Tattoo conventions: how did they start and how do you navigate one today?

The first recorded tattoo club was the Bristol Tattoo Club (BTC), founded in 1953 in Bristol, England by legendary British tattooer Les Skuse. It was a way to bring public awareness to tattooing and move away from the misconception that only criminals or “bad” people get tattooed.

The popularity of BTC led to more clubs forming around the world, including the North American Tattoo Club, started by Dave Yurkew in the 1950s and run by him until the mid-1970s, and the Tattoo Club of Japan (Tokai Tattoo Club), founded by legendary Japanese tattoo master Kazuo Oguri, also known as Horihide, in 1984.

Following the popularity of tattoo clubs came the world's first official tattoo convention: January 24–25, 1976, at the Holiday Inn in Houston, Texas. The history-making event was put on by Dave Yurkew and the well-known tattooer Lyle Tuttle.

Its significance cannot be understated. The convention brought tattooing into the mainstream more than anything else in pop culture had up to that point, leading to more conventions around the United States and then worldwide. The first organized international Canadian tattoo convention, for example, took place in Montreal in October 1993 and was put on by Keith Stewart and Dan Allaston.

Today, conventions happen in most major cities in North America, Europe, Oceania, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. A quick search can point you to the closest one, and suddenly you have access to artists from all over the world.

Getting tattooed at a convention can be nerve-wracking, especially if it's your first tattoo. They're usually crowded, noisy, bright, and full of people showing their wares and making art. It's an invigorating, electrifying environment to be part of, but it can also be daunting.

If you like to plan ahead, look at the convention's social media or website. Most list the artists who will attend. Browse until you find an artist working in the style you're interested in—or use the opportunity to discover a style you haven't considered before.

To book ahead, contact your chosen artist by social media or email, using the method they specify, and ask which time slots are available. Most artists will want a basic idea of what you want for custom work; otherwise, you can choose pre-drawn flash. You can also walk around on the day and get a walk-up tattoo.

Many people want to control every part of a new tattoo, and that makes sense—especially for a first tattoo. But trusting the artist with as much of the design as possible is often the best way to have it look its best. You're going to them because you like their art; let them make it for you.

As with any tattoo appointment, eat before heading to the convention, even though many now have food trucks and stands. Bring water, a small snack if you're prone to low blood sugar, a government-issued ID, and cash. Some artists take other forms of payment, but many still prefer cash—and convention ATMs can be expensive.

It's always okay to ask your tattooer for an approximate price. If you're choosing a tattoo on the day, bring at least $200–$400 in cash to allow for some flexibility in size, colour, and detail. Artists who are travelling may also bring stickers, prints, shirts, and more, so bring enough for merch and a tote bag to carry it. If you only want the tattoo, you can still usually find free stickers around the convention floor.

I was fortunate enough to recently attend the Winnipeg Tattoo Convention and have my ribs tattooed by the talented Jack Candlish from Toronto. He had been on my list of artists for a few years, so I was incredibly happy to see he would be tattooing near me this summer.