Ink Master
TV

Ink Master

Which generation will conquer the competition?

7.9 /10 87 votes
January 17, 2012 17 Seasons 227 Episodes 42 min Returning Series TV-14

Overview

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.

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1

Season 1

2012 8 Episodes

The first season of the tattoo reality competition Ink Master debuted on Spike on January 17 and concluded on March 6, 2012 with a total of 8 episodes. The show is hosted and judged by Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, with accomplished tattoo artists Chris Núñez and Oliver Peck serving as series regular judges. The winner received a $100,000 prize, a feature in Inked Magazine and the title of Ink Master.

Season 2

Season 2

2012 13 Episodes

Ink Master (season 2) was the second season of the Spike tattooing competition series, Ink Master. Season two follows sixteen tattoo artists competing against each other in an elimination-style competition that will leave the last person standing with the title of Ink Master, a $100,000 grand prize, and a feature in Inked Magazine. The show is hosted and judged by Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Other judges include former Miami Ink cast member Chris Núñez and accomplished tattoo artist Oliver Peck. The series has been renewed for a third season. For the current airing or most recent airing season, visit the Ink Master main article.

Season 3

Season 3

2013 13 Episodes

Ink Master (season 3) is the third season of the Spike tattooing competition series, Ink Master. Its makeup and rules mimic those of season 2, with some changes to make it unique from the previous season, but not so extreme to make it stand out from the series. Season three follows sixteen tattoo artists competing against each other in an elimination-style competition that will leave the last person standing with the title of Ink Master, a $100,000 grand prize, and a feature in Inked Magazine. The show is hosted and judged by Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Other judges include former Miami Ink cast member Chris Núñez and accomplished tattoo artist Oliver Peck. Season three is the first time in the series a contestant has been brought back for another season. Katherine "Tatu Baby" Flores was eliminated in season two, but voted to return by Ink Master's Facebook voting.

Season 4

Season 4

2014 13 Episodes
Rivals

Rivals

2014 16 Episodes

16 top tattoo artists from across the country will compete in extreme challenges proving their skill and grit in an epic battle for $100,000 and the title of Ink Master.

Master Vs. Apprentice

Master Vs. Apprentice

2015 16 Episodes

In season 6 it's not just about the rivalries the artists create during the competition, each contestant comes with their own personal tattoo rival – their master or apprentice.

Revenge

Revenge

2016 13 Episodes
Peck Vs. Nuñez

Peck Vs. Nuñez

2016 16 Episodes

In season eight, 8 returning artists and 8 top tattoo artists from around the country will compete in extreme challenges proving their skill and grit in an epic battle for 100,000 and the title of Ink Master.

Shop Wars

Shop Wars

2017 16 Episodes

Season nine of Ink Master reaches new heights as tattoo shops from across the country go to war. As 19 shops enter the competition, in the end only one will be left standing, winning the title of ‘Master Shop’ and $200,000.

Return of the Masters

Return of the Masters

2018 16 Episodes

Three of the most skilled Ink Master winners return for season 10. But this time, they won’t battle alone. Instead, they’ll be coaching teams selected from some of the top tattoo artists in the country. The artists will be put through extreme challenges proving their skill and grit in an epic battle for $100,000 and the title of Ink Master.

Grudge Match

Grudge Match

2018 16 Episodes

Cleen Rock One faces off against Christian Buckingham to coach the nation's best tattoo artists as they compete for a $100,000 prize and the title of Ink Master.

Battle of the Sexes

Battle of the Sexes

2019 16 Episodes

Teams of male and female tattoo artists face off, but only one will win $100,000, an editorial feature in Inked and the coveted Ink Master title. This season, past contestants and fan favorites return to coach the contestants.

Turf War

Turf War

2020 15 Episodes

Season 13 brings together artists from the East, South, Midwest and West regions of the United States as 20 top tattooers from around the country battle it out for the title of Ink Master, a $100,000 and of course, a feature in Inked Magazine.

Season 14

Season 14

2022 10 Episodes

All-star artists return to compete in the ultimate tattoo competition. Hosted by Joel Madden, the artists will face some of the most epic challenges.

Season 15

Season 15

2023 10 Episodes
OGs vs Young Guns

OGs vs Young Guns

2024 10 Episodes

Hometown Heroes

2025 10 Episodes

15 new artists compete as “hometown heroes,” vying for a $250,000 prize in the ultimate tattoo competition, and for the opportunity to put their hometowns on the map.

Key Information

Network Spike
Type Reality
Rating 7.9/10
Language EN
Country United States of America

Cast & Crew

Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro

Self - Host

Chris Núñez

Chris Núñez

Self - Judge

Oliver Peck

Oliver Peck

Self - Judge

Joel Madden

Joel Madden

Self - Host

Ryan Ashley Malarkey

Ryan Ashley Malarkey

Self - Judge

Nikko Hurtado

Nikko Hurtado

Self - Judge

Ami James

Ami James

Self - Judge

DJ Tambe

DJ Tambe

Self - Judge

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman

Himself - Guest Judge

Ton Jones

Himself - Guest Judge

Todd Weinberger

Himself - Guest Judge

Scott Campbell

Himself - Guest Judge

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

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...

Ink Master has 17 seasons with 227 episodes.

Ink Master premiered on January 17, 2012.

Yes, Ink Master is currently ongoing with new episodes.

Ink Master originally aired on Spike. Check your local streaming services for availability.

Ink Master has a rating of 7.9/10 based on user reviews.

Ink Master is classified as Reality.