As a tattoo artist, you know the stress that comes with client scheduling. You often deal with last-minute cancellations, double-booked time slots, or endless back-and-forth messages just to lock in a new appointment.
That's where a tattoo scheduling app comes in. It allows you or your clients to book an appointment online without juggling DMs, text messages, and spreadsheets. With everything in one place, you can keep your calendar clear, payments secure, and customer communication simple.
This article reviews the best tattoo booking software apps, their key features, and pricing plans. We'll also show why Porter is the top choice when it comes to tattoo scheduling.
1. Porter
Porter is the clear choice if you want a scheduling app built specifically for tattoo artists and studios. The platform makes it easy for your customers to request appointments and book a schedule with you.
All you need to do is customize the booking form and share the booking link through your Instagram profile, website, and other digital channels where you can reach your target audience.
Customers can submit their information and appointment requests when they click the shared link. Once you accept their requests, the software automatically sends clients another link to your calendar, where they can choose a date and time for their appointments.
Porter also collects deposits, liability waivers, consent forms, and customer IDs ahead of the scheduled booking. This saves you and your clients' time, which can improve their experience and make them more likely to tip.ž
Tattoo artists who use Porter for online scheduling see a 44% increase in tips left by customers.
However, Porter is more than just another scheduling tool. It’s the first all-in-one tattoo software platform that combines booking, payments, artist payroll, point-of-sale (POS) hardware, marketing, and analytics.
Get started for free today to receive up to 15% more appointments!
Key Features
Here's a closer look at what Porter offers:
Custom Intake Forms
Porter lets you design forms that capture everything you need before an appointment, such as the client's age, preferred tattoo artist, tattoo details, and photo references.
After designing the booking form, you can share the custom link to your Instagram profile, website, or anywhere where clients can find your tattoo business. They can click that link to submit an appointment request with you.
Porter's forms save time and reduce back-and-forth messages. This seamless experience leads to 15% more booking appointments.
Self-Service Booking
When you accept a client's appointment request, they are redirected to Porter's booking page. This is where they can pick their preferred date and time slot for the tattoo session. Customers only see your available days and times to ensure you're never double-booked.
Porter also includes a smart scheduling functionality that nudges clients toward open slots that keep your days tight and efficient.
Automated Deposits
Porter automatically collects deposits during the booking process. Clients pay securely online to schedule time with you.
The platform also tracks these deposits, so you never have to chase payments or keep manual records.
Digital Consent Forms & Liability Waivers
Porter allows clients to complete liability waivers and consent forms digitally before they arrive.
On the appointment day, they receive a link to sign the documents and upload their IDs. This saves time and keeps everything compliant.
Appointment Reminders
Porter sends automatic text reminders to clients ahead of their scheduled tattoo session. This can reduce no-shows and help ensure customers arrive on time.
Tattoo artists who use Porter said they experienced 68% fewer no-shows and late cancellations. Be one of them and get started for free with Porter today!
Integrated POS Hardware and Online Payments
Porter offers a tattoo POS hardware device that lets customers pay by swiping or tapping their credit cards at the front desk.
No POS? No problem. Porter also accepts payments via its checkout links feature. Clients can pay using any credit card, Apple Pay, or other form of payment.
The system even includes tip collection, helping you run transactions smoothly without third-party tools.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Every client who books through Porter has a profile complete with contact details, requests, booking history, and notes.
This gives you a clear view of repeat clients, making follow-ups and personalized booking services simple to manage.
Marketing Campaigns
You can send email and SMS campaigns directly from Porter. Whether you’re promoting flash sales, announcing a guest spot, or reconnecting with past clients, you'll find it easier to market your tattoo services.
You can even ask customers for Google reviews to boost your online presence.
Pricing
Porter offers two paid plans for tattoo artists: Artist Essentials and Artist Pro. Both offer a 30-day free trial.
- Artist Essentials: At $35/month, this plan includes basic features, such as calendars, deposits, payments, automatic reminders, post-appointment follow-ups, chat, reports, and optional POS hardware.
- Artist Pro: It costs $65/month for everything in the Essentials plan plus automated waivers, access to Porter Marketing, 100 free text messages per month, and 250 free marketing emails every month.
If you want to grow your tattoo business and manage your entire shop, consider upgrading to the Studio Pro plan for $250/month. You can manage multiple artists, split commissions, collect sales tax, and get a custom shop website.
2. Venue Ink
Venue Ink is a dedicated tattoo shop software solution that simplifies the online booking process. It sends a unique Venue Ink booking link to your clients. This is where they can see your real-time availability, choose their time slot, and pay their deposits.
The platform can also automate reminders to notify customers of their upcoming appointments. This reduces no-shows and last-minute cancellations.
