Ink Master season 16


Ink Master: OGs vs Young Guns is the sixteenth season of tattoo reality competition show, Ink Master which was announced on October 2, 2024. It premiered on October 23, 2024, with the first three episodes premiering on Paramount+ and the following episodes being released weekly. Good Charlotte vocalist Joel Madden returns as host, while season 8 winner Ryan Ashley and Nikko Hurtado return as judges for their third season and three-time champion, DJ Tambe, returning for his second.
Like the previous season, artists competed against each other for the title of Ink Master as well as a $250,000 cash prize. The season contained 16 new artists competing, which were unveiled before the season premiere. The season saw artists who had been in the industry for more than a decade and a group of newer artists who had only been tattooing for a few years.
James Tex was crowned the winner of the season, with his son, Anthony Tex, being the runner-up.

Judging and ranking

Judging panel

The judging panel is a table of four primary judges. The judges make their final decision by voting to see who had best tattoo of the day, and who goes home.

Jury of Peers

Whoever wins Best Tattoo of the Day, their team will be able to put one artist up for elimination, regardless what team they are on.
During the finale, six eliminated contestants returned to form a jury and voted one artist to the top two.

Contestants

The two episodes featured 16 artists competing to be one of the 12 artists that were split into two teams of 6. Two OGs and two Young Guns were eliminated if they do not earn a spot on a team.
Names, experience, and cities stated are at time of filming.
Contestant NameYears of
experience		HometownOutcome
James Tex26Calgary, CanadaWinner
Anthony Tex13Calgary, CanadaRunner-up
Cat Castro8Riverside, California3rd place
Stephanie Heffron14Tucson, Arizona4th place
Pony Lawson22Chicago, Illinois5th place
Jade Olivia3Everett, Massachusetts6th place
Lucy Hu20Alhambra, California7th place
Trevor Burtz9San Clemente, California8th place
Joseph Serrano4Puerto Rico9th place
Jorell Elie15Atlanta, Georgia10th place
Jenna Coffin5Edmonton, Canada11th place
Alena Wedderburn10New York City, New York12th place
Andy Pho13Hutto, Texas13th place
Manny Fernandez13Las Vegas, Nevada14th place
Johnny Angel4Sacramento, California15th place
Love Duncan6Alexandria, Virginia16th place

;Notes

Chosen

Young Guns
Alena Wedderburn
Joseph Serrano
Jade Olivia
Jenna Coffin
Cat Castro
Trevor Burtz

Contestant progress

Indicates the contestant was a Young Gun.

Indicates the contestant was an OG.

''No More Ink''

For the season's after show, No More Ink, contestants from previous seasons, veteran artists, and various celebrities are interviewed about their careers and opinions on the episode's tattoos by the contestants. The show is hosted by judge, Ryan Ashley. A segment called "Ink Remastered" is introduced, which gives a past contestant redemption on a tattoo they were sent home on.