Ink Master

1. S01E01Season's bestFresh MeatJanuary 17, 2012 8.0Ten of the best tattoo artists on the planet tattoo tackle extreme challenges on human canvases with the hopes of earning a $100,000 prize a
2. S01E02Botched Head TattooJanuary 24, 2012 7.5A head tattoo becomes a medical emergency, and tempers explode when Heather challenges the judges. Ton Jones serves as guest judge, and help
3. S01E03Pasties and a CameltoeJanuary 31, 2012 7.5Artists are tested on their shading skills, and ink naked female canvases in the flash challenge. Words get tense between Al and Bili.
4. S01E04Ink Disaster PieceFebruary 7, 2012 7.5Photo realism tattoos turn disastrous when Bili has difficulty with muscle structure and Heather's art goes up in flames. Todd Weinberger of
5. S01E05Game OnFebruary 14, 2012 7.5Josh calls out Shane on only doing black and grey tattoos and Shane fights to prove his skills to his competition and impress the judges in
6. S01E06Permanent MistakesFebruary 21, 2012 8.0Artists get the chance to work on Dave Navarro and an unlikely artist wins the flash challenge; The artists tattoo pin-up girls on their can
7. S01E07Picture ImperfectFebruary 28, 2012 8.0Some artists mess up their portrait tattoos and screw up important features, leaving permanent bad art on their human canvases; four artists
8. S01E08Ink Master RevealedMarch 6, 2012 8.0The finalists prove their grit and determination on master canvasses. An "Ink Master" is chosen.

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

1. S02E01Tattooing the DeadOctober 9, 2012—Tattoo artists take a trip to the morgue, and tattoo virgins experience their first taste of ink.
2. S02E02Naked 911October 9, 2012—The artists camouflage bikini-clad women. NFL star Terrell Suggs serves as guest judge.
3. S02E03The 80 Year Old VirginOctober 16, 2012—The artists tattoo American Classic tats on veterans, Tattoo legend Richard Stell guest judges.
4. S02E04Tattoo Her What?October 23, 2012—A canvas demands a tattoo on her private parts. The NBA's Matt Barnes guest judges.
5. S02E05Trick or FreakOctober 30, 2012—Human canvases get tattoos inside their mouths; an artist's medical emergency results in a hospital stay.
6. S02E06Half Naked and Fully LoadedNovember 6, 2012—The artists carve designs into guns; pin-up girls prove to be disastrous for some in the elimination round.
7. S02E07Star Wars ForeverNovember 13, 2012—The artists use The Force to ink super-fans with "Star Wars" tattoos. George Lucas awards a special prize.
8. S02E08Season's bestHoly InkNovember 20, 2012 8.0The artists pair up for team-based challenges. Featuring tattooing legend Freddy Negrete as guest judge.
9. S02E09Buck OffNovember 27, 2012 8.0The artists burn designs into cowgirl's chaps. Japanese-style legend Mike Rubendall is the guest judge.
10. S02E10Blowing ChunksDecember 4, 2012 8.0The artists customize Dave Navarro's guitars; animal-style tattoo expert Forrest Cavacco guest judges.
11. S02E11Better Than Words?December 11, 2012 8.0A portrait Elimination Tattoo featuring guest judge Bob Tyrrell ups the ante on the remaining artists.The artists are pitted against Oliver;
12. S02E12The Bigger They AreDecember 18, 2012 7.5NFL and MMA stars pick their tattoo artists, and finalists advance to the last, epic challenge.
13. S02E13Ink Master LiveDecember 18, 2012 8.0A live finale event. Master canvases are revealed, and America's votes help crown the next "Ink Master."

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

1. S03E01Baby Got BackJuly 16, 2013—Artists ink inmates prison-style; cover-up tattoos welcome competitors to the house.
2. S03E02Thrills for GrillsJuly 23, 2013—Artists tackle anatomical tattoos. Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson serves as guest judge.
3. S03E03Fire and LaceJuly 30, 2013—Lingerie-clad ladies are canvasses in a Flash Challenge; a tough canvas leads to a shocking elimination.
4. S03E04Elysium ChallengeAugust 6, 2013—Artists must assemble their own tattoo machines. Machine builder Seth Ciferri serves as guest judge.
5. S03E05Baby Beat-DownAugust 13, 2013—Artists cover scars; a Day of the Dead challenge leaves everyone spooked. Guest judge: Chuey Quintanar.
6. S03E06Animal InstinctAugust 20, 2013—Hot models meet jungle animals in the Flash Challenge; Troy Denning serves as a special guest judge.
7. S03E07Monumental MistakesAugust 27, 2013—Dave Navarro offers himself as a human canvas. Nikko Hurtado is a guest judge in the elimination round.
8. S03E08Baby Don't GoSeptember 3, 2013 7.5Things get personal when the artists tattoo each other. Special guest judge: NFL star NaVorro Bowman.
9. S03E09Skulls and VillainsSeptember 10, 2013—The artists etch designs into human skulls; Marvel Comics artist Greg Capullo serves as guest judge.
10. S03E10Eyes of the BeholderSeptember 17, 2013 7.5Eyelid tattoos have the artists in tears. Veteran artist Corey Miller judges a portrait challenge.
11. S03E11Heroes and HeadsSeptember 24, 2013 7.0Veterans are honored in the Flash Challenge. Guest judge Twig Sparks evaluates the Elimination Tattoos.
12. S03E12Enduring the PainOctober 1, 2013 8.0The last four artists face a simultaneous tattoo challenge in their quest for the title of "Ink Master."
13. S03E13Season's bestThe Epic FinaleOctober 8, 2013 8.5America's vote brings two artists back for a live tattoo face-off; a new "Ink Master" is crowned.

