Ink Master
Which generation will conquer the competition?
TV-142012•42m•7.9/10
Reality
Ratings
🎬TMDb
7.9/10(87)
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 be permanently marked in this adrenalized competition elimination.
Production
Original Media, MTV Entertainment Studios, Truly Original
Language
EN
Status
Returning Series
First Aired
January 17, 2012
Last Aired
December 17, 2025
Networks
Spike, Paramount Network, Paramount+
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
Fresh Meat
Air date: 2012-01-17
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.
E2
Botched Head Tattoo
Air date: 2012-01-24
A head tattoo becomes a medical emergency and tempers explode when Heather challenges the judges. Ton Jones serves as Guest Judge and a second artist is eliminated from the competition, losing the chance to win $100K.
E3
Pasties and a Cameltoe
Air date: 2012-01-31
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
E4
Ink Disaster Piece
Air date: 2012-02-07
Photo Realism tattoos turn disastrous when Bili has difficulty with muscle structure and Heather’s art goes up in flames. A fourth artist is eliminated from the competition.
E5
Game On
Air date: 2012-02-14
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.
E6
Permanent Mistakes
Air date: 2012-02-21
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.
E7
Picture Imperfect
Air date: 2012-02-28
Some of the remaining artists botch their portrait tattoos by screwing up important features, leaving their human canvasses with bad art. 4 artists remain but only 1 will take home $100K and the title of Ink Master.
E8
Ink Master Revealed
Air date: 2012-03-06
In the season finale, human canvasses blindly agree to let the remaining artists tattoo anything they want on their skin. A grueling 18 hours of tattooing with a shocking twist! Who will take home $100K & the title of Ink Master?
