The series highlights the creativity and skill required to be an outstanding tattoo artist. It also highlights how important it is to be able to satisfy clients.

Volunteer clients sometimes wince or even scream out in pain while being inked. Blood is occasionally visible. Some of the tattoos include skulls, weapons, or other dark imagery.

Tattoos sometimes include nude imagery (bare breasts); a client's butt crack is occasionally visible.

Words like "ass" and "piss" are audible; curses like "f--k" are bleeped. Obscene gestures are sometimes visible.

Work spaces feature each inker's artwork. Thunderbirds and other cars are sometimes featured, but their makes/model logos are not evident. During commercial breaks, individual contestants occasionally talk about their own businesses or tattoo community ventures.

Alcohol is occasionally visible at the house. Some tattoo imagery includes cigarettes or other indications of smoking.