Miss Ink Australia, the brainchild of aged care worker Fallon Nicole, returned to its birthplace in Canberra on Friday night.

"It all started in Canberra in 2009. Now at every other state final we have to rent out bigger venues to accommodate the sellout crowds," Ms Nicole said before the 10 Miss Ink ACT finalists took to the stage at The Basement bar in Belconnen.

The contestants who took part in the alternative pageant, whose motto is "Keeping Australia beautiful, one tattooed person at a time", walked the catwalk in casual wear, swimwear and evening wear.

"They have to answer a few questions but they're all tattoo related," Ms Nicole said.

First-time entrants Erin Green and Haley Wells cannot recall how many tattoos they have between them.

"I think about nine," 28-year-old youth worker Ms Green said.

"I don't really know. All up I think I've spent around $6000," said helicopter electrician Ms Wells, 26.

Their favourite childhood memories - colourful recreations of My Little Pony, The Care Bears, Jessica Rabbit and Rainbow Brite - are etched all over their petite frames. Both have a "full sleeve" - a myriad of cartoon characters, significant names and dates - covering one arm and parts of their shoulders, but a sleeve is considered to be just one tattoo.

They claim their interest in body art only grew once they turned 18 and got their first tattoo.

"I've always loved it, loved tattoos. I like being able to express myself this way,'' Ms Green said. ''People always say, 'but what if you hate them when you're 60?' and I just think I hope I don't care about them when I'm that old."

Ms Wells agreed.

"I'm a sucker for tattoos. I think it's more the older generation who have issues with it, especially when they say, 'what's it going to look like in a wedding dress?' My response is that no matter what the outfit, it'll still be me," she said.

The winner of Miss Ink will go on to represent the ACT at the Miss Ink Australia final later in the year.