Fiercely contested, forever popular and the high point of any tattoo convention, the Tattoo Competitions return this year.
The weekend offers artists and clients the chance to enter, giving our esteemed panel of judges the incredibly hard task of choosing a winner.
You’ve got to be in it to win it, so make sure you register your client and tattoo in time!
Check out the categories below and if you have any questions, drop Sarah a message on sarah@jazzevents.co.uk
2022 Categories
Saturday
Best Avant Garde sponsored by Wholesale Body Jewellery
Colour or mono, abstract, distorted reality, brushwork, expressionist, line work, geometric and experimental.Best Blackwork sponsored by Pulse Light Clinic
Strong presence of black ink, line work, geometric, symmetry.Best Traditional sponsored by Dermalize Pro
Colour or mono, defined by the presence of a long-established, traditional tattoo. Includes but is not limited to traditional depictions of the nautical, gypsy, roses etc.
Best Oriental sponsored by C&P Medical
Colour or mono, excellent depiction of oriental, including but not limited to traditional koi and Japanese Oni masks.
Oriental bodysuits or sleeves entered into this category will be the only tattoos judged that have not been worked on at the show.Best Colour
A strong presence of colour, water colour, vivid tones with impact.Best of Saturday sponsored by Cheyenne Professional Tattoo Equipment
Only winners of the Saturday categories will be judged for Best of Saturday.
Sunday
Best Neo-Traditional sponsored by Wholesale Body Jewellery
Colour or mono, bold lines, revival of traditional tattoo style.Best Realism sponsored by Dermalize Pro
Colour or mono, portraits, wildlife, hyper realistic detail.Best Black & Grey sponsored by Tattoo Insure
May be a wide variety of subject but must exclusively be black and grey.Best of Sunday sponsored by Cheyenne Professional Tattoo Equipment
Only winners of the Sunday categories will be judged for Best of Sunday.
Best of Convention sponsored by Starr Tattoo Supplies
Self explanatory - your tattoo is the victor of all and may take it's rightful throne in the Great British Tattoo Show's Hall of Fame.
Meet the Judges
Rules & Guidelines
Only tattoos done at The Great British Tattoo Show are eligible to enter the 2021 awards*
All entrants MUST be registered to enter. REGISTRATION FORMS TO BE FOUND AT THE INFORMATION POINT.
All tattoos can ONLY be entered into ONE category.
The winners from both days will be entered into the Best of Convention category on Sunday.
No tattoo studio/artists T-shirts to be worn in front of the judges.
Judges will not be made aware of any artist’s studio or identity.
Judging will take place on stage in the Arena on the ground floor.
*Oriental bodysuits, leg and/or arm sleeves entered into Best Oriental will be the only tattoos judged that have not been worked on at the show.
