Competition

Competition Categories and Rules:

SATURDAY (Judging starts at 5pm)

  • THE DUEL
  • Healed
  • Small Colour
  • Small Black and Grey (10% max colour allowable)
  • Newcomer
  • New School / Neo Traditional
  • Old School / Traditional
  • Realism / Portrait
  • Best of Day

SUNDAY (Judging starts at 4pm)

  • Public Vote (Pre-Registration by 3pm at Welcome Desk)
  • Large Black and Grey (10% max colour allowable)
  • Large Colour
  • Blackwork (any size, any style)
  • Asian Continent (any size, any Asian style)
  • Avant Garde
  • Best of Day
  • Best of Show

• Categories will be judged in order with judging starting at 5:00pm on Saturday and 4:00pm on Sunday. Models must be present with their forms at the announced time. If given a token, they should proceed to the desk for the next round.

• Public Vote: Pre-register by taking your form to the welcome desk before 3 PM on Sunday to get an entry ticket.

• Awards ceremonies start around 7:00 PM each evening. The order will be the same except for Public Vote, Best of Day and Best of Show, which will close the convention.

• Best of Day: Judged on the main stage from each day's category winners (except Healed) and any wildcard entries.

• Best of Show: Will be determined from the Winners of Best of Day (Saturday) and Best of Day (Sunday). Should the model for Best of Day Saturday not be available on the Sunday for judging, a photo submission will be accepted as the judges will have already seen the piece.

Submission Rules:

  1. Tattoos completed before the convention can only be entered into the ‘BEST HEALED TATTOO’ category. They cannot be submitted for any other category.
  2. Tattoos done at the Tatcon Blackpool convention can be submitted to a maximum of two relevant categories OR Best of Day, (excluding Best Healed and Best of Show). The judges’ decision is final.
  3. Only artists or studios attending the convention with their own booth can submit entries. Submissions from non-attending artists will not be accepted.
  4. To enter a category, you must fill out the relevant form, and the model must bring it to the judging.
  5. Collaborations can only be entered into Best Healed. All tattoos done at the convention must be by a single artist.
  6. Artists are responsible for submitting work to the correct category. Submissions that do not follow the rules will not be judged. The judges’ decision is final.
  7. For any category, the model must be present for judging. Photos will not be accepted.
  8. Please ensure you understand the competition rules. The organisers can clarify any questions, but the judges’ decision is always final.
  9. Wildcard entries: These can be submitted to Best of Day if they haven’t entered any other category. This option is for artists who feel their work doesn’t fit any specific category.
  10. Best of Show will be judged on the main stage, featuring the winners of Best of Saturday and Best of Sunday.
  11. Please ensure you understand the competition rules. The organisers may be able to clarify questions, but the judges’ decision is always final.
Black, Grey Wash and White highlights. A maximum of 10% Colour is acceptable. Size must be A5 or smaller.
Can be any style as long as it is colourful or opaque. Size must be A5 or smaller
Applicants need to be licensed no longer than 3 years and have no previous convention awards
A healed tattoo submitted by an attending artist. Model must be present for judging. No touch ups allowed. Not eligible for any other category
A traditional tattoo must be true to the code, 1 line weight, black whip shade with the choice of a 3 colour palette. Traditional tattoos do not have white. Any size is allowed.
Can be any style as long as it is colourful or opaque. Size must be larger than A5.
Black, Grey Wash and White highlights. A maximum of 10% Colour is acceptable. Size must be A5 or larger.
This can be any style including dotwork, geometric, mandala etc. Must be Black ink only, any size, any style.
Will be voted by public ballot. Tattoos must be done at the convention. It is not allowed to “touch up” old tattoos or finish old existing work. You must pre-register for this category by submitting a separate form at the welcome desk by 3pm on Sunday.
Any size, any style of work from the Asian Continent. This includes all 48 countries in Asia, the more obvious being Japan, India, China, Thailand, Korea and Nepal. This category covers all styles of Oriental work and more.
A true representation of a realistic image. Not to include script or cartoon imagery.
This category can include portraiture, scripting, abstract and surrealism. The use of any ink is allowed and can be of any size.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your entry is entered into the correct category and your model is on time for judging and has completed entry form with them. • Judging begins at 5pm (Saturday) and 4pm (Sunday) and categories will be called in order, listen out for the announcements. • If you miss your category your entry will not be able to be judged. • Please note a photo may be submitted for Best of Show judging on the Sunday if you won Best of Saturday and your Model cannot attend the Sunday Judging. • Wildcard entries (if there are any) for Best of Day judging will take place on the main stage which will then include first place winners of each Best of Day. • Awards ceremonies will commence at approximately 7:00pm each evening.

