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The Best Episodes of Ink Master

Every episode of Ink Master ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Ink Master!

Binge this in 6d 14h•Peaking at 8.1/10

A group of the country's most creative and skilled tattoo artists compete for a hundred thousand dollars and the title of Ink Master. The stakes couldn't be higher with "living canvasses" donating their skin to

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Ink Master Season 17 Episode 1 - Hometown Throwdown
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    S17:E1

    15 global tattoo artists fight to represent their hometowns, but must first earn a spot to compete for $250k and the title of Ink Master.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 2 - Back to the Drawing Board
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    S17:E2

    The fight for a shop continues as artists tattoo hometown animals. For some, it's back to the drawing board. The battle is just beginning.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 3 - Gut Check
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    S17:E3

    In a team Flash Challenge, the Artists must paint with smoke. Glitter tattoos on the stomach have them struggling to shine, and an unexpected twist makes winning Tattoo of the Day more important than ever.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 5 - It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint
    8.1/10(12 votes)

    S17:E5

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 6 - No Day At The Beach
    8.1/10(11 votes)

    S17:E6

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 7 - All Scars Will Heal
    8.1/10(13 votes)

    S17:E7

    The Artists must transform scars into works of art in an emotional Elimination Tattoo. 3 Artists must prove their ingenuity in a Face Off for survival. The battle for $250,000 continues.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Ink Master

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  7. Ink Master Season 10 Episode 1 - Pick Your Side
    8.0/10(44 votes)

    S10:E1

    Three of the most skilled Ink Masters return for a new challenge, but instead of battling alone they’ll coach teams of the top tattoo artists nationwide. The epic battle for $100K and the title of Ink Master begins.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 6 - Permanent Mistakes
    7.9/10(62 votes)

    S1:E6

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 7 - Star Wars Forever
    7.9/10(54 votes)

    S2:E7

    The artists must use their Jedi powers to ink highly critical super-fans with Star Wars tattoos. Star Wars creator, George Lucas, has a special treat for the winner of the Flash Challenge. Another artista loses their shot at $100K dollars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 10 - Hometown Hero
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    S17:E10

    In the Season Finale, four Finalists reveal their Master Canvas tattoos. With an unexpected Guest Judge raising the stakes, only one Artist will take home $250,000 and the title of Ink Master.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Ink Master Season 11 Episode 3 - Right on Target
    7.8/10(29 votes)

    S11:E3

    The teams face off in a high-pressure challenge using dominoes, and the elimination tattoo forces the artists to think outside the box.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Ink Master Season 13 Episode 12 - Last Draw
    7.8/10(24 votes)

    S13:E12

    Pressure grows as the Turf War ranks run thin and the Artists' versatility is tested when an alliance strategy backfires, putting an unexpected frontrunner on the chopping block.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Ink Master Season 15 Episode 5 - Teams Transformed
    7.8/10(20 votes)

    S15:E5

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 3 - Pasties and a Cameltoe
    7.7/10(58 votes)

    S1:E3

    Naked women heat up the competition and another head tattoo sparks a fight between Al and Bili. A third artist is eliminated from the competition and the chance to win $100K

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 3 - The 80 Year Old Virgin
    7.7/10(50 votes)

    S2:E3

    A botched American flag and a backwards eagle tattoo cause veterans' patriotic tempers to flare and a third artist loses their shot at $100,000 dollars and the title of Ink Master.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Ink Master Season 4 Episode 7 - Artist Slaughter
    7.7/10(41 votes)

    S4:E7

    Halo hears smack talk & gets revenge. Drama erupts when broken-hearted Canvases want tattoos they got for their exes covered. Kyle starts to crack & pressure is on when the Judges announce a massacre, sending 2 Artists home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Ink Master Season 11 Episode 4 - No Wrist, No Reward
    7.7/10(27 votes)

    S11:E4

    Cleen and Christian battle it out in their first grudge match to see whose team will have to compete in a wristband elimination tattoo challenge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Ink Master Season 11 Episode 5 - That's Gonna Leave a Mark
    7.7/10(28 votes)

    S11:E5

    A flash challenge using electrical tape forces the teams to test their creativity, and the artists face challenging placements on their canvases during the elimination tattoo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Ink Master Season 13 Episode 5 - Out of Your Element
    7.7/10(27 votes)

    S13:E5

    Just as the Teams think they've figured out the Turf War, a shocking twist lights the competition ablaze and burns it down to its very core.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Ink Master Season 13 Episode 6 - Off the Chain
    7.7/10(26 votes)

    S13:E6

    The Turf War is more intense than ever before and to survive the Artists must fight for every possible advantage and ally; cross-team alliance takes shape, and a glowing elimination challenge leaves one team burned.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 1 - Fresh Meat
    7.6/10(96 votes)

    S1:E1

    Ten of the best tattoo artists on the planet tattoo Human Canvases in a series of extreme challenges. The first Artist is eliminated on the path to determining who will earn a $100,000 prize and the title of Ink Master.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 5 - Game On
    7.6/10(58 votes)

    S1:E5

    Competition turns cut-throat when Josh calls out Shane for only doing black & grey. Shane fights to prove his color skills and impress the judges. A fifth artist is eliminated from the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 4 - Tattoo Her What?
    7.6/10(47 votes)

    S2:E4

    A face-off leaves Sarah in tears and the artists are pushed to their limits when one canvas demands a tattoo on her private parts and another has a meltdown, which causes a fight in the loft. The NBA's Matt Barnes guest judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 11 - Better Than Words?
    7.6/10(40 votes)

    S2:E11

    The artists tattoo head-to-head against Oliver in the Flash Challenge. The portrait challenge leaves some canvases with unrecognizable family members permanently inked on their skin. Another artist is forced to close shop.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Ink Master Season 4 Episode 5 - X-Men's Hugh Jackman
    7.6/10(41 votes)

    S4:E5

    The Artists ink X-Men superfans with iconic X-Men characters in the first ever color portrait challenge. The Ultimate authority chooses the winner...Hugh Jackman. A thrilling sneak peek of X-Men: Days of Future Past is revealed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Hometown Throwdown" is the best rated episode of "Ink Master". It scored 8.1/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/29/2025. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Back to the Drawing Board".