Tattoo Contest Rules

Step into the world of body art at the 12th Rijeka Tattoo Expo in 2024! With a range of categories, from Botanical to Gaming, there's a chance for every artist to showcase their unique style and creativity. Get ready to be wowed by the Best Original Flash category, where hand-drawn designs are judged, or the Realistic Color category, featuring lifelike tattoos based on reference images and materials. Don't miss the thrilling finale, where winners from each day compete for the coveted Best of Show award. Adhere to all safety and hygiene guidelines and register in advance for your chance to shine at the Rijeka Tattoo Expo 2024.
Promotional poster for Rijeka Tattoo Expo 2024 with tattoo contest categories listed by day from November 22nd to 24th.
Rijeka Tattoo Expo 2024 - Tattoo Contest Categories

Tattoo Competition Rules
Rijeka Tattoo Expo 2024

General Conditions:

Registration and Participation:

  • All participants must register in advance at the info desk. Registration will be open during the convention at specific times:

    • Friday and Saturday: 15:30 – 18:30
    • Sunday: 15:00 – 18:00
  • Participants may compete in multiple categories.
  • A single tattoo can only be entered in one category throughout the competition.
  • Participants must adhere to all prescribed safety and hygiene guidelines during the event.
  • In the BEST OF DAY category, only the winners (1st place) of that day’s categories will compete.
  • In the BEST OF SHOW category, only the winners of the “Best of Day” (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) categories from all three days of the competition will compete.
  • The start time of the competition each day will be announced in the program. All participants will receive their category number.
  • All models must be ready in front of the stage 5 minutes before the competition starts. Each model will be called by their number, and if not present, they will be disqualified from the competition.

Documentation:

Entries in specific categories must be accompanied by photographs and/or relevant materials (e.g., sample work images, flash designs, etc.).
Materials must be in high resolution and clearly display the work.

Additional Category Details:

FRIDAY

Best Original Flash:

Description: “Best Original Tattoo Flash” is the category where the original design for a tattoo (tattoo flash) created and drawn by the author is judged. The design can be in any style (traditional, neo-traditional, realistic, blackwork, geometric, etc.), but it must be original and hand-drawn, either on paper or digitally.
Requirements: A printed copy of the flash design submitted for the competition must be attached. Compositions made from graphics and photographs from the internet are not eligible for this category. 

In addition to submitting your original flash design on paper or digitally, the design must also be tattooed on skin. This means that the design you enter in this category must be applied as an actual tattoo on a client or model by the time of the competition. The entry will be judged based on both the original flash design and the tattooed version on skin.

Please remember that only original designs created by the artist are eligible. Designs using graphics or photos sourced from the internet will not be accepted. Entries composed of non-original elements will be disqualified.

Botanical:

Description: Tattoos inspired by botany, including flowers, trees, and all elements of nature and flora.
Requirements: Works must depict elements of the botanical world and be created according to the thematic guidelines.

SATURDAY

Gaming:

Description: Tattoos related to the gaming world, including characters and motifs from video games.
Requirements: Works must be clearly related to the gaming theme, including well-known characters or motifs from video games.

Realistic Color:

Description: Tattoos in a realistic color style.
Requirements: Participants must provide a reference image or material on which the tattoo was based. The image should clearly display the original pattern and the finished work.

SUNDAY

Best Realistic Black & Grey:

Description: The best tattoo in a realistic black and grey style.
Requirements: Participants must provide a reference image (original photo) and the finished work. The tattoo should be created in black and grey technique with an emphasis on realistic depiction.

Best Large:

Description: The best large tattoo.
Requirements: The minimum size of the tattoo is 30×20 cm. All styles and techniques are accepted. The work must be shown in its entirety, with a clear display of size and details.

FINALE

Best of Day:

Description: The best works from each category compete for this award.
Requirements: Winners of all categories from each day (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) will compete for this award.

Best of Show:

Description: Winners of the daily categories during the competition compete for this award.
Requirements: This round includes winners from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Note: All tattoos must be started and completed at the 12th Rijeka Tattoo Expo. The selection of winners will be based on quality, creativity, and adherence to thematic guidelines. The organizers reserve the right to use photographs of submitted designs for promotional purposes of the Expo.