Terms and Conditions

Tatcon Blackpool - Terms & Conditions for Artists and Stand Holders

  1. Health & Safety:
    • Tattooing Protocol: All artists must use clip cord covers (if appropriate) and wear gloves while tattooing to maintain hygiene standards.
    • Age Restrictions: Do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18. If in doubt, check for ID. Red wristbands are issued to attendees under 18 to help identify them easily.
    • Consent Forms: A consent form must be completed for each tattoo, similar to standard studio practice. Forms are included in your convention pack, with extras available at the registration desk.
    • Booth Responsibility: You are responsible for the safety and security of your work area, including any guests you invite. The event organizers and venue staff are not liable for any injury or theft that occurs in your booth.
  2. Waste Management:
    • Waste Disposal: Separate clinical waste (yellow bag) from general waste (black bag). Mixing these wastes is a health hazard and may result in fines. Any fines imposed on the organizers will be passed on to the responsible artist.
  3. Event Setup & Stand Management:
    • Setup Deadline: All stands must be set up by 9:00 am on the event's first day (Saturday). Failure to meet this deadline will result in forfeiture of your right to exhibit, and no refunds will be issued.
    • Vehicle Access: Stand holder vehicles are not permitted near the loading area one hour before the event opens and 15 minutes after it closes to the public.
    • Stand Clearance: All stands must be cleared by 1:00 pm on Monday. Any property left unclaimed by midnight will be disposed of by the company.
  4. Property & Insurance:
    • Risk Management: All property brought to the event is at the stand holder’s own risk. The company is not responsible for any loss or damage to stock, equipment, or vehicles.
    • Insurance Requirements: Stand holders must have adequate Public and Products Liability Insurance covering their attendance at the event. The company reserves the right to inspect insurance certificates. The company's decision on the sufficiency of insurance is final.
    • No Compensation: The company will not pay any compensation arising from participation in the event.
  5. Equipment & Compliance:
    • Electrical Equipment: All electrical equipment must have a valid P.A.T test certificate. On-site testing is available at an additional cost. Non-certified equipment will not be permitted.
    • Health Bylaws: Artists must adhere to current Environmental Health Bylaws relevant to the local area. Follow best practices as far as reasonably practicable.
    • Tattooing Setup: Tattooing on tables is strictly prohibited for health and safety reasons. Artists must provide their own bed/couch/arm rest. The company will supply chairs, power, a table, medical waste disposal (including sharps), water, and paper towels.
    • Cooperation with Authorities: Artists and traders must answer questions from authority officers truthfully and to the best of their ability.
  6. Conduct & Contract:
    • Undesirable Displays: The company reserves the right to close any stand displaying undesirable goods or services without issuing refunds. Tattoo Artists are not allowed to sell tattoo machines or supplies from their stands; a separate trade stand must be booked for this purpose.
    • No PA Equipment: Use of PA equipment by exhibitors is strictly prohibited.
    • Public Attendance: The company aims to attract members of the public to the event but does not guarantee attendance numbers.
    • Entry at Your Own Risk: Entry to the event is at the stand holder’s own risk. The company accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to stock, stands, equipment, persons, or vehicles, however caused.
    • Contractual Agreement: By applying to attend the convention, the stand holder agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions without exception. The contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales, with disputes subject to the jurisdiction of their courts.
    • Terms Amendments: The company reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time with immediate effect.
  7. Parking & Venue Rules:
    • Parking Responsibility: Parking at the venue is the stand holder's responsibility and is not free. Ensure your vehicle registration is recorded at the hotel reception to avoid fines. The company is not responsible for parking fines.

Full Category List

The Duel
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Healed
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Small Colour
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Small Black and Grey
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Newcomer
Judged and Awarded Saturday
New School / Neo-Trad
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Old School / Traditional
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Realism / Portrait
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Best of Saturday
Judged and Awarded Saturday
Public Vote
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Large Black and Grey
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Large Colour
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Blackwork
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Asian Continent
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Avant Garde
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Best of Sunday
Judged and Awarded Sunday
Best of Show
Judged and Awarded Sunday

TATCON BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL TATTOO CONVENTION