Best Ink
Best Ink is an American reality competition series on Oxygen that judges tattoo artists. The series ran for three seasons, the first in 2012, the second in 2013, and the third in 2013-2014. The show was hosted by Kimberly Caldwell during Season 1 and by Pete Wentz in Seasons 2 and 3. "Best Ink" premiered on March 27, 2012. The second season debuted on April 3, 2013. The third season debuted on December 4, 2013. Format. A group of tattoo artists from around the United States compete in various tattooing challenges. The winner of the competition wins  a $100,000 cash prize and a cover article in a well-known tattoo-related magazine. After each challenge, tattoo artist and the shows judges, along with different guest judge every week, critique the tattoos to find the contestant with the "Best Ink". Flash challenge. Typically a non-tattooing task that tests the contestants' artistic skills using different media, subjects and "canvases." Usually the skills tested in the Flash Challenge will be a compulsory judging factor in the Elimination Tattoo. Elimination tattoo. This stage starts with the winner of the Flash Challenge getting a privilege in this second stage. These  perks can be first/only choice of which "skin" (client) they would like to tattoo or extra time, but is predetermined by the shows production team. Once each "Skin" is allocated to a contestant, a consultation period between artist and "skin" is given (typically in a set amount of time) and followed by chance to create the artwork overnight before tattooing the next day. The Elimination tattoos are performed simultaneously by all contestants and within a set amount of time. The judges then critique the work, choosing the best and worst tattoos of the week. The contestant that produces the  worst tattoo is eliminated from the show until the final episode where one tattoo artist is judged the winner. Contestant progress. Season 2. Bold The contestant won immunity the previous week and was automatically safe the preceding week. Season 3. Bold The contestant won immunity the previous week and was automatically safe the preceding week. International broadcasts. In Australia, "Best Ink" airs on the Australian TV channel, GO!.