The WORST episodes of Ink Master
Every episode of Ink Master ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.
#1 - 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.
#2 - Monsters Ink
Season 16 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/20/2024
Artists feel the pressure when a monstrous tattoo tests loyalties. The battle heats up.
#3 - Teams Transformed
Season 15 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/15/2023
With only eight Artists left, an unexpected team shuffle transforms the competition; transforming tattoos are judged blind as the battle continues for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master.
#4 - Don't Fork It Up
Season 15 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/8/2023
The artists must use their creativity to transform an ordinary object into an intricate sculpture in the Flash Challenge; the artists show their true colours with hybrid beast Elimination Tattoos.
#5 - Up in Flames
Season 14 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/5/2022
An explosive Flash Challenge has the original Artists targeting a common enemy. Difficult throat tattoos have the artists bugging out.
#6 - 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.
#7 - 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.
#8 - A Work of Art
Season 14 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/7/2022
Alliances start to form as the first Flash Challenge pushes the Artists' creativity to the limit. Then, a Fine Art Elimination Tattoo has the artists creating museum worthy pieces.
#9 - Road to the Finale
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/8/2016
Dave digs deeper into the lives and strategies of the final 6 artists from Team Peck and Team Nuñez.
#10 - No Day at the Beach
Season 17 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/19/2025
A sandy Flash Challenge pushes teams to the edge and a major meltdown shakes up the competition. Melting tattoos have everyone feeling the heat in the battle for $250,000.
#11 - A Sin in Tattooing
Season 16 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/6/2024
Massive murals have the teams struggling to keep their composure in the Flash Challenge; the battle for the title of Ink Master continues with Japanese Samurai tattoos, and a backwards hand sparks a heated debate.
#12 - It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Season 17 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/12/2025
The Artists face a brutal flash marathon, racing the clock to design and tattoo as many pieces as possible-on the body's toughest placements. With no room for error and a double elimination on the line, they must adapt to survive.
#13 - Sparks Fly
Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/20/2016
Team Nuñez fries in an electrifying Flash Challenge testing legibility. A gendered alliance has the girls out for blood. The battle intensifies for 100K and the title of Ink Master.
#14 - Like a Moth to the Flame
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/25/2015
Artists paint with fire in the Flash Challenge; mounting pressure causes major mishaps; a romance between artists tests loyalties.
#16 - At Your Service
Season 16 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/13/2024
Artists tattoo service dogs and face a twist battling for $250K and the title.
#18 - The Epic Finale
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/8/2013
The final 3 Artists battle it out Live on their toughest canvas yet. America’s vote on who will get a second chance to come back next season is revealed & one Artist is crowned the Ink Master, taking home the $100K grand prize.
#19 - Bottled Up
Season 17 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/5/2025
The Artists try to foil the competition in the Flash Challenge. Their artistry is put to the test with transparent bottle tattoos and one Artist becomes the Canvas in a bold move to survive. The battle for the title continues.
#20 - Rep Your Region
Season 13 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/7/2020
The artists tattoo their home states and face blind critiques by the judges, a competitor makes a drastic choice, and patriotic tattoos decide someone's fate in the Face Off.
#21 - Inking with the Enemy
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/2/2014
The nation's top tattoo artists compete for a grand prize.
#22 - Master vs. Apprentice Live
Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 10/13/2015
The three final artists tattoo live for $100,000; eliminated artists confront each other; a huge announcement.
#23 - Baby Got Back
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/16/2013
The Season 3 opener finds the 16 competing tattoo artists in a prison, tasked with inking inmates. Among this season's competitors is Katherine "Tatu Baby" Flores, a Season 2 artist who was eliminated but voted back by viewers.
#24 - Crossing the Line
Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/13/2017
A massive twist shakes up the competition and a painstaking Flash Challenge puts relationships to the test.
#25 - Baby Beat-Down
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/13/2013
The artists cover up scars before creating Day of the Dead tattoos, a Tatu Baby specialty.