What It’s Like Behind the Booth: Preparing for a Tattoo Convention with My Tattoo

​Tattoo conventions might look like non-stop action from the outside — but behind every tattoo, every merch table, and every award is a team that’s been planning for weeks (sometimes months). Whether it’s local, out of state, or even out of the country, My Tattoo puts in serious prep to make sure every show reflects the quality and reputation we stand for.

📦 Packing DayWe always set a day aside to pack everything for the show — and that’s not just machines and needles. Depending on the location, we’re either loading up a car or figuring out how to get everything into a suitcase without breaking airline weight limits.
What goes in:

• Tattoo machines, power supplies, disposables
  
• Booth setup gear: banners, tablecloths, lighting
  
• Merchandise: art books, prints, bandanas, etc.
  

For overseas or out-of-state shows, we have to be smart with what we bring — and sometimes, that means weighing every bag multiple times just to avoid surprise fees.
🎨 Artist PrepEach artist has their own prep. Some are contacting clients ahead of time to lock in appointments or competition pieces. Others are designing fresh flash sheets to take walk-ups during the show. Some do both.

🎪 What Is a Tattoo Convention, Anyway?A lot of people still don’t know what tattoo conventions are really about. Here’s a breakdown:

• Artists and shops rent booth space to showcase their work, tattoo live, sell merch, or enter contests
  
• Visitors walk around, check out portfolios, see live tattooing (sometimes even tebori), and meet artists from all over the world
  
• Entertainment varies by show — from live music to wild performances like suspension acts (yep, the kind where people hang from hooks)
  

It’s not just tattoos — it’s a full-on experience.
Most artists will have flash designs ready at their table, but some also take on-the-spot ideas if time allows. Visitors can get tattooed right there, or take time to talk with artists and set up future appointments.

🧰 Booth Setup: Day One of the ShowBefore the doors open, we’re on-site getting the booth together.

• Banners go up on the back wall — usually showing the shop name or artist’s name
  
• Tables are covered in cloth, then carefully laid out with physical or digital portfolios
  
• Merch goes out too — from art books to wearable pieces — so visitors can browse or buy something on the spot
  

The goal: make the booth look clean, bold, and inviting, whether it’s someone walking by or a collector we’ve been messaging for months.

🏆 During the ShowOnce things start rolling, it’s tattooing all day — plus talking to potential clients, answering questions, and networking with other artists. At some shows, we’ll enter specific pieces into competition categories, like Best Back Piece, Large Color, or Traditional.
It’s a full grind for the whole team, but it’s also where a lot of connections happen — with new clients, other studios, and even longtime collectors we’ve never met in person.

🧳 After the ShowWhen the show wraps on the last day, it’s time to pack it all up.

• Banners come down
  
• Tables are cleared
  
• Machines, gear, merch — everything gets packed up and brought back to the shop
  

The trip might be over, but the work doesn’t stop. After every show, we’re following up with new clients, sharing photos, and planning for the next one.

💬 Final ThoughtsTattoo conventions are exhausting, high-energy, and unpredictable — but they’re also one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. It’s about representing the shop, sharing what we’ve built, and connecting through art with people who really care about the craft.
If you’ve never been to one, definitely check it out next time we're on the road. You’ll get to see not only what tattooing is — but everything it can be.

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