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

1. S04E01Season's bestEarn It!February 25, 2014 7.5The artists learn they must earn their spot in the "Ink Master" competition in a convention-style challenge, but that is only the beginning
2. S04E02Bug OutMarch 4, 2014 7.5Live poisonous scorpions and tarantulas are muses in a dimension Flash Challenge, and one artist is eyeing the exit. Black and White expert
3. S04E03Tatt GangedMarch 11, 2014 5.7A trip to Coney Island tests the artists' consistency in a team-based Flash Challenge on a single pair of twin canvasses; an injury sends a
4. S04E04Nude & TattooedMarch 18, 2014 7.5Canvases bare all in a highly revealing Flash Challenge. New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia judges artists' tattoo placement in the Eliminatio
5. S04E05X Men's Hugh JackmanMarch 25, 2014—"X-Men" superfans are tough customers when the artists must tattoo mutant superpowers in the Flash Challenge. Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackma
6. S04E062 on 1 Tat-AstropheApril 1, 2014 7.5Artists are forced to work together in teams of two in the elimination challenge, and things get tense when a canvas passes out. Guest judge
7. S04E07Artist SlaughterApril 8, 2014 7.0The artists' ability to adapt is tested when they must cover-up images that remind canvases of their exes. Guest judge Freddy Corbin helps e
8. S04E08Ink Master ExplosionApril 15, 2014 7.5An artist reaches his breaking point; the Flash Challenge explodes when the artists use gunpowder to make art. Rob Zombie judges gory and ho
9. S04E09Fighting DirtyApril 22, 2014 7.5Champion boxer Brandon Rios tasks the artists with designing him new mouth grills; words between an artist and canvas ends badly. An artist
10. S04E10Tag Team TattApril 29, 2014 7.5Relationships between competing artists are tested with a collaboration challenge. Traditional tattoo expert Luke Wessman is on hand to send
11. S04E11Karma's a BitchMay 6, 2014 7.5A boat trip is no cruise when the artists are tasked with a life study of the Statue of Liberty. Japanese tattooing expert Taki helps to jud
12. S04E12Fight to the FinishMay 13, 2014 7.5The artists help breast cancer survivors with tattoos that help the women reclaim their bodies; the season comes full circle in a convention
13. S04E13Ink Master LiveMay 20, 2014 7.5Artists and judges reflect on their experiences during the season, and America's votes are tallied. As a new Ink Master is crowned, the seas

