Everything You Need to Know About Being an Ink Master Human Canvas

Co-authored by María Fernández González and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 20, 2025 Fact Checked

Love the show Ink Master and have a hankering for a new tattoo? You’re in luck—Ink Master recruits human canvases for every season to get a new tattoo on the show. To find out how to apply and what the requirements are, read on!

Things You Should Know

Apply to be an Ink Master canvas online by filling out the application here: http://www.castinginkmaster.com/human-canvas-application.html
In order to be a human canvas, you must be over 18 and a Canadian citizen. You also must be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of filming.
Ink Master canvases do not have to pay for their tattoos, but they do not get any monetary compensation for being on the show, either.

Section 1 of 5:

Can I apply to be an "Ink Master" canvas?

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Yes, you can apply online to be a canvas on Ink Master. Simply head to Ink Master’s website and fill out an application with your name, number, and address. The application will ask you other questions, like how you would describe your personality and how many tattoos you have already. It will also ask you to describe the potential tattoo you’d like to receive and where on your body you’d want it.^{[1]
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- To fill out an application, head to http://www.castinginkmaster.com/human-canvas-application.html.
- Be sure to read the application fully, including the terms and conditions near the bottom, before submitting.
- Ink Master only reviews applications when they’re getting ready to shoot a new season. If the show is not currently casting, wait until they are to submit your application.

Section 2 of 5:

"Ink Master" Canvas Requirements

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Ink Master is only allowed to tattoo legal adults, so you have to be over 18 by the time the show is filming. And, since Ink Master is based in Canada, you need to be a Canadian citizen in order to participate.^{[2]
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You must be vaccinated against COVID-19. As of 2022, Ink Master is requiring all of its participants to be fully vaccinated. On the application, it will ask you if you’re vaccinated; and if you aren’t, it will ask you if you’re willing to be vaccinated if asked to participate.^{[3]
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- If you are not vaccinated and not willing to get vaccinated before filming, you will not be selected as a canvas.

Section 3 of 5:

Do Ink Master canvases pay for their tattoos?

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If you are selected to be on Ink Master, you will not have to pay your tattoo artist nor the producers of the show for your tattoo.^{[4]
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María Fernández González
Tattoo Artist

Expert Interview} That’s the beauty of Ink Master—you get tattooed free of charge!^{[5]
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Section 4 of 5:

Do Ink Master canvases get paid?

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In the terms and conditions of the application, you’ll notice that human canvases do not get any monetary compensation. You will also not get reimbursed for any travel or accommodation costs that you have.^{[6]
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Section 5 of 5:

Did Ink Master get canceled?

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The production shut down in 2020 for multiple reasons, one of which was the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the show has been picked up again by Paramount+ to air a new season.

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Tips

Ink Master will only contact you if you’re selected to be on the show. If you don’t hear anything, it most likely means that they are not selecting you for this season.

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If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Ink Master at imhumancanvascasting@gmail.com.

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