Ohio Immigrant Alliance Presents
Tattoo Design Contest

Calling all values-aligned tattoo artists,
tattooers and apprentices across the US:
we want to see your immigrant solidarity tattoo designs!
Winning designs become free downloadable flash, temporary tattoos, and merch to fund OIA's immigrant justice work.

$500 1st Place
$250 x 5 Finalists
$2K Total Prizes
Opens March 15, 2026
Submission Deadline June 30, 2026 11:59pm EST
About the Project

Art as Protest.
Ink as Solidarity.

Tattoos are one of the oldest forms of human expression, and one of the most democratic. They cross economic lines, cultural boundaries, and generations. For many immigrant communities, they carry deep personal meaning: memory, identity, love, survival.

"Migration is as old as time, as basic as breathing. Moving to a new place takes courage, strength, and love."

Ohio Immigrant Alliance is inviting tattoo artists across the US to help create a shared symbol of immigrant solidarity. Winning designs will be made available as free downloadable flash for tattoo artists nationwide, and produced as a limited-edition temporary tattoo booklet sold to fundraise for OIA's work.

This project was inspired in part by the Venezuelan community, which has been scapegoated by the Trump administration for their tattoos, marks that often carry profound personal significance. We're reclaiming ink as a symbol of courage, family, and belonging.

Contest at a Glance

Open to tattoo artists, tattooers, and professional apprentices across the US. 6 total winning designs. Free flash distribution nationwide.

6 Winning Designs
3 Max Entries/Artist
Free Flash Distribution
50 States Nationwide Contest
Design Inspiration

Five Themes

Your design should express immigrant solidarity. These themes are offered as creative inspiration, not requirements. We welcome all interpretations.

♥
Family & Love
The bonds that cross borders and outlast systems.
◎
Freedom & Safety
The universal right to move freely and live without fear.
✦
Courage & Strength
The resilience it takes to start over and keep going.
⬡
Unity Across Difference
Finding common ground across cultures, languages, origins.
✿
Reclaiming Identity & Culture
Honoring roots and refusing erasure.
Awards

Prizes & Recognition

1st Place Winner
$500
First Place
  • $500 cash prize
  • Design featured on tattoo booklet cover
  • Design included in limited-edition tattoo booklet
  • Free downloadable flash distribution nationwide
  • Featured in OIA online merchandise store
  • Recognition on OIA website and social media
Finalist ×5
$250
Each Finalist
  • $250 cash prize
  • Design included in tattoo booklet
  • Free downloadable flash distribution
  • Recognition on OIA website and social media
All Artists
Artists
Retain
Copyright
  • Full copyright stays with you
  • Tattoo your design on clients freely
  • Use in your portfolio and personal work
🔒
Artists Keep Their Work All artists retain full copyright of submitted designs. OIA receives a non-exclusive license to use winning designs for the booklet, flash distribution, merchandise, and promotional materials only.
Total Prize Pool $2,000
Who Can Enter

Eligibility

✓ Who Can Enter

Open to All US
Tattoo Artists

  • ✓ Licensed tattoo artists residing in the United States
  • ✓ Tattooers working in the US at time of submission
  • ✓ Professional tattoo apprentices based in the US
  • ✓ Must be 18 years of age or older
  • ✓ Up to 3 separate design entries per artist
✗ Who Cannot Enter

Conflicts of
Interest Excluded

  • ✗ OIA employees, board members, and contractors
  • ✗ Members of the judging committee
  • ✗ Immediate family of OIA staff, board, or judges
How We Evaluate

Judging Criteria

40%
Tattoo Viability
Executable as a real tattoo? Clean lines, appropriate sizing, works across skin tones.
30%
Artistic Merit
Craftsmanship, originality, and visual impact of the work.
20%
Message Alignment
Does it genuinely express immigrant solidarity consistent with #BraveOfUS?
10%
Emotional Resonance
Does it move you? Does it tell a story that stays with you?
Round 01
Committee Review
Judging committee reviews all eligible submissions, selects 6–10 finalists.
Round 02
Public Vote
Finalists shared publicly on OIA social media. Community votes to select 1st Place Winner.
Final
1 Winner + 5 Finalists
6 total winning designs. Winners announced late July / early August 2026.
Note for students and apprentices: You are welcome to submit. All entries are evaluated on the same professional tattooability standard.
Key Dates

Contest Timeline

Step 01
March 15, 2026
Contest Opens
Step 02
June 30, 2026
Submission Deadline
11:59pm EST
Step 03
Mid-July 2026
Finalists Announced
Step 04
2 Weeks
Public Voting Period
Step 05
Late July / Early Aug
Winners Announced
Step 06
Within 60 Days
Prize Payment Issued
What to Submit

Submission Requirements

Design Requirements

  • * Original artwork by the submitting artist. No AI-generated designs
  • * Designed for use as a tattoo: clean lines, skin tone consideration
  • * Must express immigrant solidarity consistent with #BraveOfUS
  • * One design per entry. Up to 3 entries total per artist
  • * No copyrighted imagery, trademarked logos, or third-party IP
  • * Appropriate for all audiences. No explicit content
  • * Color or black & white accepted; 1 to 4 color palettes encouraged

File Requirements

  • * Vector (preferred): AI, SVG, or EPS. Fonts converted to outlines
  • * Raster accepted: PNG (transparent bg), PSD (layered), or TIFF at 300 DPI min
  • * Small designs: 4"×6"
  • * Large designs: 8"×10"
  • * Max file size: 50MB per file
  • * Bold, high-contrast designs work best as tattoos
Not sure about file formats? Submit the highest-quality version of your work you have. If selected as a finalist, we'll work with you on final file preparation.
Open March 15 to June 30, 2026

Submit Your Design

You may submit up to 3 separate designs.
Complete one form per entry.

Common Questions

FAQ

Do I need to be a licensed tattoo artist to enter?
No. The contest is open to tattoo artists, tattooers, and apprentices. You don't need a license. All entries are judged on tattooability and execution quality.
Can I submit more than one design?
Yes: up to 3 separate designs total. Each entry requires its own form submission.
Do I keep the rights to my design if I win?
Yes. You retain full copyright. OIA receives a non-exclusive license for the booklet, flash distribution, merchandise, and promotional materials only. You can still tattoo your design on clients and use it in your portfolio.
What file formats are accepted?
Vector strongly preferred: AI, SVG, or EPS with fonts converted to outlines. Raster accepted: PNG (transparent bg), PSD (layered), or TIFF at 300 DPI min. 50MB max per file.
How will winners be selected?
Round 1: Judging committee selects 6–10 finalists. Round 2: Community votes for 1st Place Winner. Final: 1 winner + 5 finalists = 6 total winning designs.
When and how are prizes paid?
All prizes issued via check within 60 days of the winner announcement.
My file upload isn't working. Can I submit another way?
Yes. Google Form file uploads require a Google account. If you don't have one, email your design file directly to the contest email with subject line: #BraveOfUS Submission [Your Name].
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Reach out via the contact info on the OIA website. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to Make
Your Mark?

Your art can make an impact. Ink your solidarity. Submit your design by June 30, 2026.

Submit Your Design →