Ink OFF &
Apprentice Games

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Two people on stage holding microphones with a large screen behind them displaying 'Inked 2025 Expo presents The Apprentice Games Preliminary Round'.
Ink Off Artist vs Artist event at Inked Lifestyle Expo with contests on Friday 11AM Lines & Dots, Saturday 11AM Realism, and Sunday 11AM Dark Blackwork, featuring a gold star for People's Choice Award voted daily.

the 'Ink Off' battles

Get ready for the Ink Off Battles!
This is a public vote, YOU decide who takes the win.
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Every day at Inked Expo, two top tattoo artists step into the Ink Off Battle Zone. Watch two artists go head to head, creating live tattoos in their signature styles with everything on the line! Each day brings a different tattoo style.
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You're the judge - Cast your vote anonymously for the tattoo that hits hardest and back your favourite artist as the battle unfolds in front of you! Each battle runs for up to 8 hours from first stencil to final wipe down, giving you a full front row view of the entire process from concept to completed piece.
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Inked Apprentice Games

Will these rising apprentices have what it takes to prove themselves under pressure? We have lined up a series of intense, crowd driven challenges designed to push their skills, test their focus, and keep you locked in from start to finish.

Group of young adults standing and holding hands on stage during a competition event called The Apprentice Games.
Woman wearing a pink hat and black flame-patterned top smiling while putting on black gloves on stage with various supplies on a table in front of her.
Audience watching tattoo artists on stage during the Apprentice Games semi-finals at Australia’s Tattoo & Culture Expo.
A man in a black cap signing an autograph for a seated person, while another man nearby holds a microphone and smiles.
Three people on stage at a convention, one woman with red hair holding a microphone and gesturing, another woman in shorts looking down, and a man in a cap and badge standing beside them.
Woman with long brown hair wearing glasses, black gloves, and a black shirt pouring liquid into a cup at a table during an event.
Man wearing black gloves and a cap holding and unrolling a roll of white paper towels indoors.
Woman with long red hair, glasses, and black gloves handling a hand sanitizer dispenser on a table with plastic wrap and paper towels.
Woman wearing black gloves preparing a tattoo station covered in plastic wrap.
Woman with a microphone standing on stage in front of a large screen with event text.
Four men standing on stage at Australia's Tattoo & Culture Expo 2025 with one holding a microphone.
Eight people standing on a stage at an expo event, with a large screen behind them displaying 'TATTOO EXPO 2025' and event details.
Man with a mustache and cap speaking into a microphone in front of a large illuminated screen displaying the word PRESENTS.
Four judges seated at a table with drinks and a microphone, facing an audience at an event.
Four tattooed people, three leaning on a table with drinks, attentively watching something at a tattoo expo.
Four people sitting at a panel table with microphones and water bottles during a discussion or event.
Three tattooed individuals standing on a stage with one woman in the middle, illuminated by red stage lights and a large digital screen behind them.
Four people on stage at Inked 2025 Expo, one holding a microphone interviewing a woman in a black top and jeans.
Smiling woman with red hair in a red plaid shirt holding a blue cup and standing in front of a large illuminated sign.
Woman standing next to a table with stacked white papers in front of a large screen showing event text.
Man wearing a black cap and gloves working with rolled-up papers under bright stage lights.
Man with tattoos and a mustache speaking into a microphone while seated on a white chair on stage at the Inked 2025 Expo.
Woman wearing black gloves preparing a tattoo station covered in plastic wrap.
Woman with a microphone standing on stage in front of a large screen with event text.
Four men standing on stage at Australia's Tattoo & Culture Expo 2025 with one holding a microphone.
Eight people standing on a stage at an expo event, with a large screen behind them displaying 'TATTOO EXPO 2025' and event details.
Man with a mustache and cap speaking into a microphone in front of a large illuminated screen displaying the word PRESENTS.
Four judges seated at a table with drinks and a microphone, facing an audience at an event.
Four tattooed people, three leaning on a table with drinks, attentively watching something at a tattoo expo.
Four people sitting at a panel table with microphones and water bottles during a discussion or event.

Welcome to the Apprentice Games! Where each day of the expo first year tattoo apprentices are thrown into a series of chaotic, high energy challenges built to test their skill, speed, and nerve! Only one will rise in each state to claim the title of Inked Expo Apprentice of the Year 2026, with champions crowned in both Brisbane and Melbourne. In 2025, Sarah took home the crown. This year, Vee from Melbourne has already claimed the title, but Brisbane is still wide open. Who will rise next?..
We are fast tracking the full apprenticeship experience into one wild ride. From pressure packed tasks to curveballs they will not see coming, these artists will need to stay sharp and keep up. Winner takes the title plus a loaded prize pack featuring a wireless tattoo machine, Radiant Ink colour set, and more from our sponsor, Melbourne Tattoo Supplies.
It is all fun and games, but the prizes are no joke. We are talking epic gear designed to set our winning apprentice up to thrive.
Have YOU or your apprentice got what it takes?.. Prove it ;)

Email chris@inkedexpo.com.au to enter!

Six people standing on stage with event crew badges and visible tattoos, against a backdrop with large illuminated text.Four people working on separate tattoo stations during The Apprentice Games preliminary rounds event on stage.People on stage at The Apprentice Games preliminary rounds event, with audience watching.

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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.
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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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Tickets available now
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Book your booth
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Tickets available now
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Book your booth
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