BRIGHTON TATTOO CONVENTION 2025

This year, we’ve committed to attending more events, and our first stop was the Brighton Tattoo Convention. Early last year, Leah and I visited Brighton for a few days and instantly fell in love with the city, so we decided to put in an application to be a part of the convention. We've been looking forward to this since we got accepted late last year, and it marks an important milestone for us as it is our first time attending a convention as a seller. 

The Journey to Brighton Tattoo Convention

As a business based in Middlesbrough, we knew we were in for a long journey to Brighton. We set off early Friday morning, and the drive was over seven hours. We planned to set up our booth the evening before to ensure everything was ready. It was a long day, but we managed to get everything in place, leaving only a few final touches for Saturday morning before the convention doors opened at 11 am.

Connecting with new and existing customers

The event kicked off on Saturday, February 22nd, at 11 am, and the crowd of attendees for the event was quite overwhelming. Seeing the long queue before the doors opened was a bit nerve-wracking, especially since this was our first time attending an event of this scale. We didn’t know exactly what to expect, but as soon as the doors opened, the weekend flew by and the nerves disappeared. We were in our booth until 9 pm on Saturday and 7 pm on Sunday. Despite the long hours, it didn’t feel like work. We had the opportunity to engage in great conversations with both existing and new customers. It was humbling to realise how many people already knew about our brand, and it was incredibly rewarding to connect with them in person.

Most of our interactions are online, so it was refreshing to have face-to-face conversations. The weekend was filled with positive energy, great people, and a ton of inspiration. Our booth was consistently busy, and we barely had time to step away, but we were grateful for every moment spent connecting with those who visited us. It truly means a lot to us that people choose to support what we do.

Meeting other traders at the convention

We were placed next to some other great traders who we had some good conversations with, everyone was really happy to share any info about markets and tips that they've learnt along the way. We were the least experienced when it comes to conventions, so we really appreciated how open and willing to share everyone was. here's just a few that we got to meet:

The Last Jewellers - Jewellery that is made to last.

The Blackened Teeth - Hand-made unique gothic home decor from South Wales. 

Hell Flower - A fierce & fiery brand from Sussex, England.

The Continuous Photography Project - The photographic work of Cameron Rennie.

The Twisted Squid - Mental and physical health inspired designs.

Exclusive New Design Launched at Brighton Tattoo Convention

We decided to take a new design to launch at the convention. It was good to have something new to display just for this event, so we did a limited print run of the 'Catch Fire' t-shirt. The remaining stock is now online, and once it's sold, it won't be restocked - you can find it here.

Why Attending Tattoo Conventions Is Important for Thirteen Supply Co

Our time at Brighton Tattoo Convention was one that we won't forget anytime soon. We feel like its something we're definitely going to continue pushing as we got to meet lots of great people face to face, see some awesome tattoos come to life, and I even picked up my first ever tattoo machine from Dan self made x Hudson Tattoos. As I delve deeper into my tattooing journey, I feel that attending more conventions is essential for both my own personal growth as Broken Lungs Tattoo and the growth of Thirteen Supply Co.

A Weekend to Remember

In conclusion, our time at the Brighton Tattoo Convention 2025 was unforgettable. We left with new connections, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the tattoo community. This event has definitely set the tone for the year ahead, and we’re excited to continue attending conventions and expanding our reach in the tattoo industry.

Next up... The Big North Tattoo Show

With that all said, I'm excited to share that we're attending The Big North Tattoo Show as a seller. The event is on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May and is set to be a good one!