How To Survive A Tattoo Convention

If there’s one thing we love at Killer Ink almost as much as tattoo artists themselves, it’s tattoo conventions.

From the energetic atmosphere to the warming buzz of the needles, we believe there’s nothing better than a tattoo convention - and no better way to get inspiration or improve your skills as an artist!

Whether this is your first convention or you’re looking to elevate your experience, here’s our guide on surviving tattoo conventions in one piece!

Signing Up

Boring, but necessary! Most conventions take artists on a first-come-first-served basis, so as soon as you know you definitely want to go, you should book and pay your deposit. Once you’re in, don’t leave it too long to book any necessary flights and accommodation!

Some conventions operate on an invite-only basis, in which case it’s even easier - just wait for the invitations to come to you, and don’t take too long to reply.

Promoting Yourself

Let everybody know that you’re attending this tattoo convention. Post about it on your socials til you’re blue in the face, promoting dates, table numbers and any flash you might have on offer. If the convention releases a table map, use that to signpost people to your stand.

If the plan is to take pre-bookings, you should start promoting this as soon as possible. For walk-up artists this is less urgent, but it never hurts to make yourself seen.

Speaking of which, your table is an advert for you, so fill it with eye-catching details like banners, props, flash sheets and prints. And never underestimate the lure of a free sticker.

Have a Plan

Plans can change, but it doesn’t hurt to have one. Consider whether you’ll only pre-book, take walk-ups, or a combination of the two. Plan extra time for each tattoo because conventions are noisy and distracting. Bring a friend or assistant if you can to field enquiries while you work, and eye up your fellow artists to see if there are any you just have to meet.

Making Lists

There are lots of things to remember, and making a list will help you to remember them! Before you leave, make a master list of items you need to bring, and consider any travelling precautions - for instance, some wireless battery packs and inks don’t travel well by plane.

Proper lighting is often an issue at conventions, so make sure to bring your own, either a head torch or a portable lamp. And if you’re travelling abroad, bear in mind differences in terms of plug adapters, tattoo ink restrictions like REACH, and of course currency.

Luckily, you can find stalls such as our very own Killer Ink one at most tattoo conventions, selling everything from inks and cartridges right up to machines and furniture!

Sleep well the night before

Alright, mum! Yes, we all know how important sleep is, but we’re not talking just a day in the studio here - convention days can last as long as 12 hours, and between all the talking and actual tattooing you’ll be doing, this can be absolutely exhausting. Try to get a good sober night’s sleep and eat a solid breakfast before you go!

Stay Comfortable

Tattoo conventions are usually held in large draughty rooms, which means they’re often too hot or too cold. Bring layers if you’re worried about the cold, or strip off a bit if you’re hot - with that many half naked people, no one’s going to judge you.

Staying hydrated is as important for you as for your customers, so bring along a water bottle and make sure to keep it filled up. There’s usually a water point, and sometimes a spot for making hot drinks. Food at conventions can be quite expensive, and the quality can vary, so it’s usually better to bring along your own lunch and snacks.

On top of keeping your body comfortable, try to keep your brain comfortable too! Conventions are busy and loud - there might be bands playing or fire being thrown nearby - so if you think it might be a bit much, bring along some ear plugs.

Meeting Other Artists

It’s easy to feel like a convention is just another day at work, when in fact you’re surrounded by world-class tattoo artists who are doing amazing work! See and meet those artists you’ve been Insta-stalking, ask for their advice and let them know you love their work - they might just have something to teach you!

Usually there will be at least one after party and you should try to make an appearance, even if you’re not much of a partier. You never know when you’ll make a new friend!

During the convention, try to take some time to walk around, check out your competition - er, colleagues - and see what’s going on in the wilder world of tattooing! Maybe you’ll even fancy grabbing a permanent souvenir for yourself…