Salik Tag Redesign Competition: Your Chance to Win AED 100,000

• Salik Tag Redesign Competition Overview
• Winner Announcement Details
• Public Art Competitions Dubai Process
• Terms and Conditions
• FAQs

Salik, Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, has partnered with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to launch Erth Dubai Through Your Eyes. It is a creative initiative that invites artists to reimagine the design of Salik tags. The competition is open to members of the artistic, creative and youth communities, encouraging designs that reflect Dubai’s cultural diversity, heritage and contemporary identity. This initiative forms part of the wider Erth Dubai art competition framework to support creative expression across the emirate.

More About the Erth Dubai Through Your Eyes Salik Tag Redesign Competition

The participants of the competition are required to submit original and previously unproduced designs for customised Salik tags. The competition is open to artists, designers, calligraphers and graffiti artists. Dubai Salik redesign contest focuses on expanding Salik’s design library through public engagement, through innovative artistic interpretations.

Winner Announcement: Eyes on the Prize

The Salik tag design competition in the UAE is open for entries until 15 January 2026. Submissions will be reviewed by a judging committee comprising representatives from the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Culture and Salik. 

A total prize pool of AED 100,000 (approximately USD 27,000) has been allocated, with USD 15,000 awarded to first place, USD 7,000 to second place and USD 5,000 to third place. 

Winners of Erth Dubai Through Your Eyes will be announced during the 14th Sikka Art & Design Festival. It is scheduled to take place from 23 January to 1 February 2026 at the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood.

How to Participate in Erth Dubai Through Your Eyes Competition

The step-by-step process to participate in the competition includes:

• Step 1: Creating an original Salik tag design according to the guidelines.
• Step 2: Filling out the form on the competition’s official website: tagdesign.salik.ae.
• Step 3: Uploading the final artwork through the official submission form. Entries must be high-resolution and submitted in PDF, JPEG or PNG format. All submissions must be sent before 15 January 2026. For more up-to-date information, visit the official Salik website.
• Step 4: A joint evaluation committee comprising representatives from Salik and Dubai Culture will review and shortlist entries. 

Salik Tag Artwork: Key Guidelines and Requirements

Some of the guidelines and requirements of the Dubai Salik creative competition include:

Originality and Intellectual Property

• All submitted designs must be original and not copied, reproduced or derived from third-party work.
• Designs must not infringe on copyrights, trademarks, design rights or any related intellectual property.
• Any artwork containing registered trademarks or copyrighted material must include correct markings, such as ™, © and ®.
• Any third-party artwork requires a signed authorisation affidavit from the rights holder.
• Participants bear full legal responsibility for IP violations.

Permitted and Prohibited Content

• Content must comply with UAE laws, public order and public morals.
• Offensive, unlawful or non-compliant submissions will be rejected or disqualified.
• Salik reserves the right to reject submissions without incurring legal liability.

Artwork Design Specifications

• Artwork must be vector-based (created in software such as Adobe Illustrator).
• Accepted formats: AI, EPS or press-quality editable PDF.
• Colours are limited to four or fewer, including black.
• No gradients, shadows, fades or metallic inks are permitted.
• Artwork must be prepared in CMYK mode only, with Pantone references listed (exact matches not guaranteed).
• A minimum 0.13-inch (1/8 inch) safety margin must be maintained around all edges for critical elements.
• Unused graphic elements must be removed from final files.

Fonts and Typography

• Fonts must be outlined unless they are part of Adobe Fonts. 
• Minimum type size for positive type: 6-point (sans serif), 7-point (serif).
• Minimum type size for negative type: 7-point (sans serif), 8-point (serif).

Lines and Image Quality

• Minimum line thickness:
• Positive lines: 0.5 point
• Reverse lines: 1 point
• Images must be high resolution at 300 dpi at full size.
• No image compression is allowed.
• All placed or imported images (EPS, TIFF, etc.) must be included as layered files.

File Submission and Scaling

• Artwork must be submitted at full size.
• Any required scaling must be clearly noted in the file.
• Files under 5 MB may be emailed; larger files require file transfer services or coordination with Salik.

Proofing and Approval

• A full-colour hard copy or PDF proof of the final artwork must be provided.
• Salik will issue a final proof for customer approval before production.
• Delays in artwork approval may affect delivery timelines.

Rights and Usage

• Salik retains ownership rights to the winning design.
• Winning designs may be used with attribution to the creator.
• Winners may receive a certificate of recognition.

Competition and Legal Terms for Erth Dubai Salik Competition

• Participation does not create any legal, financial, contractual or employment obligation on Salik.
• Salik reserves the right to amend, suspend or cancel the competition in accordance with its final internal review and approval is required prior to publication or launch.

FAQs

Is the competition open to students and professional artists?

Yes, the competition is open to students, emerging creatives and professional artists, including designers, calligraphers and graffiti artists.

What prizes or recognition are offered to winners?

Winners will share a total prize pool of AED 100,000, with additional recognition including official attribution and certification for the winning design.

When will the winner of Salik tag designs be announced?

The winners will be announced during the Sikka Art & Design Festival, taking place from 23 January to 1 February 2026.

This is everything you need to know about the Salik tag redesign competition. Authorities in Dubai come up with such interactive competitions every now and then. RTA organised a film competition earlier this year, which promoted the concept of road safety. 

Such initiatives promote a competitive and collaborative culture while reinforcing laws and road safety for everyone. Moreover, the emirate offers a safe and motorist-friendly infrastructure, which makes buying a new car in Dubai or going for a used one an appealing option. 
For more updates on art and mobility collaborations in Dubai, stay connected with the UAE’s leading auto blog.