InkFreakz Knowledge Base

Choosing right prize amount

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.

Was this article helpful?

Still need help?

Contact Support