INKED AWARDS

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Multiple black twisted horn-shaped trophies on wooden bases with plaques related to Inked Expo 2025 awards.
Five tattooed people posing in front of a backdrop at the Inked Lifestyle Expo.

Our expo team are proud to hold a series of annual awards to give additional recognition for outstanding artist performance. Our awards go to the best tattoos from around Australia and the world plus tattoos completed on site at Inked Expo and will be judged by a 3 person panel consisting of veteran tattoo artists.

The Judging Panel for 2026 has yet to be finalised but we guarantee credibility, experience and diversity in skill sets for our professional judges.

2025 JUDGING PANEL

Friday Awards
(Day 1)

BEST SMALL BLACK N GREY
(30CM OR SMALLER)
BEST SMALL COLOUR
(30CM OR SMALLER)
BEST NEO TRADITIONAL
BEST TRADITIONAL
BEST LETTERING
TATTOO OF THE DAY
(STARTED AND COMPLETED ON THE DAY)

Saturday Awards
(Day 2)

BEST ORIENTAL
BEST ANIME/POP CULTURE
BEST LARGE BLACK & GREY
(OVER 30CM)
BEST LARGE COLOUR
(OVER 30CM)
BEST SLEEVE
(ARM/LEG)
BEST BACK/TORSO
TATTOO OF THE DAY
(STARTED AND COMPLETED ON THE DAY)

Sunday Awards
(Day 3)

BEST REALISM
BEST TRIBAL
BEST BLACKWORK
(USING ONLY BLACK)
BEST FREEHAND
BEST COLLAB
TATTOO OF THE DAY
(STARTED AND COMPLETED ON THE DAY)
TATTOO OF THE SHOW
(STARTED AND COMPLETED AT THE SHOW)

AWARD ENTRY T&C'S

TATTOO ARTIST MUST BE ATTENDING AT INKED EXPO 2025

HEALED, FRESH AND HEALED/FRESH TATTOOS CAN BE ENTERED INTO EVERY CATEGORY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF - TATTOO OF THE DAY, TATTOO OF THE SHOW AND BEST COLLAB - THESE 3 CATEGORIES MUST BE STARTED AND FINISHED AT INKED EXPO 2026

