Parents' Guide to

Ink Master

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Top Chef for tattoo artists has tough talk, edgy images.

TV Spike Reality TV 2012
Ink Master Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Zodarious
Zodarious Adult
December 2, 2021
age 18+

Half and Half

The shows concept was to focus on finding a ink master that was all rounded and not just good in one specific type of tattooing. They would put them under stressful events to see if they can handle the stress. Now for the most they all excelled in one aspect of tattooing and failed in many others. The Judges I felt dropped the ball as in some eliminations they kept people who were consistently failing and dropping people who maybe screwed up once or twice. Now the only aspect of the show people do not seem to understand this was over 14 years ago so the standards of Spike Tv and cable are different from today. So the Motcho idiots and the way women were being portrayed can be views as negative. Keep in mind this show was meant to stress and push them to their breaking point to get the best of the best or was intended to be this way myself I think it was just for ratings. So overall if you need to pass the time the show is ok ish but it will have voguer parts and show women in a sexy manor. So I would say in todays standards it should be rated for 18+.
stehle19
stehle19 Adult
December 14, 2020
age 13+

This show is not as good as I thought it would be

If you are a woman or have a daughter, do not watch it. It does not show girls and women that they can do anything men can do. There were two woman on at the beginning of the show and they were both kicked off. They were both pretty decent tattoo artists. There was a category when the contestants had to draw and then tattoo a pin up doll on a client. Lea, the last female contestant on the show, had a pretty decent and basic pin up doll tattoo. Josh, a male contestant on the show who doesn't shade well or anything, had a tattoo that did not even resemble what a pin up doll looks like. He got to move on to the next round and Lea did not. This show is not fair to its female contestants. Do not recommend.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

INK MASTER is a reality competition featuring 10 skilled tattoo artists competing in New York City for $100,000. Hosted by Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, the artists' skills are tested in every essential discipline of the art form. From tattooing raw meat and cars to demonstrating their skill set by permanently inking "living canvasses" (people heroically donating their skin for challenges), each competitor must demonstrate that they can produce beautiful and well-executed art in a limited amount of time while pleasing clients. In-between challenges, the gang draws up more drama as they live under one roof in a NYC brownstone. Their art is judged by Navarro, as well as master inkers Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck. The artist failing to impress during elimination rounds must close up shop, while the others go on to ink their way towards the money prize and the title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

The series, which is being promoted as the "first tattoo competition on TV," features larger-than-life contestants vying for cash by participating in challenges under unique circumstances and extreme time limits. Its focus on the tattoo world makes it feel a little edgy, too. But the show also stresses the real skill and creativity that goes into body art, and underscores the fact that the people competing are true artists.

The typical reality competition can be a little grating at times, but for those fans of Project Runway or Top Chef, who like this style of show, it's an entertaining and well-produced product. It isn't for everyone, but viewers interested in body art and the tattoo industry will find this entertaining. Meanwhile, those who usually don't tune into these kinds of things can also learn a lot about the the art form, too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about tattoos artists. What kind of training does sometimes have to have in order to be considered a tattoo artist? How do they develop their individual styles? Is the ability to work with clients as important as their craft?

  • Why do you think these tattoo artists have agreed to participate in this show? What to they stand to gain or lose by being on television?

  • Why is getting a tattoo a big decision? What are the health risks involved? Would you ever get a tattoo?

TV Details

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