Choosing the Right Prize Amount
The prize amount you choose for your contest significantly impacts the number and quality of submissions you receive. Understanding how to match your prize to your project's complexity and requirements will help you get the best possible results from your contest.
How Prize Amount Affects Your Contest
Artist Participation: Higher prizes attract more artists, giving you more design options and increased competition for your project.
Quality Level: Experienced artists with strong portfolios are more likely to participate in higher-value contests.
Time Investment: Artists can justify spending more time on detailed, refined work when the prize reflects that investment.
Submission Quantity: Higher prizes typically result in more submissions per artist and more total submissions overall.
Prize Level Guidelines
Bronze Contest ($299) - Best For: - Simple, minimalist designs - Text-based or lettering tattoos - Small tattoos (under 4 inches) - Single-element designs - First-time contest holders testing the platform - Black and gray designs with minimal detail
Silver Contest ($499) - Best For: - Medium complexity designs - Single-subject tattoos with moderate detail - Designs 4-6 inches in size - Neo-traditional or traditional style work - Designs with some color elements - Most popular choice for balanced results
Gold Contest ($799) - Best For: - Complex, detailed designs - Large tattoos (6+ inches) - Multi-element compositions - Realistic or highly detailed work - Full-color designs - Sleeve concepts or large pieces - Unique or challenging artistic requirements
Platinum Contest ($1299) - Best For: - Highly complex, masterpiece-level work - Full sleeve or back piece concepts - Photorealistic portraits - Intricate, multi-layered compositions - Unique artistic challenges - Rush timelines requiring immediate attention - Projects requiring extensive artist research
Factors to Consider
Design Complexity: More detailed, intricate designs require more time and skill, justifying higher prizes.
Size Requirements: Larger tattoos need more detailed work and careful composition planning.
Style Demands: Photorealistic work, detailed portraits, and complex geometric patterns require specialized skills.
Timeline Urgency: If you need results quickly, higher prizes get faster artist attention.
Color Requirements: Full-color designs typically require more time and expertise than black and gray work.
Uniqueness Factor: Highly original or unusual concepts may need higher prizes to attract artists willing to experiment.
Common Pricing Mistakes
Under-Pricing Complex Work: Choosing Bronze for a detailed sleeve concept won't attract artists capable of that level of work.
Over-Pricing Simple Designs: Platinum pricing for a simple text tattoo wastes budget without improving results.
Ignoring Market Standards: Research what similar tattoo commissions cost to understand appropriate contest pricing.
Focusing Only on Budget: The cheapest option isn't always the best value if it doesn't attract suitable artists.
Maximizing Your Investment
Match Complexity to Prize: Ensure your prize level aligns with the time and skill your project requires.
Consider Total Value: Compare contest costs to commissioning individual artists for similar work.
Factor in Options: Remember you're getting multiple design concepts, not just one custom piece.
Think Long-Term: A higher investment in a great design pays off over the lifetime of your tattoo.
Prize Amount vs. Results Expectations
Bronze Contests Typically Receive: - 8-15 submissions - 3-6 participating artists - Good quality for simple designs - Limited revisions and refinements
Silver Contests Typically Receive: - 12-20 submissions - 5-10 participating artists - High quality for medium complexity - More artist engagement and revisions
Gold Contests Typically Receive: - 18-30 submissions - 8-15 participating artists - Excellent quality for complex work - Extensive artist engagement and multiple concepts per artist
Platinum Contests Typically Receive: - 25-40+ submissions - 12-20+ participating artists - Exceptional quality and innovation - Maximum artist time investment and refinement
Budget Optimization Tips
Start with Silver: If unsure, Silver contests offer the best balance of participation and value for most projects.
Consider Extensions: You can extend contests for additional days if you need more submissions.
Plan for Your Next Tattoo: Many people become repeat contest holders as they build their tattoo collection.
Factor in Tattoo Costs: Contest prizes are typically much less than what you'll spend on the actual tattoo application.
When to Choose Each Level
Choose Bronze If: - Your design is genuinely simple - You're testing the platform - Budget is a primary constraint - You're satisfied with fewer options
Choose Silver If: - You want good participation without premium pricing - Your design has moderate complexity - You want multiple quality options - This is your first significant contest
Choose Gold If: - Your design is complex or large - You want extensive artist participation - Quality is more important than budget - You're planning a significant tattoo investment
Choose Platinum If: - You want the absolute best results possible - Your design is exceptionally complex - You need rush processing - Budget is not a primary concern
Remember, your contest prize is an investment in getting the perfect design for a tattoo you'll wear for life. Choose the level that matches your project's requirements and gives you confidence in the results you'll receive.