FAQs

Here you'll find answers to some of the most common questions about our convention. Whether you're an artist, trader or a visitor, there'll be information here for you.

Why, of course you can! Some artists will be doing walk ups, which means first come first served. Others will be taking appointments so we recommend contacting the artists directly.

You do, your ticket money is for us to run the show, your tattoo money goes direct to the artist.

Tickets are on sale now online through Skiddle (the link is on our homepage) plus we always have tickets on the door to buy each day, cash or card.

Advance Weekend Ticket: 2 Day Pass – £35

Advance Day Ticket: valid for single use on either Saturday or Sunday – £20

On The Door Weekend Ticket: 2 Day Pass – £55* / Students £33*

On The Door Day Ticket: valid for single use on either Saturday or Sunday – £35* / Students £25*

PLEASE NOTE:

Under 16’s go free with an adult (Please bring relevant ID)

Disabled Personal Assistant/Carer Passes – Free (Please bring relevant ID)

Entry Times: 

11am Advance Ticket Holders / 12pm On the Door Purchase

Last entry: 

7pm Sat – 5pm Sun

Re-entry allowed through the day.
Tattooing finishes at 9pm on Saturday and 7pm Sunday.

https://www.skiddle.com/whats-...

Doors open at 11am sharp for Advance Tickets, and Midday for walk up tickets. There is no early entry regardless of who you are booked in with (the council do not let public on site before 11) if you have a first appointment please be at the front of the queue, it usually starts building from 10 and is generally all in by 11.45

Note we have bag searches, and yes there are cloakrooms please check floor plans for this years location, and the venue website for further info.

Yes, there are 2 but traditionally these run out pretty fast, so bring some with ya! Some artists and Traders will accept card/PayPal but Cash is always King !

In common with most large venues Sandown Park does not allow Food & Drink to be bought into the venue, please check out their website and contacts for exceptions / details.

We will have plenty of bars, coffee, catering on site.

Yes, you can take photos, but please be respectful of the artists working or otherwise. It’s always best to ask permission first, and especially if you want to take photos of their flash books. Please do not be offended if they decline, as it is at their discretion. Note we only offer Free Entry Press Passes only to accredited NUJ card holders.

Unfortunately, the venue doesn’t allow animals other than guide assistance.

Tattoo Expo UK Tattoo Competitions

• Featuring 10 categories
• Including for the first time, healed and lettering categories.
• A new token based judging system.
• Mixed panel of judges per category from within the tattoo community
• Awards for 1st, 2nd and client

To be held on the stage in the 1875 Lounge, top floor @ Sandown Park from 5pm each day.

Saturday 12th - Starts at 5PM

• 1. Small Healed (any style)
• 2. Large Healed (any style) 
• 3. Small Colour (fresh)
• 4. Small Black & Grey (fresh) 
• 5. Small Ornamental (fresh)
• 6. Lettering (fresh) 

Saturday Awards Presentation 7pm

Sunday 13th - Starts at 5PM

• 7. Large Colour (fresh) 
• 8. Large Black & Grey (fresh) 
• 9. Large Ornamental (fresh) 
• 10. Collaboration (2+ artists) (fresh) 

Sunday Award Presentation 7pm

Info:

Entry only by artists working the show (fresh or healed)

Judges will not be told which artist created each piece.

Head judge to decide in event of equal tokens.

1 entry per artist per category

All entries for Small should be under A4 size.

Register in The Stencil Room from 2pm to 4.30pm each day.

Artist & Exhibitor Handbook

Build up and registration times:

Friday 11th Oct 2024:

Artists, Suppliers & Traders: 3pm – 9pm 

Welcome Drinks and Pre Party (Not open to Public) 6pm, Karaoke 8pm.

Saturday 12th Oct 2024:

Artists, Suppliers & Traders: 8am – 10am.

Please register & collect weekend wristbands & passes from Artist/Trader Reg.

If you owe payment for booth or tickets it must be paid upon registration before you set up.

Access to the venue is between the hours given above only; there will be no concessions.

Exhibitors must not carry out construction/alteration work to their stand during the show opening hours, and trolleys are not to be used during the show opening hours.

Please note children under 16 are not permitted in the hall during build up or breakdown – there are no exceptions.

You must be in place by 10am Saturday, and please remember your appointment must be at the front of the queue to get to your booth for 11am as there are no early entries allowed for public, all tickets from the Ticket Desks.

