What can you expect from Tattoo Anansi on Tour?
Here is a small sample video about the Tattoo Menta in Kassel - Video by Anansi Chronicles
We didn't go to many conventions at the beginning. We simply didn't have the time. Also, traveling to the biggest tattoo fairs is not always cheap. Times have changed - our team has grown and we now like to leave Munich to meet friends and colleagues and be together with the most talented of the talented. Worldwide. We'll keep you up to date here - and if we ever travel to your city, please feel free to contact us.
You can see the latest and upcoming tattoo conventions and tattoo fairs on our tour schedule here:
25-27 Jan 19 Pasadena CA, USA Golden State Tattoo Expo
April 12-14, 19 Frankfurt, Germany International Tattoo-Convention Frankfurt
May 24-26, 19 Dortmund, Germany TattooCon Dortmund
2-4 Aug 19 Berlin, Germany Tattoo Convention Berlin
29 Feb - 1 March 2020 Warsaw, Poland Warsaw Tattoo Days
April 24-26, 2020 Prague Tattoo Convention Cancelled
9-10 May 2020 Erfurt, Germany Tattoo Convention Erfurt Cancelled
16-17 May 2020 Moscow, Russia Moscow Tattoo Convention Cancelled
May 6 - 8, 2022 NYC, USA Empire State Tattoo Expo New York
June 4 - 6, 2022 Würzburg, DE Tattoo Convention Würzburg
June 18 - 19, 2022 Jena, DE Tattoo Convention Jena " TattooTattaa"
16 - 18 Sept 2022 Pasadena, USA Golden State Tattoo Expo
23 - 25 Sept 2022 Berlin, DE 30th Tattoo Convention Berlin
28 - 30 Oct 2022 Bolzano, IT Passion Art Tattoo Convention Bolzen
What is a tattoo convention and how does a tattoo fair work?
Tattoo fairs are held in Germany almost every weekend of the year, often in several cities at the same time. The trade fairs or conventions (Engl), which started in the 1980s, were originally organized by tattoo artists for tattoo artists for the purpose of exchanging ideas. Nowadays, they are public events for tattoo fans as well as newcomers to the scene and some even have an entertainment program for the whole family. As the number of tattoo conventions continues to grow, so does the number of people attending a convention for the first time. We would therefore like to give you an overview of what is on offer at conventions and how to make the most of it.
Regional scene
The most important thing at a tattoo trade fair is, of course, the tattoo artists. As we know, this can be divided into two groups - those from the region and those who come from further afield. As far as tattoo artists from the region are concerned, a convention is the ideal opportunity to get to know a selection of local studios. You can also find out whether one of the tattoo artists is suitable for your own tattoo or larger projects such as complete arm or back pieces that cannot be realized in the limited time of a trade fair weekend.
International star tattoo artists
When top tattoo artists from abroad are present at a convention, this is a great opportunity to get a tattoo from an artist whose studio would otherwise be difficult to reach. In this case, however, it makes sense to check the participant lists for the events as early as possible and to contact the desired tattoo artist as soon as possible, as star tattoo artists are quickly fully booked once their participation in a particular convention has been announced.
Overview of tattoo artists and styles
Even without a specific tattoo request, it makes sense for tattoo newcomers to visit a convention, as there are usually representatives of different styles working on site. Which style a tattoo artist prefers to tattoo becomes clear when looking through his portfolio. The tattoo artist can either present their work in a photo book on display or show it via a slide show on a laptop or tablet. Always remember: It's all about the style, the motifs are created in the respective style! So it's worth a visit to get an overview and find out what kind of stylistic realization you personally like. You can use the collected business cards to make a pre-selection of possible tattoo artists.
Make an appointment with the tattoo artist of your choice
Some tattoo artists will not attend a convention without booking all the appointments for the weekend weeks before the event. It is therefore worth checking the so-called "artist list" on the organizer's website in advance. Unfortunately, many organizers only update this sporadically, so check it from time to time to see if there is a tattoo artist whose work you particularly like and contact them in advance.
