IPRTC runs some of the most unique competition categories in the world. Across three days, artists and collectors compete in over 40 categories — including several created exclusively for this event.

All tattoos must be healed unless the category specifically states fresh or fresh / healed. Categories marked for fresh tattoos are exclusive to attending artists.

Tattoo Competitions Schedule

Friday, December 4th
• 3:00 PM – Registration opens for all competition categories
• 7:00 PM – Judging begins
• 10:00 PM – Tattoo of the Day winner announced

Saturday, December 5th
• 1:00 PM – Registration opens
• 6:00 PM – Judging begins
• 10:00 PM – Tattoo of the Day winner announced

Sunday, December 6th
• 1:00 PM – Registration opens for all competitions
• 3:30 PM – Judging begins
• 7:30 PM – Best of Show – IPRTC 2026 winner announced

December 4 2026

•Best Traditional

•Best Neo-Traditional

•Best New School

•Best Lettering

•Best Bio-Mech

•Best Blackwork

•Best Oriental

•Best Color

•Best B&G

•Tattoo Of The Day COLOR

•Tattoo Of The Day B&G

3:00 PM Tattoo Competition Registration

7:00 PM Competition Starts

8:30 PM Competitions Registration Closes

December 5 2026

•Best Values

•Best Linework

•Best Saturation

•Best Composition

•Melanated Dark Skin B&G Tattoo (Fresh/Healed)

•Melanated Dark Skin Color Tattoo (Fresh/Healed)

•Best Dark Art Tattoo (Fresh/Healed)

•Best Realism (Fresh/Healed)

•Best Surrealism (Fresh Healed)

•Best Color (Fresh/Healed)

•Best B&G (NO Opaque Fresh/Healed)

•Best B&G w/ Opaques(Fresh/Healed)

•Best B&G / Color Fusion(Fresh/Healed)

•Built To Last(10+ Years Tattoo)

•Best O.G Tattoo(30+Years Artist)(Fresh/Healed)

•Tattoo Of The Day COLOR

•Tattoo Of The Day B&G

1:00 PM Tattoo Competition Registration

6:00 PM Competitions Starts

8:30 PM Competitions Registration Closes

December 6 2026

•Best Sleeve (Arm / Leg)

•Best Chestpiece / Backpiece

•Best Overall Collector Female

•Best Overall Collector Male

• Best Bodysuit

•Best Color (Fresh ONLY)

•Best B&G (Fresh ONLY)

•Tattoo Of The Day COLOR

•Tattoo Of The Day B&G

•Best Of Show COLOR 2026

•Best Of Show B&G 2026

1:00 PM Tattoo Competition Registration

3:00 PM End Of Registrations for Competitions

3:30 PM Competitions Starts

7:30 PM Best Of Show Anouncement

All tattoos MUST BE HEALED except where noted as well as Tattoo of the Day and Best of Show !!!!

*Categories for FRESH tattoos or that allow FRESH tattoos are EXCLUSIVE for ATTENDING ARTISTS.

Best Traditional - Limited Color Palette such has Primary colors, additive Primary colors and limited secondary colors.

Neo Traditional - Done with a two dimensional shape with NO three dimensional depth.

Best B&G - Only Black Ink and Water. NO Color added at ALL ! No Opaque Greys, No Muted Colors

Best B&G w/ Opaques

Realism- aimed to depict life accurately and truthfully, focusing on everyday people and their surroundings.

Surrealism- aimed to challenge conventional reality and explore the subconscious, dreams, and irrationality.

Surrealist art Examples: 

• Unnatural juxtapositions: Familiar objects and people depicted in nonsensical contexts 

• Dreamlike features: Hyper-realistic scenes inspired by dreams and nightmares 

• Automatic techniques: Spontaneous creation without conscious thought to unlock unconscious images 

• Uncanny combinations: Unexpected scenes like flowers exploding from guns 

• Surprising features: Cars in unexpected places like underwater or in clouds of smoke 

Best B&G / Color Fusion Black & Grey with Color Fusion, (Opaques Included)

Best Composition & Balance - Things that will be strongly considered on this category will be BACKGROUND, COMPOSITION, FLOW & ELEMENTS !

Built To Last-

Tattoo MUST be 10+ Years Healed (Must submit Proof)

Best OG Tattooer- Tattoo MUST be done by an artist of 20+ Years of Experience (Must Submit Proof)

Best Dark Art Tattoo-

Must be Dark Art,Freehand, completely Original(NO AI)

Best Overall Female Collector- To be consider will be the collector based on COVERAGE and QUALITY of the work !

Best Overall Male Collector - To be consider will be the collector based on COVERAGE and QUALITY of the work !

***Tattoo Community Award

Is our NEWEST category that encourages Community, Humility, and Leadership amongst the Tattoo Community. This Can Be towards a Tattoo Artist or a Tattoo Collector.

This award doesn’t require to Sign Up but instead this will Be Voted 2 Votes per BOOTH and NO BOOTH can vote for themselves.

NOTE: Tattoo of the day MUST BE done the same day AT The CONVENTION!, CANNOT be entered the next day or WORKED in more than ONE day ! Those may be entered on BEST OF SHOW !

ALL TATTOOS DONE at the show Can Enter Best of SHOW!