Asking for money up front is where a lot of bookings go quiet. Ask the right way and the client still feels welcome. On Free, a $20 deposit comes to $22.50 at checkout, not $21.98.
Clients hear "deposit" and think it's for you. Tell them what it does: it holds their date, so nobody else can book that slot.
A no-show costs you a session. It also costs the next person on your list a spot they would have taken. A deposit makes the booking real for both of you, and gives the client a reason to read their reminders.
sends those reminders by SMS and email 2 days, 2 hours and 30 minutes before. You can add 7 days and 1 day. If someone still cancels, the waitlist moves the next client up automatically.
2 days2 hours30 min+ 7 days+ 1 dayAsk for the deposit after you say yes. With approval-first booking, you check the idea, the placement and the references before any money moves. The client pays for a piece you've already agreed to do, so the deposit confirms the booking instead of standing in front of it.
The client sees your deposit, one booking fee on top, and the total. There is no separate processing fee, and nothing comes off your price.
The booking fee covers card processing. It's the same single fee on every card payment for the tattoo: deposits, balances, full payments and walk-ins. On Free it's 9.9%, on Plus 4.5%, on Pro 3.5%, with a $2.50 minimum per payment.
By default, the client pays it. You can split it 50/50 or pay it yourself. Tips never carry a fee and go 100% to you.
A deposit shows as paid the moment the client pays. Card payments go straight to your bank, deposited daily, and the money lands the next business day.
Do I pay anything before Thursday?
Yes, Ray, a $20 deposit holds your Thursday spot. You'll see a $2.50 booking fee at checkout, so $22.50 in total. Link is below.
Take a $20 deposit on Free. 9.9% of $20 is $1.98. Every payment has a $2.50 minimum, so the fee is $2.50.
If you told the client $21.98, they see 52 cents more at checkout. Tell them $22.50.
$22.50
What the client pays for a $20 deposit on Free when they cover the fee.
| Setting | Client sees | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| Client pays (default) | $22.50 | $20.00 |
| Split 50/50 | $21.25 | $18.75 |
| You pay it | $20.00 | $17.50 |
You have three options. Leave the fee with the client and say so in your message. Split it, and each of you pays $1.25. Or pay it yourself, and the client sees $20.
The $2.50 minimum is the same on every plan, so a $20 deposit carries $2.50 on Plus and Pro too. Their lower rates matter on bigger payments, like the balance on session day.
You set the deposit amount. A flash sale piece and a back piece don't need the same deposit. The fee rule stays the same: your plan's rate or $2.50, whichever is higher.
Pick an amount big enough that the client won't skip the session, and small enough that they don't stall at checkout. On a small deposit the $2.50 minimum sets the fee, so say who pays it.
Both carry the same booking fee and pay out the same way.
A sleeve or a back piece takes several sessions. Clients rarely want to pay for all of it on day one, and you don't want to wait for the last session to get paid.
A payment plan is the deposit, then a balance at each session, agreed at the start. Each is its own card payment, so each carries the booking fee and the same $2.50 minimum.
Tell the client this once, with who pays the fee, and no payment on session day surprises them.
Every plan has every feature and card processing included. Pick the plan that fits how much you take by card.
| Plan | Monthly | Booking fee |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 a month, for good | 9.9% |
| Plus | $39 a month | 4.5% |
| Pro | $99 a month | 3.5% |
Take your next deposit on Free.
Built by a tattoo artist, for tattoo artists. Free is $0 a month.
Asking for money up front is where a lot of bookings go quiet. Ask the right way and the client still feels welcome. On Free, a $20 deposit comes to $22.50 at checkout, not $21.98.
Start Free See pricingClients hear "deposit" and think it's for you. Tell them what it does: it holds their date, so nobody else can book that slot.
A no-show costs you a session. It also costs the next person on your list a spot they would have taken. A deposit makes the booking real for both of you, and gives the client a reason to read their reminders.
Love this idea. I've held Thursday for you. A $20 deposit keeps it yours.
sends those reminders by SMS and email 2 days, 2 hours and 30 minutes before. You can add 7 days and 1 day. If someone still cancels, the waitlist moves the next client up automatically.
2 days2 hours30 min+ 7 days+ 1 dayAsk for the deposit after you say yes. With approval-first booking, you check the idea, the placement and the references before any money moves. The client pays for a piece you've already agreed to do, so the deposit confirms the booking instead of standing in front of it.
The client sees your deposit, one booking fee on top, and the total. There is no separate processing fee, and nothing comes off your price.
The rest is paid at your session.
You're booked. Nothing more to pay until your session.
The booking fee covers card processing. It's the same single fee on every card payment for the tattoo: deposits, balances, full payments and walk-ins. On Free it's 9.9%, on Plus 4.5%, on Pro 3.5%, with a $2.50 minimum per payment.
By default, the client pays it. You can split it 50/50 or pay it yourself. Tips never carry a fee and go 100% to you.
Do I pay anything before Thursday?
Yes, Ray, a $20 deposit holds your Thursday spot. You'll see a $2.50 booking fee at checkout, so $22.50 in total. Link is below.
Nothing goes out until you send it.A deposit shows as paid the moment the client pays. Card payments go straight to your bank, deposited daily, and the money lands the next business day.
Take a $20 deposit on Free. 9.9% of $20 is $1.98. Every payment has a $2.50 minimum, so the fee is $2.50.
If you told the client $21.98, they see 52 cents more at checkout. Tell them $22.50.
$22.50
What the client pays for a $20 deposit on Free when they cover the fee.
You have three options. Leave the fee with the client and say so in your message. Split it, and each of you pays $1.25. Or pay it yourself, and the client sees $20.
The $2.50 minimum is the same on every plan, so a $20 deposit carries $2.50 on Plus and Pro too. Their lower rates matter on bigger payments, like the balance on session day.
Decide who pays the fee before you send the link.
You set the deposit amount. A flash sale piece and a back piece don't need the same deposit. The fee rule stays the same: your plan's rate or $2.50, whichever is higher.
fee = 9.9% of the payment, or $2.50, whichever is higher
Above $25.25, 9.9% comes to more than $2.50.
Pick an amount big enough that the client won't skip the session, and small enough that they don't stall at checkout. On a small deposit the $2.50 minimum sets the fee, so say who pays it.
Both carry the same booking fee and pay out the same way.
A sleeve or a back piece takes several sessions. Clients rarely want to pay for all of it on day one, and you don't want to wait for the last session to get paid.
A payment plan is the deposit, then a balance at each session, agreed at the start. Each is its own card payment, so each carries the booking fee and the same $2.50 minimum.
MayaOutside the fee$90.00The $20 deposit was paid at booking. Session 3 is the next payment.
Each session is its own card payment with its own booking fee. The tip carries none.
Tell the client this once, with who pays the fee, and no payment on session day surprises them.
Every plan has every feature and card processing included. Pick the plan that fits how much you take by card.
Take your next deposit on Free.
Built by a tattoo artist, for tattoo artists. Free is $0 a month.