Your tattoo appointment form should do more than just collect a session date and time. It’s your chance to gather all the information you need from the client to give them a smooth experience.
A detailed booking form captures contact details, tattoo design ideas, health history, and consent before the customer sits in your chair. This saves time and prevents back-and-forth messages.
This article breaks down the 10 key elements to include in your tattoo appointment form. We'll also show you how Porter's tattoo booking software makes it easy for your clients to fill out their personal information and book appointments online.
1. Client Information
The first section of your tattoo booking form should gather essential information about the customer.
When you have the right details upfront, you can confirm appointments, follow up with clients, and prepare for emergencies.
Here's what you should capture:
Name
Ask for the client’s full name for identification purposes. This is especially helpful for repeat customers and when tracking deposits or past sessions.
Contact Information
Include fields for phone number and email address. This way, you can send automated tattoo reminders, confirm appointment slots, or notify clients about schedule changes without relying on social media DMs.
Date of Birth
Collect the client's date of birth to verify that they are legally allowed to get a tattoo in your area. It also protects your shop from liability if age is ever questioned.
Emergency Contact Information
Require customers to add an emergency contact in case of unexpected incidents during the tattoo session. Ask for the full name, contact number, and relationship to the client.
2. Tattoo Design Information
Your tattoo booking form template should also include details about the tattoo itself.
Collecting design details early helps you prepare for the session, plan your schedule, and gather any special equipment or ink you might need. It also reduces back-and-forth communication since you’ll already have a clear idea of what the customer wants before they arrive.
Here are the most important elements to add:
Placement
Ask where the client wants the tattoo on their body.
Common tattoo placements include the forearm, wrist, chest, back, and thigh. However, you might also get a tattoo request for the inner biceps, fingers, feet, and even the inside of the lips. Make sure to include a small text field for these requests.
Knowing the tattoo placement ahead of the session helps you plan for duration, equipment, and any extra prep, like shaving the area or adjusting the stencil size.
Size
Have the client describe the approximate size in inches or centimeters. This detail is important for setting the tattoo price and knowing how long the session might take.
Style
Include a field for the preferred tattoo style, such as realism, traditional, or fine line. Doing so helps you match the design to your strengths or schedule with the right tattoo artist in your shop.
Color Preferences
Ask whether the client wants black and gray or full color. This way, you can prepare the right inks and adjust pricing if needed.
3. Tattoo Reference Image
Include a section for tattoo references in your online booking form to review custom and flash requests and avoid confusion during the appointment.
When clients can upload references and inspiration images, it gives you a clear idea of the style and look they want. This saves time during consultations and makes sure you and the client are on the same page before you start sketching.
Give clear instructions on the type of images you prefer. Ask for high-quality photos or drawings that are not blurry or pixelated. Suggest they send two to three images at most to avoid information overload. You can also include a note about file size limits so uploads are quick and easy.
Having a reference place through client submissions keeps your design process organized. You can store these images with the customer profile and refer to them on the day of the appointment.
4. Appointment Preferences
This section of the tattoo appointment form makes online booking easier for both you and your customers.
Clients control and choose when they want to come in. Meanwhile, tattoo artists manage their requests through a customizable calendar and avoid scheduling conflicts.
Add the following elements to your tattoo appointment form:
Time and Date
Display a calendar where clients can select their preferred appointment time and date. This simplifies the booking process and helps you prevent double bookings.
If you have limited hours or certain days for specific services, note that clearly in the booking form.
You can also block off days if you're traveling. Customers only see available dates in their city.
Artist Preference
Alternatively, you can give clients the option to request a specific artist if you have multiple staff members in your tattoo studio.
This helps you assign appointments correctly and keeps clients happy when they have a favorite artist they want to work with.
5. Health and Medical History
Collecting health information helps you decide whether it’s safe to proceed with the tattoo and prevents complications during or after the session.
You can also use this data to review requests before approving an appointment, especially if there are health concerns that may need a doctor’s clearance.
A good form builder will let you include checkboxes or yes/no questions to make this process quick for clients. Here's what you should ask:
Allergies
Ask customers if they have any allergies, especially to latex, metals, or certain inks. This lets you prepare alternative materials if needed.
Skin Conditions
Include a question about eczema, psoriasis, or other skin issues. Tattooing over affected skin can delay healing or cause irritation, so you may need to reschedule.
Medications
Find out if clients take blood thinners or medications that affect tattoo healing. This helps you decide on the safest approach or give proper aftercare advice.
Pregnancy Status
Always ask if the customer is pregnant or nursing. You'll need to delay tattooing until after pregnancy to avoid risks.
6. Age Verification and ID Upload
Age verification is one of the most important parts of a tattoo appointment form because tattooing a minor can lead to legal problems.
Include a checkbox for customers to confirm they meet the legal age requirement in your state. This is a quick way to collect information and keep a record that the client confirmed their age.
