Vendredi 12, Samedi 13 et Dimanche 14 juin 2026
During the event, attending tattoo artists can sign up to take part in the tattoo competition organised by the convention. A jury made up of international artists will reward the best tattoos done at the Epinal Tattoo Show. Winners will be presented with a trophy specially created for the occasion by Laurent Viatour.
Tattoo contest : Friday 12th June 2026 at 8pm
Best Small Pieces / Micro-Realism
Best of Day
Tattoo Contest : Saturday 13th June 2026
From 4.30pm
Best of Neo-Trad
(Neo trad, neo jap, Comics, Cartoon)
Best of Traditionnal
(Us Tradtionnal, Jap Trad)
Best of Tribal Ornemental
Best Colour Realism
From 8pm
Best of Day
Tattoo Contest : Sunday 14th June 2026
From 5.30pm
Best Blackwork / Graphic
Best Black & Grey Realism
Best Large Pieces
(full leg, full back, bodysuit)
From 7pm
Best of Collaboration
Best of Day
Best of Show
Tattoo Contest Rules
• Healed tattoos may be entered in all categories except Best of Day and Best of Show.
• A maximum of 30 people may be entered per category.
• A single tattoo may only be submitted to a maximum of two categories (included Best of Day) plus Best of Show.
• Each tattoo artist may submit a maximum of two tattoos in each category.
• Tattoos submitted for Best of Day must have been completed exclusively on the day of the competition.
• Tattoos submitted in the small pieces/micro-realism category must not exceed A6 size. If the tattoo is larger, it must be submitted for Other Category.
• Tattoos submitted for Best of Show must have been completed entirely during the convention. If we discover that a tattoo submitted to these categories has been started beforehand (even if it’s just preliminary Bloodlines), this will constitute cheating, and the tattoo will be disqualified from the competition. And the tattoo artist will be disqualified from ALL categories!
• Best of Show will be a separate category (the winners of Best of Show will not be chosen directly from the Best of Day category).
• Tattoos submitted for Best of Day must be completed in a single day.
• For tattoos completed over several days, there are other categories and Best of Show.
• There will be only one prize for the Collaboration category, but two trophies. The other categories, including Best of Day and Best of Show, will have three prizes.
Finally, we strive to maintain a friendly atmosphere during the convention, and fair play has always been a core value of this event. This is not a timed competition, and the results may still be open to debate. We strive to assemble the most objective and competent jury possible, but it is made up of human beings with their own tastes and opinions.
If you are not prepared to not win, then DO NOT PARTICIPATE! 😉
THANK YOU
Jury Members
Vasil Kurakhchishvili, better known as Vaso Vasiko, is a Georgian artist working between Turkey and Germany.
A tattooer for over 25 years, he has become a master of neo-Japanese tattooing after studying every style. His technical skill, objectivity, fairness and experience make him the ideal judge for our competitions.
Alisa Sahar, known as Junkjane, will do us the honour of joining our jury. Originally from Russia, she works in Germany and co-founded Fabrika 110 in Nuremberg.
She brings a delicate, feminine touch to the panel. Specialising in graphic tattoos and blackwork, she uses the body as a canvas to enhance natural curves. With her ability to elevate and complement the form, she will assess the technique and composition of the tattoos presented at the Epinal Tattoo Show with an expert eye.
Kseniya Shilova, known on social media as Kseniasimone, is Belarusian and, like her colleague Junkjane, co-founder of Fabrika 110 in Nuremberg, Germany.
She excels in realism, both in colour and in black and grey. A fan of large-scale pieces, multi-awarded at prestigious conventions and highly skilled technically, she will undoubtedly know how to reward the very best work at this new edition of the Epinal Tattoo Show.
Teo Milev is a Bulgarian-born tattoo artist who has been working in France for over 20 years. Thanks to his hard work, he founded a true institution in Lyon, 681 Tattoo Shop, and together with his wife, he organises Ink Factory, the world-renowned Lyon tattoo convention.
Beyond his tattooing talent, ranging from realism to Japanese styles and his strong reputation in the industry, he has an exceptional knowledge of all styles, movements and major figures of tattooing, past and present, making him an essential member of our jury.
Adem Senturk is a Turkish tattoo artist based in Northampton, England, working at his incredible studio Fat-Fugu.
He tattoos in an unmistakable realistic style, sometimes with a dark edge. He is also the organiser or co-organiser of several conventions in Turkey Marmaris Tattoo Fest and the Turkyie Art Festival, as well as events in the UK. His deep knowledge of the scene and his experience make him an ideal judge.
Sezer Özcan is also a Turkish tattoo artist based in Istanbul. With 10 years of experience, he is already recognised for excellence in black and grey realism.
He has taken part in many conventions in Turkey, where he has won multiple awards. He will be part of our prestigious judging panel.
