1st Langkawi International Tattoo Convention
Competition Categories & rules

Trophies awarded for 1st and 2nd, 3rd Place is certificate only.

Saturday Categories

Best Small Colour
For vibrant colour pieces smaller than A4. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event. 

Best Small Black & Grey
For intricate black-and-grey work smaller than A4, including small portraits. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best Small Traditional (Non-Machine)
For small tattoos created using hand-poke, hand-tap, bamboo, or other non-machine techniques. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best of Saturday:                              

Started and completed at the event.

Sunday Categories

Best Large Colour
For large-scale colour designs A4 or larger. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best Large Black & Grey
For detailed black-and-grey pieces A4 or larger, including large portraits. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best Geometric, Ornamental or Polynesian
For designs featuring solid blackwork, geometric forms, ornamental patterns, or Polynesian influences. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best Oriental
For tattoos with a clear Japanese influence, such as koi or oni masks. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best Large Traditional (Non-Machine)
For large tattoos created using hand-tap, hand-poke, or other non-machine techniques. Entries may be pieces started and/or completed before the event.

Best of Sunday

Open only to tattoos started and completed at the convention on Sunday.

Best of Show
Reserved for tattoos started and completed during the convention. The work may be completed in one day or over multiple days, in any style, and in colour, black and grey, or a combination of both. The tattoo must be completed by one artist; collaborations are not permitted.

Showcase Award
For the best tattoo completed prior to the event ONLY. Can be any size or style.

Saturday & Sunday

Best Booth

The best-looking booth of the whole event. Booths will be judged by cleanliness, uniqueness and overall creativity. Artist or Vendor. 

ALL TATTOOS ENTERED INTO ANY COMPETITION MUST BE PERFORMED BY AN ARTIST WHO IS OFFICIALLY REGISTERED AND TATTOOING AT THE EVENT.

Judge’s decision is final

Tattoo Contest Rules – Subject to change

Judging Criteria
Judges will assess each entry on technical application, placement and body flow, overall design, creativity, and long-term legibility.

Size Guidelines

Small Colour and Black & Grey

  • Maximum size:25cm x 20cm
  • Measurement:Length of entire piece, end to end.

 Large Colour and Black & Grey

  • Minimum size:26cm x 21cm
  • No max size
  • Measurement:Length of entire piece, end to end.

 

Best Small Non machine:

Hand poke, hand tap, bamboo etc. ONLY. No machine work.  

Best of Saturday or Sunday:

Started and completed at the convention ONLY.

Best Geometric/Ornamental/Polynesian:

Entries may use black and grey, colour, or both. The design must clearly follow geometric shapes or patterns, such as mandalas. Shading and linework are optional.

Best Oriental:

Any style is permitted, in black and grey, colour, or both, provided the design has a clear Japanese influence.

Best Traditional:

Hand Tapped/Poked, no machine work. Entries may be premade or completed at the event.

Black And Gray (small and large):

Any style, as long as it’s in black and grey.

Best Colour (small and large):

Entries must use colour and may be in any style. Judges will look for varied line weights, a broad colour palette, smooth shading and colour packing.

Best of Show:

Must be done at the convention and can be either a same-day or multiple-day tattoo. The tattoo can be any style: colour, black & grey, or a combination of both. Best of Show can only be done by one artist, no collaborations.

Best Booth:

We are looking for the best booth set up at the convention so be creative and have your booth looking clean, unique, and stand out from all the rest. This can be a vendor or artist booth.

Entry Eligibility

  • All tattoos MUST be started and completed AT THE EVENT except for these categories:
    • Best Small Colour
    • Best Small Black and Grey
    • Best Large Colour
    • Best Large Black and Grey
    • Best Geometric, etc.
    • Best Oriental
    • Best Large Traditional (Non-machine)

  • A single tattoo may be entered into more than one applicable category. Artists may enter multiple tattoos into the same applicable category.

Awards and Registration

  • Trophies will be awarded for first and second place; third place will receive a certificate.
  • All competition entries must be registered by 4.30 pm.
  • All tattoos entered must have been performed by an artist who is officially registered at the event.
  • The judges’ decision is final.
  • Complete disrobing is not permitted during the competition.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Artists are not permitted to sell tattoo equipment including, but not limited to: Tattoo machines, Inks, beds and needles. If an Artist wishes to sell any related products they will be required to apply for and purchase a Trader’s booth. This does not apply to artist merchandise such as T-shirts, stickers or   after-care products.

Booth holders will be permitted to access the venue from 6pm on Friday 25th September 2026 for set up. Set up is from 6pm to 7:45pm. ALL artists and helpers must leave the premises after this time. The venue will open at 9am for artists to finishing set up and prepare their stations before opening to general public at 10am.

The venue will close at 8pm on both Saturday and Sunday. ALL artists, helpers and clients must leave the premises after this time.

On Sunday 27th September 2026 all booths must be cleared and vacated by 9pm.

Artists will be given ONE Artist lanyard and wristband each. Assistants/Helpers will be given ONE wristband each. Lost wristbands will not be replaced. If you do not have a wristband displayed or on your person, you will not be allowed access back into the venue unless shown or with purchase of a day or weekend pass.

Please note that access to certain areas will be off limits. Restricted and accessible areas will be made clear to you on the day of set up.

BERJAYA LANGKAWI RESORT and LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL TATTOO CONVENTION ORGANISERS take no responsibility for loss or damage of personal equipment, stands or vehicles. They also do not accept responsibility for any injury to artists, helpers or clients as well as general public.

Please ensure any and all tattoos entered into a competition fit the appropriate criteria and that all rules have been read and understood before doing so.