CONTESTS FOR THE BEST TATTOOS – a short reminder and review of categories. 

 

Tattoos for the contests have to be registered at the “INFO Point” up to 15 minutes before the start of the given category. You need to provide the name (or nickname) of the person with the tattoo, the artist’s name and the name of the studio he/she works in. Each model will receive a number, which they should keep and use to report at the stage, at the designated time. 

 

Tattoos made by artists who do not have exhibition booths can also be registered for the contests (except for the categories: Best Saturday and Sunday Tattoo, Two-day feat, We did it together, Really small tattoo – fresh, Author’s tattoo – fresh, Graphic tattoo – fresh, Old school tattoo - fresh). 

 

Each tattoo can ONLY be registered IN ONE CATEGORY. 

 

Tattoos submitted to the "Fresh Tattoo" categories must be created from start to finish at the convention venue. Any tattoo that was started prior to the event and continued during the convention is not eligible. 

 

Works submitted to the “We did it together” category may be created during one or two days of the event. 

 

With the exception of the “We Did It Together” category, all other categories feature works by a single artist only. 

 

Entries that have been awarded at any previous edition of our convention may not be submitted to the competitions.

 

If you have any doubts as to which category to submit your work to, be sure to consult the "INFO Point" staff. 

 

The results and award ceremony take place after each competition block. 

 

The judges evaluate entries based on composition and its suitability to the body’s anatomy, technical execution (linework, solid fills, shading, and color transitions), as well as originality of concept, creativity, and interpretation of the theme. 

 

P.S. After each award ceremony, we kindly ask all winners to report to the right side of the stage together with their models and awards for a commemorative photo. 

 

 

CATEGORIES: 

 

Big colored tattoo (Healed) – This category is intended for healed color tattoos larger than A4 size. Eligible entries include sleeves, leg sleeves, back pieces, front pieces, and other large-scale compositions. All tattoo styles and techniques are permitted. 

 

Realistic Tattoo black & grey (Healed) – This category is intended for healed tattoos created in a realistic style, built through the use of light, shadow, and smooth tonal transitions. Eligible works may be executed using black ink, gray wash techniques, and “silver” inks. Please note: Only tattoos approximately A4 size or smaller are eligible for this category. Entries may include portraits, animal depictions, landscapes, still lifes, as well as compositions incorporating surrealistic motifs or elements. 

 

Small Color Tattoo (Healed) – This category is open to healed tattoos measuring no more than approximately 15 × 15 cm, created in any style and featuring color ink. 

 

Dots, Lines & Ornament (Healed) – This category is intended for healed tattoos in which linework, dots, geometry, rhythm, and ornamental design serve as the primary means of artistic expression. Both small and large-scale compositions are eligible, including works created using techniques such as dotwork, fineline, linework, geometric, and ornamental tattooing. More abstract forms are also welcome. The use of color is permitted. 

 

Small Color Tattoo (Fresh) – This category is open to color tattoos measuring no more than approximately 15 × 15 cm, created in any style and completed on the day of the competition. 

 

Graphic Tattoo (Fresh) – This category is open to tattoos completed on the day of the competition, with no size restrictions. The category includes works based on visual elements characteristic of graphic art, such as line, dot, shape, texture, and contrast. Entries created using techniques such as fineline, dotwork, engraving, and whip shading are particularly welcome, as are designs incorporating elements of calligraphy, illustration, and ornamental art. The use of color is permitted.

  

Old School Tattoo (Fresh) – This category is intended for tattoos completed on the day of the competition and executed in the style of traditional American tattooing (Old School). Eligible entries include classic motifs characteristic of this genre. Tattoos may be created using the traditional Old School color palette or in black and grey, provided they retain the defining features of the style: bold outlines, simplified forms, clear composition, and classic aesthetics.

 

Best Tattoo of Saturday & Best Tattoo of Sunday – These categories are intended for tattoos completed entirely during Saturday or Sunday, respectively, by a single tattoo artist. Tattoos of any style may be entered, provided that the work was both started and finished on the respective day of the convention. 

 

Big black and gray tattoo (Healed) – This category is open to healed tattoos larger than A4 size, including sleeves, leg sleeves, back pieces, front pieces, and other large-scale works. Tattoos may be executed in any style. The use of one accent color is permitted. Works created using “silver” inks are also eligible. 

 

Realistic Tattoo Color (Healed) - This category is intended for healed tattoos executed in a realistic style, with color serving as the primary means of expression. Please note: Entries should be approximately A4 size or smaller. Eligible works include portraits, animal depictions, landscapes, still lifes, and similar subjects. Surrealistic elements and mixed compositions are permitted, provided that the realistic representation of the subject remains the dominant feature of the tattoo. 

 

Small tattoo black & gray (Healed) - This category is intended for healed tattoos measuring no more than approximately 15 × 15 cm, created in any style using black ink and grey wash techniques. 

 

Author’s tattoo (Healed) - This category is intended for healed tattoos based on an original design created by the tattoo artist. Entries should reflect the artist’s individual style, aesthetic vision, and creative expression, rather than being copies or direct interpretations of existing designs. All techniques, styles, and tattoo sizes are permitted. 

 

Author’s tattoo (Fresh) - This category is intended for tattoos completed on the day of the competition, based on an original design created by the tattoo artist. Entries should reflect the artist’s individual style, aesthetic vision, and creative expression, rather than being copies or direct interpretations of existing designs. All techniques, styles, and tattoo sizes are permitted.

 

We did it together – This category is open to tattoos created during the convention through the collaboration of at least two, but no more than three artists. Any style and size are permitted. 

 

Two-day feat – This category is open to tattoos created by a single artist over the course of two days of the convention. Any style and size are permitted.