contest schedule

• Please make sure your tattoo falls within that category or categories you are entering.
• All tattoos entered MUST be done by an artist working the convention.
• You may enter a tattoo or tattoos into multiple categories over the weekend
• Fresh tattoos are accepted in all categories.
• Healed tattoos are accepted in all categories except Best of Day and Best of Show.
• Best of Day/Show tattoos must be done at the convention.
• Best of Day tattoos must be done all in the same day.
• Multiple day tattoos can be entered into any category except Best of Day. You can enter multiple days into Best of Show.
• If you are entering multiple tattoos into a category please let each judge know to judge them separately so they don’t think it is all one tattoo or miss one of the tattoos you entered.
• Partially finished tattoos will be disqualified
• A "part" of a tattoo cannot be entered into a standalone category.
• Must be present for Judging or the piece will be disqualified

• Each category has a specific set of criteria that the judges follow and do not make exceptions. The criteria the judges follow will be CLEANLINESS, COMPOSITION, PLACEMENT, CREATIVITY.
• Cleanliness of the tattoo is looked at carefully so any inconsistencies such as blowouts, scarring, shaky line work, patchy shading, and if it looks unfinished will go against the tattoo.
• Composition of the tattoo is judged how well the tattoo is designed, placed and if it is legible. The tattoo must demonstrate contrast, values, depth, and structure in order for it to be legible when viewing up close or at a distance.
• The tattoos placement plays a large role in how it is judged and it must compliment the area and look natural. Other tattoos surrounding the tattoo being judged can have an effect on the tattoo as well.
• Creativity can be the defining factor in whether or not a tattoo places in a category as several tattoos might meet all the criteria. The more unique the tattoo or concept often will catch the judges eye.
• Other factors that come into play with tattoos are age of the tattoo, difficulty, scale of the tattoo, if it is or looks unfinished, if it’s still healing at the time of judging. If it is fresh and is very swollen or red it could also hinder how well the judges are able to view the criteria in a freshly done tattoo.
• Size and Coverage: We are not looking for the biggest and boldest looking tattoo, we are looking for the best tattoo so even though we appreciate these things we judge all tattoos the same regardless of size and coverage. We want the cleanest and best tattoo possible and this means all tattoos of any size large or small have the same chance.

Note: No tattoo is flawless and we realize this. These guidelines keep the judging as precise and as fair as possible. 

• Best of Day: Must be done at the convention and in the same day it was entered
• Best of Show: Selected from the three Best of Day winners
• Lettering: Can be any style, any font, B&G, color, or both. we are looking for the cleanest lines in your lettering and make it stand out!
• American Traditional: B&G, color, or both. Can only have one line weight and only colors allowed are black, red, yellow, green, and brown otherwise it will be considered Neo-Traditional. Pepper shading or packed color with some skin breaks.
• Neo-Traditional: It can be B&G, color, or both. Multiple line weights and an expanded color palette. Generally smoother shading and packing with skin breaks.
• Asian: Any style, B&G, color, or both as long as it’s obviously Asian influenced.
• Anime: B&G, color, or both. It must be some style of anime or manga.
• Ornamental: B&G, color or both. must follow geometric shapes, patterns, and designs for example mandalas are a form of geometric tattooing. This category includes Polynesian, tribal and filigree.
• Realism: It can be B&G, color, or both. Must be a realism style such as photo realism or hyper realism.
• Small Black and Gray: Any style, must be in black and gray and smaller than 8.5" x 5.5"
• Small Color: Any style, must be in color and smaller than 8.5" x 5.5"
• Large Black And Gray: Any style, must be in black and gray, larger than small category, yet smaller than sleeve category
• Large Color: Any style, must be in color, larger than small category, yet smaller than sleeve category
• Sleeve Color: Any style but must have at least 60% coverage on a leg or arm in color.
• Sleeve Black and Gray: Any style but must have at least 60% coverage on a leg or arm in B&G.
• Fan Favorite: Selected by the fans via text message voting