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

1. S05E01Inking with the EnemySeptember 2, 2014 8.018 Rival Artists enter for $100k and the Ink Master title. It's their worst nightmare as they're forced to ink with their enemy.
2. S05E02Pin Up PittfallsSeptember 9, 2014 8.0Semi-nude models bring the heat and a game changing twist is revealed. Jacked pin ups make the critique a bloodbath & rivalries flare.
3. S05E03Head to HeadacheSeptember 16, 2014 7.5Josh ignites rivalries while two artists receive an advantage no one in the competition has ever had and their cutthroat strategy has tensio
4. S05E04Geishas Gone WrongSeptember 23, 2014 8.0Vendettas have the artists at each others' throats. The skull pick gets personal and the pressure is on when the artists tattoo Nunez's spec
5. S05E05Glass on BlastSeptember 30, 2014 8.0The artists must make incredible art by sand blasting glass while trying to survive working in teams. Rivalries explode when they tattoo hea
6. S05E06Cheek to CheekOctober 7, 2014 8.0In one of the craziest challenges ever, the artists must ink 12 hour gluteus maximus tattoos. A medical emergency may cost one artist the co
7. S05E07Three's a CrowdOctober 14, 2014 7.5The pressure is on when the artists take on Oliver's specialty - and it's tripled when they have to work in teams.
8. S05E08Ink My OosikOctober 21, 2014 8.0The artists are taken out of their comfort zone when they must scrimshaw walrus penises. One artist totally loses their cool while another a
9. S05E09Virgin BloodOctober 28, 2014 7.5Picky virgin canvases get inked and Jason's anxiety threatens to take him out. The artists battle head to head and Josh plays dirty, putting
10. S05E10Cold BloodedNovember 4, 2014 8.0In the flash challenge, the artists use a different kind of ink to make art...blood. Then, they go head-to-head against guest judge Tommy Mo
11. S05E11Up in SmokeNovember 11, 2014 8.0Josh causes a controversy that could get him kicked out of the competition for good. The artists tattoo amputees where their limbs once were
12. S05E12Heads Will RollNovember 18, 2014 7.5The artists fight for an opportunity to ink NFL star DeAngelo Williams as he honors his mother who died of breast cancer. Head tattoos send
13. S05E13Painstaking PortraitsNovember 25, 2014 8.0Artists go head to head tattooing the same portrait on two family members. Some family members are left with jacked tattoos as the portrait
14. S05E14Firing SquadDecember 2, 2014 7.5It's down to the wire as the artists battle for a top 4 spot - to survive they must impress 3 tattoo heavyweights criticizing their every mo
15. S05E15Season's bestFight to the FinaleDecember 9, 2014 8.5Emotional outbursts, explosive fights, incredible tattoos and epic fails. It's the end of the line and the sparks fly as the last 4 Artists
16. S05E16Ink LiveDecember 16, 2014 7.5The final 3 artists reveal their 35 hour back pieces and the sparks fly when all 18 rival artists return to give the lowdown on whose rivalr

Season 5 ranked & reviewed

1. S06E01Meet Your MakerJune 23, 2015—In the season premiere, apprentices battle their masters to prove they are the best – and for the first tattoo, the playing field is level a
2. S06E02Fight or FlightJune 30, 2015—Oliver Peck's mentor guest judges, delivering a smack down when the artists take on his specialty. A massive twist puts the power in the han
3. S06E03Sink or SwimJuly 7, 2015—It's sink or swim when the artists team up to ink underwater ocean scenes on the back of canvas' hands. Then, an outrageous head-to-head sty
4. S06E04Tut for TatJuly 14, 2015—Teams get cutthroat adorning sarcophaguses and one artist's vicious skull picks for Egyptian tattoos infuriates the competition. TUT star, A
5. S06E05Problem PartsJuly 28, 2015—Naked models are used to create mind-blowing illusions, and a cutthroat artist gets a chance at vengeance. Tattoos on challenging body parts
6. S06E06Firing LinesAugust 4, 2015—Heads roll when artists must take on a legend in the elimination challenge. A Skull pick heats up the competition, forcing an artist to face
7. S06E07Predator/PreyAugust 11, 2015—In the most insane challenge yet, Artists must tattoo 4 on 1 to transform Canvases into wild animals. An unexpected twist surprises the judg
8. S06E08Composed and ExposedAugust 18, 2015—An insane new tattoo style pushes the Artists' limits, resulting in mind-blowing masterpieces and mind-boggling mistakes. Tension soars betw
9. S06E09Like a Moth to the FlameAugust 25, 2015—The flash challenge gets explosive when the artists paint with fire. As the competition tightens, strategy kicks into high gear and the pres
10. S06E10Hell on WheelsSeptember 1, 2015—The stakes soar when the artists paint their most valuable canvas yet and one artist's lies raise suspicions. Judges lay the smackdown when
11. S06E11Hail ManiSeptember 8, 2015—The artists give religious tattoo virgins their first fingernail tattoos. Enemies go head to head tattooing works of art and the smallest er
12. S06E12Slitting ThroatsSeptember 15, 2015—The artists join forces with inspiring guests in a high stakes challenge and Chris forces an artist to prove loyalty. Painful throat tattoos
13. S06E13Player's ChoiceSeptember 22, 2015 8.0Professional football players call the shots in the elimination tattoo, knocking the artists off their game. The loft lights up when Tyler i
14. S06E14Season's bestActive DutySeptember 29, 2015 9.0Artists fight for a spot in the top four and must tattoo portraits of active military and their loved ones before they are separated for dep
15. S06E15Go Big or Go HomeOctober 6, 2015 8.5The last four artists standing fight for a spot in the live finale, but first must survive a tattoo marathon. A huge twist is announced that
16. S06E16Master vs. Apprentice FinaleOctober 13, 2015 8.5For the first time ever, the final three artists tattoo live for $100K. Eliminated artists return to confront each other and fierce former a