Venue Ink even lets you upload your tattoo designs, set pricing, and book clients instantly. Customers can quickly browse your flash gallery and pay directly without messaging you on Instagram or any third-party platform.
Key Features
- Appointment booking calendar: Venue Ink's built-in calendar stores all appointments, deposits, and blocked-off time in one location.
- Custom forms: Collect details about tattoo size, placement, or reference images before accepting an appointment.
- Automated booking confirmations and reminders: Clients receive instant confirmations and reminders about their upcoming tattoo session.
- Payment management: The platform uses Stripe to secure and process payments from credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Affirm.
- Flash uploads: You can sell your flash, set tattoo pricing, and book clients instantly.
Pricing
Venue Ink's platform is free to use for all independent tattoo artists. However, it charges your clients 10% to process deposits and card payments.
If you want your finances taken care of, consider the Solo Pro paid plan. At $50/month, it includes an optional payment terminal and monthly reporting to simplify accounting.
Meanwhile, the Studio Pro plan (priced at $150/month) is designed for growing tattoo shops. It comes with five monthly residents or guests, monthly accounting reporting, and a free personalized payment terminal.
3. YouCanBookMe
YouCanBookMe provides a custom booking page where clients can select their preferred artist, specify tattoo size or style, and book consultations that fit your schedule.
You can review online bookings before accepting new clients. Screen for age limits or consent requirements without leaving the platform.
You also have total control of your schedule. For example, set daily booking limits, create half-day or full-day slots, and add buffers in between tattoo sessions.
Plus, the platform collects deposits and full payments upfront from Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Stripe. It even displays your cancellation policy to reduce no-shows and protect your time.
However, YouCanBookMe is not a dedicated tattoo studio software app. That means it lacks specialized solutions that help you manage clients and all your tattoo shop's needs from a single location.
Key Features
- Custom tattoo booking forms: Gather important details about tattoo style, size, or design references. Then, review appointment requests before saying yes.
- Artist pages: Create individual booking pages for all your artists to encourage more clients to schedule time with their favorite.
- Calendar integrations: YouCanBookMe syncs with Google, Outlook, or Apple calendars to help you stay organized and avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Flexible schedules: Add buffers, set cancellation rules, and adjust booking windows to match how you work.
- Payment system: The platform accepts deposits or full payments via debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Stripe.
Pricing
YouCanBookMe is free to use if you only need a single calendar connection and an individual booking page.
The platform also offers paid plans for growing tattoo artists, home studios, and large tattoo shops.
- Individual: At $9/month, it comes with two calendar connections, two booking pages, three availability displays, extra notifications, custom reminders, fixed-date scheduling, and password protection.
- Professional: This plan costs $13/month and includes all the features from the Individual plan. It also provides access to unlimited automated workflows, unlimited booking form questions, analytics tracking, Zapier integrations, and SMS messages.
- Teams: At $18/member/month, this plan is designed for multi-artist tattoo studios. It offers everything in Professional plus multiple administrators, role assignments, unlimited API access, priority support, and personalized onboarding.
4. Misfit Tattoo
Misfit Tattoo offers an online tattoo appointment booking system that eliminates the hassle of manual scheduling.
It works by integrating with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud. This shows your studio's real-time availability to avoid double bookings or missed appointments. You or your clients book their slots at their convenience.
The platform can also send automatic reminders and pre-care instructions to make sure clients arrive ready for their tattoo session.
Misfit Tattoo includes a digital waiver integration that requires clients to read and sign consent forms before their appointment. This saves time and optimizes client intake.
Key Features
- Integrated calendar system: The platform instantly syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud. Clients can see your real-time availability and book their preferred time slots.
- Automated reminders: Customers receive automatic alerts before their session to reduce no-shows.
- Digital consent forms: Misfit Tattoo sends mobile-friendly consent forms and waivers that clients can complete from any device.
- Pre-care and after-care instructions: You can also send care guidelines before and after the appointment to provide the best experience and healing for your customers.
- Messaging hub: It supports social media integrations with platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This brings all your client interactions into a unified inbox.
Pricing
Misfit Tattoo offers various plans to suit different types of artists and tattoo studios.
- Solo: At $47/month, this plan includes a single artist account and a single calendar. It is designed for independent tattoo artists.
- Duo: It costs $97/month for two artist accounts, a shop manager account, and two artist calendars.
- Shop: It is priced at $197/month for large tattoo studios. It provides access to unlimited artist accounts, unlimited calendars, and a shop manager account.
All plans are billed every month, so you’re not locked into a long-term contract.
However, Misfit Tattoo charges additional usage fees.
SMS messages cost $0.02 per 160-character segment, while MMS messages cost $0.044 each. Emails are free up to 1,000 per month, with extra emails charged at $1 per 1,000.
