Ink Master: Shop Wars
Season nine of Ink Master reaches new heights as tattoo shops from across the country go to war. A total of 19 shops enter the competition to face off against one another. Throughout the course of the season, these creative and skilled tattoo artists battle to prove their abilities. In the end, only one shop will be left standing, winning the coveted title of Master Shop along with a cash prize of $200,000. As the sh
Season 9 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- A group of the country's most creative and skilled tattoo artists compete in the series.
- Contenders face off against each other in various tattoo competitions.
- Previous seasons established a competitive reality format for skilled artists.
- Artists vie for cash prizes and the title of Ink Master.
Season overview
Season nine of Ink Master reaches new heights as tattoo shops from across the country go to war. A total of 19 shops enter the competition to face off against one another. Throughout the course of the season, these creative and skilled tattoo artists battle to prove their abilities. In the end, only one shop will be left standing, winning the coveted title of Master Shop along with a cash prize of $200,000. As the shops compete, the stakes are raised for the participating artists representing their respective establishments from across the nation.
Episode Guide
Season 9 Progress Shield
Fire & Ice
Jun 6, 2017 · 38 min
In the season premiere, tattooing is a team sport as artists from nine of America’s best shops arrive ready to battle it out for a massive $200K and the first ever title of Master
Crossing the Line
Jun 13, 2017 · 38 min
A massive twist shakes up the competition and a painstaking Flash Challenge puts relationships to the test.
Unnatural Disasters
Jun 20, 2017 · 38 min
A fiery veteran artist returns, taking the competition by storm; a difficult Flash Challenge exposes weaknesses in the shops.
Lend Me Your Ear
Jun 27, 2017 · 39 min
The competition gets even tougher when the artists are tested on technical application with individual tattoos. Not one but two veteran artists return.
War and Ink
Jul 11, 2017 · 39 min
Some shops lose their composure as they butt heads during a grueling elimination tattoo.
Get the Flock Outta Here
Jul 18, 2017 · 39 min
Shops crumble as the tension between teammates intensifies.
On the Bubble
Jul 25, 2017 · 38 min
One of the competition's most infamous veterans returns to shake up the game.
Masterpiece Mayhem
Aug 1, 2017 · 38 min
An emotional flash challenge brings the artists to tears, and the alliance becomes a target when a bullet-proof pair of veterans return to battle it out for the title.
Pin-Up Panic Attack
Aug 8, 2017 · 39 min
The Artists can't find any relief in a sculptural Flash Challenge. Things only get hairier during the Elimination Tattoo when the Artists are faced with the infamous Pin-Up challen
Drill Baby, Drill
Aug 15, 2017 · 39 min
The final veteran shop returns to fight for the title of Master Shop. Skull picks are key to the precision strike leveled at the opposing aliance.
Grim Inker
Aug 22, 2017 · 38 min
With no flash challenge, the artists think they've got it all figured out until a massive twist sends them reeling; Four Horsemen tattoos bring on the end of days for one pair of a
Pit Fall
Aug 29, 2017 · 39 min
A painful elimination tattoo has the artists in the pits, and a massive twist sends them reeling.
Sell Out
Sep 5, 2017 · 39 min
The competition puts the old saying, "the customer is always right," to the test when the artists must sell themselves to their canvases for the chance to tattoo.
Casting the First Stone
Sep 12, 2017 · 39 min
With only 5 shops left, the fight for $200K and the title of Master Shop intensifies. In a deity Elimination Tattoo, some shops reach for the heavens while one is sent packing to
Marathon to the Finale
Sep 19, 2017 · 38 min
The competition is more intense than ever as the top four shops battle it out in a tattoo marathon for the three spots in the live finale, $200K and the first ever title of Master
Shop Wars Finale
Sep 26, 2017 · 41 min
In the live season finale, the final three shops battle it out for $200,000 and the first ever title of Master Shop.