Season 6 ranked & reviewed

1. S07E01Season's bestInitiationMarch 1, 2016 9.0The battle for $100,000 begins as new artists compete in the most intense Flash Challenge to date; the competition heats up when the first v
2. S07E02One Man's TrashMarch 8, 2016 9.0Egos collide when the artists get their hands dirty in a team Flash Challenge; another veteran returns.
3. S07E03Salt in the WoundMarch 15, 2016 8.0Some of the artists have a tough time working in teams of two for the Flash Challenge; a veteran artist schemes to take back control.
4. S07E04The Devil's in the DetailsMarch 22, 2016 6.3The artists face the most extreme test of detail ever attempted; a veteran artist returns and sparks old rivalries.
5. S07E05New School, Old ArtistMarch 29, 2016 8.0The artists use plenty of color during a contortionist body painting Flash Challenge; a veteran artist returns and adds a new-school twist t
6. S07E06Under PressureApril 5, 2016 8.0Bonds are tested and new alliances are formed during an intense Flash Challenge; a veteran joins the New Artist Alliance to take down a comm
7. S07E07Knuckle SandwichApril 12, 2016 8.5Alliances are broken during an intense Flash Challenge; a veteran artist returns to prove his merit through the ultimate precision test.
8. S07E08Breathing FireApril 19, 2016 8.0The artists are pushed to their limits in the Flash Challenge; the final veteran artist returns to the competition for a challenge in legibi
9. S07E09Sink or SoarApril 26, 2016 8.0The remaining artists work in pairs to execute large-scale back tattoos, testing texture and each other's nerves.
10. S07E10ShipwreckedMay 3, 2016 9.0Alliances are tested for the remaining six artists when they have to complete tattoos in teams of three.
11. S07E11Head in the GameMay 10, 2016 8.5The stakes are high when the artists must ink the ultimate in-your-face tattoo; rival alliances vie for control of the game.
12. S07E12Turning the TablesMay 17, 2016 9.0The tables are turned on the veterans when the new artists call the shots in the Elimination Tattoo and finally get their revenge; the battl
13. S07E13Revenge LiveMay 24, 2016 7.5The final three Artists reveal two 24-hour master canvases. Eliminated Artists return to confront each other live for the first time since t

Season 7 ranked & reviewed

1. S08E01Weeding Out the WeakAugust 23, 2016 8.0The judges show no mercy as 30 artists fight to earn one of the 18 spots on teams Peck and Nunez.
2. S08E02The Game BeginsAugust 30, 2016 8.0In the first Flash Challenge this season, Team Peck & Team Nunez must work together in one of the most intense tattoo challenges the com
3. S08E03Season's bestRuffled FeathersSeptember 6, 2016 9.0Team Nunez is out for revenge in the Flash Challenge; an artist betrays Team Peck in the elimination.
4. S08E04Put on Your ArmorSeptember 13, 2016 8.0No artist is safe when both teams must transform canvases into warriors.
5. S08E05Sparks FlySeptember 20, 2016 7.5Team Nunez has their legibility tested in an electrifying Flash Challenge; a gendered alliance has the women out for blood.
6. S08E06Sticky SituationSeptember 27, 2016 7.5A conflicted Team Peck fights for control in a Flash Challenge that tests contrast; one artist turns the tables on the girls' alliance.
7. S08E07New School, Old ScarsOctober 4, 2016 8.0The artists tattoo former smokers who have been scarred for life in the Flash Challenge; the six artists on Team Nuñez battle for a spot in
8. S08E08Bent Out of ShapeOctober 11, 2016 8.7The artists must manipulate metal in the Flash Challenge; the remaining Team Peck artists fight for the final spot in their team's top five.
9. S08E09Head GamesOctober 18, 2016 8.3The artists quickly adapt before tattooing an excruciatingly painful spot on the head.
10. S08E10Like Sand Through the Hour GlassOctober 25, 2016 8.0It's all in the details when the artists create powerful designs for Dodge Chargers; the clock is ticking in the Elimination Tattoo.
11. S08E11Duck and Cover UpNovember 1, 2016 8.0One artist cracks under pressure after one of the most difficult Flash Challenges ever; artists must tastefully cover up lower back tattoos.
12. S08E12Road to the FinaleNovember 8, 2016 6.7Dave digs deeper into the lives and strategies of the final six artists in the Peck vs. Nunez competition; with new footage a a deeper look
13. S08E13Heavy LiftingNovember 15, 2016 7.0The artists must carry their own weight in a team Flash Challenge; head-to-head portraits in the Elimination Tattoo adds to the fire.
14. S08E14Bio-Mechanical FailureNovember 22, 2016 8.0Stakes are high when the artists work in teams to transform canvases into cyborgs.
15. S08E15No One is SafeNovember 29, 2016 8.0The top four artists must endure a grueling tattoo marathon.
16. S08E16Peck vs. Nunez (LIVE)December 6, 2016 8.5The final three artists tattoo for America's vote, and the eliminated artists return for a fiery confrontation; a 24-hour chest tattoo deter

