Tattoo Convention Guide: How to Actually Make Money (Not Just Party)

Let me tell you about my first convention. I showed up with my machines, some flash, and zero preparation. I sat at my booth for three days, did maybe four tattoos, spent $1,200 on booth fees, travel, and hotel, and came home exhausted with basically nothing to show for it.

My second convention? Pre-booked 8 clients, promoted my attendance for weeks before, brought proper flash display and business cards, networked intentionally, entered two competitions, and posted content the entire weekend. Revenue: $4,500. New Instagram followers: 400+. Future bookings from convention contacts: 6 in the following month.

Same convention. Different approach. Night and day results.

Should You Do Conventions?

Yes, if:

• You want exposure to clients outside your local market
• You want to network with artists from other shops and cities
• You’re trying to build a reputation for a specific style
• You enjoy the energy and community of live tattooing events
• You can pre-book enough clients to cover your costs

No, if:

• You can’t afford the $500-2,000 expense without guaranteed return
• Your books at home are already full and you’d lose more money from missed home appointments
• You’re not willing to do the pre-convention marketing work
• You hate crowds and chaos (conventions are loud, busy, and intense)

Choosing the Right Convention

Not all conventions are created equal:

Major National Conventions

• Philadelphia Tattoo Convention, NYC Tattoo Convention, Star of Texas, Golden State
• Higher booth fees ($400-800+), more competition, but massive exposure
• Worth it if you’re ready to compete with top-tier artists for attention

Regional/Local Conventions

• Usually $200-500 booth fees, smaller crowds
• Better for newer artists, less intimidating
• Easier to stand out and connect with attendees

Style-Specific Events

• Events focused on specific styles (traditional, Japanese, blackwork)
• Highly targeted audience — the people there specifically appreciate your style
• Best ROI if you specialize

Before the Convention (2-4 Weeks Prior)

Pre-Book Clients

This is the #1 difference between profitable and unprofitable convention attendance. Don’t rely on walk-ups alone.

How to pre-book:

1. Announce your convention attendance on Instagram (4 weeks prior)
2. “I’ll be at [convention] on [dates]. Booking appointments now — DM or use my booking link to secure a slot.”
3. Post 3-4 times leading up to the event, showing flash you’ll have available and styles you’ll be working in
4. Collect deposits for pre-booked appointments (standard — conventions don’t change your deposit policy)
5. Target: Pre-book 6-10 clients for a 2-day convention (2-3 hours each)

Prepare Flash

Bring 15-25 convention-ready flash designs:

• Pieces that can be completed in 1-3 hours (convention sessions are shorter)
• Eye-catching designs visible from across the convention floor
• Variety of sizes and styles
• Pre-priced (clear pricing eliminates hesitation)
• Printed large for display and individually for clients to hold

Pack Your Kit

Tattooing essentials:

• Machines (bring backups — equipment fails at the worst times)
• Power supply and cords
• Full needle/cartridge assortment
• Ink set (your standard setup plus extras)
• Stencil supplies
• Gloves (extra boxes)
• Barrier film, machine bags
• Paper towels, green soap
• Clip cord covers
• Sharps container
• Aftercare products for clients

Display and business:

• Flash sheets (printed large for wall display and individual for browsing)
• Portfolio book or iPad with portfolio
• Business cards (bring 200+ — you’ll give out more than you expect)
• QR code for your booking page
• Signage with your name, Instagram handle, and style
• Table covering/display setup
• Chair for clients (some conventions provide, some don’t — check)

Content creation:

• Phone charger / portable battery
• Small tripod for time-lapse videos
• Good lighting (small LED panel) — convention lighting is often terrible for photos

During the Convention

Your Booth Setup

First impressions matter. Your booth should:

• Clearly display your name and Instagram handle (visible from 20+ feet)
• Show your flash prominently (wall-mounted or on an easel)
• Have your portfolio accessible for browsing
• Look clean and professional
• Have business cards and QR codes visible

Live Tattooing Strategy

• Pre-booked clients first. Honor your scheduled appointments.
• Walk-up availability. Between pre-booked sessions, tattoo walk-ups from your flash.
• Flash pricing should be simple. “$150 / $250 / $400” by size. No complicated quotes.
• Work efficiently. Convention sessions should be tight — 1-3 hour pieces maximize your throughput and revenue.

Networking (The Hidden Value)

Conventions are the best networking opportunity in the tattoo industry:

Meet other artists. Walk the floor during your breaks. Introduce yourself. Compliment their work. Exchange Instagrams. These connections lead to guest spots, referrals, and friendships.

Meet shop owners. If you’re looking for a new shop or guest spot opportunities, conventions are where deals happen. Shop owners attending are often scouting talent.

Meet vendors and suppliers. Ink companies, machine makers, and supply vendors exhibit at conventions. Test new products, negotiate deals, and build supplier relationships.

Content Creation (Don’t Forget This)

You’re at a visually exciting event surrounded by amazing art. Create content:

• Stories all day. Booth setup, tattooing in progress, finished pieces, convention floor shots, food, other artists’ work
• Reels. Time-lapse of a convention tattoo, booth tour, flash wall showcase
• Portfolio photos. Photograph every convention tattoo you complete
• Tag the convention in all posts for additional reach

Competition

Many conventions host tattoo competitions. If your work is strong, entering is worth it:

• Competitions get your name in front of judges (often well-known artists) and attendees
• Winning or placing builds credibility
• Competition entries get featured on convention social media
• Even if you don’t win, the exposure is valuable

Common categories: Best small, best large, best color, best black & grey, best of show. Enter in your strongest category.

After the Convention

Follow Up (Within 1 Week)

• Thank pre-booked clients and send aftercare reminders
• Follow up with people you met — artists, potential clients, shop owners. A quick DM: “Great meeting you at [convention]! Loved your work. Let’s stay connected.”
• Post convention recap content — highlights, best pieces, experience recap
• Add new contacts to your CRM or at minimum, a note in your phone

Measure Your ROI

If the direct revenue doesn’t cover your costs, consider the indirect value: new followers, future bookings, networking connections, and competition exposure. Sometimes a convention that breaks even financially is still worth it for the marketing value.

Convention Budget Template

Revenue target to break even: 4-8 convention tattoos at $200-350 each.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tattoo conventions worth it for artists?

Yes, if you pre-book clients and promote your attendance. Artists who prepare typically earn $2,000-8,000+ per weekend after expenses. The networking and exposure value often exceeds the direct revenue.

How much does it cost to attend a convention as an artist?

$500-2,000 for a 2-3 day convention including booth fee, travel, lodging, and supplies. Major conventions cost more.