The public will be on site from 11am Sat & Sun.

Breakdown times:

Sunday 13th Feb: 7pm – 10pm

Monday 14th Feb: 8am – 10am

All stands and space must be vacated by 10am on Monday.

Property not removed by this time may be disposed of at the discretion of the organisers. Exhibitors and contractors will be liable for any charges thus incurred.

The organisers accept no responsibility for goods or equipment left on stands at any time, be sensible and don’t leave your kit unattended.

General information

Stenciling: We have two vista fax machines, and trained staff ready for you, no charge as always, but tip if you are happy not to have to make your own stencils.

Printing: We will have Bluetooth print and copy facilities here also.

Couches: All our couches are pre booked, please see www.showbedz.com who will be at the show this year with additional equipment to rent.

Clinical: We will have a full stock of clinical supplies on site for anything you forget.

Please use the chair covers and aprons.

Tea/coffee available free of charge in stenciling.

Artists only toilets/washrooms, please ask clinical or a staff member.

Wristbands:

We have a set number of wristbands per booth; additions can be bought from artist registration for a reduced rate on the day of £20 day / £30 weekend. These are intended for Family, additional Helpers and Clients, we can not hold these on the door, you must take them and distribute.When the show is open, artist registration will move to the stencilling area.

First Aid: Please see floor plans

Registration certificates: Your studio registration certificates must be brought to the show and shown prior to the start of the show if asked– the Environmental Health Officers will be on site and have requested registrations at random – please note you may be unable to work at the show if you do not provide your registration documents, keep a copy with you.

Security: There will be security in the venue during all show times. However, please be vigilant at the show and do not leave your stand unattended at any time. Ensure that personal belongings and items of value are locked away securely. The organisers accept no responsibility for goods or equipment left on stands at any time.

Candles, Vapes & Incense : Please note NO Candles or Incense can be burnt in the venue – It’s sets the smoke alarms off and we have to evacuate, same with Vapes.

Shell panels: Each shell panel is 2.13 metre high x 1 metre wide and covered in black, grey, red cloth. You may use hooks, tack, staples, nails, screws, glue or pins.

Storage facilities: Exhibitors should make provision for storage, as there are no on-site facilities.

Tables and chairs: Front Trestle tables are 1.8m long x 460/600mm wide. These are supplied for the trader booths and front of artist booths. We have ample soft chairs for all available. Small square tables are provided for each artist to work from these are generally 600-750mm square.

Trolleys: There are no trolleys available at the venue. If you are going to need a trolley for unloading/loading, please ensure you bring one with you.

Power: All artist booths have power provided. Please don’t overload the power in the booths, it causes trips and down time for everyone. PAT test your stuff on set up with the in house electricians and remember to pack extension leads. Everything you plug in must have a current PAT sticker!

Fire and safety: Gangways must be kept clear by law. Under no circumstances will exhibits, stand dressings, mirrors or chairs be allowed to encroach into gangways. Offending items are liable to be removed.

Saturday

08:00 – Artist/trader registration & load in opens

10:00 – Artist/trader registration & load in closes

10.30 – Council walk around and sign off

11:00 – Doors open to all public

11:00 – Tattooing starts

14.00 – Comp reg opens in The Stencil Room

17.00 – Competitions on Main Stage

19.00 – Award Presentation, Main Stage

21:00 – Tattooing ends

23.00 – Bars close

22.00 – Venue closes

Sun 25th Feb

08:00 – Venue opens

11:00 – Doors open to all public

11:00 – Tattooing starts

14.00 – Comp reg opens in The Stencil Room

17.00 – Competitions on Main Stage

19.00 – Award Presentation, Main Stage

19:00 – Tattooing finishes

19:00 – Load out starts

19.30 – Bars close

22:00 – Venue closes

Mon 26th Feb.

08:00 – 10.00 Venue opens for collections

Venue:

The full address is:

Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road,Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ

Delivery: Must be on Thu 10th Oct.

Collections: Must be before 2pm on Mon 14th Oct.

Parking:

For Artists and Traders please park at the rear of the venue, where the loading is, vehicles can stay all weekend free of charge.

Sandown Park is located in Esher, Surrey a short walk from Esher Train Station, the address is:
Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road,Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ

We have Free Parking for all onsite, if approached from the South off the M25 we are outside any ULEZ zones.