Spontaneous appointment on site
Some tattoo artists lay out motifs for the convention that they have drawn themselves and are keen to engrave. Such wanna-dos are often available spontaneously. Simply choose a motif you like and talk to the artist to see if they have time to get it done. Other tattoo artists let themselves be surprised by the customer's wishes at the convention. For tattoo enthusiasts, this means arriving early on the first day to make an appointment. The majority of tattoo fairs take place on Saturday and Sunday, with larger events often starting on Friday afternoon. Experience shows that there is usually not so much going on at a convention on Friday and the tattoo artist has a little more time to talk to the customer about their design request.
If you are spontaneous and flexible in terms of style, you will always find someone at a convention who will make appointments on the spot and implement the convention visitor's specific design request.
Wanna-dos
Tattoo artists are increasingly preparing for conventions with self-drawn templates. These are usually self-designed motifs that match the artist's style and can be easily engraved at a convention due to their size. Each of these so-called "wanna-dos" motifs is usually only engraved once by the tattoo artist, and no changes are desired. The prices for such "wanna-dos" are often listed right next to them.
Weekend tickets and online advance sales
If you are not sure whether or when you would like to get tattooed at a tattoo convention, are planning larger tattoo projects that will take several days, would like to see certain program items on different days or are simply planning to spend the entire weekend at the convention, you should definitely buy a weekend ticket right at the beginning instead of several individual tickets, as this is much cheaper.
Many conventions offer advance ticket sales on their homepages, sometimes with the option of entering the event an hour before official admission. Especially at events with high visitor numbers, you can avoid the queue of day visitors and enter the event hall without having to wait.
Well prepared for the weekend
If you are planning a tattoo, it makes sense to prepare accordingly. A tattoo healing ointment for wound care can be purchased in advance during the week - at the pharmacy, for example. As tattoos cost money, take enough cash with you. You can't get a tattoo for 30 euros, as some people think: the amount of material the tattoo artist has to use for hygiene reasons alone is enormous, and the hours, experience and skill of the artist also have their price. Small tattoos are sometimes available for as little as a hundred euros, but usually several hundred to - depending on the effort involved - several thousand euros are usual and justified. It is therefore better not to rely on the cash machine near the venue, as it will quickly run out. Very important: take suitable clothing with you! Anyone planning a tattoo on their calf is doing themselves a favor if they wear shorts or have them with them. If you want a tattoo on the back of your foot, you'll be happy if you can wear flip-flops as well as Doc Martens.
Show program and celebrity hunt
You don't want a new tattoo and aren't planning one? Never mind, many tattoo conventions still offer enough reason to visit. The show program at many tattoo events is definitely more entertaining than sitting in front of the TV on a rainy weekend; pole dancing, hypnosis, acrobatics, magic and freak shows as well as music performances of all kinds are offered at many events. Childcare and bouncy castles for the little ones are not uncommon, while older visitors can experience celebrities such as actors Ingo Kantorek, Daniel Krause and Julia Jasmin Rühle aka JJ, rappers such as Kontra K, TV tattoo artists Nancy Mietziii and Randy Engelhard or musicians and bands such as Haudegen, Judith van Hel, Eskimo Callboy or V8 Wankers up close and personal and go on the hunt for autographs or selfies at many events.
Shopping tour at the convention
Shopping at the tattoo convention? Of course! From piercing jewelry, T-shirts from the latest collections of trendy labels or hand-printed by private artists in mini editions, art prints with designs by the exhibiting tattoo artists to all kinds of trendy knick-knacks and decorative trinkets: anyone with an unusual taste is sure to find what they are looking for at tattoo fairs.
Tattoo contest: The stage is yours!
Tattoo contests are the highlight of the convention for many. After the freshly engraved tattoo has been completed, you can enjoy your very own "Five Minutes of Fame" on stage at the tattoo competition, which is held in various categories at practically every tattoo trade fair in the afternoon or evening, have your brand new tattoo admired by the audience and judged by a panel of experts. In the best case scenario, there's even a trophy for the tattoo artist you trust and the great feeling of having contributed to a cool event yourself.
City trip with convention visit
For many business travelers, it's sadly the norm: you travel to the greatest cities and end up seeing nothing of the country and its people apart from the exhibition hall. But that doesn't have to be the case for you: Simply plan a city trip around your convention visit! Conventions like London, Berlin or Paris are of course a good reason to travel alone, but why not add a day or two and visit the Tower of London, Berlin's Museum Island or the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Cities like Bamberg, Augsburg, Leipzig or Dresden also have a lot to offer in addition to beautifully done tattoo conventions.
