Tattoo Comps

Hampshire Tattoo Expo 2027 — Competitions

TATTOO COMPETITIONS

Step forward, showcase your craft, and be recognised in front of your peers and the crowd.

See the categories
BLACK & GREY  ✦  COLOUR  ✦  TRADITIONAL  ✦  REALISM  ✦  ORNAMENTAL  ✦  FINE LINE  ✦  JAPANESE  ✦  BEST OF DAY  ✦  BLACK & GREY  ✦  COLOUR  ✦  TRADITIONAL  ✦  REALISM  ✦  ORNAMENTAL  ✦  FINE LINE  ✦  JAPANESE  ✦  BEST OF DAY  ✦ 

THE BEST OF THE BEST

The HTE tattoo competitions are a huge part of the weekend and one of the best moments of the show. It's where artists get to step forward, showcase their hard work, and be recognised in front of their peers and the crowd.

Our competitions are judged by a hand-picked panel of experienced tattooists who understand the craft — giving every entry a fair and respected assessment.

STYLE CATEGORIES

Small & Large divisions in every category

Black & Grey
Small Large
Colour
Small Large
Traditional
Small Large
Realism
Small Large
Ornamental
Small Large
Fine Line
Small Large
Japanese
Small Large
Blackwork
Small Large
Funny
Small Large
Best of Saturday
Overall
Best of Sunday
Overall
HTE

MAIN AWARDS

🏆
Best of Day — Saturday

Selected from all category entries completed on Saturday. The standout piece of the day takes this award.

🏆
Best of Day — Sunday

Selected from all category entries completed on Sunday. Best of Day winners are chosen from the full day's entries.

HOW TO ENTER

Artists will receive a timetable showing when each category will be judged. You'll need your client to be at the side of the stage 10 minutes before the previous category ends.

Make sure you're prepared, your client is ready, and your work is looking its best — the judges don't wait around!

WHAT YOU CAN WIN

🏆
Custom HTE Trophy

Every category winner receives a custom Hampshire Tattoo Expo trophy — a proper piece of recognition for your craft.

📱
Social Media Feature

Winners are featured across all of our social media platforms — putting your work in front of our full audience.

Event Highlights

Winners are included in next year's event highlights, cementing your place in HTE history.

BRING YOUR BEST WORK

If you're tattooing at HTE, this is your moment. We can't wait to see what you create.