Tattoo Expo Malaysia: Conventions, Dates and How to Go

A tattoo expo in Malaysia is the easiest way to see dozens of artists in one room. You can compare portfolios, watch hand-tapping up close and even book a session on the spot. However, the scene has shifted over the past decade. The big Kuala Lumpur show of 2019 has not returned, so the energy now sits in Sarawak, with Kuching and Miri hosting regular festivals. This guide covers the history, the 2026 calendar and practical tips for visitors.

Upcoming tattoo expo Malaysia dates (late 2026)

These dates come from public event listings, mainly Tattoofilter's Malaysia calendar and World Tattoo Events, checked on 16 October 2026. Organisers sometimes move dates or venues at short notice. So treat this table as a starting point, then confirm on each organiser's official Facebook or Instagram page.

A short history of the tattoo convention in Malaysia

Borneo got there first

Kuching hosted the 1st International Borneo Tattoo Convention from 1 to 5 May 2002. Ernesto Kalum of Borneoheadhunters Tattoo, a key figure in the revival of Iban hand-tapped tattooing, lists organising it among his studio's milestones. Further Borneo conventions followed, for example in Sibu in 2007. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur had its own Kuala Lumpur Tattoo Convention from 6 to 8 November 2009, according to Tattoofilter.

Sabah and the road to KLCC

In 2015, Sabah ran the Sabah International Tattoo and Culture Convention, with about 50 booths and 1,000 visitors. Next came the Sabah International Tattoo Conventions of 2016 and 2017. That lineage then grew into the Tattoo Malaysia Expo, which moved to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for 29 November to 1 December 2019.

The 2019 show aimed big. According to SAYS, organisers planned about 130 artists from more than 40 countries and targeted 30,000 visitors. Free Malaysia Today later put attendance at artists from 35 countries. The event also had backing from MyCEB, an agency under the Tourism Ministry.

The 2019 controversy

In early December, the KLCC expo drew national attention after reports of a semi-nude incident during the show. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) then ordered an inquiry, as Malay Mail reported on 2 December 2019. Afterwards, the organisers apologised publicly. Since then, we have found no further edition of the Tattoo Malaysia Expo, and its website returned an empty page when we checked. In short, no confirmed Kuala Lumpur tattoo expo has run since 2019, as far as we can find.

Melaka and Sabah expos

Melaka has its own thread. The Melaka Tattoo Expo ran editions from 2016 to 2019, and its 5th edition took place from 11 to 13 August 2023. Sabah also held a Sabah Tattoo Expo in 2017, plus a 2nd Sabah Tattoo Expo listed for 15–16 May 2021. However, that 2021 date fell during COVID-19 restrictions, so it may not have gone ahead as planned.

Kuching: the current centre of the scene

Kuching has become the most reliable city for a tattoo convention in Malaysia. The Benua Borneo Tattoo Convention ran from 29 September to 1 October 2023 at Kuching Community Hall, and the Borneo Post reported more than 500 visitors. A 2024 edition followed from 5 to 7 April. Listings call it both the 2nd Kuching Tattoo Festival and the Kuching International Tattoo Expo.

Then came the Kuching International Tattoo Expo 2025, from 5 to 7 September at the DBNA hall on Jalan Ong Tiang Swee. It had 49 machine booths and 10 traditional hand-tapping booths. Skrang Tattoo co-organised it with Inkzation, and Boi Skrang served as vice-president of the Kuching Tattoo Art Association at the time.

The hand-tap booths set Kuching apart. Here you can watch Iban and Orang Ulu practitioners work with a needle stick and a tapping stick, a method few visitors ever see. If that interests you, read our guide to Borneo hand-tap tattoos and our explainer on Malaysian tattoo designs before you go. For studios to visit outside festival dates, see our Kuching tattoo shops guide.

Miri and Penang

Miri, in northern Sarawak, has run tattoo festivals every year from 2022 to 2025, and the 2026 edition is listed for 6–8 November at Miri Indoor Stadium. Penang, meanwhile, had no convention history we could find until recently. The Gods of Ink Tattoo Convention has announced artists for 7–8 November 2026 at Lava Mansion in George Town on its official Instagram. Because the two events overlap, choose one and check both line-ups first.

How to attend a tattoo expo in Malaysia

Tickets and timing

Ticket types and prices vary from event to event, and smaller festivals often announce them only a few weeks before opening. So check the organiser's page rather than relying on old posts. In general, expect bigger crowds at the weekend. If you want long chats with artists, a weekday or an early start usually works better. Also look for the programme, since some events add competitions or cultural shows.

What to bring

• Cash in small notes, since some booths and food stalls may not take cards or e-wallets.
• Your phone with your reference images saved offline, in case the hall Wi-Fi is weak.
• A water bottle and a light layer, because halls swing between hot and heavily air-conditioned.
• Loose clothing that exposes the area you might want tattooed.
• A plan for transport home, such as a GrabCar pickup point, since parking near busy halls fills quickly.

Getting a tattoo at a convention

Many visitors want a tattoo done on the floor. That is possible, but plan it like any other session. First, contact the artist weeks before the event. Guest artists often fill their convention slots in advance through Instagram, and walk-in space is limited. Next, agree on the design, size and price before you arrive. As a rule, convention pricing follows the artist's normal rates, so compare it with our tattoo price guide for Malaysia.

Hygiene matters even more on a crowded floor. Watch the artist set up before you sit down.

• Needles and cartridges should come out of sealed, single-use packs in front of you.
• The station, machine and cord should have barrier film or wrap.
• The artist should change gloves after touching anything outside the station, such as a phone.
• Ink should go into fresh caps that the artist throws away afterwards.

Hand-tap artists should follow the same rules, with sterile single-use needles and commercial ink. If anything looks wrong, you can walk away. A good artist will not mind you asking. For more on judging a studio or booth, read how to choose a tattoo artist.

Aftercare when you are travelling

Fresh tattoos and long trips do not mix well, so plan your journey home. Keep the artist's wrap on for as long as they advise, then wash gently with mild, unscented soap. Avoid swimming pools, the sea and long sun exposure until the skin heals. Also pack your own aftercare products, because finding them in a hotel area at night can be hard. Long flights and Borneo humidity both add stress, so read our tattoo aftercare guide and our post on healing in Malaysian humidity.

Convention etiquette and photography

A tattoo convention is a workplace for the artists, even when the hall feels like a party. So keep a little distance from working stations and never lean over a client. Also ask before you touch anyone's tattoos, healed or fresh.

Photography needs the same care. Ask the artist and the client before you photograph a session up close. Some clients sit for intimate placements and do not want pictures online. Similarly, credit the artist's handle whenever you post their work. For hand-tapping booths, ask about cultural rules too, since some motifs carry deep meaning for Iban and Orang Ulu communities.

Dress codes also matter. Malaysia is a diverse country, and venues and authorities expect public events to stay respectful. After 2019, organisers have every reason to keep things family friendly. Plan to cover up when you leave the hall, especially if you head to markets, mosques or government buildings. For background, see our guide to tattoo law and religion in Malaysia.

Is a convention worth the trip?

For most people, yes, as long as you plan. A Malaysia tattoo expo lets you meet artists from across Borneo and abroad in a single weekend. In fact, it is often the only chance to see some hand-tap masters without a long trip upriver. That said, a convention is not the only route to great work. Many of the best artists work year-round from studios in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuching. Our top tattoo shops in Malaysia and best tattoo artists in Malaysia lists can help you shortlist them.