Season 8 ranked & reviewed

1. S09E01Season's bestFire & IceJune 6, 2017 9.3Tattooing is a team sport as artists from nine of America's best shops arrive ready to battle it out for a $200,000 prize and the first ever
2. S09E02Crossing the LineJune 13, 2017 7.5A massive twist shakes up the competition and a painstaking Flash Challenge puts relationships to the test.
3. S09E03Unnatural DisastersJune 20, 2017 7.5A fiery veteran artist returns, taking the competition by storm; a difficult Flash Challenge exposes weaknesses in the shops.
4. S09E04Lend Me Your EarJune 27, 2017 7.5The competition gets even tougher when the artists are tested on technical application with individual tattoos; two veteran artists return.
5. S09E05War and InkJuly 11, 2017 8.0Some shops lose their composure as they butt heads during a grueling elimination tattoo.
6. S09E06Get the Flock Outta HereJuly 18, 2017 7.5Shops crumble as the tension between teammates intensifies.
7. S09E07On the BubbleJuly 25, 2017 8.0One of the competition's most infamous veterans returns to shake up the game.
8. S09E08Masterpiece MayhemAugust 1, 2017 8.0An emotional Flash Challenge brings the Artists to tears, and the Alliance becomes a target when a bullet-proof pair of Veterans return to b
9. S09E09Pin-Up Panic AttackAugust 8, 2017 8.5The Artists can't find any relief in a sculptural Flash Challenge. Things only get hairier during the Elimination Tattoo when the Artists ar
10. S09E10Drill Baby, DrillAugust 15, 2017 8.0The final Veteran shop returns to fight for the first ever title of Master Shop. Skull picks are key to the precision strike leveled at the
11. S09E11Grim InkerAugust 22, 2017 8.0With no flash challenge, the artists think they've got it all figured out until a massive twist sends them reeling; Four Horsemen tattoos br
12. S09E12Pit FallAugust 29, 2017 8.5A painful elimination tattoo has the artists in the pits, and a massive twist sends them reeling.
13. S09E13Sell OutSeptember 5, 2017 8.0The artists put the saying, ``the customer is always right,'' to the test when they must sell themselves to their canvases for the chance to
14. S09E14Casting the First StoneSeptember 12, 2017 8.0With the field down to only five shops, the fight for the first title of Master Shop intensifies; in a deity elimination, some shops aim for
15. S09E15Marathon to the FinaleSeptember 19, 2017 8.5The top four shops battle it out in a tattoo marathon for the three spots in the live finale.
16. S09E16Shop Wars FinaleSeptember 26, 2017 9.0The final three shops battle it out for the first Master Shop title.

Season 9 ranked & reviewed

1. S10E01Season's bestPick Your SideJanuary 9, 2018 9.5Three of the most skilled Ink Masters return for a new challenge, but instead of battling alone, they'll coach teams of the nation's top tat
2. S10E02Fill'er UpJanuary 16, 2018 8.0The competition is fierce and the Masters coach their team in the season's first flash challenge, which tests fundamentals; some artists fin
3. S10E03Divine ProportionJanuary 23, 2018 6.0The Masters face off to ensure the survival of their team; proportion skills are put to the tes when the artists tattoo Greek deities.
4. S10E04Step It UpJanuary 30, 2018 8.0The coaches step in during a team flash challenge; the artists' ingenuity is tested with mash-up tattoos.
5. S10E05Ink on the Dotted LineFebruary 6, 2018 8.5Precision skills are put to the test when the artists must create masterpieces with hole punches; one of the coaches may put his own skin on
6. S10E06Chin UpFebruary 13, 2018 8.5The coaches must lead by example when they're forced to tattoo the under chin in a Master's face off; the artists' adaptability is tested wi
7. S10E07Eye of the TigerFebruary 20, 2018 8.0Team dynamics are put to the test when a tag team challenge shakes the competition to its core; the Coaches must make a difficult decision a
8. S10E08Pane in the GlassFebruary 27, 2018 8.0Teamwork is essential in a glass painting Flash Challenge testing dimension; Artists create stone tattoos in the Elimination Tattoo and one
9. S10E09Ink RaiderMarch 6, 2018 9.0The devil is in the details when the Artists must tattoo intricate technicolor hot air balloons; the battle is heating up for $100K and the
10. S10E10Some Assembly RequiredMarch 13, 2018 8.0Teamwork is the name of the game in a series of Tag Team Tattoo challenges; a massive twist forces one team's artists to turn on their own.
11. S10E11Quit Buggin' MeMarch 20, 2018 8.0The smaller the tattoo, the harder the coaches may fall in a micro Masters Face Off; in the Elimination Tattoo, one artist takes a blow to t
12. S10E12Total MeltdownMarch 27, 2018 8.0The heat of the competition is higher than ever when the artists test composition using melted wax.
13. S10E13Monkey See, Monkey DoApril 3, 2018—The stakes are higher than ever when the Artists must match the designs of their Coaches. In a freehand Face Off, one Artist falls out of th
14. S10E14No Stain, No GainApril 10, 2018—One team shines during a wood staining Flash Challenge, and 1 artist packs their machine and leaves the competition for good.
15. S10E15Final ExamApril 17, 2018 9.0With a spot in the final three on the line, the Artists push themselves to the limit in a grueling tattoo Challenge.
16. S10E16Return of the Masters FinaleApril 24, 2018 9.0The top 3 Artists reveal their 24-hour battle royale chest tattoos. The battle moves off the chest and onto the stage as the eliminated Arti

