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: 3/14/2024Network: Paramount+Status: Continuing
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Match a Master
star
8.21
78 votes

#1 - 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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Picture Imperfect
star
8.15
1029 votes

#2 - Picture Imperfect

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

Botched portrait tattoos are exhibited.

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Firing Squad
star
8.10
174 votes

#3 - 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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Sink or Soar
star
8.04
306 votes

#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.

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Fighting Dirty
star
8.03
190 votes

#5 - 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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Moving Pictures
star
8.03
145 votes

#6 - 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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Turning the Tables
star
8.02
303 votes

#7 - 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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Finale
star
8.00
784 votes

#8 - 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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Compose Yourself
star
8.00
103 votes

#9 - 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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Grudge Match Finale
star
7.99
139 votes

#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.

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Step Up or Shut Up
star
7.98
135 votes

#11 - 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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Battle of the Sexes Finale
star
7.97
126 votes

#12 - 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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Ink Disaster Piece
star
7.97
591 votes

#13 - 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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Permanent Mistakes
star
7.94
1107 votes

#14 - 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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Head to Headache
star
7.93
160 votes

#15 - 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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Tatt Ganged
star
7.92
191 votes

#16 - 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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Ink Master Explosion
star
7.92
198 votes

#17 - 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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Up in Smoke
star
7.92
177 votes

#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.

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There Can Only Be One
star
7.91
103 votes

#19 - 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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Master Mash Ups
star
7.90
71 votes

#20 - 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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Marathon to the Finale
star
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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Shipwrecked
star
7.89
287 votes

#22 - 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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Prelude to a Bloodbath
star
7.89
152 votes

#23 - Prelude to a Bloodbath

Season 11 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/11/2018

Four Artists remain but only three will earn a spot in the finale. Cleen and Christian are one step closer to settling the score in the ultimate Grudge Match.

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Karma's a Bitch
star
7.88
192 votes

#24 - 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.

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Fight to the Finale
star
7.88
121 votes

#25 - Fight to the Finale

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/9/2014

The last four artists battle it out with emotional outbursts, explosive fights, incredible tattoos and total fails.

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