslandTAT clothing shop.
Work is taken on a limited basis to maintain quality, focus, and cultural integrity.