BTC 2025
Artist & Exhibitor Handbook
Welcome to Brighton 2025, please take a few minutes to read the following pages.
It should give you all the answers to the most common questions I get asked in the run up to the show.
Build up and registration times:
Friday 21st Feb 2025:
Artists, Suppliers & Traders: 4pm – 9pm Syndicate @ Russell Road entrance, steps/lift to upper/lower floor.
Saturday 22nd Feb 2025:
Artists, Suppliers & Traders: 8am – 10am Syndicate @ Russell Road entrance, steps/lift to upper/lower floor.
Sunday 23rd Feb 2025:
Sunday only Artists: 9am – 10am Syndicate @ Russell Road entrance, steps/lift to upper/lower floor.
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.
For trader load in, you can use either Russell Road or the seafront doors, direct to your booths once you have your bands, however the traffic wardens are super ticket happy, so be warned!
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 Box Office (seafront queue).
The public will be on site from 11am Sat & Sun.
Breakdown times:
Sunday 23rd Feb: 7pm – 11pm
All stands and space must be vacated by midnight Sunday.
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: Can be found to the left of the stage, 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, via 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.
Exhibitors Wristbands:
Your booth includes an Artist Wristband / Trader Wristbands, additions can be bought from artist registration for a reduced rate on the day of £20 day / £30 weekend. These are intended for booth helpers, family 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: The paramedic area is in the West Bar.
Loading bay parking: Is reserved for tall supplier vehicles only in advance with us, all others please use NCP opposite, for local traders/artists please drop and go, watch for the wardens! Book your NCP opposite the venue online in advance to save money.
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 or grey 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 or 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 the Friday (next to the main stage) 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.
Competitions:
BTC25 Tattoo Competitions.
- Featuring 10 categories
- Including healed and lettering categories
- An anonymous token based judging system
- Mixed panel of 4 judges per day from within the tattoo community
- Awards for 1st, 2nd and client
Saturday 22nd – 5pm
- Small Healed (any style)
- Large Healed (any style)
- Small Colour (fresh)
- Small Black & Grey (fresh)
- Small Ornamental (fresh)
- Lettering (fresh)
Saturday Award Presentation follows straight on after judging.
Sunday 23rd – 5pm
- Large Colour (fresh)
- Large Black & Grey (fresh)
- Large Ornamental (fresh)
- Collaboration (2+ artists) (fresh)
Sunday Award Presentation follows straight on after judging.
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 at Info from 2pm to 4.30pm each day.
Key times:
Friday
16:00 – Artist/trader registration & load in opens
21:00 – Artist/trader registration & load in closes
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
17.00 – Competitions on Main Stage
21:00 – Tattooing ends
20.00 – Stay Sick Present:
21.00 – The Mandelbrot Shakes
22.00 – The McCurdy Brothers
22.30 – Bars close
23.00 – Venue closes
Sunday
08:00 – Venue opens
11:00 – Doors open to all public
11:00 – Tattooing starts
14.00 – Comp reg opens
15.00 – Live Music TBC
16.00 – The Mandelbrot Shakes
17.00 – Competitions on Main Stage
19:00 – Tattooing finishes
19:00 – Load out starts
19.30 – Bars close
20.00 – Venue closes to public
23:00 – Venue closes
Venue:
The full address is:
The Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GR.
We use the Russell Road entrance for loading.
Delivery: Must be on Thu 20th Feb.
Collections: Must be before 2pm on Mon 24th Feb.