Contest Guidelines

CONTEST GUIDELINES

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
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.

JUDGING CRITERIA

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. The Tattoo Collectors Expo owners take pride in the contest portion of the show and want to see the best tattoos from all over the globe.

RULES FOR EACH EVENT

Best of Day Color: Must be done at the convention and must be color and done on that day
Best of Day Black and Gray: same rules just in Black and Gray
Best of Show: Must be done at the convention and it can be the same day or a multiple day tattoo. The tattoo can be any style, color or black and gray or even both.
Best Booth: We are looking for the best booth set up at the convention so be creative and have your booth looking clean, unique, and stand out from all the rest. This can be a vendor or artist booth.
Micro: Can be any style, B&G, color, or both as long as it’s a micro (very small) tattoo with enough detail and structure to last over time.
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!
Polynesian: Must follow Polynesian style patterns. Line work and well packed black are judged heavily in this category
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.
Black and Gray Portrait: Any style and must be in black and gray
Color Portrait: Any style and must be in color.
Realistic: It can be B&G, color, or both. Must be a realism style such as photo realism or hyper realism.
Geometric: B&G, color or both. must follow geometric shapes, patterns, and designs for example mandalas are a form of geometric tattooing. it can be with or without shading and with or without line work.
Sleeve Color: Any style but must have at least 50% coverage on a leg or arm in color.
Sleeve Black and Gray: Any style but must have at least 50% coverage on a leg or arm in B&G.
Chest or Back: Any style, B&G, color, or both but must have at least 50% coverage on the chest or back. the stomach can be included in the chest portion.
Anime: B&G, color, or both. It must be some style of anime or manga.
Comic: Any style, B&G, color, or both as long as it’s in reference to some comic character or universe.
Black And Gray: any style, as long as it’s in black and gray.
Color: Any style, as long as it’s in color
Horror: Any style, B&G, color, or both as long as it is horror related
Unusual: Any style, B&G, color, or both and it must be unique in the sense where it’s not a tattoo that somebody would come across or think of getting. Has to create some curiosity when being viewed.
Asian: Any style, B&G, color, or both as long as it’s obviously asian influenced.
Floral: Any style, B&G, color, or both and any type of flower or flowers.
Collaboration: Any style, B&G, color, or both done by 2 or more artists on one tattoo or tattoos.
Overall Male: The collection of tattoos on one contestant are judged all together.
Overall Female: The collection of tattoos on one contestant are judged all together.

EXPO VENUE

Loews Arlington Hotel is a resort destination situated between two iconic sports stadiums. This one-of-a-kind hotel is also connected to the new Arlington, TX Convention Center.

PHOTOS

The best tattoo industry photographers will be on hand to capture the event, so look your best.

FOOD & DRINKS

While enjoying the Expo, attendees can enjoy a variety of food, snacks, and beverages.

VENDORS

Top industry vendors will be in attendance showcasing the latest in tattoo swag.