Season 1
January 17, 2012
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.
8 Episodes
Episodes
Fresh Meat
January 17, 2012
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.
Botched Head Tattoo
January 24, 2012
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.
Pasties and a Cameltoe
January 31, 2012
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
Ink Disaster Piece
February 7, 2012
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.
Game On
February 14, 2012
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.
Permanent Mistakes
February 21, 2012
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.
Picture Imperfect
February 28, 2012
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.
Ink Master Revealed
March 6, 2012
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?