$15 entry fee

  • NOMINATED TATTOO CAN ENTER ONE CATEGORY ONLY*

  • EXCEPTION OF TATTOO OF THE DAY/TATTOO OF THE SHOW

  • MUST BE AVAILABLE ON THE DAY OF THE AWARD CATEGORY AT THE MAIN STAGE FOR JUDGING PANEL

Two women standing in front of a backdrop with sponsor logos, one holding a trophy and both wearing strapless tops and skirts, showcasing tattoos.
Smiling tattooed man and woman standing in front of a lifestyle expo backdrop, with the woman holding a horned trophy.
Two tattooed men posing in front of a backdrop with event logos; one crouches holding a horned trophy while the other shows tattoos on his leg and back.
Two tattooed men posing in front of a backdrop with Inked Expo and Radiant logos; one man is holding a trophy.
Two smiling women with tattoos posing in front of a branded backdrop at Inked Expo, one holding a trophy with horn-shaped design.
Two men at a tattoo expo, one displaying a detailed full-back tattoo and the other holding a trophy and smartphone showing a selfie.
Two men posing in front of a white backdrop with multiple logos at the Inked Lifestyle Expo; one man holds a trophy while the other shows a detailed tattoo sleeve.
Three tattooed people posing at Inked Lifestyle Expo, with a woman showing a colorful leg tattoo featuring Spider-Man and a shark.
Young man with tattoos holding a trophy, standing in front of a backdrop with Inked Expo, Radiant Colors, Bamboo Goc, and Melbourne Tattoo Supplies logos.
Two women at a tattoo expo, one holding a trophy and the other showing an intricate black back tattoo.
Two tattooed individuals standing back to back in front of a white backdrop with 'Inked Lifestyle Expo' and other sponsor logos, one holding a trophy and the other holding a jacket and Sunkist bottle.
Two men posing in front of a banner with tattoo-related logos, one kneeling holding two award boxes and a trophy, the other standing showing a colorful thigh tattoo.
Man with a large black ram skull tattoo covering his chest holding a 'Tattoo of the Show' card at a tattoo expo backdrop.
Man with dreadlocks and a full sleeve colorful tattoo on his right arm standing in front of a backdrop with tattoo expo logos, holding a badge.
Man with a detailed black and gray back tattoo featuring skulls, a central face, and architectural elements, standing against a white background with multiple tattoo expo logos.
Two women standing in front of a backdrop with sponsor logos, one holding a trophy and both wearing strapless tops and skirts, showcasing tattoos.
Smiling tattooed man and woman standing in front of a lifestyle expo backdrop, with the woman holding a horned trophy.
Two tattooed men posing in front of a backdrop with event logos; one crouches holding a horned trophy while the other shows tattoos on his leg and back.
Two tattooed men posing in front of a backdrop with Inked Expo and Radiant logos; one man is holding a trophy.
Two smiling women with tattoos posing in front of a branded backdrop at Inked Expo, one holding a trophy with horn-shaped design.
Two men at a tattoo expo, one displaying a detailed full-back tattoo and the other holding a trophy and smartphone showing a selfie.
Two men posing in front of a white backdrop with multiple logos at the Inked Lifestyle Expo; one man holds a trophy while the other shows a detailed tattoo sleeve.
Three tattooed people posing at Inked Lifestyle Expo, with a woman showing a colorful leg tattoo featuring Spider-Man and a shark.
Young man with tattoos holding a trophy, standing in front of a backdrop with Inked Expo, Radiant Colors, Bamboo Goc, and Melbourne Tattoo Supplies logos.
Two women at a tattoo expo, one holding a trophy and the other showing an intricate black back tattoo.
Two tattooed individuals standing back to back in front of a white backdrop with 'Inked Lifestyle Expo' and other sponsor logos, one holding a trophy and the other holding a jacket and Sunkist bottle.
Two men posing in front of a banner with tattoo-related logos, one kneeling holding two award boxes and a trophy, the other standing showing a colorful thigh tattoo.
Man with a large black ram skull tattoo covering his chest holding a 'Tattoo of the Show' card at a tattoo expo backdrop.
Man with dreadlocks and a full sleeve colorful tattoo on his right arm standing in front of a backdrop with tattoo expo logos, holding a badge.
Man with a detailed black and gray back tattoo featuring skulls, a central face, and architectural elements, standing against a white background with multiple tattoo expo logos.

PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

  • OFFICIAL INKED EXPO 2026 TROPHIES

  • MELBOURNE TATTOO SUPPLIES GIFT VOUCHERS

  • BISHOP POWER WAND MACHINES

  • DR.PICKLES AFTERCARE PACKS

  • OFFICIAL INKED EXPO MERCHANDISE PACK (SPONSORED GOODS)

  • SOLID INK PACKS

  • ALLEGORY INK PACKS

  • LOADS MORE

TATTOO OF THE SHOW

  • 1 X FREE ARTIST BOOTH (VALUE OF $1500) AT INKED EXPO 2026

  • OFFICIAL INKED EXPO 2026 TROPHY

  • BISHOP POWER WAND SET (VALUE $2080)

  • DR.PICKLES ARTIST PACK

  • ALLEGORY INK ARTIST INK PACK

  • RAW PIGMENTS INK SET

  • MELBOURNE TATTOO SUPPLIES GIFT VOUCHER (VALUED AT $750)

  • OFFICIAL INKED EXPO MERCHANDISE PACK (SPONSORED GOODS)

2026 AWARD WINNERS

Friday

Two smiling men posing in front of a branded backdrop, one holding a black horned trophy and the other making a peace sign.
Tattoo of the day
( billy iimmeres)

Saturday

Tattooed man with glasses holding a trophy kneeling next to a person showing a large detailed tattoo on their thigh at a tattoo expo.
BEST Sleeve
( Raydems )

Sunday

Two tattooed men posing in front of a backdrop with event logos; one crouches holding a horned trophy while the other shows tattoos on his leg and back.
Best realism
( Philip tattoo )

Connect With Us

Female tattoo artist with nose rings and dark hair tattooing a person wearing headphones who is resting on a pillow.
Woman with glasses and tattoos speaking at a panel with water bottles on the table.
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Tattoo artist with tattoos on his arms and wearing a patterned shirt inks a colorful leg tattoo on a client lying on a black and white table.
Man in a black hoodie, camo hat, and shorts with tattoos speaking into a microphone while seated on a white chair on stage at Inked Expo 2025.
Tattooed woman with short blonde hair speaking into a microphone held by another person at a tattoo expo event backdrop.

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admin@inkedexpo.au
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melissa@inkedexpo.com.au
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