Season 10 ranked & reviewed

1. S11E01Season's bestOpening ShotsAugust 28, 2018 9.0Cleen Rock One and Christian Buckingham, two of Ink Master's most legendary rivals, return to the ring, and 22 new artists compete for spots
2. S11E02Not On My WatchSeptember 4, 2018 8.7Team Cleen and Team Christian go head to head in a flash challenge that tests their fundamentals, and time flies when the artists tackle a d
3. S11E03Right On TargetSeptember 11, 2018 8.0The teams fall apart and one artist falls down for good as the grudge match continues for $100K and the title of Ink Master.
4. S11E04No Wrist, No RewardSeptember 18, 2018 7.8Cleen and Christian battle it out in their first grudge match to see whose team will have to compete in a wristband elimination tattoo chall
5. S11E05That's Gonna Leave A MarkSeptember 25, 2018 8.3There's no place to hide in the Elimination Tattoo when the artists must tattoo their canvases in difficult spots.
6. S11E06Fight Your Own BattlesOctober 2, 2018 8.3It's survival of the fittest when Teams Christian and Cleen must tattoo epic battle scenes head-to-head; the grudge match continues for $100
7. S11E07No Wasted SpaceOctober 9, 2018 8.3The artists step aside and put faith in their coaches as Cleen and Christian each tattoo four canvases in a head-to-head marathon; the artis
8. S11E08Chalk This WayOctober 16, 2018 8.3The artists must scour the depths of their imagination to create mind-bending masterpieces with sidewalk chalk.
9. S11E09Tipping the ScalesOctober 23, 2018 8.3The coaches face off to save their artists from elimination; mermaid tattoos take the grudge match to the sea; the battles continues for $10
10. S11E10Put Up Or Shut UpOctober 30, 2018 8.3Pitting the artists against the opposing coach, the competition puts the artists' finesse to the test.
11. S11E11In Deep WatersNovember 13, 2018 8.3The artists must compose an incredible work of art that's completely invisible in the flash challenge; one artist gets caught in the splash
12. S11E12Too Hot to HandleNovember 20, 2018 8.0The tools are hot but the competition is on fire as the artists battle for control in the flash challenge.
13. S11E13Who's Got The Power?November 27, 2018 8.7With only six artists remaining, the power to control the game is everything; the battle for $100,000 and the title of Ink Master is more in
14. S11E14What Are You Crayon About?December 4, 2018 8.7There's nowhere to hide when the artists are tested in precision portraiture; one artist misses the mark and is sent packing.
15. S11E15Prelude to a BloodbathDecember 11, 2018 8.0Four artists remain but only three earn a spot in the finale; Cleen and Christian are one step closer to settling the score in the ultimate
16. S11E16Grudge Match FinaleDecember 18, 2018 8.3Christian Buckingham and Cleen Rock One return to settle the grudge match once and for all; the battle concludes as the top three artists re

