The BEST Episodes of Best Ink
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: May 1, 2021
Network: Oxygen
Best Ink follows a group of 10 tattoo artists from various cities in the United States. The winner of the competition wins a $100,000 cash prize and a cover article of a well-known tattoo-related magazine.
#1 - Brand New Life
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired May 15, 2013
The contestants use innovative animation technology to bring their artwork to life. Appearing: tattoo artist Miya Bailey.
8.40 #2 - Be Ready For Anything
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired May 22, 2013
The ink artists must create photo-realistic tattoos. Also: a "fast-and-furious" challenge. Appearing: artist Jason Seiler.
8.02 #3 - True Love
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired May 29, 2013
The final four tattoo artists work with their family members.
7.95 #4 - The $100,000 Tattoo
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired Feb 26, 2014
The winner is named in the Season 3 finale. Before that, the finalists face a challenge based in Venice Beach, Cal.
7.91 #5 - Bigger and Badder
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired Apr 3, 2013
Season 2 of the skin-art competition series kicks off with 12 top tattoo artists beginning their battle for $100,000 and a cover story in a magazine. Pete Wentz is the new host.
7.90 #6 - The King of Ink
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired May 8, 2012
The stakes are raised when the final four contestants are asked to create tribute tattoos to Michael Jackson, judged by his brother, Jermaine Jackson.
7.87 
#7 - Live Out Loud
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired Apr 24, 2013
The contestants create abstract skin art for music aficionados. They also design guitars.
7.85 #8 - I've Got a Secret
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired Apr 10, 2013
The contestants must create a tattoo using a controversial medium. Appearing: music artist Ray J.
7.83 #9 - Sexy Pin-ups
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Feb 5, 2014
When their loved ones visit, the remaining artists put a twist into their sexy pinups.
7.80 #10 - Playing Dirty
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired Dec 11, 2013
The artists must cover up bad tattoos with better designs.
7.75 #11 - A Good Laugh
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired May 1, 2013
The contestants must create a humorous tattoo. Justin Bua is the guest judge.
7.74 #12 - For the Love of Ink
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired May 15, 2012
The final three contestants tattoo three returning clients with three different symbols of love. Margaret Cho helps decide who has the Best Ink and wins the $100,000 prize.
7.74 #13 - Shock and Awe
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired Feb 12, 2014
A shock-art performance tests the ink artists. Also: An explosive conflict rages among the contestants.
7.70 #14 - Full Body of Work
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired Jun 5, 2013
7.69 #15 - The Seven Deadly Sins
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired Dec 4, 2013
Season 3 opens with ink challenges based on the seven deadly sins.
7.69 #16 - Something to Hide
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired Mar 27, 2012
Ten tattoo artists square off in skin-art battles in the premiere of this reality-competition series. Prizes include $100,000 and a magazine cover story.
7.59 #17 - Purrfect Ink
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired May 2, 2012
The artists try to satisfy their clients’ animal love with pet-themed tattoos, but one eccentric lady’s demands seem almost impossible to achieve. Kim Saigh guest judges.
7.57 #18 - Pinup Showdown
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Apr 3, 2012
Using live models as inspiration, the artists create classic pin-up girl tattoos, but tensions rise as the contenders are forced to swap designs. Hannah Aitchison guest judges.
7.56 #19 - Life's a Beach
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired Jan 29, 2014
Nautical themed tattoos are sailing in.
7.54 #20 - Fight Club
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired Dec 18, 2013
A "fight club" tests the tattoo artists. Also: The contestants work in pairs. Street artist Justin Bua is the guest judge.
7.46 #21 - Crash and Burn
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired Feb 19, 2014
The ink artists participate in a demolition derby. Also: The contestants create 3-D tattoos, leading to a shock-and-awe elimination.
7.43 #22 - I'm Sexy And I Know It
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired May 8, 2013
The contestants try to soar when creating tattoos while in airplanes. Judge Joe Capobianco's famed style of tattoo art is also featured.
7.42 #23 - Pain in the Ribs
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired Jan 1, 2014
The contestants head to Hollywood's Viper Room and take in a surprise performance. Later, painful rib tattoos come into play, jeopardizing one skin artist's future in the competition.
7.42 #24 - Emotional Skin-Pact
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired Apr 10, 2012
The artists are asked to create a tattoo that commemorates a life-changing event in their client’s life. Singer Aaron Carter guest judges.
7.39 #25 - Face Off
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Apr 25, 2012
The contestants must ink portraits of their client's loved ones, causing one of the artists to break down about the permanent effect of their work. Franco Vescovi guest judges.
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