🎃Ink Mania Expo Tattoo Competition Policy

Dates: October 17th – 19th, 2025
Theme: Halloween / La Catrina

Step up and show out — Here’s everything you need to know:

📝 Registration Info

All tattoo contest registration is done in person at the front lobby on the day of the show.

You can also register at the left side of the main stage prior to the start of each competition.

Registration Fee:

  • $15 per category (non-refundable)
  • $30 for Tattoo of the Day & Best of Show (non-refundable)
✅ Competition Rules

Tattoos may be healed or fresh — both are welcome. No bloody tattoos. Entries must be clean and ready for judging. Please do not tell the judges who your artist is. Be present at least 30 minutes before your category starts.

No refunds.

🏆 Awards
1st and 2nd place awards will be given for most categories.

Winners will be announced on stage and featured across our platforms.

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
By entering the Ink Mania Expo LLC tattoo competitions, you agree to release Ink Mania LLC from any and all legal responsibility regarding copyrighted tattoos, artwork, photographs, merchandise, or any other trademarked material submitted for competition.

Friday Contest Schedule

Registration: 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Category Contest: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Best of the Day Registration: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Best of the Day: 10:00pm – 11:00pm

Friday Contest Categories

Best Horror Fine Art (Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor all types of medium) Original artwork must be there 1st – 2nd place

Best Horror Flash designs 1st – 2nd place

Best Spooky Traditional Tattoo (Solid lines, Saturation Colors) 1st – 2nd place

Best Illustrative Horror / Spooky 1st – 2nd place

Best ” Off – Limits Tattoo (Face, Hands, Neck ) ( Bold Spots Done Right) 1st – 2nd place

Best Bloody Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Black & Grey Infused with Color Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Canvas Color Tattoo (You need to have a melanin-rich skin) 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Canvas Black & Grey Tattoo (You need to have a melanin-rich skin) 1st – 2nd place

Best Blackwork tattoo (Any style that is full black ink only, Heavy Lines) 1st – 2nd place

Best Oriental Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Horror Realism Tattoo

Best Of The Day Color Tattoo

Best Of The Day Black & Grey Tattoo

Saturday Contest Schedule

Registration: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Category Contest: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Best of the Day Registration: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Best of the Day: 10:00pm – 11:00pm

Saturday Contest Categories

Best Realism Tattoo

Best Surrealism tattoo

Best Horror Realism Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best La Catrina – Day Of The Dead inspired piece Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Undead Pin-Up / Anime Tattoo (Retro pin-up reimagined as Zombies, Vampire, or Ghostly Vixens) 1st – 2nd place

Best Horror / Haunted Scenery (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place (NOT A REALISM TATTOO)

Best Zombie Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Calavera / Skull Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Spiritual / Symbolism Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Fantasy Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Horror Movie Character Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Duality Theme Tattoo (Life Vs Death, beauty vs Decay) 1st – 2nd place

Best Ghost Style Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Gothic Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Rib Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Arm / Leg Sleeve Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Back Piece Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Chest Piece Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Butt Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Palm / Under Foot Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Animal Portraits Tattoo 1st – 2nd place

Best Spectators Choice Tattoo (Any Style) 1st – 2nd place

Best Of The Day Color Tattoo

Best Of The Day Black & Grey Tattoo

Sunday Contest Schedule

Registration: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Category Contest: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Best of the Day Registration: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Best of the Day: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Over all registration: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Overall contest: 8:00pm – 9:00pm

Sunday Contest Categories

Best Small Color Tattoo (under 8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Small Black & Grey Tattoo (under 8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Medium Color Tattoo (8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Medium Black & Grey Tattoo (8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Large Color Tattoo (over 8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Large Black & Grey Tattoo (over 8×8) 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Canvas Color Tattoo (You need to have a melanin-rich skin) 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Canvas Black & Grey Tattoo (You need to have a melanin-rich skin) 1st – 2nd place

Best Dark Canvas Black & Grey With Color Tattoo (You need to have a melanin-rich skin) 1st – 2nd place

Best Collector Tattoo (Client with The most collection of tattoos arounds the body) Man/ Woman 1st – 2nd place

Judges ‘ WTF Favorite Tattoo (Anything Goes – Most weird, and unforgettable pieces of the weekend) Each Judges will pick a winner

Best Of The Day Color Tattoo

Best Of The Day Black & Grey Tattoo

Best Of Show Tattoo

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