The BEST episodes of Ink Master

#1 - 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.

#2 - 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.

#3 - 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.

#4 - 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.

#5 - 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.

#6 - 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.

#7 - 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.

#8 - 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.

#9 - 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.

#10 - 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.

#11 - 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.

#12 - Head Spin

Season 13 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/18/2020

The teams must prove their adaptability while they each work on multiple tattoos and canvasses at the same time, and the Face Off Tattoo comes with a surprise.

#13 - 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.

#14 - Bug Out

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/4/2014

Week 2: Dimension. Poisonous scorpions, tarantulas and eyeballs are tattooed; one artist snaps and is determined to leave.

#15 - 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.

#16 - Unfriendly Fire

Season 12 - Episode 14 - Aired 9/10/2019

It's a battle of the sexes as the men's team takes aim at the women during an illustrative portrait challenge.

#17 - Karma's a Bitch

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/6/2014

Week 11: Proportion. Contestants must accurately sketch the Statue of Liberty from a yacht, and then tattoo it using only their sketch. In the elimination challenge, they must tattoo a traditional Japanese-style snake, but with a difficult twist.

#18 - 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.

#19 - Enduring the Pain

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/1/2013

#20 - Out of Your Element

Season 13 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/4/2020

To test their consistency, each team must work on a single canvas at the same time to create a tattoo series representing either earth, wind, water or fire.

#21 - Salt in the Wound

Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/15/2016

Some of the artists have a tough time working in teams of two for the Flash Challenge; a veteran artist schemes to take back control.

#22 - Buck Off

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/27/2012

The artists burn designs onto chaps and attempt to wow Núñez by using his style.

#23 - Revenge Live

Season 7 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/24/2016

The final three artists reveal two master canvases; eliminated artists return and confront each other for the first time since the competition; a winner is crowned.

#24 - 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.

#25 - Last Draw

Season 13 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/24/2020

The artists must show their versatility and tattoo line drawings created by another contestant, but an unexpected twist shakes up an alliance's strategy.