The All American Tattoo Battle
3rd Annual · Fayetteville - Fort Bragg, NC · April 16-18, 2027
The stencil drops in
Eligibility
Who Can Battle
- Professional tattoo artists only. No apprentices.
- Must have a booth and be tattooing at the show, with an active tattoo permit for the event.
- Station set up, inspected, and approved to tattoo before the show opens Friday.
- Sign up in person at the main stage on check-in day, any time up until the 1 PM Friday start.
- No pre-registration.
The rules
Competition Rules
- Surprise design
- The stencil (linework) is revealed when the contest begins.
- Flash design
- A 6x6-inch standard flash design. Creative liberties are allowed, but the tattoo must stay true to the overall structure.
- Lower extremity
- The tattoo goes on the lower extremity of a client the artist brings.
- 4-hour limit
- Starts 1 PM Friday. At the 4-hour mark, clients come to the stage for photo, video, and judging. Late tattoos are not judged.
- Breaks
- Unlimited, as long as the artist finishes on time.
- Supplies
- None provided.
Judges + the crowd
How the Winner Is Decided
Final score = judges' score + the people's vote
Judges' score
Each tattoo is judged on stage when time is up.
The People's Vote
Vote With Your Dollars
- Friday afternoon after judging, each tattoo gets a numbered Veteran Ink bucket with a QR code.
- Scan it to see the tattoo up close, then vote by dropping money in that tattoo's bucket.
- Every dollar is a vote, and all bucket money supports Veteran Ink.
- Only money in the buckets counts toward the vote.
Sunday: the buckets are counted, combined with the judges’ score, and the champion is crowned.
Every dollar supports
About Veteran Ink
Veteran Ink is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps veterans heal and tell their military stories through tattoo therapy. Through its Ink Fund Program and a network of partner studios, it sponsors tattoos for veterans.
The weekend
Weekend Timeline
- 1
Before Friday opening
Booth set up, station inspected and approved.
- 2
Check-in day, up to 1 PM Friday
Sign up at the stage.
- 3
Friday, April 16 · 1:00 PM
Stencil revealed; the clock starts.
- 4
Friday, April 16 · 5:00 PM
Clients to the stage for judging.
- 5
Friday afternoon through Sunday
Buckets out. Scan, look, and vote with your dollars.
- 6
Sunday, April 18 · 6:00 PM
Buckets counted, scores combined, champion crowned.
LFG!!
What the champion takes home
Prizes
- WholeLife Aftercare tattoo aftercare package
- A Bishop tattoo machine
- The championship belt
- A free booth at the 2028 show to defend the title(optional)
Coming to watch?
For Attendees
- Watch it live Friday afternoon.
- Find the buckets and vote all weekend.
- Be there Sunday for the crowning.
Champion crowned Sunday, April 18, 2027.
Our Presenting Sponsor
Questions
FAQ
Do I need to pre-register?
No. Sign up in person at the main stage on check-in day, any time up until the 1 PM Friday start.
Can apprentices enter?
No. Professional tattoo artists only.
Who provides the client?
The artist brings their own client. The tattoo goes on the lower extremity.
What if I don't finish in 4 hours?
Late tattoos are not judged. Take as many breaks as you like, as long as you finish on time.
How is the winner chosen?
Judges score each tattoo on stage when time is up. Then the people vote with their dollars all weekend. On Sunday the two are combined and the champion is crowned.
How do I vote?
Scan the QR code on a bucket to see that tattoo up close, then drop money in the bucket. Every dollar is a vote. Only money in the buckets counts toward the vote.
Where does the money go?
All bucket money supports Veteran Ink.
Do I need a booth?
Yes. You must have a booth and be tattooing at the show, with an active tattoo permit for the event.
