Q. Are tickets available online only, or can I buy them at the door?

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A. You can buy them at Tickets West if you want to skip the line at the box office -- or give a ticket to your bestie for a fun surprise! Tickets are available to purchase at the event, and you can choose a single day for $25 or $60 for all three days!

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Q. I've never been to a tattoo convention before. Can I get a tattoo at the event? Or do I need to make an appointment first?

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A. You don't have to make an appointment beforehand, although some artists like to book themselves to continue or finish up work on previous clients. Others make a few appointments, but keep at least one day open to meet new clients. Others attend tattoo conventions to meet new people and only take walk-ups! So the short answer is no, you have a very good chance of getting a tattoo at the convention without booking an appointment. Keep in mind that if you want to guarantee you'll be able to collect a tattoo from a specific artist you might want to request to get on their books!

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Q. Can I enter a tattoo into the tattoo contest that's still healing?

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A. Only tattoos started and finished at the Portland Tattoo Expo can be entered into the Best Of categories. For example, if you're getting tattooed on Friday, you can enter your new piece in the Best of Day Friday contest, and also in the Best of Show contest on Sunday. The reason all other categories are for FULLY HEALED work only is that an important aspect of a tattoo is how it heals over time. Once the healing process is finished, that's when the tattoo artist's skill and talent can be truly appreciated. 

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Q. I'm 17. Can I get tattooed if my parents sign a waiver?

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A. Sorry, as per Oregon laws, you'll have to wait until you're 18!

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Q. I really want to go but will have my kids. Is this a family friendly event?

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A. Great question. This depends on you and your child's comfort level! People are there to get tattooed, so if they can handle all that this entails it should be fine (bare body parts, blood, etc.). Please make sure your child is well behaved, as these are professionals at work. Also, kid 12 and under are free

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Artist Info:

 

PLEASE NOTE THIS YEAR'S  SHOW WILL BE HELD IN HALL E, UNLIKE YEARS PAST WHERE WERE IN HALL D!

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Show Info
Portland Tattoo Expo Location:
Portland Expo Center
2060 N Marine Drive,
Portland, OR 97217
Hall E

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Show Hours:
Friday: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

*All tattooing must stop one hour after show ends each day, or 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.
*Hall must be cleared out by 10:00pm Sunday Night

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Exhibitor Load-in Times:
For load-in, go to the BACK of Hall E *must obtain a hand stamp each day at the BACK ENTRANCE ONLY to be allowed entry in the front of the expo.
Thursday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
*Check in at the desk; you'll receive your vendor packet along with a map showing where your booth is located

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Tattooing Before the Show Starts:

HLO inspectors will be at the Expo at noon on Friday. Once your booth is inspected, you will be cleared to tattoo! If you want to have a client meet you inside the venue before the show starts on any day, please shoot us an email so we can make arrangements (normally all clients MUST enter the venue from the front -- and artists may only use the back entrance when checking in for the first time each day in order to get the hand stamp). Friday depends on getting your booth inspected, but Saturday and Sunday you are allowed to start tattooing as early as 10:00am as long as you get it cleared first. All tattooing must be finished by 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as the venue will close at midnight. 

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Parking:
Exhibitor parking is $13 per space, per day (or $39/ event) and includes in and out privileges

Please note that once again, this year's parking is expected to be quite busy due to the shows in the other halls. In years past we've had no problems parking close to the hall behind the venue, but we might not be that lucky this year! We will still have the ability to load in directly behind Hall E, but you may find that you will have to park in the front and walk all the way to the back of Hall E.

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Driving in Oregon:

Oregon Driving Laws are as follows: you must use your phone hands-free while driving. If you have to use your hands to take a call (don't even think about texting!) you can now expect to get a bigger fine than before. Avoid a huge traffic ticket and be safe!

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