Jon Mesa

15 Artists from across the globe fight to represent their hometowns. But before they can battle for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master, they must first earn their place in the competition. Part 1 of a 2-part premiere.

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.

Massive murals have the teams struggling to keep their composure in the Flash Challenge; the battle for the title of Ink Master continues with Japanese Samurai tattoos; a backwards hand sparks a heated debate.

The fight for a shop continues as the Artists replicate animals from their hometowns but for some, it’s back to the drawing board. The battle for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master is just beginning.

From trash to treasure, the teams must use their ingenuity to create recycled masterpieces in the Flash Challenge; metallic tattoos have the artists struggling to shine; a shocking elimination shakes up the competition.

The artists must tattoo precise portraits of service dogs; a jaw-dropping twist sends the competition spiraling; the artists join forces to try to take out the top dog as they battle it out for $250,000 and the title of Ink Master.