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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 8.5/10

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 3 - Gut Check
    8.5/10(15 votes)

    #1 - Gut Check

    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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  2. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 4 - Bottled Up
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #2 - Bottled Up

    S17:E4

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 5 - It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #3 - It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint

    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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  4. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 6 - No Day At The Beach
    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #4 - No Day At The Beach

    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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  5. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 1 - Hometown Throwdown
    8.3/10(16 votes)

    #5 - Hometown Throwdown

    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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  6. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 2 - Back to the Drawing Board
    8.3/10(15 votes)

    #6 - Back to the Drawing Board

    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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Ink Master

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  7. Ink Master Season 17 Episode 7 - All Scars Will Heal
    8.3/10(11 votes)

    #7 - All Scars Will Heal

    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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  8. Ink Master Season 10 Episode 1 - Pick Your Side
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    #8 - Pick Your Side

    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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  9. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 6 - Permanent Mistakes
    7.8/10(58 votes)

    #9 - Permanent Mistakes

    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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  10. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 7 - Star Wars Forever
    7.8/10(51 votes)

    #10 - Star Wars Forever

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

    #11 - Right on Target

    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(23 votes)

    #12 - Last Draw

    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)

    #13 - Teams Transformed

    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 2 Episode 3 - The 80 Year Old Virgin
    7.7/10(47 votes)

    #14 - The 80 Year Old Virgin

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

    #15 - Artist Slaughter

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

    #16 - No Wrist, No Reward

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

    #17 - That's Gonna Leave a Mark

    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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  18. Ink Master Season 13 Episode 5 - Out of Your Element
    7.7/10(26 votes)

    #18 - Out of Your Element

    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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  19. Ink Master Season 13 Episode 6 - Off the Chain
    7.7/10(25 votes)

    #19 - Off the Chain

    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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  20. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 3 - Pasties and a Cameltoe
    7.6/10(55 votes)

    #20 - Pasties and a Cameltoe

    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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  21. Ink Master Season 1 Episode 5 - Game On
    7.6/10(55 votes)

    #21 - Game On

    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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  22. Ink Master Season 2 Episode 4 - Tattoo Her What?
    7.6/10(44 votes)

    #22 - Tattoo Her What?

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

    #23 - X-Men's Hugh Jackman

    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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  24. Ink Master Season 7 Episode 9 - Sink or Soar
    7.6/10(35 votes)

    #24 - Sink or Soar

    S7:E9

    The artists work in pairs to execute large-scale back pieces testing texture...and each other’s nerves.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Ink Master Season 10 Episode 5 - Ink On The Dotted Line
    7.6/10(31 votes)

    #25 - Ink On The Dotted Line

    S10:E5

    Precision skills are put to the test when the Artists must create masterpieces with hole punches. Will one of the Coaches put his own skin on the line for the chance of $100K and the title of Ink Master?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Gut Check" is the best rated episode of "Ink Master". It scored 8.5/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/29/2025. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Bottled Up".