10DLC registration is also required, which involves a one-time fee of $10 plus an ongoing monthly cost of $4 to $10.
Why Use a Tattoo Appointment Scheduling Software App
Using a scheduling app can benefit you in several ways:
Save Time on Manual Bookings
With a dedicated tattoo scheduling platform, you can eliminate unnecessary DMs and texts. Clients submit their information and book an online appointment in just a few clicks.
This leaves you with more time to focus on creating art instead of managing calendars. You no longer need to worry about missed messages or double bookings.
Improve Customer Experience
A tattoo scheduling app makes booking transparent and straightforward for your clients. Instead of waiting for your response, they can see your real-time availability and book instantly.
When customers find it easy to schedule time with you, they’re more likely to return and recommend your work to friends.
Reduce No-Shows With Automated Reminders
Customers who don't show up to an agreed-upon booking can waste your day and cost you money. Scheduling apps reduce no-shows by sending reminders via text or email so clients don’t forget their appointments.
Many tools can also set deposit requirements to ensure that only serious customers book, reducing last-minute cancellations.
Minimize Scheduling Errors and Double Bookings
Tracking appointments on paper or across different calendar apps can easily lead to mistakes. Scheduling software automatically updates your calendar so you’re never double-booked.
This is especially helpful if your studio has many artists working under one roof. Each artist can manage their own schedule while sharing a central system.
That way, you avoid confusion, keep clients happy, and make sure every available time slot is being used productively.
Streamline Client Management
Managing client information doesn’t have to mean digging through old messages.
Tattoo scheduling apps store all important details, including contact info, client history, and forms. This makes it easy to pull up notes about a customer’s design preferences or aftercare needs.
Other platforms also segment your client base so you can send personalized marketing campaigns that drive clients back to your tattoo shop.
Boost Revenue
A scheduling app does more than keep your calendar organized. It also helps you earn more money.
With online booking available 24/7, clients can grab open slots even when you’re not answering messages.
The platform can also collect deposits during booking and process payments after the appointment. You no longer need to chase money manually.
How to Choose the Best Tattoo Scheduling App
Keep these tips in mind to select the right tattoo scheduling platform for your needs.
- Identify your needs: Decide if you need a simple booking tool or a complete tattoo management software solution that combines payments, CRM, and marketing.
- Evaluate ease of use and mobile accessibility: Pick a user-friendly app that works smoothly on both desktop and mobile. This lets you and your clients book or manage appointments anywhere.
- Check client communication features: Look for reminders, confirmations, follow-ups, and aftercare solutions that set clear expectations and keep clients informed.
- Review payment and deposit management: Choose an app with secure deposits and payment features. Verify POS support or integration with leading payment methods.
- Assess customization and branding options: Select software that lets you customize booking pages, forms, and settings to provide a professional experience.
- Compare pricing plans: Consider subscription fees and extra charges, like SMS or processing costs. The best platform provides significant ROI through increased bookings, recurring appointments, and reduced no-shows.
Simplify Bookings and Calendar Management With Porter
With Porter, scheduling becomes effortless for both you and your customers. They receive a booking link, submit important details, and pick a date and time from your calendar once you accept their request.
You can also schedule appointments yourself, which is perfect for walk-in bookings. Manage your calendar without relying on DMs and long email threads.
What makes Porter unique is how it goes beyond booking. It’s an all-in-one tattoo studio management software that streamlines your studio's operations.
You can collect deposits, manage payments, send automated reminders, chat with clients, and launch marketing campaigns from one platform.
Instead of juggling separate tools, Porter centralizes everything so you can focus on doing tattoos and growing your business.
FAQs About the Best Scheduling App for Tattoo Artists
How to use the Porter app for booking appointments?
Using Porter is simple. Clients click your unique booking link on Instagram, your website, or anywhere and submit a request. You instantly receive the client's details and accept their request.
After confirmation, customers choose a date and time from your calendar and pay a deposit. They will receive appointment reminders and consent forms that they need to sign before the tattoo session.
Do tattoo scheduling apps reduce no-shows?
Yes, most tattoo scheduling apps significantly reduce no-shows. Features like automated reminders, upfront deposits, and clear cancellation rules help clients commit to their appointments.
Is tattoo appointment scheduling software suitable for walk-ins and last-minute bookings?
Yes, many scheduling apps let you leave open slots or mark availability for walk-ins. This way, last-minute clients can grab open times without disrupting your booked sessions.
How do tattoo scheduling apps handle reschedules and cancellation policies?
Tattoo scheduling apps make reschedules and cancellations easy for both you and the client. You can set clear rules about notice periods, deposits, and refunds. Clients may request changes through the app, while you stay in control of booking policies.
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