Program & Competitions

ZAD

Convention Host

ZAD

Your host for the 20th Amsterdam Tattoo Convention!

Aaron Is

Tattoo Competition Headmaster

Aaron Is

The Competition Headmaster!

Meet & Greet

Lama Tashi Norbu

Lama Tashi Norbu

Tibetan Prayer Sessions, Tattoos and more!

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Lars Krutak

Lars Krutak

Documenting the History of Tattooing!

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Drew The Tribal Guy

Drew The Tribal Guy

Fully tattooed tribal enthusiast. Stand D3!

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Program

Friday 04/09/2026

13:00 - Doors Open (08:00 for exhibitors)

13:00 Doors Open
13:30 Opening Prayers by Lama Tashi Norbu (15min)
15:30 Bluddhistic - Body Suspensions show (18+)
16:45 Competition: Back / Chest Piece & Leg / Arm Sleeve
18:00 Competition: Script
19:30 Competition: Old School & Small Color
21:00 Competition: Best of Friday Tattoo
22:00 - End of day

Saturday 05/09/2026

10:00 - Doors Open (09:30 for exhibitors)

10:00 Doors Open
10:30 Opening & Morning Prayers by Lama Tashi Norbu (15min)
11:00 Burning Moon Body Art: The Cube - A Living Artwork (All day till 17:00)
12:00 Lars Krutak: Skin & Ink: A World Heritage of Tattooing + Q&A
14:00 T.B.A
16:30 Tittoo.org - Talk about their work and charity!
17:00 Best Tattooed/Painted Wooden Shoe - For Tittoo.org
17:45 Competition: Dotwork / Geometric
18:30 Competition: Large Color (Illustrative / Reference)
20:30 Competition: Best of Saturday Tattoo
22:00 - End of day

Sunday 06/09/2026

10:00 - Doors Open (09:30 for exhibitors)

10:00 Doors Open
10:30 Opening & Morning Prayers by Lama Tashi Norbu (15min)
11:30 Kava Ceremony by Lawrence Ah Ching
13:00 Bluddhistic / Ferwhara - Body Suspensions show (18+)
14:15 Competition: Asian Oriental
15:00 Competition: Tribal / Ethnic & Blackwork
15:45 Competition: Blackwork
16:30 Competition: Small Black and Grey & Large Black and Grey
17:30 Competition: Best of Sunday Tattoo
18:30 Competition: Best of 2-3 days Tattoo
19:45 Competition: BEST OF SHOW!
20:00 - End of day

All day DJ / background music (between shows) and meet and greets with Lama Tashi Norbu, Lars Krutak, Drew The Tribal Guy, Ink Stories interviews and more!

Competition Rules

The participant must register at the info stand (€5.00 cash) no later than 15min before the competition takes place. The participant will wait next to the stage (with a clean and dry tattoo). The participant will be called to the stage, and the jury will examine the tattoo. A photo will be taken (for promotional purposes).

The tattoo will be judged based on design, artwork, composition, placement, proportion, ink saturation, and originality. After judging, the two best-judged tattoos in the category will be called to the stage.

ONLY after judging can the participant reveal the name of the artist. The artist will receive an award, and the model will receive an after-care set (1st and 2nd places).

ALL OF OUR JURY MEMBERS ARE EXPERIENCED TATTOO ARTISTS!

Every category must have at least seven participants to proceed (excluding BEST OF SHOW).

Registration Fee: €5.00 cash

Categories

Best of Friday

Fresh Only

Started and finished at the convention on Friday, September 4 (fresh tattoo)

Best of Saturday

Fresh Only

Started and finished at the convention on Saturday, September 5 (fresh tattoo)

Best of Sunday

Fresh Only

Started and finished at the convention on Sunday, September 6 (fresh tattoo)

Best of 2-3 days

Fresh Only

Started and finished at the convention on different days (fresh tattoo)

Best of Show

Fresh Only

Contest between the winners of the four categories above. Only if 3+ winners on stage.

Small Colour

Fresh + Healed

Maximum 15x15 cm

Illustrative or reference style

Large Colour

Fresh + Healed

Minimum 15x15 cm

Illustrative or reference style

Small Black and Grey

Fresh + Healed

Maximum 15x15 cm

2% white highlight and shades of grey are permitted

Large Black and Grey

Fresh + Healed

Minimum 15x15 cm

2% white highlight and shades of grey are permitted

Lettering / Text

Fresh + Healed

Script / Calligraphy tattoos - any style, any colour

Back-piece / Chest-piece

Fresh + Healed

60% coverage (back) / 50% coverage (chest)

Large scale body pieces

Leg Sleeve / Arm Sleeve

Fresh + Healed

Full ring/sleeve

The sleeve must be closed around the leg/arm

Asian / Oriental

Fresh + Healed

Oriental / Japanese / Asian-influenced style

Dotwork / Geometric

Fresh + Healed

Black with light shadow/shading

Tribal / Etnic (Etnic Tribal and pattern tattoos)

Fresh + Healed

Only in black (10% red possible). Ethnic/tribal tattoos. Solid covers or patterns.

Old School

Fresh + Healed

Basic colours (black lines, red, green, blue, yellow, brown). Bold lines. Typical early American designs.

Blackwork

Fresh + Healed

Only in black. Use solid black work in pattern or design.

By participating in our tattoo contest, you release us from any and all legalities stemming from copyrighted tattoos, artwork, materials, or anything related. You permit us to use the material for promotion (without any right to compensation). The above program is subject to additions and changes.