The BEST episodes of Ink Master

Every episode of Ink Master ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Ink Master!

An estimated 40 million Americans have at least one tattoo. So who is the country's preeminent tattoo artist? Ink Master is the first-ever tattoo competition series featuring some of the nation's top tattoo artists on a quest to determine who is the best at their craft and win a huge cash prize. The stakes are high as the artists showcase their irrevocable artwork on real people's bodies. The dramatic tension is ever-present as the artists will ultimately face the opinion of the living canvas who now bears a permanent souvenir of the Ink Master etched into his or her skin.

Last Updated: 12/6/2024Network: Paramount+Status: Continuing

8.28

18 votes

#1 - Mash Up Mayhem

Season 16 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/4/2024

In the epic fight to the finale, the final five Artists battle it out with mash up tattoos. A jaw-dropping twist puts their versatility to the test. Who will be the last three artists standing in the Ink Master Finale?

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8.18

80 votes

#2 - Match a Master

Season 14 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/21/2022

In an unexpected twist, 4 Ink Masters show up to keep the Artists on their toes. The Master of Chaos stops by and flips the competition on its head.

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8.15

1030 votes

#3 - Picture Imperfect

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/28/2012

Botched portrait tattoos are exhibited.

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8.10

175 votes

#4 - Firing Squad

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/2/2014

Artists battle for the top four spots; a top artist designs the tattoo that determines who stays and gets a shot at $100,000.

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8.08

25 votes

#5 - Face Your Fears

Season 16 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/27/2024

The Artists' loyalties become transparent in a glass painting Flash Challenge. There is nowhere to hide when the Artists must tattoo faces in a high stakes Elimination Tattoo. The battle for $250,000 continues.

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8.04

189 votes

#6 - Fighting Dirty

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/22/2014

Week 9: Detail. Contestants must engrave a custom grill for the flash challenge. Then they must tattoo a warrior in the elimination tattoo.

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8.04

306 votes

#7 - Sink or Soar

Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/26/2016

The artists work in pairs to execute large-scale back pieces testing texture... and each other’s nerves.

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8.02

303 votes

#8 - Turning the Tables

Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/17/2016

The tables are turned when the new artists call the shots in the elimination tattoo and get revenge.

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8.01

148 votes

#9 - Moving Pictures

Season 12 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/3/2019

The artists are on their own in a test of finesse as the six remaining competitors fight for the cash prize and the title of Ink Master.

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8.00

785 votes

#10 - Finale

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/6/2012

Season 1 finale. A winner is named after the human canvasses allow the artists to tattoo whatever they want on their skin.

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7.98

105 votes

#11 - Compose Yourself

Season 13 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/7/2020

The artists create one-of-a-kind designs on protective headgear in the Flash Challenge, and composition is key for a daunting elimination tattoo featuring Japanese cranes.

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7.97

592 votes

#12 - Ink Disaster Piece

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/7/2012

Photo-realism tattoos challenge one artist while another’s work goes up in flames, and a fourth contestant is eliminated.

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7.96

143 votes

#13 - Grudge Match Finale

Season 11 - Episode 16 - Aired 12/18/2018

Christian Buckingham and Cleen Rock One return to settle the grudge match once and for all. The battle concludes as the top three artists reveal their 35-hour master canvas tattoos and one artist wins the title of Ink Master.

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7.96

138 votes

#14 - Step Up or Shut Up

Season 12 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/17/2019

The last four artists remaining battle it out in a tattoo marathon to secure their spot in the season finale.

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7.95

128 votes

#15 - Battle of the Sexes Finale

Season 12 - Episode 16 - Aired 9/24/2019

Seven veteran artists battle it out in the "Clash of the Coaches Face Off." The battle of the sexes comes to an end as the three finalists reveal their 35-hour Master Canvas tattoos and one artist wins the title of Ink Master.

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7.94

1108 votes

#16 - Permanent Mistakes

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/21/2012

Tattoos are forever and so are the mistakes! The artists are plagued with massive mistakes while tattooing pinups on their canvasses. A sixth artist is eliminated from the competition and the chance to win $100K.

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7.93

161 votes

#17 - Head to Headache

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/16/2014

Josh ignites rivalries and sparks fly. Two Artists receive an advantage no one in the competition has ever had and their cutthroat strategy.

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7.92

191 votes

#18 - Tatt Ganged

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/11/2014

Week 3: Consistency. Bikini-clad twins get inked by the remaining 10 artists at once; an injury sends one artist to the emergency room.

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7.92

198 votes

#19 - Ink Master Explosion

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/15/2014

Week 8: Negative Space. Artists use gunpowder to make art in The Flash Challenge; gory tattoos of demons.

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7.92

178 votes

#20 - Up in Smoke

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/11/2014

Josh causes a controversy that could get him kicked out of the competition for good. The Artists tattoo amputees where their limbs once were.

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7.90

335 votes

#21 - Marathon to the Finale

Season 9 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/19/2017

The final four shops compete in a two-part tattoo marathon that will determine who goes to the live finale.

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7.90

105 votes

#22 - There Can Only Be One

Season 13 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/31/2020

Working solo to test their precision, the artists must create mural designs using only staples, then tattoo portraits of senior citizens.

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7.89

73 votes

#23 - Master Mash Ups

Season 14 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/28/2022

A game-changing turn of events elevates the competition. Insane Mash Up tattoos puts the Artists artistry skills to the test and a skull pick backfires.

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7.89

36 votes

#24 - Money Where Your Mouth Is

Season 16 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/23/2024

With the Young Guns Team set, the OGs must now battle it out for a spot on their Team in another brutal double elimination; the battle for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master continues.

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7.89

287 votes

#25 - Shipwrecked

Season 7 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/3/2016

Alliances are tested as the remaining artists must tattoo in teams of three.

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