Your appointment request form should also allow customers to upload a photo of their ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Having this on file before the appointment saves time and prevents delays on the day of the session.
Storing a copy with the client’s record also protects your tattoo studio in case authorities question age verification later.
7. Deposit and Payment Information
Include payment details in your tattoo booking form to prevent confusion and reduce no-shows. When you clearly outline deposit policies, clients know exactly what to expect and are more likely to show up.
Many studios use this section to manage their request bookings, calendar deposits, and payments in one place, which keeps everything organized.
Explain that deposits are usually non-refundable and state the amount required to secure the appointment slot. Accepting deposits can cover your time and income if a customer cancels at the last minute.
Allow clients to pay their deposit directly through the booking form. If you accept full payment upfront, make that an option too for clients who prefer to prepay.
Then, list your accepted payment methods (whether cash, credit card, or Apple Pay), so customers come prepared.
Don't forget to mention any fees your clients pay by using their preferred payment method. For example, most credit cards come with extra charges.
Consider using a tattoo booking system that seamlessly integrates with payments to calculate the tax, encourage tipping, and pay your artists equally.
8. Waivers and Consent Forms
Consider adding digital waivers and consent forms to your tattoo booking form. These documents protect both you and your customers from legal complications.
Waivers typically explain that the client accepts the risks of getting a tattoo, including pain, possible infection, and healing issues.
Meanwhile, consent forms permit you to perform the tattoo. Sometimes, these also allow you to take photos for your portfolio.
Include a section for the client’s signature and date to make it official.
You may also want to add an artist section where they can record ink lot numbers, service descriptions, and staff signatures. This helps tattoo artists manage their work and comply with health regulations.
If needed, you can add custom categories for special cases or shop-specific requirements.
Share your personalized booking link so clients can fill these digital forms before the session to save time on the appointment day.
9. Studio Policies
Include shop rules and policies at the end of your tattoo booking form to avoid misunderstandings and keep your business running smoothly.
Clear policies make client management easier because everyone knows what to expect before the appointment.
This section can cover scheduling, cancellations, rescheduling rules, deposits, and custom design policies.
For example, if you work with limited time blocks, explain how you manage appointment slots to prevent clients from booking too close together or overlapping sessions.
You should also let customers know if you accept deposits with credit cards, Apple Pay, and even other mobile wallets. Then, clarify whether deposits are refundable or not.
You can even outline how clients can submit proposals or choose from your available artwork if you upload flash designs.
Add a note that clients can browse flash and see available placements and sizes ahead of time. This helps them decide what they want before booking and saves time during consultations.
10. Additional Comments and Requests
Save space for extra comments or special requests in your tattoo appointment form. Doing so helps you gather all customer notes in one place.
Many tattoo studios and artists struggle with tracking messages because social media and Insta DMs are unmanageable.
When appointments are placed through client chat, they are often non-repeatable and communicate poorly, leading to missed details.
Having a single form where clients can share their ideas or needs is much easier than sorting through scattered messages. It keeps everything organized and tied to the customer's profile.
This saves time on tattoo admin work, reduces mistakes, and allows you to focus on your art instead of switching between multiple apps.
Porter Lets You Build Fully Customizable Booking Forms
With Porter, you can design a tattoo appointment form that fits your shop’s exact needs. Add your own questions or use the built-in intake form, which is optimized for conversions. Let customers upload reference images and submit all the necessary information before their appointment.
Then, share the booking link to your social media accounts and add it as a plug-in to your website. Clients can schedule appointments without relying on social media DMs or email threads.
Porter offers online booking that’s as smooth as your lines on top of integrated payments, digital waivers, client management, marketing, and analytics.
The platform even sends automated reminders, which can help artists save time, reduce admin work, and focus on their art. Tattoo shops that use Porter have also seen 68% fewer no-shows and late cancellations.
All these features are included in a simple monthly subscription for artists and studios, making it easy to run your shop from one place.
FAQs About Tattoo Appointment Form
What paperwork do you fill out for a tattoo?
Most tattoo studios include an appointment form, consent form, and digital waivers that cover risk and aftercare instructions. Many also send a booking link to submit proposals so clients can upload design ideas and complete everything before their appointment. This keeps your records organized and saves time.
How to create a tattoo consent form?
You can make a simple consent form by sharing a custom booking link to fill out online. Include sections for risks, aftercare agreement, and a signature line. Add conditional logic to show or hide questions based on previous answers, which makes the form easier for clients to complete.
Is $200 per hour a lot for a tattoo?
Tattoo pricing depends on the artist’s experience, location, and demand. In many cities, $200 per hour is the standard rate for skilled artists. When users can start accepting full payment upfront, they often secure bookings faster and reduce cancellations.
How big is a $500 tattoo?
The exact size varies based on the artist’s rate, style, and detail. For example, a $500 tattoo might cover a forearm piece or a detailed medium-sized design. It’s always best to ask for a quote since complexity, placement, and color choices can affect the final tattoo price.
.avif)
