Tattoo Contest Showdown
3 Days. 20+ Categories. 1 Crown. ONE ROYALTY.
- Ink with Impact. Compete for a Crown.
Step into the spotlight—because this year, we’re rewriting tradition.
For the 4th Annual Kings & Queens of Ink Tattoo Expo (June 19–21, 2026), the top honor is no longer split between a King and a Queen.
🔥 BEST OF SHOW: ROYALTY 🔥
No separate crowns. No divided titles. Just ONE winner.
Every piece. Every detail. Every needle stroke.
When the final tattoo is judged, only one artist will rise above the rest and claim the throne.
👑 Will the crown go to a King?
👑 Will it belong to a Queen?
That decision gets made live by skill alone.
ONE CROWN. ONE WINNER. ALL GLORY.
Tattoo Contest Rules
- All tattoos can be fresh or healed to enter the competition, except for tattoo(s) of the day competitions.
- All Contest (except for Best of Show) $10
- Best of Show $20
- Registration opens when the convention opens each day and will close 30 minutes before judging starts.
- Best of Day must have been STARTED and FINISHED at the show that day.
- Best of Show must have been STARTED and FINISHED at the SHOW throughout the weekend.
- PLEASE REPORT TO THE STAGE AREA 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE COMPETITION STARTS IF YOU HAVE ENTERED A COMPETITION. Competitions will start PROMPTLY at the times listed. No refunds will be given for missed competitions.
Daily Contest Schedule
Friday
Tattoo Contest Begins at 8 pm
Best of Day Contests Begins at 9 pm
- Best Horror
- Best Lettering
- Best Geometric
- Best Color Anime/Comic
- Best B&G Anime/Comic
- Best of the Day Color
- Best of the Day Black & Grey
Saturday
Tattoo Contest Begins at 6 pm
Best of Day Contests Begins at 9 pm
- Best American Traditional
- Best Neo-Traditional
- Best Asian Tattoo
- Best Arm Sleeve
- Best Leg Sleeve
- Best Chest or Back
- Best Cover-Up
- Best Job Stopper (hand/ head/neck)
- Best Black & Grey Portrait
- Best Color Portrait
- Best Color Realism
- Best Black & Grey Realism
- Best Black & Grey Color Fusion
- Best of the Day Color
- Best of the Day Black & Grey
Sunday
Tattoo Contest Begins at 5 pm
Best of Day Contests Begins at 6 pm
Best of Show Begins at 7 pm
- Best Color (sm, med, lg)
- Best Black & Grey (sm, med, lg)
- Best of the Day Color
- Best of the Day Black & Grey
- BEST OF SHOW: ROYALTY
There are no separate titles.
There is no divided crown.
🔥 When judging concludes, only ONE artist will be crowned ROYALTY.
👑 Will the crown go to a King?
👑 Will it belong to a Queen?
That decision is made live, in front of the crowd, by skill alone.
Prizes & Judging Criteria
Prizes
- There will be a 1st place & 2nd place in all categories except for best day and the Best of Show
- Custom-designed trophies for
- Artist feature on official Kings & Queens IG
- Winner photo ops with judges + stage feature
- Prize packs from sponsors for Best of Day Categories & Best of Show
- Cash Prizes for Best of Day & the Best of Show
- The Best of Show will get a free 10x10 Booth for Next Year's Show
Judging Criteria
How Winners Are Chosen:
- Overall composition
- Line work & technical skill
- Saturation & smooth shading
- Use of color or black & grey contrast
- Creativity/originality of the piece
- Creativity/Clean application and healed quality (if applicable)of the piece
Judging is done live and fairly by a panel of respected industry professionals.