Season 11 ranked & reviewed

1. S12E01The Ink Will Speak For ItselfJune 11, 2019 8.0Nine men and nine women kick off an epic battle of the sexes by going head to head in a team collaboration tattoo to prove they have what it
2. S12E02A Storm Is Brewin'June 18, 2019 8.5The judges unveil a new twist and bring in heavy-hitting veterans Joey Hamilton and Ryan Ashley to coach the teams, whose black-and-gray sha
3. S12E03Down to the WireJune 25, 2019 8.5Two-time veterans Bubba Irwin and Sarah Miller return to coach the men's and women's teams, and the artists showcase their knack for legibil
4. S12E04The Hunter & The HuntedJuly 2, 2019 8.5The judges are looking for color contrast and the artists are out for blood with full color neo-traditional animal tattoos.
5. S12E05The Art Stands AloneJuly 9, 2019 8.5It's every man or woman for themselves when the artists are subject to a blind critique.
6. S12E06Art of WarJuly 16, 2019 8.5In a test of consistency, the teams must engrave full suits of armor, then a cross-stitch style elimination tattoo throws all the artists fo
7. S12E07SabotageJuly 23, 2019 8.5The Artists must prove their strength by facing off against each other with head-to-head tattoos. The battle continues for $100K and the tit
8. S12E08Pins & No NeedlesJuly 30, 2019 8.0The judges test the artists' understanding of color theory; two coaches take the artists to school; the battle intensifies.
9. S12E09Drawing AlliancesAugust 6, 2019 8.5The teams are out of balance as the artists cross enemy battle lines to pick secret alliances; a freehand drawing challenge tests the compet
10. S12E10By Accident Or By DesignAugust 13, 2019 8.5The battle continues as the judges test the artist's adaptability.
11. S12E11Roll Of The DiceAugust 20, 2019 8.5The Artists find themselves in a dicey situation with confrontational coaches Josh Payne and Nikki Simpson.
12. S12E12Put Your Ink Where Your Mouth IsAugust 27, 2019 8.3The competition tests the artists' ability to market themselves when the power is in the hands of the canvases.
13. S12E13Season's bestMoving PicturesSeptember 3, 2019 9.0The 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.
14. S12E14Unfriendly FireSeptember 10, 2019 8.7The final five artists are tasked with creating murals using paintball guns, then must work across disciplines in a traditional illustrative
15. S12E15Step Up Or Shut UpSeptember 17, 2019 8.7The last four artists remaining battle it out in a tattoo marathon to secure their spot in the season final.
16. S12E16Battle of the Sexes FinaleSeptember 24, 2019 8.7Seven 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 r

Season 12 ranked & reviewed

1. S13E01Rep Your RegionJanuary 7, 2020 8.3The artists tattoo their home states and face blind critiques by the judges, a competitor makes a drastic choice, and patriotic tattoos deci
2. S13E02Clash of the CollagesJanuary 14, 2020 8.0The South aims to unify and rebound when the teams are tasked with a postcard mural on the side of a bus, and a compass rose elimination tat
3. S13E03Teamwork Makes the Dream WorkJanuary 21, 2020 8.7Teams must unify or die in a two-day tattoo marathon that's all about collaboration, then the losers fight for survival with full-bodied Ame
4. S13E04Battle LinesJanuary 28, 2020 8.7To test legibility, the teams spin intricate designs with yarn on outdoor canvases, then get technical with schematic tattoos.
5. S13E05Out of Your ElementFebruary 4, 2020 8.3To test their consistency, each team must work on a single canvas at the same time to create a tattoo series representing either earth, wind
6. S13E06Off the ChainFebruary 11, 2020 8.3After the teams create colorful murals by inserting cups into chain-linked fences, the artists are tasked with tattooing neon-light pieces.
7. S13E07Season's bestHead SpinFebruary 18, 2020 9.0The teams must prove their adaptability while they each work on multiple tattoos and canvasses at the same time, and the Face Off Tattoo com
8. S13E08Sugar RushFebruary 25, 2020 9.0The teams put their knowledge of color theory to the test while concocting candy creations, and new school food is on the menu for the elimi
9. S13E09Artistry on the LineMarch 3, 2020 9.0Competitors must win a suspended-art flash challenge for the right to assign canvases in the notoriously difficult pinup tattoo elimination.
10. S13E10Every Artist for ThemselvesMarch 10, 2020 8.7The 10 remaining artists must set themselves apart from their regional teams and face off in head-to-head individual battles, and two compet
11. S13E11From Toast to ToastMarch 17, 2020 8.7Jerrel is chafed by his team while creating a mural out of toasted bread, then the artists are tasked with tattooing realistic U.S. landmark
12. S13E12Last DrawMarch 24, 2020 8.5The artists must show their versatility and tattoo line drawings created by another contestant, but an unexpected twist shakes up an allianc
13. S13E13There Can Only Be OneMarch 31, 2020 8.5Working solo to test their precision, the artists must create mural designs using only staples, then tattoo portraits of senior citizens.
14. S13E14Compose YourselfApril 7, 2020 8.5The artists create one-of-a-kind designs on protective headgear in the Flash Challenge, and composition is key for a daunting elimination ta
15. S13E15Race to the FinishApril 14, 2020 8.5Five artists must tattoo a subject and style chosen by their competitors in an elimination challenge, followed by a 13-hour tattooing marath

