INKED AWARDS

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Multiple black twisted horn-shaped trophies on wooden bases with plaques related to Inked Expo 2025 awards.
Three people with tattoos smiling and standing against a dark backdrop with expo logos.

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 Consist of Aaron Norton, Terence Estrada and Jutty Stewart. A rotating judge will be introduced each night to slightly change up the panel and keep it fresh.

2026 JUDGING PANEL
Terrence Estrada - Jutty Rotten - Aaron Norton

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 TRIBAL
‍
TATTOO OF THE DAY
(STARTED AND COMPLETED ON THE DAY)

Sunday Awards
(Day 3)

BEST REALISM
BEST BLACKWORK
(LINES & DOTS)
BEST FREEHAND
BEST COLLAB
MULTI DAY
TATTOO OF THE DAY
(STARTED AND COMPLETED ON THE DAY)
TATTOO OF THE SHOW
(STARTED AND COMPLETED AT THE SHOW)

HEALED Awards
(SUNDAY)

BEST SMALL
(30CM OR SMALLER)
BEST LARGE
(OVER 30CM)
BEST LEG
BEST ARM
BEST BACK/TORSO

AWARD ENTRY T&C'S

TATTOO ARTIST MUST BE ATTENDING AT INKED EXPO 2026

FRESH TATTOOS ONLY CAN BE ENTERED INTO DAILY AWARDS. ALL TATTOOS MUST BE STARTED AND FINISHED AT INKED EXPO 2026

HEALED COMPETITION IS HELD ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THIS FOR COMPLETLEY HEALED TATTOOS ONLY - TATTOO ARTIST MUST BE ATTENDING THE INKED EXPO EVENT

TATTOO OF SHOW IS DECIDED FROM THE WINNERS OF TATTOO OF DAY, BEST COLLAB AND BEST MULTI DAY

$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

Man wearing a black jacket and cap holding a detailed octopus-shaped trophy with a red ribbon at the Inked Expo event backdrop.
Smiling man with tattoos wearing black Adidas outfit, holding a decorative award and a red cloth, standing in front of a Wicked Expo backdrop.
Two women posing at a tattoo event, one showing a large colorful tattoo on her thigh, the other holding a detailed sculpted art piece with a red ribbon.
Man in black shirt and shorts holding an award stands next to a woman showing a colorful full-back tattoo of a woman's face with flowers and birds.
Two tattooed individuals crouching and holding a decorative mask with 'Tattoo of the Day' printed on a red cloth attached to it.
Man and woman with colorful tattoos posing together, each holding a skull sculpture against a dark background with tattoo expo logos.
Two people posing in front of a backdrop with 'INKED EXPO' and 'MTS Premium Tattoo Supplies' logos, one showing a detailed tattoo on their leg and the other holding a carved skull trophy with a red ribbon.
Woman wearing an orange strapless top showing black symmetrical geometric and tribal tattoos across her chest, shoulders, and upper arms, along with large silver earrings and a labret piercing.
Two tattooed men standing against a dark background holding award plaques, one with a red ribbon reading 'Best Medium'.
Man crouching next to another person showing a detailed tattoo sleeve on their leg featuring portraits of two men, a city skyline, and various artistic elements.
Three tattooed individuals pose in front of a black backdrop with 'INKED EXPO' text; the person in the center shows a vibrant full-leg tattoo featuring a nurse and cartoon character.
Smiling woman with glasses showing intricate tattoos, holding an ornamental award with a red ribbon reading 'Best Oriental'.
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

  • 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 $1550) AT INKED EXPO 2026

  • OFFICIAL INKED EXPO 2026 TROPHY

  • 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)

2025 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

Tattoo artist with black hair and floral arm tattoos concentrating while working on a tattoo for a client lying on a chair.
Tattoo artist smiling while working on a large detailed black and gray back tattoo depicting a woman, a skull, and a grotesque crowned figure with skeletal hands on an older man's back.
Logo with ornate gold text reading 'INKED EXPO' on a black background.
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Tattoo artist with glasses and tattoos working on a smiling client's back in a studio with bright lights.
Full leg sleeve tattoo featuring a dark armored knight helmet, flaming book, and a horse rider in monochrome and orange hues.
Four tattoo artists with multiple tattoos posing in front of a Inked Expo backdrop, two holding ornate sculptural pieces with a skull design and red tassels.

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admin@inkedexpo.au
FOR ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES
melissa@inkedexpo.com.au
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