Basic format

All episodes aside from the finales have the following format, with some minor variations to the application of the format:

First, a Flash Challenge will be evaluated based on how well an artist met the week's skill. Some Flash Challenges involve tattooing, but typically, flash challenges do not incorporate the act of tattooing; but instead will require a non-related artistic skill (i.e., painting, haircutting, etching, burning, etc.) The winner of the flash challenge wins the right to select their human canvas in the elimination challenge and, as of season two, pair up the other contestants with their human canvases.

After the Flash Challenge comes the Elimination Challenge, a further test of the week's skill on a human canvas, typically incorporating a prominent style of tattooing. Once the contestants are paired up with their canvases, they are given the day to consult with their assignment. Each contestant is given four to six hours to tattoo their design the next day. Once completed, the contestants meet as a group with the judges and are critiqued one by one. The contestants then are dismissed, with four later being called back. The four typically represent a week's top two and bottom two, though this breakdown can change. At the end of each episode, a winner generally is declared, and one contestant is eliminated.

Special format

The final challenge was a marathon tattooing of up to 18 hours for the finale of season one. The season two finale did not share this format. Instead, it consisted of the three finalists meeting with their respective canvases for four six-hour sessions to create a final piece. This final piece did not require a specific tattoo genre or location for the artist to tattoo. Instead, the artists could choose those aspects for themselves, and the only restriction they faced was a time limit. The season three finale followed a similar format to the season two finale. However, the artists were allowed five seven-hour sessions for a cumulative 35-hour master canvas tattoo.

Judging

Musician Dave Navarro and tattoo artists Chris Núñez and Oliver Peck served as the show's primary judges, with Navarro also serving as a host for the show.^[15] Navarro and Núñez appeared in every episode, while Peck was absent on two episodes of season nine when he was recovering from a heart attack.^[16] Some episodes incorporate a fourth guest judge, usually a well-known tattoo artist who has knowledge or reputation in the style of tattoo (such as New School, Traditional (old school), Japanese, Portrait, Black and Gray, etc.) chosen for the week's elimination challenge.

Season two judging was taken to a new level with audience voting participation through the series' official website and via Facebook voting, with the audience vote affecting the final ruling by the judges. Sebastian Murphy was eliminated from consideration by the judges in the season finale because he was the contestant whose work in the elimination challenges received the fewest votes by the audience. Season three introduced the human canvas jury. The human canvases review each other's tattoos and nominate the artist who did the worst piece for elimination. Season four introduced the elimination challenge winner's selection, where the challenge winner picks an artist for elimination.

In January 2020, Oliver Peck was forced out of his spot as Ink Master Judge following a controversy involving his reemerged blackface photo from his MySpace page.^[17] There was no word of a replacement before the series was initially canceled.

On August 5, 2022, new judges were announced for the revival series, including season 8 winner, Ryan Ashley Malarkey, tattoo artists Nikko Hurtado and Ami James.^[13] Hurtado had previously been a guest judge in the series, while James had appeared in Miami Ink, alongside Nuñez. Joel Madden was announced as the new host for the upcoming season, with Navarro returning as "Master Of Chaos", adding twists and game-changing bombs to each episode.

Three time champion, DJ Tambe, joins the judging panel for its fifteenth season, replacing James. Navarro did not return for the season, marking it the first season he is absent from.

Ink Master: Redemption

The spin-off series Ink Master: Redemption premiered in September 2015.^[22][23] The spin-off features canvases who are unhappy with the tattoo they received during the competition. After discussing their tattoo with Navarro, the canvases are given a chance to confront the artist who did the original piece. The artist is offered the chance for redemption by being able to consult with the canvas on a new tattoo (or modification to improve their existing Ink Master piece). After reviewing the artist's new drawing, the canvas is given a no-strings-attached choice to proceed with the new tattoo or leave the shop. Episodes sometimes feature a twist, such as rival artists returning to draw a design for the same unhappy canvas, potentially stealing the original artist's chance at redemption. Ink Master: Redemption was renewed for a second season to coincide with the premiere of season 7 of Ink Master.^[24]

Ink Master: Angels

In June 2017, Spike announced a new spin-off series titled Ink Master: Angels. The premise follows four female contestants from the eighth season of Ink Master – season winner Ryan Ashley Malarkey, Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson, and Gia Rose – as they travel around the United States to face other artists in tattoo challenges with a spot on season ten of Ink Master on the line.^[25] The show premiered on October 3, 2017.

Ink Master: Grudge Match

On August 21, 2019, it was announced that a spin-off titled Ink Master: Grudge Match would premiere on October 1, 2019.^[2][3] Judges for the series include former Ink Master contestants Cleen Rock One, DJ Tambe, and Ryan Ashley Malarkey.^[26]