Season 13 ranked & reviewed

1. S14E01Legends ReturnSeptember 7, 2022 8.610 legends return to the Ink Master Shop and must immediately battle it out in an epic three round tattoo gauntlet for survival. The battle
2. S14E02A Work of ArtSeptember 7, 2022 8.8Alliances start to form as the first Flash Challenge pushes the Artists' creativity to the limit. Then, a Fine Art Elimination Tattoo has th
3. S14E03Season's bestDevil's in the DetailsSeptember 14, 2022 9.0The Artists must make impressive illusions in an ultraviolet Flash Challenge, and every detail counts in an epic twist on Pin Up tattoos.
4. S14E04Match a MasterSeptember 21, 2022 8.8In 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 i
5. S14E05Master Mash UpsSeptember 28, 2022 8.8A game-changing turn of events elevates the competition. Insane Mash Up tattoos puts the Artists artistry skills to the test and a skull pic
6. S14E06Up in FlamesOctober 5, 2022 8.8An explosive Flash Challenge has the original Artists targeting a common enemy. Difficult throat tattoos have the artists bugging out.
7. S14E07Panes of PressureOctober 12, 2022 8.8A layered Flash Challenge has the Artists testing their composure. The pressure is on as Japanese tattoos give the Artists a run for their m
8. S14E08Let the Sparks FlyOctober 19, 2022 8.6Sparks fly in a heavy metal Flash Challenge, and shots land in an intense skull pick. Things heat up in the race for the title when the Arti
9. S14E09Finale, Part 1October 26, 2022 9.0The final 6 Artists must take on 2 epic tattoo challenges to secure their place in the Top 4. Blind Judging shakes up the competition, and a
10. S14E10Finale, Part 2November 2, 2022 8.4The top 4 Artists take on the most intense final tattoo in the history of the competition. Mind-blowing tattoos lead to a heated debate. One

Season 14 ranked & reviewed

1. S15E01The New Ink ClassNovember 1, 2023 8.6A game-changing twist shakes up the competition; the battle begins for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master.
2. S15E02Skull & BonesNovember 1, 2023 8.3The first Flash Challenge puts the new teams to the test; in the Elimination Tattoo, a seemingly straightforward Subject Matter forces some
3. S15E03Put Me In, Coach!November 1, 2023 8.3The Artists rely on their Coaches in the Flash Challenge to design for a very special Human Canvas; there's nowhere to hide with 360 degree
4. S15E04Don't Fork It UpNovember 8, 2023 8.8The artists must use their creativity to transform an ordinary object into an intricate sculpture in the Flash Challenge; the artists show t
5. S15E05Teams TransformedNovember 15, 2023 8.5With only eight Artists left, an unexpected team shuffle transforms the competition; transforming tattoos are judged blind as the battle con
6. S15E06Saddle Up, ButtercupNovember 22, 2023 8.5Loyalties are tested when the new teams must work together in the Flash Challenge, and every detail counts with western-themed Elimination T
7. S15E07Fight Fire with FireNovember 29, 2023 8.5The Artists try not to lose their composure when they must paint with fire in the Flash Challenge, and a Science-themed Elimination Tattoo p
8. S15E08Competition ShatteredDecember 6, 2023 8.8The top five Artists try not to crack under the pressure in their final Flash Challenge and a twist on portrait day puts their drawing skill
9. S15E09Instant KarmaDecember 13, 2023 8.8The top four Artists call out their fellow competitors to earn their spot in the finale, but if they dish it out, they had better be able to
10. S15E10Season's bestFifteen's FinaleDecember 20, 2023 9.0It all comes down to this! The top three Artists reveal their Master Canvas tattoos and a surprise jury of Ink Master winners raise the pres

Season 15 ranked & reviewed

1. S16E01Divide of the DecadeOctober 23, 2024 8.8Sixteen new artists enter the competition, divided into two teams: OGs and Young Guns. The youngsters are up first, and the battle for $250,
2. S16E02Money Where Your Mouth IsOctober 23, 2024 8.8
3. S16E03Season's bestOut of the Box, Onto the SkinOctober 23, 2024 9.0
4. S16E04Inked in GoldOctober 30, 2024 8.8
5. S16E05A Sin in TattooingNovember 6, 2024 8.8Massive murals have the teams struggling to keep their composure in the Flash Challenge; the battle for the title of Ink Master continues wi
6. S16E06At Your ServiceNovember 13, 2024 8.5
7. S16E07Monster's InkNovember 20, 2024 8.8
8. S16E08Face Your FearsNovember 27, 2024 8.8
9. S16E09Mash Up MayhemDecember 4, 2024 8.8
10. S16E10OG's vs Young GunDecember 11, 2024 8.8

Season 16 ranked & reviewed

1. S17E01Hometown ThrowdownOctober 29, 2025 8.3
2. S17E02Back to the Drawing BoardOctober 29, 2025 8.0
3. S17E03Gut CheckOctober 29, 2025 8.3
4. S17E04Bottled UpNovember 5, 2025 8.3
5. S17E05It's A Marathon, Not A SprintNovember 12, 2025 8.0
6. S17E06No Day at the BeachNovember 19, 2025 8.0
7. S17E07Season's bestAll Scars Will HealNovember 26, 2025 8.7
8. S17E08Signed, Sealed, DeliveredDecember 3, 2025 8.0
9. S17E09Tat For TatDecember 10, 2025 8.0
10. S17E10Hometown HeroDecember 17, 2025 8.0

Season 17 ranked & reviewed