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Tattoo Contests

Tattoo contests are competitions where tattoo artists and people with tattoos show off their best work to be judged. The contest is usually divided into different categories. Each tattoo is judged on how well it’s done, how creative or unique the design is, and how it looks overall on the person’s body.

 

Tattoo contests celebrate the skill of the artists and the beauty of the tattoos themselves.

Friday

  • Lettering 

  • Full Back

  • Asian

  • Polynesian

  • New School/Neo 

  • Best of the Day (B&G)

  • Best  of the Day (Color)

Saturday

  • Tattoo Cover-up 

  • Small Color

  • Large Color

  • Portrait/Realism

  • Small Traditional 

  • Large Traditional

  • Horror

  • Best of the Day (B&G)

  • Best  of the Day (Color)

Sunday

  • Sleeve

  • Small Black and Gray

  • Large Black and Gray 

  • Halloween 

  • Best of the Day (B&G)

  • Best  of the Day (Color)

All contest entries must be healed work except for Tattoo of the Day.  

Tattoo of the Day must be started and completed on the same day at the expo.  

Small tattoos are any piece under 8"x8" (64" squared); Large tattoos are any pieces over that size.

Check the Event Schedule for contest judging times

General Contest Guidelines:

  • Contest entry fee is $5 per entry (Cash only). 

  • Contest sign-up times begin one hour prior to judging. 

  • When signing up for contests, please make sure your tattoo falls within that category or categories you are entering.

  • You may enter a tattoo or tattoos into multiple categories over the weekend.

  • Models (those who have tattoos that are being judged) must be present 5 minutes before the contest starts.

  • No refunds for contestants who do not show up for the contest. 

  • To enter the Best "Cover up" category, be prepared to present a photo of the original piece that was covered up.

  • Tattoo of the Day must be started and finished that day of the contest. Only pieces done at the show are eligible for entry into the “Tattoo of the Day. 

  • No complete disrobing during competition. NO exceptions! 

  • If you are a judge, you may not enter any category you are scheduled to judge. You also may not judge a category that one of your pieces has been entered into. If you need to be excused from judging a specific category an alternate judge will be provided. 

Additional Tattoo of the Day Contest Rules:

  • Start to Finish: Tattoos entered in the "Tattoo of the Day" contest must be started and completed on the same day during the convention. No pre-existing work or touch-ups done outside of the event are allowed.

  • Timeframe: The tattoo must be completed within the hours of the convention on the day it is entered into the contest.

  • No Misleading Information: Artists must provide accurate information about the tattoo's creation and refrain from misleading the judges or the audience about the tattoo's completion process.

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