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General Information / Rules

  • All judges are impartial and unbiased. All entries are considered fairly and equally on their own merit.
  • Performing artists remain anonymous until awards are presented; judging is based solely on the technical and artistic qualities of each tattoo.
  • Tattoos must be complete to enter.
  • Tattoo models must be present during registration.
  • All tattoos entered into the contests must be performed by artists in attendance at the convention.
  • Each artist may enter a maximum of 6 tattoos per category (5 new & 1 healed).
  • Each tattooist may participate with one previously done (healed) tattoo per category.
  • A single tattoo may be registered in a maximum of three (3) categories (e.g. Best Color, Best Realistic, Best of the Day).
  • Unfinished tattoos may only be completed and entered if a considerable amount of work is performed during the convention.
  • Both the tattoo artist and the collector must be present to receive their trophies. If either is absent, the trophy will be awarded to the runner-up.
  • Judges may not enter any category they are scheduled to judge, nor judge a category in which one of their tattoos is entered. If necessary, an alternate judge will be appointed.
  • Photographers from tattoo and lifestyle magazines will be present. The Cyprus Tattoo Convention reserves the right to publish these photographs for promotional and documentation purposes.
  • May the best tattoo win.

Contest Categories

Best of the Day – Friday / Saturday / Sunday

  • The tattoo must be completed on the respective day of the convention by an attending artist.

Black & Grey

  • Only black, grey (diluted black), or white ink may be used.
  • Tattoos containing any color will not be judged in this category.
  • Small: smaller than A5
  • Big: larger than A5

Color

  • Any style of tattoo, provided it features bright, vibrant color.
  • Small: smaller than A5
  • Big: larger than A5

Realistic

  • Tattoos must represent a realistic depiction of a subject (human, animal, object, or scene).
  • Stylized or illustrative interpretations do not qualify.

Blackwork

  • Tattoos executed exclusively in black ink, characterized by bold lines and/or solid black areas.
  • Black must be the dominant visual element.
  • Smooth shading or gray tones are not allowed.

Japanese

  • Traditional or modern depictions of Japanese mythology, folklore, legends, or Japanese-inspired art.

Portrait

  • Must be clearly recognizable as the person portrayed.
  • A reference photo or acceptable reproduction must be provided.
  • Must depict a human subject (no cartoon or fictional characters).

Dots (Dotwork)

  • All shading, texture, depth, and form must be created primarily through dot placement.
  • Dots must comprise the majority of the tattoo’s visual content — at least 70% of the design.
  • Continuous lines, solid fills, smooth shading, or blended gradients are not permitted.
  • Individual dots must remain visually distinguishable throughout the tattoo.

Illustrative Blackwork

  • Illustrative or narrative tattoos executed primarily in solid black ink, combining strong linework with bold black saturation.
  • The tattoo must clearly read as a blackwork piece, where solid black areas and graphic contrast play a defining role in the overall composition.
  • Limited use of diluted black ink (grey) is permitted for illustrative texture only, provided solid black remains dominant.

Old School

  • Western or traditional American tattoo style featuring bold black outlines and a limited color palette.

Neo-Traditional

  • Tattoos featuring bold lines, an illustrative style, highly saturated modern colors, and a sense of dimension without exaggerated 3D realism.

Best of the Show

  • Only tattoos that have won Best of the Day are eligible for registration in this category.

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