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We’re rolling out a refined token-based judging system designed to be simple, fair, and transparent, now with 5 new judges each day of the competitions to ensure a broader and more balanced outcome.
How It Works
- Five judges are appointed each day.
- Each judge receives 3 identical tokens per category.
- Judges can only award one token per canvas — meaning they must choose 3 different entries.
- Tokens are physically handed to canvases live on stage.
- The entrants with the most tokens win.
Category Placings
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awarded in each tattoo category.
- Tattoo of the Show, Best Collaboration, and Tattoo of the Day and Multi Day will have a winner and runner-up only.
- The Grand Award: Tattoo of the Show - Chosen by the judges on Sunday out of the following - Tattoo of the day winners Friday, Saturday and Sunday and best Multi Day winner.
- All canvases will receive a commemorative plaque for their participation.
Why 5 Judges?
- Using five judges instead of three increases the accuracy and integrity of the judging process.
- Reduced tie likelihood – With 15 tokens in play (5 judges × 3 tokens), results are more spread out, making exact ties less common.
- Broader perspective – More judges = more artistic viewpoints and less chance of bias.
- Fairer outcomes – No single judge can overly influence the results.
- Improved credibility – Entrants and audiences trust a more robust judging panel.
Step-by-Step Judging Process
- Review all tattoos on stage.
- Select your top 3 tattoos based on quality, creativity, and execution.
- Allocate your 3 tokens, one to each chosen canvas.
- Write down the lanyard numbers of the canvases you awarded tokens to on your score sheet.
- The Competition Manager will cross-check score sheets to confirm results.
- Winners are announced live after each category is judged.
After each category, the next group of entrants will be called to the stage.
Tiebreaker Rules
If there's a tie based on total tokens:
- Most Tokens Wins:
- The canvas with the highest number of tokens places higher.
- Still Tied? Revote on Tied Entries Only:
Each judge votes again — this time selecting one favourite from the tied entries.
- Still Tied? Group Consensus Required:
Judges discuss and aim to reach a majority decision (at least 3 out of 5).
If consensus is not reached, the Competition Manager or Head Judge may cast the deciding vote.
Token Details
- Custom token cards are given to the winners and collected after the comp finishes.
